Homer F. Aspinwall

Homer Franklin Aspinwall (November 15, 1846 – February 23, 1919) was an American politician, farmer, and seaman. Aspinwall was born and raised in Stephenson County, Illinois, and spent most of his professional life there as a farmer. The success of his farm led to his election as a county supervisor and then to the Illinois Senate, where he served for eight years. During his second term there, the Spanish–American War broke out and Aspinwall was appointed captain of a transport ship.

Biography

Homer Franklin Aspinwall was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, 7 miles (11 km) west of Freeport, on November 15, 1846. He descended from an early American family who came to the country in 1630. Aspinwall attended public schools and helped on the family farm. He attended Freeport High School, then worked as a clerk in a wholesaling store. After two years, however, he returned to the family farm in Florence Township. An advocate of modern farming machinery, Aspinwall successfully developed the farm and became a prominent local citizen.^[1]

Aspinwall was elected tax assessor for Florence Township and held a variety of other minor offices there. He later elected to the county board of supervisors, where he served a four year term. Aspinwall was a delegate to the 1880 Republican National Convention, supporting former President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1892, Aspinwall was elected to the Illinois Senate as a Republican. He served two four-year terms in the legislature. In 1896, Aspinwall campaigned for William McKinley.^[1]

Upon the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in 1898, Asprinwall helped to raise a regiment and offered to serve as lieutenant colonel. However, the unit was not deployed, and instead, McKinley appointed Aspwinwall a captain and assistant quartermaster. He was tasked with overseeing the SS Manitoba transport ship, formerly of the Atlantic Transport Line. The ship transferred 12,000 servicemen over the course of the conflict. With the war over, Aspinwall was mustered out in February 1899, returning to his final Senate term.^[1]

Aspinwall married Emma M. Sheetz on December 18, 1874. They had a son, John Ray, and a daughter, Grace. He served for two years as president of the Northern Illinois Agricultural Association. A Methodist, Asprinwall was the secretary of the Freeport Methodist Camp-Meeting Association. He was active in Freemasonry and was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.^[1] Aspinwall died in Freeport on February 23, 1919, and was buried there in Oakland Cemetery.

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