Background
Mercer, David Henry was born on July 9, 1857 in Benton Company, Iowa, United States. Son of John Jay and Elizabeth Mercer.
United States representative lawyer politician
Mercer, David Henry was born on July 9, 1857 in Benton Company, Iowa, United States. Son of John Jay and Elizabeth Mercer.
He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1880 and the law department of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1882.
After the American Civil War he moved again to Brownville, Nebraska. He was admitted to the bar and set up practice back in Brownville serving one term as city clerk and police judge. He moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1885 and was for several years was chairman of the Republican city and county committees.
He was the secretary of the Republican State central committee in 1896, and elected secretary of the Republican National Congressional Committee in the same year.
In 1897 he was chairman of the Republican State Central committee of Nebraska in 1897 and 1898. He was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-third United States Congress and to the four succeeding Congresses serving from March 4, 1893 to March 3, 1903.
During his time as representatives he was chairman of the United States. House Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds during the Fifty-fifth, Fifty-sixth, and Fifty-seventh Congresses. He unsuccessfully ran for reelection in 1902.
Afterwards he settled in Washington, District of Columbia resuming his practice of law.
He died in Omaha on January 10, 1919 and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, in Omaha.
Member 53d to 57th Congresses (1893-1903).
Married Birdie Abbott, June 6, 1894.