Pieces of Iowa’s Past, January 18, 2012

Pieces of Iowa’s Past, published by the Iowa State Capitol Tour Guides weekly during the legislative session, features historical facts about Iowa, the Capitol, and the early workings of state government. All historical publications are reproduced here with the actual spelling, punctuation, and grammar retained. January 18, 2012 THIS WEEK: Report by Annie Wittenmyer, State Sanitary Agent BACKGROUND: The 10th General Assembly convened on January 11, 1864, and adjourned on March 29—a 79-day session. There were 138 members in the legislature. The members included 42 Republicans in the Senate and 87 Republicans in the House of Representatives. Democrats numbered four in the Senate and five in the House. Jacob Butler was the Speaker of the House, and Enoch W. Eastman was the Lt. Governor presiding in the Senate. William Stone was Iowa’s governor. Stone was inaugurated on January 14, 1864. He was 36 years old. Governor Stone, a friend of President Abraham Lincoln, rode Lincoln’s funeral train to Springfield, Illinois