Homer A. Hillhouse (1880-1957), Verona, MO

Homer Hillhouse, Verona, Missouri was truly a pioneer dairy leader and breeder of registered Jerseys. He was born November 6, 1880 at Aurora, Missouri. His father died when Homer was 12 years of age. He took over the management of his mother’s farm at a very early age. They hand milked a few cows, selling butter and in summer, garden products to aid their farm income.

Homer purchased a neighboring farm and in 1909 married Clara Taylor. They milked cows by hand, selling cream at a nearby cream station. A certificate of transfer for the registered cow “Catherine of Eagle Rock” bears the date of November 14, 1911. This no doubt was probably his first registered Jersey female. They sold the original farm in 1918 and purchased a farm near Verona, Missouri where they continued with their dairy herd.

In 1920 Homer helped organize and was a member of the first Cow Testing Association in Lawrence County. He followed a definite and aggressive breeding program for his herd of intensified Sybil bloodlines. Later years other bloodlines were introduced. The herd was officially Classified for several years. Two good bulls were made proven sires, and were sold to A.I. breeding establishments. A daughter of Royal Lavender Noble produced, in 10 lactations, a total of 105,512 lbs. milk and 5,623 lbs. butterfat.

He was a most active and respected leader in all programs aimed at good dairy practices and sound farming methods. Homer was a long time 4-H Club leader, and assisted many boys and girls. He was honored in 1953 for his years of service to 4-H and awarded “A Place In The Sun.” He worked closely with the Agriculture Extension Service and was active in the Balanced Farming Programs. His terracing and forage programs were often used for demonstration purposes. He was a member of Farm Bureau; was honored by Springfield Kiwanis Club as the Outstanding Farmer of the Year and also by the Kansas City Chamber of commerce for achievements in balanced farming in 1943.

His wife Clara, was very supportive and her role as farm wife was most commendable. Their only child, a daughter Eula, was graduated from the two year course in Agriculture, University of Missouri in 1930, majoring in Dairy Husbandry. Homer was a quiet, kind, and modest person filled with heartfelt humility. He loved young people and was quick to offer encouragement. He loved flowers and was a great gardener. He was a faithful and devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a longtime member of the local school board and a member of the Missouri Jersey Cattle Club.

A son-in-law, Howard Walker entered partnership in 1938 and took an active interest in the farms programs. Following Homers’ death in 1957 and that of his wife Clara in 1960 his daughter Eula and husband Howard continued the jersey herd and cropping practices. Howard died in 1981. Eula still lives on the farm, and is interested in the farm activities and the Jersey herd. Her son Larry, and his family as co-owners have added more farm acreage; now totaling 320 acres and have a total of 154 registered cattle with about 80 percent being descendants of the herd Homer established. Thus, the Hillhouse farm and herd carries on 79 years from its founding.

Homer Hillhouse will long be remembered, not only as a dairy leader, but as one who loved the land and practiced good soil conservation. He enjoyed the simplicity of farm life and was able to instill these values to many others.