My Genealogy Hound

JOHN W. HORN is one of the oldest and most trusted employes of the Bethlehem Iron Company, and holds the very responsible position of yardmaster. Conscientious and careful in the discharge of his duties, he merits the high regard in which he is held by the company, with which he has been identified for several years. He has worked his way up in their employ from the foot of the ladder, as he was formerly only a mill-hand.

Born in Weissport, Carbon County, February 9, 1852, our subject is the son of Herman Horn, a butcher and also a boat-builder by trade. He was afterward engaged in farming in Carbon County, and at Laury’s ran a flourmill for five years. Subsequently removing to Spnngtown, in Bucks County, he engaged in the milling and lime business until becoming a resident of Bethlehem, about 1869. when he engaged in general merchandising in South Bethlehem, which town he helped greatly to develop. He is now living retired, his residence being in the western part of the city. During the Civil War he was a member of a Pennsylvania company of cavalry, in which he served as Captain at first, but resigned; afterward he was made Lieutenant. Though now seventy-eight years of age he is still active. He is a member of Fritz Memorial Church, of which he was one of the organizers, and in which he is now a Trustee. In former years a Whig, he has been identified with the Republican party since its formation. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Warner, was born in Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, where her father settled when he came from England. Mrs. Horn died June 14, 1887. Of her twelve children ten grew to maturity, and nine are now living. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany, and his son, our subject’s grandfather, carried on the business of a butcher and hotelman at Lehighton, Pa.

Until 1862 John W. Horn resided in Carbon County, the home of his boyhood. He then went to Lehigh County, where he learned the miller’s trade, and also attended the common schools. In 1867 he worked for John Sims at Emaus for one year. Thence going to Muskegon, Mich., in 1868, he worked in the lumber business, teaming, etc., for some fifteen months, when he returned to this state, and at Laury’s entered the employ of the Lehigh Railroad Company. In 1870 he became a resident of Bethlehem.

For a year after his arrival here Mr. Horn was employed in Schmock’s Coal Yard in South Bethlehem, after which he became identified with the Bethlehem Iron Company, first as a mill hand, later as an engineer, then as weighmaster for several years, and finally, in 1889, was made yardmaster. This responsible position he fills acceptably, about fifty men being under him in this department. There are about twenty-five miles of tracks in the yards, and eight engines are used for shifting.

The residence of Mr. Horn is located at No. 150 North Street, his home being presided over by his worthy wife, to whom he was married in this; city, January 18, 1872. Mrs. Horn, formerly Miss Esther M. Ruth, was born at Hamilton Square, Monroe County, this state, and is a daughter of the late George Ruth, of Cherry Valley, Monroe County. Her grandfather, also George Ruth, was a native of England, and after emigrating to America followed agriculture in Bucks County, Pa. Mrs. Horn’s father removed to Monroe County, settling in Hamilton Township, where he engaged in weaving. In 1869 he located in Bethlehem, working at his trade on North Street until shortly before his death in 1881, at the age of seventy-four years. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Church. The latter, a native of Monroe County, is of German descent, and was in her maidenhood Susan Fenner. She is still living, her home being on North Street, and though eighty-three years of age her health is still good, though she has been blind for ten years. Two of her sons served in the late war. Charles was wounded in the service, but recovered. He met his death in the Avondale coal mine disaster. Israel, who was also in the war, is now a resident of Scranton. Mrs. Horn is one of nine children, only five of whom are living. She and her husband have one daughter, Minnie, eight years of age.

Fraternally the original of this sketch is identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of which he is Past Chief; he is also a Past Officer of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. He belongs to the Knights of Honor, and also to the Bethlehem Iron Company’s Relief Association. In politics he is much interested, having been a delegate to county conventions. He gives his allegiance to the Republican party. With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is active in church work, and liberal in the support of all connected with his denomination.