Representative Reyburn L. Rutledge View All Years

HONORABLE REYBURN L. RUTLEDGE

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare appropriate resolutions commemorating the life, character, and public service of the Honorable Reyburn L. Rutledge begs leave to submit the following:

Reyburn L. Rutledge was born in Webster county, Iowa, June 29, 1888, and died August 26, 1939. Mr. Rutledge spent his entire life in Webster county, actively identified with every phase of community life.

He attended and graduated from the Fort Dodge public schools. In a judging contest at the 1908 state fair he received a scholarship to Iowa State College. He continued his studies at that institution and before his graduation won honors on the football team.

His interest in farming continued through the years. He and Mrs. Rutledge were associated with the Farm Bureau in all of its activities.

He volunteered in the World War, and was assigned to aviation service in 1918. He was a member of the American Legion, and took part in all of the activities of this organization.

Mr. Rutledge was elected Representative from Webster county and served in the Forty-second, Forty-third, and Forty-fourth General Assemblies, where he proved to be one of its most diligent members. He was speaker pro tem of the Forty-fourth General Assembly. His official activities were characterized by honesty and upright business methods. He was a staunch Republican and a zealous worker for his party.

He was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Mears of Grinnell. To this union four daughters were born, Jean, Ann, Alice, and Mary. He was a member of the Congregational church of Fort Dodge and the burial service was from that church.

The news of the sudden death of Reyburn L. Rutledge shocked not only his family and the immediate community but his numerous friends throughout the state. His passing brought a sense of desolation and loss which was manifestly evident, wherever the information was received.

Mr. Rutledge was a typical product of his day and generation, representing the best characteristics of the immediate descendants of the early pioneers who made valuable contributions to Iowa history. His·grandfather, the Honorable L. S. Coffin (lovingly called Father Coffin) was one of the best known pioneers of northwest Iowa. His mother, Carrie Coffin Rutledge, during her lifetime, was one of Iowa’s most capable women, prominent in woman’s suffrage, temperance, and religious groups; she pioneered in each.

The highest compliment that can be paid to the memory of Mr. Rutledge is to recall his faithfulness to his friends and his intimate love and devotion to his family.

He was the author of the following poem which expresses eloquently his outlook in life:

RELIGION

When the talk turns on Religion

I have notions of my own,

Have my versions of the Bible

And the things I think alone.

For Religion as I see it

Is a pathway to a goal,

It is something to be settled

Between each man and his soul.

Now I’m not a Roman Catholic

But I wouldn’t go so far

As to throw away the friendship

Of the folks I know who are.

For I’ve lived and neighbored with them

Found them loyal through and through,

I’ve respect and admiration

For the kindly things they do.

So I’ve come to the conclusion

Tho some people think it odd

That it makes but little difference

How a good man worships God.

I know Methodists and Baptists,

Lutherans, Scientists and Jews

Whose friendship is a treasure

I wouldn’t want to lose.

And I honor and respect them

And wouldn’t dare condemn

The form of prayer and worship

That is comforting to them.

So when bigots talk Religion

I just settle back and see

All the kindly friends and loyal

Every Church has given me.

Reyburn L. Rutledge

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty­ninth General Assembly, That the foregoing Memorial be adopted as its appreciation of the life, character, and public service of the late Reyburn L. Rutledge.

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

JOHN S. HEFFNER,

MELVIN WILSON,

JAMES F. STANEK,

Committee.