H. R. Homer Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 292-293

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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HON. H. R. HOMER, senior member of the well-known law firm of Homer & 
Stewart, of Pierre, was born in London, England, September 4, 1853, a 
son of Edward A. and Anna (Stuart) Homer, also natives of that country. 
The father was a barrister and engaged in the practice of his 
profession in London until 1861, when he came to the United States and 
located in Houston, Minnesota. He is still a resident of that city and 
is engaged in general merchandising. The mother of our subject died in 
England. 

H. R. Homer was educated in the public schools of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 
and after laying aside his text books engaged in the lumber trade there 
until 1879, when he commenced reading law in that city. He was admitted 
to the bar in Wisconsin in 1880, and in that state engaged in practice 
for about a year, but in May, 1881, came to Pierre, South Dakota, and 
has since followed his chosen profession here, first as a member of the 
firm of Wakefield & Homer, which partnership existed until Mr. 
Wakefield retired in 1885. Since then the firm has been Homer & Stewart 
and they are now at the head of a large and lucrative practice. Mr. 
Homer is also a stockholder and director of the Pierre National Bank. 
and is interested in other business enterprises that are proving quite 
profitable, as he is a wide-awake, energetic business man as well as a 
successful lawyer. 

In 1889 he was united in marriage with Miss Annie M. Philips, a native 
of Iowa, who died in 1892, leaving two children: Rachel and Henry. She 
was a member of the Church of England, to which Mr. Homer also belongs. 
Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, and politically is identified with the Republican 
party. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have 
honored him with several important official positions. He is now 
supreme court reporter, has served as city attorney and president of 
the board of education, and in 1893 was elected state senator, and re-
elected in 1897.