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John Heinrich Homrighaus

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Birth	:	16 Nov 1844 Tuscarawas County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	24 Apr 1912 Denver, Bremer County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate	:	36.0196991, -78.8142014
Description	:	born Johann Heinrich Homrighausen From the time of his arrival in Bremer county in 1863 until his death in 1912 John Homrighaus remained one of the foremost business men and leading citizens of this part of Iowa and his work along lines of community upbuilding, development and growth constituted one of the vital factors in the advancement of the section. His interests extended to many fields touching closely business, political, intellectual and social development and to his enterprise and initiative spirit the county owes a great deal of its present prosperity. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, November 16, 1844,... Read More	born Johann Heinrich Homrighausen From the time of his arrival in Bremer county in 1863 until his death in 1912 John Homrighaus remained one of the foremost business men and leading citizens of this part of Iowa and his work along lines of community upbuilding, development and growth constituted one of the vital factors in the advancement of the section. His interests extended to many fields touching closely business, political, intellectual and social development and to his enterprise and initiative spirit the county owes a great deal of its present prosperity. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, November 16, 1844, and was a son of Philip and Magdeline (German) Homrighaus, natives of Germany. The parents married in New York state and afterward moved to Ohio, where they spent six years. In 1850 they moved to Cook county, Illinois, and there the mother passed away. The father afterward engaged in farming in that locality until 1863, when he moved to Iowa, settling near Denver, where he purchased land, operating this farm until his death, February 28, 1885. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: Christian, of Galveston, Texas; Fred, who died in Denver; John, of this review; George and Henry, both of whom passed away in Denver; Magdaline, the deceased wife of Henry Platte; and Mary A., the deceased wife of George Bloeser. John Homrighaus went with his parents to Cook county, Illinois, in 1850, and with them came to Iowa in 1863, settling in Bremer county, where he resided until his death. At first he worked as a contractor and builder and also conducted a wagon and blacksmith shop, but in 1872 he disposed of all his business interests and retired on account of ill health. He made an extensive journey through Germany and other European countries and on his return to Iowa engaged in farming. He was justice of the peace for six years and in 1880 began reading law. Two years later he was elected county supervisor and in 1888 was sent to the state house of representatives, representing Bremer county in the twenty-second general assembly. His work as a member of this body is an important part of the political history of the state, for he introduced and carried through three important bills, an insurance bill, a revenue bill and a bill to enhance the usefulness of the Iowa Agricultural College. Mr. Homrighaus served as chairman of the agricultural committee, as a member of the committee on ways and means, on elections and compensation of public officers, and as a member of the committee on representative districts. His work received the approval of the people of his district in his reelection to the twenty-fifth general assembly and during this assembly he introduced the oleomargarine bill, which became a law and which is of inestimable value to the farmers of this state. Mr. Homrighaus received much honorable mention at that time as he had solved in a simple way a problem that had been perplexing the friends of the dairy interests for many years. The Iowa law has been copied by other states and has been finally adopted as a federal statute. In 1896 Mr. Homrighaus traveled through the southern and western states and after his return settled in Denver, Iowa, where for many years thereafter he remained active in business circles and in public affairs. He was instrumental in having an electric railroad built connecting Denver with Waverly and Waterloo and he helped to organize the Bank of Denver and the Janesville Saving Bank. He engaged in the mercantile business for himself and his initiative spirit lead him to take an active part in the organization and development of various financial and industrial corporations. Mr. Homrighaus was twice married. In 1867 he wedded Miss Sophia Platte, who died in 1871. To this union were born two children, both of whom died in infancy. In 1873 Mr. Homrighaus married Miss Elise Ottman, of Palatine, Illinois, a daughter of J.D. and Gesina (Elfrink) Ottman, natives of Germany, who came to America in early life. They were married in Cook county, Illinois, where they settled among the pioneers and where the father operated a farm until his death in 1853. He and his wife became the parents of four daughters, of whom the wife of the subject of this review is the third in order of birth. In his early manhood Mr. Homrighaus gave his political allegiance to the republican party but in 1888, in company with a number of prominent republicans, repudiated that party on account of its attitude on the liquor question. The passage of the McKinley tariff bill still further divorced him from his early political preference and ever afterward he devoted himself to the success of the democratic party. His fellow citizens honored him by election to various positions of public trust and responsibility and in all official relations he displayed the same conscientiousness, energy and public spirit that marked his energies in whatever direction they were turned. For a number of years prior to his death he served as mayor of Denver and his administration was constructive, progressive and businesslike, marked by the accomplishment of a great deal of important work for the moral and material advancement of the community. During his term of service a system of waterworks was installed in Denver and his last effort for civic advancement was to secure the electric lighting of the town. Mr. Homrighaus assisted in the organization of Cooperative Farmers Mutual Insurance Associations during his term as its president, from 1910 to 1911. He also served this organization as a member of its legislative committee for a number of years and many of his practical ideas are embraced in the Iowa insurance laws. Fraternally he had extensive and important connections, being a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he was a devout adherent of the Lutheran church. Mr. Homrighaus died at his home in Denver, April 24, 1912. His life had been honorable, straightforward and worthy in all its relations and his death was regarded as a distinct loss to the state, depriving it of a man of high and pure ideals which affected every phase of his business activities and his public service. [History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914] Hon. John Homrighaus, former mayor, was born Nov. 16, 1844, in Canal Dover, O., and was baptized in 1850. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Homrighaus, moved to Cook County, I11., and it was there that the son was educated. At the age of 14 he was confirmed by Rev. P. Lehman in Plum Grove, ILL. In 1863 the family came to Bremer County, where they bought a farm near Denver. For a time John and his brother worked in a wagon and blacksmith shop and did bridge building. In 1867 he was married to Sophia Platte and lived on a farm in Warren township. Their two children died in infancy. In 1871 Mrs. Homrighaus died and her husband was not expected to live. A trip to Germany was of much benefit to his health. After his return he was married to Miss Elise Ottman of Cook county, ILL. They came to this country and settled on a farm a mile south of here. The past five years have been spent in Denver. Mr. Homrighaus was interested in political, social and business life as in farming. In 1882 he was elected county supervisor and in 1888 to the state legislature, being elected. He was the auther of the oleomargarine bill, which became a state law. In 1896 he traveled through the south and west and on his return engaged in the mercantile business at Denver. He was active in securing the interurban line and helped to organize the Denver bank and the Janesville Savings bank. For twenty years past he was president of the Bremer County Mutual Fire Insurance company. During the past four years he was mayor of Denver and did all in his power to improve the town. He was a member of the Evangelical St. Paul church. While attending a town meeting Mr. Homrighaus took cold, stomach and liver trouble developed. He and his wife went to Colfax but returned after a week. In March, it was disclosed that he was suffering from cancer of the liver and an operation would be useless. His death occured April 24, and the funeral last Sunday was the largest to ever hold here. Rev. G. Krumm assisted by Rev. A. K. Rice of Waverly officiated. A. Krueger of Chicago came on Wednesday to help care for his uncle, Mr. John Homrighaus. Mrs. Krueger of Chicago came Saturday to attend the funeral of her sister's husband, John Homrighaus. Mr. and Mrs. C. Phillips of Cedar Falls visited their son and family over Sunday and attended the funeral of the late John Homrighaus.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Heinrich Homrighaus's memorial?
John Heinrich Homrighaus's memorial is located at: Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA.
When did John Heinrich Homrighaus death?
John Heinrich Homrighaus death on 24 Apr 1912 in Denver, Bremer County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Heinrich Homrighaus's memorial?
Latitude: 36.0196991
Longitude: -78.8142014

