More, Jake
Dates
- Existence: 1904-
Biography
Jake More was born August 24, 1904, in Unionville, Iowa. He graduated from Centerville High School and received an LL.B degree from Drake University in 1928. He was married to Ruth Freeman on July 27, 1930. After her death in 1977, More married May Jane Freeman, longtime secretary in the state Democratic Central Committee Office.
More's involvement with state Democratic politics began in the early 1930's. As Shelby County Attorney, More became involved in the county Democratic organization and served in the county's delegation to state conventions. In 1932, More was made Shelby County Chairman of the Democratic National Committee's Victory Campaign which sought to raise money to pay campaign debts. On May 7, 1934, More became State President of the Iowa Young Democratic Club, serving in the office for two years.
At a stormy meeting in the Shelby County Court House in Harlan on June 27, 1936, More was named to succeed John Hertert as Shelby County Democratic Central Committee chairman. More served as County Chairman for five years until his appointment to the State Chairmanship. More succeeded Ed Birmingham as Democratic State Central Committee Chairman at the state convention on July 29, 1941. As State Chairman, More attempted to build a Democratic organization based on patronage. Iowa went for Truman in the 1948 Presidential election and Truman generally credited More with the victory. Also in 1948, the Democrats elected Guy Gillette to the United States Senate and in 1956 they elected Herschel Loveless as Governor of Iowa.
It was Loveless, however, who, as Governor in 1958, acquiesced in More's ouster as Party Chairman. In a surprise move at the State Convention in July, 1958, the anti-More forces led by Central Committeeman Lex Hawkins, Soapy Owens, and Governor Loveless' aid Bob Johnson, managed a 12-4 Central Committee vote for More's removal. Duke Norberg, an old friend of Loveless', became State Chairman and served until 1960 when Hawkins himself took over.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Jake More Papers
Lawyer and State Chair of Iowa's Democratic State Central Committee. Speeches, correspondence, press releases, voter lists, financial reports, etc. all relating to More's involvement in Iowa's Democratic Party organization.