Representative John F. Kline View All Years

HON. JOHN F. KLINE

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life, character and service of Hon. John F. Kline, former member of the House of Representatives from Davis County, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following memorial:

John F. Kline was born in Wapello county, March 15, 1873, and passed away at his home in Bloomfield, on October 8, 1929.

He attended the country schools and the Southern Iowa Normal at Bloomfield, and Highland Park College at Des Moines. After completion of his college course, he taught in the country schools of Wapello and Davis counties.

On September 4, 1901, he was married to Miss Susie Darneille, of Fabius township, and soon afterward moved to Bloomfield, where he resided the remainder of his life, except for a portion of 1910, when he lived at Newton, and was owner and publisher of the Newton Herald.

During the years he resided in Bloomfield, he was actively engaged in the merchandising of fuel, flour, feed and groceries, and at the time of his death was a member of the Kline Brothers firm of grocers. He was also editor of the Bloomfield Democrat for about a year.

Mr. Kline was one of the leading citizens of Davis county and the state of Iowa, serving with distinction in the Forty-second, Forty-second Extra and Forty-third General Assemblies, as democratic representative from Davis county. In 1929, he was appointed by Governor Hammill a member of the Special Tax Commission, in recognition of his fine service in the Legislature. He was also author of the Kline Amendment to the Road Bill.

Mr. Kline was a member of the Bloomfield Christian Church, and served on its Board for many years. He was prominent in local fraternal organizations, and a real leader in all city and county progressive movements. He served as city councilman, and was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee.

His death on October 8, 1929, came shortly after being removed to his home from the University Hospital at Iowa City, where they were unable to give him assistance. His funeral was held from the Christian Church at Bloomfield, by Rev. Charles W. Cornn and Rev. C. V. Allison; interment at I. O. O. F. Cemetery. Senator Carroll and Representatives Pattison, Ballew and Simmer were the honorary pall bearers.

Mr. Kline gave largely to his community and his state, of his time and his talents, and he sought no greater reward than the confidence of faithful friends which he gained in large measure. He studied constantly how he might be of greatest service to his home, church and friends, and those who sent him to legislative halls.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-fourth General Assembly, That in the passing of the Honorable John F. Kline, this state has lost a loyal citizen, a man of strong character and sterling worth, and this House, by these resolutions, extends its sincere sympathy to his surviving relatives.

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the records of this House, and an enrolled copy thereof be sent to the wife of the deceased.

S. F. RANDOLPH,

HOWARD BALLEW,

H. C. PATTISON,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 13, 1931.