BackHosea B. Horn was
admitted to the Davis County Bar in 1845, but followed the practice for only a
short period. During this period, however, he prepared and published for the
profession, the first book issued in the State, relating to legal procedure; it
was known as "Horn's Form Book for Justices of the Peace and
Constables." It is many years since I have seen a copy of it, but in its
time it was very serviceable. As will be seen he was admitted to the bar and
commenced practice during the Territorial period.
The people of Davis
County, especially, are indebted to Captain Hosea B. Horn for his most
interesting and minute series of sketches relating to the early history of that
County, the series commencing in the July, 1864, number of the early Annals of
Iowa. He was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, in 1820. He was of German
extraction, his father and grandfather being of that nationality, and settling
in Maryland. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution. On his mother's
side he was of English descent. His early advantages were very limited--he was
mostly self-taught by reading and study. At the age of fifteen, he was
apprenticed to the printer's trade, at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. In 1839 he removed
to Indiana and became an assistant in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit
Court of Bartholomew County. Here he remained about five years. In 1844 he
became the editor and publisher of a Whig paper in Columbus, Indiana, devoted to
the election of Henry Clay to the Presidency. Disposing of the paper in 1845, he
removed to Davis County, where, as before stated, he was admitted to the bar,
having studied law and prepared himself during his service as Deputy Clerk. He
was a man of wide observation and much travel. In 1850 he made an overland trip
to California, returning the following winter by Central America and Cuba. He
took notes during his travels which were published in book form with the title
of "Horn's Overland Guide to California." On his return to Bloomfield
he engaged in the mercantile business until 1860.
In 1852 he was honored with the nomination by the Whig Party, for the office of State Treasurer, and though running ahead of his ticket, was defeated. In 1855 and 1856 he became the editor of the American Newspaper, at Bloomfield, and in 1858 of the Republican. He was Postmaster of Bloomfield, under President Zachary Taylor and held other public offices. He was a leading and highly esteemed citizen.
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