Representative Samuel L. Graham View All Years

HON. SAMUEL L. GRAHAM

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare resolutions in commemoration of the life, character and services of the Honorable Samuel L. Graham, beg leave to submit the following report:

Samuel L. Graham was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and departed this life at his home in Ottumwa, Iowa, on the 13th day of October, 1930, at the age of seventy-eight years. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Jesse Graham Ream of Ottumwa.

Having graduated from the high school of Washington, Pennsylvania, he enrolled as a student of Washington and Jefferson College, later entering Waynesburg College at Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, from which college he was graduated. He then took a course in the Yale law school in constitutional and commercial law.

At various times Mr. Graham was principal of a graded school, superintendent of city schools and superintendent of county schools in DeKalb County, Illinois. He then entered the retail clothing business in Ottumwa, Iowa, which business he conducted about fifteen years. In 1920 he was elected state representative from Wapello county on the republican ticket and served continually in the Iowa Legislature until 1926 when he retired. In 1927 he was elected city commissioner of the city of Ottumwa, Iowa, which office he held for two years.

Mr. Graham always took a great interest in community affairs and was a member of several lodges and clubs, among them the Masonic Lodge, the Elks and Odd Fellows. He continued his activity in community affairs until the day before his death.

Funeral services were held October 16, from the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Ottumwa, Iowa, and were in charge of Ottumwa Lodge, 347, B. P. O. E.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-fourth General Assembly, That in the passing of the Honorable Samuel L. Graham the state lost a loyal and valuable citizen, a man of public spirit and one who was always ready to do his part for his community and for his state, and this House by this resolution tenders its sympathy to his surviving daughter; and

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal, and an enrolled copy sent to the surviving relative.

LEONARD SIMMER,

L. B. FORSLING,

J. T. HANSEN,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 13, 1931.