Austin "Frederick"
Van Horn
(1864-1941)
Austin "Frederick" Van Horn was born on May 14, 1864, "between Hoytville and Deshler," Wood County, OH, the son of Eli and Mary Ann (Kimberlin) Van Horn. He may have been named for an uncle, Austin Coleman Van Horn, a veteran of the Civil War.
On March 10, 1889, Fred married Emma "Amy" Sherman (1868-1939), the daughter of Simon and Rebecca Sherman, also residents of Wood County.
The Van Horns had three daughters – Rose Hartman, Madge (or "Maggie") Hindley and Lucretia S. "Lulu" Ewers.
In
about 1904, the Van Horns moved to Findlay, Hancock County, OH, where they
resided for the remaining 35 years of their married lives. Said a newspaper article,
Fred was "an employee of the City of Findlay department of streets."
Seen here is an early postcard photograph of Findlay's Main Street, looking southward from the Hancock County Courthouse.
Emma suffered a stroke of paralysis in about 1937. Two years later, on Sept. 23, 1939, she passed away at home, at age 71. At the time, she had 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, said the Lima News. She was laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery in Lima.
In
late March 1941, at the age of 76, Fred suffered a stroke, which left him
badly paralyzed. Also plagued with senility, he died two weeks later, on April 10, 1941.
At the time of death, a newspaper said, he had 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Daughter Rose married O.P. Hartman. They settled in Bluffton, Allen County, OH, where they are known to have resided circa 1939.
Daughter Madge resided in Toledo, Lucas County, OH.
Daughter Lulu lived in Findlay at 1414 Bank Street.
Copyright © 2003, 2006 Mark A. Miner