Representative Amplias Hale Avery View All Years

Memorial to the Honorable A. H. Avery of Clay County

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable A. H. Avery, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

A. H. Avery, better known as “Dad,” was born near Excelsior, Richland County, Wisconsin, on May 20, 1870. Thereafter, “Dad” Avery's life was a monument of individualism, perseverance, service and integrity.

His mother died when he was three years old, and his father died when he was nine. He was educated in the rural schools and Cedar Valley Seminary, Osage, Iowa. In 1899, he moved to South Dakota and taught school at Ashland and Woonsocket until 1901. In that year, he moved to Spencer, Iowa, as high school principal, and was made superintendent the next year, in which capacity he continued for 14 years.

No matter which field you inquire, you find the humanitarian stamp of “Dad” Avery's character.

He helped found the Spencer public library and served on the library board from its birth to his death.

Many remember “Dad” Avery and his chautauqua work. He did much of the promotional work and was platform manager in Spencer, Emmetsburg and Algona.

He was instrumental in founding the Spencer DeMolay chapter in 1922, and served from that time until his death as Dad Advisor. He was always proud of the opportunity to serve and work with “his boys.”

He was a P. M. Woonsocket Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M., Evening Shade Lodge No. 312, A. F. & A. M., Past High Priest of Clay Chapter No. 112, Royal Arch Masons: Past Illustrious Master, Temple Council No. 37, Royal and Select Masters; Past Commander of Asotus Commandery No. 65, K. T. Past Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Commandery of the State of Iowa; 32 degree K.C.C.H. Sioux City Consistory No. 5.

His first wife, a daughter and a grandson preceded him in death. He is survived by four great grandchildren; seven grandchildren; three children, Mrs. Theta Tucker, Barbara Avery and Alden D. Avery; and by his second wife, Mrs. Grace Avery.

“Dad” Avery was mayor of the city of Spencer in 1926 and 1927, and served at the time as president of the Iowa League of Municipalities.

He entered the insurance field in 1916. His bearing and conduct in that field was such as to reflect great credit upon the industry.

“Dad” Avery was one of the grandest in the Grand Old Party. His friends and neighbors first sent him to the Forty-fourth General Assembly, and his humanitarian ideals and intellectual ability were such that he was returned as Representative in the Forty-fifth Extra, Forty-sixth, Forty-sixth Extra, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fiftieth Extra Fifty-first, Fifty-second, Fifty-second Extra and Fifty-third sessions of the General Assemblies. He was speaker pro tempore of the Fiftieth session. Of him, his colleagues stated: “When ‘Dad’ Avery spoke, we listened.”

A beloved member of his community, he was voted “Tops in Our Town” in July, 1950. His passing on December 7, 1950, at Spencer, Iowa, bereaves the state and his county of a respected and beloved citizen. Friend, neighbor, legislator, schoolmaster, humanitarian, his passing is mourned by all who were fortunate enough to be among his large list of friends and acquaintances.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty­fourth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable A. H. Avery, the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen, and the House expresses its appreciation of his character and public service and tenders, by this resolution, its sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his beloved family in their great sorrow and loss.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

PAUL COOKSEY,

J. C. DAVIS,

ARCH W. MCFARLANE,

Committee.