Dates

• Existence: September 20, 1886 - 1964

Biography

Oscar Thomas Honey (1886-1964) was born in Salem, Missouri on September 20, 1886 to Thomas and Angie (Kell) Honey. He married Hattie E. Haubold in May 1923. The couple had three sons. Honey was a trumpet player who got his professional start in 1916 with the SellsFloto Circus Band after he was seen performing in St. Louis. The Sells-Floto boasted two famous members, namely Karl L. King and John Phillip Sousa, and Honey remained friends with them for a lifetime. He received his musical education at the Renauldo Conservatory of Music in St. Louis, the Ludwig College of Music, also in St. Louis, and the University of Kansas City.

Honey enlisted in the Missouri National Guard for the first time on June 14, 1913. He was Chief Musician for the 6th Regiment Infantry Band Company. He mustered out on September 24, 1914. On October 28, 1921 he re-enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to the Missouri National Guard 140th Infantry Service Company. On June 3, 1923 Honey was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. Lt. O.T. Honey replaced Warrant Officer John L. Metz was bandleader, Metz having served in that position from October 1917 until May 1923.

Honey ran for mayor of Chaffee, MO in 1932 and won. He remained mayor until December 1940 when he was activated into federal service with the National Guard. Lt. Honey was quickly promoted to Captain in May 1942 and to Major in November 1942. In that year, Honey was transferred to Spokane, WA to serve as Assistant Adjutant and then Civilian Personnel Officer at the Army Air Depot. He came back to Chaffee, MO in 1944.

Following World War II, Honey returned to civilian life, but continued to bring music to Southeast Missouri. He would be conductor of the Chaffee High School Band and several others until his retirement in 1953. Honey died in St. Louis in 1964.

Biography from O.T. Honey National Guard Collection at the Missouri State Archives.

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