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Permanent LinkSenator Carl Oscar Sjulin View All Years
CARL O. SJULIN
MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Carl O. Sjulin, begs leave to submit the following memorial:
Carl O. Sjulin, one of Hamburg’s most influential businessmen and longtime southwest Iowa booster, died at Grape Community Hospital on Friday, March 29, 1974. The 84-year-old pioneer nurseryman had been in failing health for several months.
Co-founder and president of Inter-State Nurseries, Mr. Sjulin came to Hamburg in 1919 from Shenandoah after an active college career and tour with the Army in World War I. He was born in Shenandoah on March 3, 1890. He was graduated from Shenandoah High School and the University of Iowa. While at the University of Iowa he founded the Student Directory, owned the Daily Iowan college newspaper still published, and managed the men’s and women’s glee clubs. In addition, he was cadet major of the university cadet corps. He married Una Hines of Hamburg, Iowa on October 22, 1919. They had three sons, David Sterling, Carl Dudley and Richard Paul.
He founded the original Hamburg Nurseries with his brother Leslie in 1920, and went on to become a radio personality in the 1930’s as he boosted Inter-State Nurseries products over a number of midwest radio stations. His name, “Uncle Billy the Nurseryman,” became a household word over a wide area.
Carl’s interest turned to Republican politics shortly before World War II, when he sought and was elected to eight years in the Iowa Senate, serving from 1938 until after the war. Many still called him “Senator Sjulin.”
Mr. Sjulin was a city councilman in Hamburg for many years, and was active in Methodist Church affairs until recent years, serving on the board of trustees.
Other memberships included Jerusalem Lodge 253 AF & AM, the Hamburg American Legion Post 156, the American Nurserymen’s Association, and the National Mail Order Nursery Association.
Survivors include his wife, Una; three sons, Sterling and Carl of Hamburg, Paul of Shenandoah; and three grandchildren.
Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-fifth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable Carl O. Sjulin, the State of Iowa has 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 upon the Journal of the Senate and the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to each member of his family.
CALVIN O. HULTMAN, Chairman
JAMES E. BRILES
JAMES F. SCHABEN
Committee
The resolution was unanimously adopted.