Senator Elmer Primer Corwin View All Years

ELMER P. CORWIN

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a memorial resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Elmer P. Corwin, submits the following report:

Elmer P. Corwin was born on a farm near Fruitland, Muscatine County, Iowa, on July 15, 1883, and passed away July 29, 1950. He was the son of George H. and Rebecca Knouse Corwin.

His early school days were spent in the Muscatine County schools, in the Corwin School which was named for his grandfather, Henry Corwin, the first director and one of the pioneer settlers of Muscatine Island. Later he attended the Brown’s Business College and the Leveridge Normal Training College.

Elmer P. Corwin was married to Jessie E. Smith on October 21, 1918. To this union was born a son, Donald F. Corwin, of Muscatine; and a daughter, Marjorie LaRue, now Mrs. Robert A. Weber, of State College, Mississippi. They are the grandparents of Larry R. Weber, and Donna and Dickie Corwin. Besides his wife, his children and his grandchildren, Mr. Corwin is survived by one brother, Roy G. Corwin, and one sister, Mrs. Pearle Hoyt.

The range of activities in which Mr. Corwin engaged indicated an interest in people, old and young. That interest was carried over to the well-being of a rural community. He became a charter member of Muscatine County Farm Bureau, to promote the farming industry in Iowa; and for thirty-five years he raised and shipped Muscatine Island products.

He served as secretary of Fruitland Township School Board, a practical way of continuing his interest in the education of the youth of his community. He enjoyed the association of neighbors and friends, and enlarged his acquaintance by becoming a member of numerous organization: The Knights of Pythias, and the Masonic Orders; A.A.O.N.M.S., Zerapath Consistory, and Eastern Star. During his life-long membership in the Methodist Church, he contributed to the moral and religious growth of his home community.

The qualities of his character as observed in these activities seem to present a personality well suited to represent his community in the affairs of his state. And the community did show its confidence in him by making him township clerk and township assessor. The Muscatine­Louisa district elected him, a Republican in politics, to the Senate in 1934, and again in 1938.

It is no small honor to be selected to fill some state office as commissioner. This honor came to Mr. Corwin when in 1943 Governor B. B. Hickenlooper appointed him Industrial Commissioner of Iowa. Governor Wm. S. Beardsley reaffirmed that faith in him, and reappointed him in 1949 for another term.

But time did shorten that term it did bring to realization among friends and coworkers, to neighbors and to the family, the departing of a man who served faithfully and well.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Fifty-fourth General Assembly: That in recognition of the services rendered by Elmer P. Corwin to his community and to the State of Iowa, and in recognition of the loss of an honored citizen, that a copy of this memorial resolution be printed in the Journal of the Senate; and

Be It Further Resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to send an enrolled copy to his widow, Mrs. Jessie E. Corwin, and to each of his two children.

HERMAN B. LORD,

JOHN P. BERG,

J. KENDALL LYNES,

Committee.

The resolution was unanimously adopted.