Biography of John Homrighaus, Denver, Bremer Co., Iowa
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	Transcribed by Barb Braun, February 12, 2000.  
	Questions, please Email: seawave8@hotmail.com

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This material wa obtained from the Waverly Public Library from a book entitled:  
THE HISTORY OF BREMER COUNTY, IOWA.  It was published in 1914. 

JOHN HOMRIGHAUS.

   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; Magdeline, 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 though 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, and 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 election 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 farmer 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 Savings Bank.  He engaged in the mercantile business for himself 
and his initiative spirit led 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. Homrihaus assisted in the organization 
of Cooperative Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Companies throughout Iowa and he gave a great 
deal of his time and attention to the affairs of the Iowa 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. 

Transcribed by Barb Braun, February 18, 2000.  Any questions, please Email: seawave8@hotmail.com