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Permanent LinkSenator Eugene Schaffter View All Years
EUGENE SCHAFFTER
MR. PRESIDENT—Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life, character and services of Eugene Schaffter of Wright county, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following report:
Eugene Schaffter was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, September 3rd, 1864. He was the son of Charles Albin and Lucy (Hall) Schaffter. Mr. Schaffter’s parents were natives of Switzerland, where the father followed the printers’ and machinists trades. When the family came to America he followed the printing trade in Virginia and served as public printer and finally moved to Paxton, Illinois, in 1880, his son moving with him.
Two years later the family moved to Eagle Grove, Iowa, and the father bought the town paper, which he published until his death in 1894.
Eugene Schaffter received his education in the public schools and the Collegiate and Normal Institute of Paxton, Illinois. He worked at newspaper reporting in Batavia, Illinois, until 1882, when he secured a position as stenographer and clerk for Railroad Superintendent Burt. For a short time he was with Mr. Burt at Clinton, and was the same year returned to Eagle Grove and was chief clerk for Mr. Hopkins, Burt’s successor.
In 1890 he resigned and went to Europe, spending considerable time in that part of Switzerland where his parents were born and later entered the University of Berlin for one term.
On his return to America, he again entered the employ of the Northwestern at Eagle Grove, and in 1899 after seventeen years of service in this kind of work, he resigned and entered the law practice with D. C. Filkins. Two years later Mr. Filkins moved to Minneapolis, and Mr. Schaffter continued the practice alone until ill health forced him to give his work up, about two months before his death.
Mr. Schaffter was married to Miss Hattie Hecket, and she and their two daughters still survive.
In 1908 he was delegate to the Republican National Convention, and in 1918 was elected senator, and served in the Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth sessions. His term would have expired January 1, 1923, and it was his intention to ask re-election.
He was very active in Masonic circles. He was Past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons of Iowa and Grand Masons of Iowa and Grand Illustrious Master of the Council.
He served as mayor of the city of Eagle Grove, and was president of the school board for a number of years, and was also a member of the library board.
He died at his home in Eagle Grove, Monday, October 31st, 1921, from pernicious anemia. He had been afflicted with this disease for some time, but it did not develop seriously until a few months before his death. He made several trips to Rochester, Minnesota, had several blood transfusions, but the results were not lasting. He passed away without suffering about one o’clock Monday morning.
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, By the Senate of the Fortieth General Assembly of Iowa, that in the death of Eugene Schaffter, the state and community where he lived, have suffered the loss of an influential and honorable citizen; and
Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the secretary be directed to send an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.
ED M. SMITH.