Representative James E. Irwin View All Years

JAMES E. IRWIN

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

James E. Irwin was born near Hartwick, Poweshiek County, Iowa, on March 22, 1880. He passed away at Boone, Iowa, on February 23, 1954, at the age of 74.

Mr. Irwin spent the early years of his life on a farm. He was graduated from Cornell College Academy in 1903; from Cornell College in·1907 and did postgraduate work at the University of Iowa. After graduating from college, he spent several years teaching physical education in the Spokane, Washington Y.M.C.A.

On December 11, 1911, he was married to Charlotte A. Wilkinson (now deceased), of Mt. Ayr, Iowa. They were the parents of one son, now deceased.

In 1915 he returned to Iowa, engaging in general store management and life insurance business, and in 1924 he moved to Boone where he served nine years as high school and junior college instructor.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, White Shrine and Lions Club. He served eight years as councilman at Belle Plaine; four years as mayor of Boone; and eight years as chairman of the Democratic Central Committees of Benton and Boone Counties. He was elected to the Forty-eighth General Assembly as Representative from Boone County, and after serving one term he became supervisor of the 1940 census for district eight, and was field worker for the Iowa League of Municipalities in 1939. He was a candidate for Representative to Congress from the eighth district in 1949, and worked on all savings bond drives in recent years.

In 1940 he was married to Effie Daehler, by whom he is survived. He is also survived by three brothers, Will A. Irwin of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dr. Charles E. Irwin of Billings, Montana, and Harold L. Irwin, of DeWitt, Iowa. Two stepsons also survive, John C. and David E. Daehler.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty-sixth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable James E. Irwin, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful, useful public servant, and the House, by this resolution, would express its appreciation of his service, and tender its sympathy to the members of his family.

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

CHESTER A. SCHEERER,

HENRY A. STEVENS,

MELVIN A. WILSON,

Committee.