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Permanent LinkSenator George Allison Wilson View All Years
GEORGE A. WILSON
MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable George A. Wilson, begs leave to submit the following:
George A. Wilson was born on a farm near Menlo, Adair County, Iowa, on April 1, 1884, and died September 8, 1953. The youngest son of James H. and Martha G. Wilson, he attended rural school and was graduated from the Menlo high school. Later he attended Grinnell college and was graduated from the law school of the State University of Iowa in 1907.
On December 8, 1921, he was married to Miss Mildred Zehner, who survives him. To this union were born one daughter, Mary, and three sons, James, George, Jr., and John, all of whom survive. All three sons served in World War II.
George A. Wilson served as an Assistant Secretary of the Senate in 1904. After graduation from the law school at the University of Iowa, he began practicing law and became Secretary of the Senate in 1911. His active political career began with his election as County Attorney in Polk County in 1914.
After serving as judge of the district court, which position he resigned to again undertake the practice of law, he was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 1926 and re-elected in 1930 and 1934. In 1938 he was elected Governor of the State of Iowa and was re-elected in 1940. Then in 1942 he was elected as a United States Senator from Iowa.
The political career of George A. Wilson extended over a period of nearly half a century. During the four years he served as Governor he was best known for his honesty and for insisting upon economy and wise expenditure of public funds. A public safety department was established during this time along with many other fine accomplishments.
While serving in the United States Senate, George Wilson served on important committees which included Agriculture, Armed Forces, and Small Business.
George Wilson, who had great faith in Des Moines and Iowa, was interested in the improvement of conditions in rural areas of Iowa, especially the schools and farm-to-market roads. His was an interest in the betterment of rural life generally. Throughout his life his rural ties were never forgotten.
He was one of Iowa’s few native sons to serve his state in all three branches of government the executive, legislative and judicial. As a lawyer, he was known as an outstanding trial attorney in the state. As Chief Executive, he was well known for his honesty and was untiring in his efforts to better the general well-being of the State of Iowa. With his exceptional background of experience, his knowledge of legislative procedure was unexcelled. His was a life of service for the people of this state.
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Fifty-Sixth General Assembly: That in the passing of the Honorable George A. Wilson, the state has lost a valuable and honorable citizen and one who contributed unselfish service to the State of Iowa.
Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread on the Journal of the Senate, and that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the members of the family of the deceased.
G. E. WHITEHEAD,
JACK M. WORMLEY,
GEORGE E. O’MALLEY,
Committee.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.