Senator Frank B. Shane View All Years

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Compiled Historical Information

Date of Death: 10/4/1965

Birth Place: Granville, Iowa

Birth County: Mahaska

Party Affiliation: Republican

Assemblies Served:
Senate: 40 (1923) - 43 (1929)

House: 34 (1911)

Home County: Wapello

Frank B. Shane

Wapello County

FRANK SHANE

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Frank Shane, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Frank Shane was born to the Rev. and Mrs. B. F. Shane, May 16, 1875, at Granville, in Mahaska County. A graduate of Letts High school in 1892, he attended Iowa Wesleyan college, Mt. Pleasant, and the college of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk.

Mr. Shane taught school in Appanoose, Van Buren and Lee counties prior to establishing a retail drug business in Stockport in 1900. In 1902 he moved to Eldon, where he owned and operated a drug store until 1912.

During the time the Shane family resided in Eldon, Mr. Shane served as a member of the school board, as justice of the peace and as mayor, and was elected state representative from Wapello county to serve in the thirty-fourth general assembly. He also served as president of the Iowa Pharmaceutical association.

In 1913, the family moved to Ottumwa, where Mr. Shane was engaged in the insurance business for some 20 years and during which time his life in public service continued. In 1922, he was elected to the State Senate and served during the Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty-second and Forty-third General Assemblies. He was President Pro Tempore of the Senate for two sessions and became Acting Lieutenant Governor for several months after the death of Clem C. Kimball in 1928.

Mr. Shane began the practice of law in l939 after passing the State Bar examinations at the age of 64, practicing in Eldon, but driving to Ottumwa several times each week for court appearances.

A Republican, Mr. Shane was active in his party for some 50 years and was the uncle of former Governor William Beardsley.

He was a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities, of the Rotary club and the Wapello club.

He died October 4, 1965 at Ottumwa. Surviving were his widow, the former Gail Walker of Chariton, whom he married in 1899, a daughter, Elise, Mrs. George Coleman of Brentwood, Missouri, and a son, George, of Des Moines.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE SIXTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: That in the passing of Frank Shane, the citizens of the state have lost a valued, loyal and honored citizen, and by this resolution tenders its sincere sympathy to the members of his family.

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 instructed to forward an enrolled copy to each member of his family.

GENE W. GLENN, Chairman

BASS VAN GILST,

DONALD S. MCGILL,

Committee.

The resolution was unanimously adopted.

Senate District 13