The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1919-04-10
DR.. j. b. Homer.

was the second son of Samuel and
Naz 5erh july iya1 IS, n1s49 Near the
well-know summer resort, Lake
Geneva, Wisconsin. The beautiful
park known as kay,s PARK 1ust
Mems, Christian Association Confer
ience Park is "a part of the homestead
Samuel Horner received from the
United States government when the
state was yet territory; y; Wh M eo yeft
an infant he moved with MS parents
thence in 1855, to Appanoose,eounty,
where his boyhood days were spent.
Though but a child Of five at the
time Of the removal to Iowa the doc
tor always retained vlvld recoilec-
ton of many incidents of the long
Journey across the Illinois and Iowa
prairies in the old-time covered
wagon.
Dr.. Horner's early education was
received in the district school, Al
the age of eighteen he commenced
teaching, thereby earning the money
to cover the expenses Of a t Mosi years
University at Mount Pleasant; Al,
ter leaving college he continued
Teaching and in 1871 commenced
reading medicine with the late Doctor
e. M. Reynolds Of Centeryllle, iowa.
He entered Bennett Medical College
in 1873. He was graduated from
that institution March 20. 1882, hav-
ing interspersed his medical course
with nine years of successful Drac-
.tice.
He never ceased to be student In
his attitude toward his profession y:
He gave special attention to the
study Of diseases Of the eye and ear az
Treatment Of diseases of women and
praduate course. in New York City.
He was member of the Decatur
County Medical Association LOT
thirty-four years, serving me os asso-
tiles. He was also honored three
iowa state Eclectic Medical Society:
He was member of the National
Eclectic Medical Association, and at
!. tended the annual sessions OF that
organization at San FRANCISCO 1a1s our
Doctor Horner was married in
1871 to Margaret Lorena Arnold,
Margaret Arnold, pioneer settlers of
Monroe county, iowa. Mrs. Homer
died September 8, 1911. 10 this
union were born seven chl1dreh:
FLORENCE Mabel MIS- Mrs b: Ernest r. 9ac Rus
gene who died February %. 1907;
Maggie Lillian who died in infancy;
Louis Hurst who resides near La
moni; Grace Gertrude, Mrs. d. =
Walker Of Waterloo. Iowa; georgia
Arnold, Mrs: A.: H smith OF Lamohi,
student in Iowa State College, Ames,
iowa.
When Doctor Horner entered Ben
>nett Medical College, he was the
father Of two children. His family
/. had increased to five when ne re-
ceived his degree in 1882, The 1act
that he so was able % s Tao Himself his t s
,erary and later, his medical educa-
ton, while caring for his family be-
speaks the energy and resolute de,
Termination that have contributed
largely to his success and achleVee
meat He began Mgo1av his bpt t6roueh
association with his brothers-in-laW,
S.W. Hurst and Samuel Bowman. he
j moved to Decatur county, opening
his Office at Davis City, June Z, 1879;
His name is intimately associated
with the early history OF the toWn n:
mayor of the town; if not ne was
!: among the. first to serve In that ca
pacity.
For twenty-five years Doctor Hor-
ner resided In Davis City, pract10ng
medicine, and in other ways serving
the community as an enterprlslng
citizen should. In 1900 he removed,
seven miles, to Lamont, Iowa, where
he resided until the time OF MS
As a man and physician Doctor
Horner enjoyed the conference ana
respect of all who knew him well.
His skill as a trustworthy physician
was recognized throughout Decatur
county and other parts OF southern
Swa and northern. Missouri; He
gained something In material Pros If s,
the standing he attained in his pro-
fession. the personal esteem in which
he was held by his fellow pract1t1on-
ers. the affection with which his
Clientele regarded him, and the
wide opportunity his profession on
cred for service to humanity, A Few
weeks before his death, when ne
sent this message to Decatur county:
give my love to the people!
n nolitics Doctor Horner was al
vays stanch in his support OF the
principles of democracy. Althougn
2 - fook An active part in the anatrs
~ fhe democratic party, he was al
Vays ! patriot, not partisan. he
served eight years upon the penslon
00Amfning board, during p0tn tne
Snrofnfed a8ain to the same posi-
- g the beginnings Of Wtleon's
49, g - sl sIsssSs : iassre.tsd -