Senator James J. Gillespie View All Years

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James J. Gillespie

Polk County

JAMES J. GILLESPIE

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late James J. Gillespie, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, begs leave to submit the following:

James J. Gillespie was born at Scranton, Greene County, Iowa, May 13, 1892, the son of Dr. John J. and Margaret McCune Gillespie. He was reared in Des Moines and was educated in the Des Moines schools. He studied pharmacy and pre-medics at Highland Park College and Drake University in Des Moines.

Jim, as he was known to his host of friends, operated his first drug store on the corner of Seventh and Locust Street. He continued to operate various drugstores in Des Moines for many years before retiring because of ill health. He was active in civic affairs and in retail associations and was a past president of the Iowa Pharmaceutical Association.

Mr. Gillespie served as State Senator from Polk County in 1936 and 1937, being the first Democrat to hold that office in eighty years. He later served as United States Marshal from 1941 to 1950.

Mr. Gillespie was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, St. John’s Holy Name Society, and the fourth degree Knights of Columbus. A veteran of World War I, he was a charter member of Argonne Post of the American Legion.

Death came to Mr. Gillespie at his home in Des Moines on Monday, February 16, 1959. He is survived by his widow Bess, a daughter Betty (Mrs. E. J. Oakes), a sister Mary (Mrs. E. C. Noyes), a half brother Charles W. Gilbride and three grandchildren all of Des Moines.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Fifty-eighth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable James J. Gillespie, the state has lost an able and honored citizen and the Senate tenders by this resolution its sincere sympathy to the surviving members of his family in their sorrow.

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 directed to forward an enrolled copy to the members of the family of the deceased.

GEORGE E. O’MALLEY,

D. C. NOLAN,

FRANK C. BYERS,

Committee.

The resolution was unanimously adopted.

Senate District 30