Elizabeth (Minard) Van Horn, perhaps also known as "Rebeckah," was born in the early 1800s in either Western Pennsylvania or Maryland, the daughter of John and Mary Magdalena (Kohl) Minard Sr.

She and her parents later moved to a large farm near Scio, Harrison County, OH.

On Sept. 2, 1823, Elizabeth married 22-year-old farmer Samuel Van Horn (1801-1886). The nuptials were presided over by Rev. John Crom.

The couple is believed to have produced an only daughter, Rebeckah Ruth Van Horn (also spelled "Vaughn" in some old records).

There, the record falls silent for a time.

The belief is that Elizabeth may have died shortly after marriage, perhaps of the effects of childbirth.

Just 13 months later, on Oct. 19, 1824, Samuel wed Elizabeth’s sister Sophia Minard (1804-1890). Their wedding ceremony was conducted by John Hurless, a justice of the peace. Samuel and Sophia went on to have a large family of a dozen children.

~ Daughter Rebeckah Ruth Van Horn ~

Daughter Rebeckah Ruth Van Horn ( ? - ? ) was born circa 1823-1824.

She lived at least into her 20s, if not longer.

In 1856, when her grandfather John Minard Sr. wrote a will-like deed, he acknowledged that she was the "daughter of Rebeckah Vaughn" [Van Horn] and stipulated that she was to receive $80 within two years of his death. This deed is on file today in the courthouse of Harrison County, OH.

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