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Permanent LinkSenator A. H. Bergman View All Years
A. H. BERGMAN
The committee appointed to prepare a memorial commemorating the life, character and public services of the Honorable A. H. Bergman, a former member of the General Assembly of Iowa, begs leave to submit the following:
Honorable A. H. Bergman was born on a farm eight miles north of Newton, Iowa, on March 12, 1872, where he spent his boyhood days. He graduated from the rural public schools and then entered a business college in Des Moines, Iowa, from which he graduated in the year 1890. In 1893, as a partner, he entered the business of manufacturing the Parsons Band Cutter and Self-Feeder. Seven years later he entered the business of manufacturing washing machines, in which business he was interested up to a short time prior to his death. He was elected president of the First National Bank of Newton, Iowa, in 1925, which position he held for several years.
He was married to Miss Madge Stevens of Newton, Iowa, on November 26, 1902, and lived in Newton during his entire married life.
In 1922 he was elected State Senator from Jasper county, and was reelected in 1926. During his terms in the legislature, he was keenly interested in all legislative measures, but more especially legislation looking toward good roads, and in fact is known as the “father” of the first Gasoline Tax Bill in Iowa. His work and energy given for the betterment of secondary roads, and the laws passed by reason of such work and energy, are well known to all citizens of Iowa. Next to good roads legislation, he was vitally interested in legislation in connection with banking and agricultural activities.
Mr. Bergman was stricken with paralysis in March, 1930, from the effects of which he never recovered, and on November 2, 1933, at 8:45 p. m., the Great Architect of the universe called this former Senator across the bar to that Great Beyond.
Mr. Bergman was extremely interested in all local and community affairs, and took an active part as a community builder, and to any worthy cause he gave his personal attention; no question was too large or too difficult. He was progressive, but not destructive; he was conservative, but not reactionary; he was kind and charitable to the people of his community and the state, and was always willing to lend a helping hand; and, as a citizen and friend, he worked among his neighbors doing good. A man of unimpeachable character, unassuming, painstaking, and industrious; he played an important part in the politics, legislation and business of the state. He has left a record of which his wife, relatives and friends will always be proud.
In the passing of A. H. Bergman, the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen, a man of strong character and sterling worth, and the Senate of Iowa, by this memorial tenders its heartfelt sympathy to his wife and his immediate family who survive.
The committee directs that a copy of this memorial be spread on the Journal of the Senate as an expression of the life and worth of the deceased, and that an engrossed copy thereof be transmitted to his wife.
D. MYRON TRIPP,
J. R. FRAILEY,
GEO. A. WILSON,
Committee.