He is known to have played in only two significant chess tournaments: the Second and Third American Chess Congresses in 1871 and 1874.
Edo Historical Ratings estimates that his rating following the Third American Chess Congress in 1874 would have been 2504 and in his day he was considered on of the strongest player outside of the New York area. He once won a casual 3-game match against Max Judd.
In the Second American Chess Congress, held in Cleveland, Ohio in November 1871, Hosmer finished second, scoring 12.0-4.0 in the double round robin event. In the Third American Chess Congress, held in Chicago, Illinois in July 1874, Hosmer again finished second with a score of 8.5-1.5. In both tournaments George H. Mackenzie was the winner.
Hosmer also played a match with the New York player Edward Alberoni in February, 1876, at Hosmer's home in Chillicothe. Hosmer ably winning the match 5-0 with two draws.
According to 19th Century Chess by Bill Wall, Alberoni was born in 1840 in the U.S. He was a strong New York master and was visiting Philadelphia when he fell ill and nearly died. He recovered and eventually ended up in England.
Hosmer’s obituary appeared in the Chicago Tribune stated that he was a grain buyer and served on the Chicago Board of Trade for 34 years, but oddly no mention was made of his chess career. To find out about Hosmer’s chess career you have to go to the book Chicago: It's History and Builders published in 1912 and authored by Josiah Seymour Currey.
Currey wrote that the story Of Henry Hosmer’s life was “the story of New England thrift and business sagacity supplemented by western energy, enterprise and adventure.”
Hosmer's father, Edmund, was an intimate friend and financial adviser to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Currey wrote that while Hosmer didn’t have the humble origins or experiences, he gave an excellent account of his modest beginnings. According to Currey, “The wisdom, energy and success with which he pushed his way along is a study for American youths. He Was a typical Chicago citizen and his labors contributed to the city's commercial importance as well as to the promotion of his individual interests.”
Originally from Concord, Massachusetts, Hosmer attended the public schools until he was 19-years old. He had little opportunity in Concord, so he moved west and for a time was employed as a member of a surveying crew in Iowa.
Following this he located in Chicago and, associated with bis brother Edmund, who was engaged in the grain trade. After a short time their partnership was dissolved and Henry relocated to Chillicothe, Illinois where he was a ticket agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company and, at the same time, engaged in the grain business.
Eventually he became one of the best known grain dealers in that part of the state and with prominent Chicago connections, he carried on an extensive business.
In February 1861, Hosmer married Alice H. Seboles in Chillicothe, Illinois. She was a native of Providence, Rhode Island and her father who had come to the U.S. from England and was in the cotton business in New England. The family eventually settled in Chillicothe and remained in the cotton business.
In 1877, he moved to Chicago where he remained in partnership with two other partners. Hosmer was one of the well known Board of Trade members of his time and had a business reputation for sound judgment, discretion and integrity which was never questioned.
Originally a member of the Republican party, Hostner later switched sides and became a Democrat. He was also a Mason and a member of the Iroqnois club and the chess club. According to Currey, Hosmer was “particularly fond of a game of chess or checkers and displayed notable skill in handling the Pawns, being regarded as one of the best chess players in this section of the country. He also had equal skill in a game of checkers and won victories over many noted players. His library was to him a source of constant delight. He spent hours in rending and possessed a most retentive memory, so that he was enabled to recall at will that which he had read.”
“He was also a man of generous spirit, kind and helpful toward those with whom be came contact and most devoted to the welfare of the members of his own household.”
He passed away on New Years Day in 1892 and he was interred in Sleepy Hollow cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts.
1) Mackenzie 15.5
2) Hosmer 13.0
3) Elder 12.5
4) Judd 11.5
5) Ware 10.0
6) Smith 9.0
7) Harding 5.0
8) Johnston 3.0
9 Haughton 0.0
Haughton withdrew after 10 straight losses
Hosmer’s opponent in this game was Frederick Perrin (December 05, 1815 – January 27, 1889). Perrin was born in London and died in New York. He was Secretary of the New York Chess Club. Brother of Alphonse Perrin, a prominent English player of his day. In 1856, Perrin edited the chess column in the New York Albion.
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