Omer Holman

     In the late 1820’s a man named Joseph Holman arrived in central Indiana and purchased land from the Indians. He named this land Miamisport.  Eventually, Miamisport’s name was changed to Peru.  Many of Joseph’s descendants became people who significantly contributed to the community.  One of these civic-minded people was his great-grandson, Omer.  Omer Holman was born on March 28, 1872, in Peru.  By age 12 he began his long career in the newspaper business by taking a paper route.   After graduating from Peru high school in 1891 he obtained a position on the Peru Journal as a reporter. He financially supported his mother as his dad had been dead two years.  In 1893, Omer branched out on his own to start a paper which he named The Morning Bulletin but it only lasted three months after which he returned to his job at the Peru Journal.

     Omer fell in love, and on October 29, 1902, he married Mae Wood.  Tragedy touched their lives in 1908 when their infant daughter died.  Professionally, Omer attempted again to run his own paper in 1912 when he leased The Republican.  This time, he was successful, and he was able to purchase the paper in 1921.   He continued to operate the Republican until his death.  Always a community organizer, in 1916 he directed a large Francis Slocum Day for which hundreds of Slocum relatives from all over the county attended.

     On January 30, 1917, Omer was appointed to the first executive board of the Miami County Red Cross Chapter.  During WWI Omer served as District Oil Inspector and Food Production Director for the area.  He did all he could with the purchase of War Bonds and War Saving Stamps.  He was Vice President of the County Council of Defense.  Tragedy struck his life again in 1925 when his wife Mae passed away.   After being alone for three years Omer once again was touched by love and married Mary Edith Wahlig. 

      During his career, Omer was a correspondent for many large papers including the Indianapolis News as well as newspapers in Chicago, Detroit, New York and Cincinnati.  Known to most local resident as “Uncle Omer”, he averaged shaking hands with two hundred people a day.   In 1940 he directed a homecoming event for famous Peruvians.  In 1943 he was elected to the position of County Treasurer and served two terms.  In 1949 he directed a centennial celebration for Peru.  He was a member of the Peru Chamber of Commerce, the Missisinewa Country Club, a charter member of the Peru Rotary Club, and a member of both the Eagles and Moose lodges.   He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and an unwavering Republican.  Omer died at Dukes hospital on May 10, 1955, and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Researched, written and submitted by Mary Rohrer Dexter

Works Cited

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QVV8-TBF8 : 13 December 2015), Omer Holman, ; Burial, Peru, Miami, Indiana, United States of America, Mount Hope Cemetery; citing record ID 16555622, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

“The Holmans.” The Peru Republican, 26 July 1935, pp. 1–3.

“ ‘Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Pal:/MM9.1.1/QV99-FFNT : 10 December 2017), Omer Holman and MM9.1.1/QV99-FFNB:, ; Citing Miami, Indiana, United States, Various County Clerk Offices, Indiana; FHL Microfilm 2,431,844.”

“‘Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Pal:/MM9.1.1/QV99-GL39 : 10 December 2017), Omer Holman and Mary Edith Wahlig, 18 Jul 1928; Citing Miami, Indiana, United States, Various County Clerk Offices, Indiana; FHL Microfilm 2,431,906.”

“ ‘Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Pal:/MM9.1.1/QV99-LQ7C : 10 December 2017), Omer Holman and May E Wood, 29 Oct 1902; Citing Miami, Indiana, United States, Various County Clerk Offices, Indiana; FHL Microfilm 2,431,901.”

“O. Holman, Editor, Dead.” Denver Tribune, 12 May 1955.

“Peru, County, Mourns Death Of Omer Holman.” Peru Daily Tribune, 10 May 1955, p. 1.

“‘United States Census, 1910," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Pal:/MM9.1.1/MK53-P33 : Accessed 25 April 2018), Omer Holman, Peru Ward 4, Miami, Indiana, United States; Citing Enumeration District (ED) ED 132, Sheet 7B, Family 169, NARA Microfilm Publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), Roll 371; FHL Microfilm 1,374,384.”

“ ‘United States Census, 1920," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Pal:/MM9.1.1/MF7Y-M4C : Accessed 25 April 2018), Omer S Holman, Peru Ward 4, Miami, Indiana, United States; Citing  ED 161, Sheet 1B, Line 57, Family 17, NARA Microfilm Publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), Roll 441; FHL Microfilm 1,820,441.”

“ ‘United States Census, 1940," Database with Images, FamilySearch (Https://Familysearch.org/Pal:/MM9.1.1/V1YD-GLP : Accessed 25 April 2018), Omer Holman, Peru, Peru Township, Miami, Indiana, United States; Citing Enumeration District (ED) 52-23, Sheet 61A, Line 32, Family , Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA Digital Publication T627.  Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, Roll 1078.”