My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Barry County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Dr. John T. Horner, a physician, surgeon and accoucheur, of Cassville, Mo., was born in Perryville, Tenn., in 1831, and is a son of Spencer and Permelia (Turner) Horner. The father was of Irish and Cherokee Indian descent, and was born in Virginia, 1808. He was a farmer by vocation, and was married in his native State. His wife was born in Virginia in 1815, and is yet living. After his marriage he removed to South Carolina, and afterward to Georgia, thence to Tennessee. In 1836 he removed to Arkansas, and in 1855 to Barry County, Mo. The next year he returned to Arkansas, locating in Johnson County. In September, 1864, he was murdered on his farm by bushwhackers for his money. His son, William R., was murdered the same day on Mulberry Creek, in the county. To Spencer Horner and wife were born eleven children, five of whom are living. Dr. John T. Horner received his literary education in Arkansas, and taught school in his younger days. When twenty-one years of age he began the study of his chosen profession, his preceptor being Dr. Forley, of Clarksville, Ark. In 1860 he entered a medical college in New Orleans, and attended two terms. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the Federal army as a member of Company K, Second Regiment of Arkansas Infantry. In 1863 he was promoted to second lieutenant, and served until February, 1864, when he resigned and escorted a refugee train into Missouri. He was in the engagement near Camden, and was in many severe skirmishes. He also did some surgical work while in the army. In 1866 he located in Cassville, and commenced the practice of his profession, and he has been one of the leading doctors of the county for the last twenty-two years. He is a charter member of the Barry County Medical Association. In 1851 he married Susan Boen, a native of Perry County, Tenn., and to them were born five children: Louis, Mary (Mrs. Jesse Wilson), Spencer, Isabel (Mrs. George Wilson) and Russell C. In 1865 Dr. Horner married Mary Dunlap, who was born in Alabama in 1846. To this union have been born six children: John T., Martha, Ollie, Willie, Zora and Nellie. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in The History of Barry County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Barry County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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