Representative Theodore C. Blume View All Years

HON. THEODORE C. BLUME

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee which was appointed to prepare a memorial commemorating the life, character and public services of the late Theo. C. Blume, beg leave to report the following:

Theodore C. Blume was born in Marshall county, Illinois, December 10th, 1861. He died October 18th, 1925, at the Denison Hospital, Crawford County, Iowa, after a short illness. His early boyhood days were spent with his parents in Livingston County, Illinois. In 1880 the family moved to Iowa where they located on a farm in Hanover Township, Crawford County.

In 1884, Mr. Blume began teaching in the public schools of Crawford County. Later he attended school at Dexter Normal College, Dexter, Iowa, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree. He also attended Drake University at Des Moines. In 1891 he accepted a position as instructor in the normal department of Greer College at Hoopeston, Illinois, where he remained until 1894, when he was elected city superintendent of the public schools of Dyersville, Iowa.

August 1, 1894, at Dubuque, Iowa, he was united in marriage to Amalia Girard. He and his wife purchased the old home place in Crawford County, and moved there in 1895 where they lived until Mr. Blume’s death. The family still reside there. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blume, namely, Clara, Rachel, Mary, Herman, Frederick and Hertha.

His family greatly miss their kindly, affectionate husband and father. He was a Christian gentleman and his wise counsel and good example will always be a guiding remembrance through the coming years.

Mr. Blume early became interested in public affairs of his county. He soon became known as a well read man with a superior education and a sincere desire to help bring about the brotherhood of man. In 1900, he was elected by the democratic voters as state representative from Crawford County. He served in the Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Fortieth and Fortieth extra General Assemblies. His public life was never questioned. He stood at all times for what he thought was right regardless of consequences. His firmness of principle and honesty of purpose brought admiration from his friends and others as well.

He was a pioneer in the assisting of farm organizations. He unselfishly gave many hours of his time and thoughtful study to promoting farm organization movements. His last years were devoted to the work of the Farmers Co-operative and Educational Union of Iowa. At the time of his death he was president of the county organization and director of the State Union.

Although he was nearly sixty-four years old when he died, he had continued to work hard right up to the time of his last short illness. He gave himself unselfishly that others might be blessed. His home, his community and state has been faithfully served.

In recognition of the value of his service to the people and state of Iowa, and as an expression of our appreciation of his exemplary life and character:

Be It Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Forty-second General Assembly, that in the passing of the Honorable Theodore C. Blume, the state has lost an honored and valuable citizen, a man of high ideals, in righteous living and useful citizenship.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the House Journal and that an enrolled copy be sent to the family of the deceased.

JAS. D. FLEMING,

L. T. QUIRK,

GEO. E. MILLER,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 6, 1927.