Family Members:

Parent

Philip J Homrighaus

(1805 - 1885)

Spouse

Sophie Platte Homrighaus

(1845 - 1871)

Elise Ottmann Homrighaus

(1850 - 1928)

Siblings

Magdalena Homrighaus Platte

(1842 - 1868)

Friedrich "Frederick" Homrighaus

(1848 - 1871)

George Homrighaus

(1848 - 1903)

Heinrich "Henry" C Homrighaus

(1853 - 1875)

Marie "Mary" Elsie Homrighaus Bloeser

(1854 - 1913)

Children

Sarah Homrighaus

(1870 - 1872)

Johann Homrighaus

(1871 - 1872)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Oak Grove Memorial Gardens
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0196991, -78.8142014

2. Crabtree Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0141940, -78.8236910

3. Lee Hicks Family Cemetery
Oak Grove, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0241500, -78.8021900

4. Fletchers Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0117912, -78.8035965

5. Rigsbee - Stanley Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0138710, -78.8272680

6. Duane Carpenter Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0133910, -78.7988810

7. J H Weaver Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0252770, -78.7958330

8. Lane Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0313900, -78.7986100

9. Rigsbee Family Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0364000, -78.8236000

10. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0385050, -78.8168510

11. Castle Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0363700, -78.8264790

12. James P. Tilley Family Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0349600, -78.8292000

13. Roycroft-Summerlin Family Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0375090, -78.8247420

14. William D Holloway Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0333000, -78.7964000

15. Glenn Family Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0327790, -78.8347850

16. Rogers Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0141700, -78.7888100

17. Needham Clay Freeman Family Cemetery
Durham, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 35.9972050, -78.8230080

18. Doc Tillett Gooch Family Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0438300, -78.8083700

19. Gorman Baptist Church Cemetery
Gorman, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0443687, -78.8151627

20. Roberson Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0267000, -78.7839000

21. Roberson Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0270720, -78.7835280

22. James Hicks Family Cemetery
Oak Grove, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 35.9937700, -78.8154100

23. O and C Junction Cemetery
Durham, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0059779, -78.8419512

24. W.H. Wilkins Family Cemetery
Oak Grove Township, Durham County, USA
Coordinate: 36.0233841, -78.8475037