Representative Oliver H. DeGroote View All Years

OLIVER DE GROOTE

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the Honorable Oliver De Groote, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Oliver De Groote was born in Rutland, Humboldt County, Iowa, on January 11, 1885, a son of D. A. and Ella Jane De Groote. At the age of four, he moved to Humboldt with his parents, where he lived all his life.

He attended Humboldt High School, the University of Minnesota, and was graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1909.

In 1912 he married Mary Elizabeth Donahoe at Los Angeles, California. To them were born a son and a daughter.

Mr. De Groote practiced law in Humboldt, and served for a time as Humboldt County Attorney. In 1926 he entered the grocery business, retiring in 1943. During the 1930’s he served two terms as mayor of Humboldt. He served as government Appeal Agent during World War I.

Mr. De Groote, a Republican, was Humboldt County Representative in the Fifty-second session of the Iowa General Assembly. During this session, he helped establish the Frank Gotch State Park southeast of Humboldt in memory of his good friend and former heavyweight wrestling champion of the world.

Mr. De Groote was a member of the Congregational church. For over 50 years, he was a member of the Hammond chapter of the national Phi Alpha Delta fraternity. He also belonged to the Iowa Bar Association and the Odd Fellows.

He wrote two histories of Humboldt County, one an earlier history for the Iowa Centennial, and another in 1963 for the Humboldt Centennial.

Mr. De Groote died February 13, 1967. He is survived by his wife; a son, Harold, Humboldt; and a daughter, Mrs. Charles Paul, Wilton Junction. Also surviving are six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Ed. Kopp, Jasper, Arkansas, and Mrs. Harry Cathey, Long Beach, California.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SIXTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable Oliver De Groote, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and 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 that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

HAROLD L. KNIGHT,

KARL KIILSHOLM,

RAY V. BAILEY,

Committee.