ISAAC HORN, one of the most prominent farmers of West Bethlehem township, is a grandson of John Horn, who was one of that township's earliest settlers, he having come from east of the Alleghany mountains early in the opening up of Washington county, locating upon a large tract of land in the southern part of the township. Here, about 1796, was born Jacob Horn, the father of subject. His boyhood was spent in attending the subscription schools, held in the little log-cabin schoolhouses of that period, and subsequently he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for a number of years. At the age of twenty one he found himself possessed of little more than the education gleaned from the meager teachings of the primitive schools, his trade, and a strong and rugged constitution. He started manfully to work at coopering, making casks, barrels, tubs, etc., many of which were used by parties upon whose property were located still-houses. Soon after attaining his majority he married Priscilla Addeman, a daughter of John Addeman, who was then a resident of Morgan township, Greene county, and not long afterward he and his young wife moved to Harrison county, Ohio, where they lived for several years, and here their son Isaac was born. Soon tiring, however, of the new country, they returned to Pennsylvania, taking up their residence upon the home farm, where Isaac still resides. Here were born to them the following children: Samuel, now living in Iowa: Sarah, deceased; Demas, a prominent farmer of West Bethlehem township, residing on the farm adjoining that of his brother Isaac; John, of near Millsboro, Greene county; Catherine(deceased); Jacob, who died in early boyhood, and Elizabeth, living in Washington county. The father died in 1859, having been preceded to the grave by the mother in about 1844.
Isaac Horn was born May 20, 1824, in Harrison county, Ohio. When he was about three years old, his parents, as above mentioned, returned to Pennsylvania, where he has since passed his life. His education, like that of his father, was of the log-cabin school extraction, primitive but substantial. Mr. Horn vividly remembers the seats in the school, which were made of slabs, as were also the desks, and the other furnishings were on a par. When not at school, or assisting in clearing and improving the property then owned by his father, the lad's time was occupied in learning his father's trade, coopering. In the boyhood of our subject much of the country was yet woodland, and many wild animals still roamed the hills and forests. In November, 1844, Mr. Horn married Amy, daughter of Jacob Cox, of East Bethlehem township, and he remained on the old homestead, which came into his possession upon the death of his father. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Horn were born the following children: Noah, a merchant of Clarktown, Amwell township; Annabel, Priscilla and William I., living at home with their father. William I. is married to Hannah Craig, of West Bethlehem township, and is now conducting the farm work. Mr. Horn's residence is quiet, yet imposing, situated in the center of a thriving community, about a half mile from Zollarsville, and all the improvements, which are numerous have been made by him. The house was erected in 1866, the barn and out-buildings, all of which give his place an air of prosperity, having been built a few years later. Politically Mr. Horn is a lifelong Republican, and in religion a member of the Disciple Church. His wife, Amy, departed this life March 16, 1883, deeply lamented, by not only her own family, but by all who knew her.
Text taken from page 1454 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]