Joseph Gilbert Van Horn

As printed in 1902

JOSEPH GILBERT VAN HORN.

Joseph Gilbert Van Horn is connected with industrial and agricultural interests in Clark county and is a representative business man, wide-awake and progressive. He is now engaged in the manufacture and sale of hardwood lumber and also follows farming, owning and operating a tract of land of fifty acres, one mile east of South Charleston. He was born near Harrisville, Harrison county, Ohio, about twelve miles from Wheeling, August 31, 1850, and is a son of Edward and Eliza (Gilbert) Van Horn. His father was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was reared upon a farm and was about fifteen years of age when he came to Ohio in company with the grandfather of our subject, Christian Van, Horn, who’settled in Harrison county. There Edward Van Horn was married, and when his son Joseph was about four years old the grandfather and the father both removed to Cedarville, Ohio. After two years the latter removed to ‘McDonough county, Illinois, where he remained until the fall of 1860, at which time he became a resident of Cedarville, Ohio, and in 1862 he offered his services to the government, enlisting in the Tenth Independent Battery, Light Artillery. With that command he continued until honorably discharged in 1865. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, went with Sherman to Chattanooga, thence to Nashville under command of General Thomas, and after the battle at that place was sent to Sweet ` Water Valley, where the regiment was stationed until after the close of hostilities. Mr. Van Horn spent his remaining days in Cedarville, passing away in 1895, at which time he was laid to rest in the Cedarville cemetery by the side of his wife, who passed away in 1892. = Joseph G. Van Horn of this review received a common school education. His father was in limited financial circumstances, and he had to begin to make his own way in the world when but a boy. In his youth he worked at farm labor for ten or twelve dollars per month and his earnings went to the support of the family until after he had attained his majority. He farmer and worked in the timber regions, making his home in Cedarville. When about twenty-five yéars of age he began to buy timber, which was cut for ties, and gradually he overcame the difficulties and obstacles in his path to success. Soon after his marriage he entered the employ of Zwick & Greenwall, and for four years purchased timber.for them. During that time he saved some money, and on the expiration of that period he entered into partnership with D. S. Ervin, of Cedarville, in the manufacture and sale of hardwood lumber. This relation was maintained until 1899, when Mr. Van Horn purchased the mill which he now owns. This mill has been located at different places, wherever timber could be purchased. For eight years it has stood about one mile east of South Charleston, in Madison township. _

On the 22nd of September, 1881, Mr. Van Horn was united in marriage to Miss

Sarah C. Milburn, a daughter of Aaron and Celinda (Bozarth) Milburn. They have a fine residence which was erected by Mr. Van Horn in 1894, and the farm comprises fifty acres of well developed land..In 1897 Mr. Van Horn entered into partnership with George Thorpe in handling thorough-bred Norman draft stallions and also fast trotting He has seven stallions, all kept at South Charleston. He started in this business with one horse. This was a charitable act in order to give a poor man a business opportunity, but he has kept in the business and has found it a profitable source of income.

In his political affliations Mr. Van Horn is a Republican and has supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Grant in 1872. He has never been an office seeker, but as a citizen is public-spirited and progressive. He attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church of South Charleston, of which Mrs. Van Horn is a member. At one time he held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Xenia, but afterward transferred his membership to the lodge in Cedarville, and later to South Charleston. He is a self-made man who started out in life a poor boy with no capital, but he realized that success may be gained through industry, economy and honesty, and these qualities have proved the foundation upon which he has reared the superstructure of his prosperity.

and pacing horses.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.