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Permanent LinkRepresentative James H. McGhee View All Years
HON. J. H. MCGHEE
MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorative of the life, character, and public services of the late Honorable J. H. McGhee of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, beg leave·to submit the following report:
James H. McGhee was born of Scotch parentage on a farm near Postville, Iowa, June 8, 1861. He died in Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, December 29, 1924.
He received his education in the public schools in and near Postville. At an early age he engaged in the implement business and continued in this line until 1882, when he moved to Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa, and there took up the live stock and farming business.
In 1885 he was married to Sophie Jenewein, who died in 1893. To this union were born three children.
In 1894 Mr. McGhee was elected sheriff of Allamakee county, which office he held six years. He established a record for administration of that position which is much respected to this day. He also held other offices of trust in the communities in which he lived. In 1903 he moved to Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and began buying and selling live stock, which occupation he continued until 1918, when he was elected state representative by the republican party. He filled this office with credit to himself and county and was re-elected in 1920. In 1922 he was elected mayor of Mason City, carrying every precinct in the city. This office he held at the time of his death.
Mr. McGhee was a good man. He was honest, kind hearted and considerate and was faithful to the trusts imposed upon him; he was a man of strong convictions, who had the welfare of his community and state ever at heart and looked only to the interest of the people whom he served.
In the death of James H. McGhee, Cerro Gordo county and the state of Iowa have sustained a great loss.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take this occasion to express its appreciation of his character and public service and at this time extend to his surviving children its sincere sympathy in their sorrow, and,
Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be instructed to send an enrolled copy to the children of the deceased.
C. A. KNUTSON,
JOHN H. AIKEN,
CHAS. W. HUFF, Committee.
Unanimously adopted March 30, 1925.