Representative John Walter Gannaway View All Years

Memorial to the Honorable John Walter Gannaway of Poweshiek County

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

John Walter Gannaway was born in Pleasant Grove, Des Moines county, Iowa, to Robertson and Rosa Minard Gannaway, April 15, 1877, and died at Grinnell, Iowa, on August 20, 1947. He spent his early life and received his elementary schooling in this community. While still a youth, he moved with his family to Panora, Iowa, and here and at Guthrie Center High School his education was continued. He finished his college preparatory work at the then existing Grinnell Academy in connection with Grinnell College. He graduated from Grinnell College in 1902 where he developed a keen interest in political science under the leadership of a famous professor and authority on government, Jesse Macy. He received the degree of Master of Arts in Political Science at Grinnell the year following his graduation. He studied further for a doctorate at the University of Wisconsin, but later gave this up to accept a position as editorial writer for three years on the Milwaukee Journal. After several years of editorial writing, he returned to his first love, political science, and came to Grinnell in 1911 as assistant to Professor Macy. It was during this time that he, in collaboration with Professor Macy, authored the textbook, “Comparative Free Government,” which has been used in colleges for many years. When Professor Macy retired in 1912, Professor Gannaway headed the Political Science Department at Grinnell College until his retirement in 1944.

On October 24, 1906, Mr. Gannaway was united in marriage to Mary Helen Mcintosh and to this union were born three sons, John Walter, Jr., Robertson Ricker and William Andrew. At the time of his death, his wife and sons survived him, but within the space of a few weeks, tragedy struck again in the death of his youngest son, William Andrew.

This public spirited citizen had many interests outside his special field. He filled offices at various times in the church and community and in local government. At different times he served as town councilman, president of the Community Hospital board, county Red Cross chairman and at one time a member of the State Centennial Committee.

His activity in the Masonic lodge is a chapter in itself. His life was an exemplification of the high moral teachings of Masonry and he was beloved by the craft throughout Iowa. He became a Mason in 1921 and was made master of his local lodge in 1924. In 1926, the Grand Lodge of Iowa honored him by making him their Senior Grand Warden. In 1930 the Grand Lodge honored him with the highest office which they could confer, namely, Grand Master of Masons in Iowa. At the close of his year as Grand Master he became a member of the Masonic Charity Board of Trustees of the Grand Lodge and continued this service until his death. At various times in his Masonic career he became a Royal Arch Mason as well as a 32nd degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The honorary Scottish Rite 33rd degree was conferred upon him in 1937. He also was a member of the Shrine.

In further appreciation of the full life and interests of Mr. Gannaway, the people of Poweshiek county elected him as their Representative to the Fifty-second General Assembly, where he served faithfully and with distinction. He died during his term of office. His wide interests and love of life are evidenced by the many organizations of which he was a member. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, honorary scholastic fraternity; Sigma Delta Chi, honorary journalistic fraternity; a charter member of the Izaak Walton League of Grinnell, Iowa; a member of the Congregational Church, the Poweshiek Club and the Poweshiek County Farm Bureau.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty-third General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable John Walter Gannaway, 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 services, and tender its sympathy to the members of the family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be instructed to send an enrolled copy to the widow, Mrs. Mary Gannaway, of Grinnell, Iowa.

GEORGE L. PAUL,

FRED SCHWENGEL,

CARROLL L. BROWN,

Committee.