Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Van Horn, John 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 28, 2008, 10:57 pm

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

John Van Horn is a prominent and progressive farmer of Plainfield township and 
in connection with his son owns and operates the old Van Horn homestead farm, 
comprising two hundred and ninety acres of land on sections 27, 34 and 35. He 
was born in Bergen county, New Jersey, May 17 1834, a son of Cornelius G. and 
Ann (Van Houten) Van Horn, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, but are 
now deceased, the former having passed away May 8, 1877, while the death of 
the latter occurred April 15, 1872. In September, 1843, Mr. Van Horn brought 
his family to Illinois, settling on a farm in Will county, the tract adjoining 
the present farm of our subject. The father there engaged in general 
agricultural pursuits for twelve years, after which he removed to the farm 
which is now the home of his son. He was there engaged in farming for many 
years and was closely identified with the work of progress and advancement 
that was made in Will county during his residence here. John Van Horn was a 
little lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from 
New Jersey to this state. He was reared in much the usual manner of farm lads 
of that period, working in the fields during the summer seasons, each 
succeeding year being assigned additional duties as his age and strength 
permitted, while during the winter months he pursued his studies in the 
district schools near his father's home. From his early youth he aided in the 
development and improvement of the home farm and has to the present time 
continued the work that was here instituted by his father. He has now a well 
improved and valuable tract of land, embracing two hundred and ninety acres, 
situated on sections 27, 34 and 35, Plainfield township, this property having 
been in possession of the family for more than a half century. He is now 
assisted in the operation of the property by his son, and their united efforts 
have brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, while in the 
pastures are found good grades of stock, and everything about the place is 
kept in an excellent state of repair, indicating the neatness and thrift of 
the owners. On the 4th of June, 1872, occurred the marriage of Mr. Van Horn 
and Miss Frances H. Elwell, who was born in South Shaftsbury, Vermont, October 
16, 1839, and she has indeed proved to her husband a faithful companion and 
helpmate on life's journey. Their marriage has been blessed with one son, 
Merton G. Van Horn. He was married to Miss Catherine Bardwell, of La Salle, 
and they now reside in a new and comfortable home on the farm. Mr. Van Horn is 
a stanch prohibitionist and was candidate of his party for the office of 
county judge of Will county, while he has likewise served as president of the 
Will County Pioneer Society. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being 
identified with the lodge at Plainfield, while Mrs. Van Horn is a devoted 
member of the Congregational church. Mr. Van Horn is popular both in business 
and social circles and has a wide acquaintance in his locality, where he has 
made his home continuously for more than six decades.

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/vanhorn2666nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 3.9 Kb