John Horn, p. 602

JOHN HORN, a worthy representative of one of the oldest families of West Bethlehem township, is a son of Adam Horn, who was a son of John Horn, Sr., who was a son of Christopher Horn, who was the first of the name to locate in West Bethlehem township.

On February 28, 1785, Christopher Horn patented 340 acres of land on Ten-Mile creek, which he named "Ballimore." [The original patent for this land is now in the possession of John Horn, the subject of this sketch.] Here he located, cleared and improved the land, and the old home he erected, built of logs and slabs, is still standing, considered to be the oldest house in the township. By trade he was a blacksmith, and he made all the nails, hinges, etc., used in the construction of the building. He had two children, John and Jacob, between whom his property was divided at his death. Of these John was born and grew to manhood on his father's tract, his education being such as the period afforded. In his youth he married a Miss Barbara Young, by whom he had nine children, viz.: Jacob, John, Christopher, Jr., David, Adam, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth and Catherine, all now deceased except Samuel, who is a farmer of Greene county, Penn. The mother of this family dying, the father subsequently married Mary Shape, and the children by this union were: Susanna, Lydia, Leah, Joel and Joshua, all yet living except Susanna.

Adam Horn, father of John Horn, the subject of this sketch, was born on this original tract of land, and his boyhood was passed in assisting his father in tilling the soil, and in obtaining such an education as the subscription schools of that day afforded. In his youth he learned the trade of a cooper, at which he was employed for a time, but abandoning this occupation he turned his attention to farming and stock raising, at which he was successful and prosperous. He purchased the farm now owned by his son J. M. Horn, and erected thereon a large and elegant frame residence, and upon this farm he lived respected and honored by all until death closed his earthly labors. He was a consistent and liberal member of the Lutheran denomination, and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was erected on land donated by him to that Society. He married Hester Bonnell, daughter of John Bonnell, then a citizen of West Bethlehem township, but later a resident of Ohio. To this union were born the following children: Morgan, John, Cephas, James Madison, Simson B., Adam, Ann, Elizabeth and Maria; of whom are living John, James Madison (a merchant near Zollarsville), Ann (wife of H. White, also residing near Zollarsville), and Elizabeth.

John Horn was born September 28, 1833, on the farm adjoining the property on which he now resides, and grew to manhood in West Bethlehem township. Being the chief assistant of his father in his various vocations, his education was somewhat limited, but he succeeded in securing not a little practicable learning. At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-fifth Regiment, P . V. I., under Capt. Horn, a cousin, Col. Howell commanding. His company was encamped at Uniontown, Penn. He was in the following engagements, led by Gen. MacClellan: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks and that known as the Seven Days' Fight before Richmond. On account of impaired health, Mr. Horn was sent to the general hospital at David's Island, N. Y., from which he was discharged after a year's service, and returning home to West Bethlehem township, he was for nearly a year unable to work. After a time, regaining his strength, he resumed his regular vocation, that of a farmer, and he has also been engaged extensively in dealing in wool for the past twenty-five years. On May 16, 1872, Mr. Horn was married to Eliza J. Gayman, daughter of Joseph and Susanna Gayman, of West Bethlehem township. Her grandparents were Daniel and Olivia Gayman, who were pioneers in this neighborhood and settled in Ten Mile Valley, not far from the present location of the village of Zollarsville, at an early date. Mrs. Horn has four brothers, viz.: Jacob, Thaddeus D., James and Daniel, and one sister named Emma. They all reside in Washington county, Penn. Mr. Horn and his wife have the following named children: Henry D., Joseph G., Alice M., Iris B. and Eugene, all unmarried and living at home with their parents. Politically Mr. Horn is a Republican, but he has never sought office. He is now filling with credit and ability the office of school director of the township in which he resides. His wife, who is a lady well known for her many virtues, her hospitality and benevolence, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Text taken from page 602 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed May 1997 by Marion L. Smith of San Diego, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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