Minerd.com Biography of David Samuel and Amelia (Koch) Van Horn of Bay City, MI

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David Samuel Van Horn
(1874- ? )

David Samuel Van Horn was born on June 5, 1874 near Grand Rapids, Wood County, OH, the son of Eli and Mary Ann (Kimberlin) Van Horn.

When the federal census was taken in 1900, David resided with his parents and unmarried brother Jesse in Jackson Township, Wood County. He was unmarried, and was age 25, and worked as a farm laborer. Then in 1901, he lived on a farm in Deshler, OH.

On Dec. 18, 1901, a week before Christmas, the 27-year-old David was joined in the bonds of holy wedlock with 22-year-old Amelia S. Koch (Sept. 1879- ? ). She was the daughter of George and Sarah (Gross) Koch, and a native of Shelby County, OH. Their wedding ceremony was held in Henry County, OH, led by justice of the peace H.C. Meeker.

Three known offspring born to this union were Charles E. Van Horn, Ernest Webster Van Horn and Robert D. Van Horn.

The federal census enumeration of 1910 shows the couple in Bartlow, Henry County, with David's occupation shown as "common laborer." Then during the decade of the 1910s, they relocated to Michigan, settling on a farm in Bentley, Gladwin County, MI, as shown in the 1920 census.

Railroad station in Bay City's Linwood Park

On the move again, the Van Horns migrated to Bay City, Bay City, MI during the 1920s. The federal census of 1930 shows David earning a living as a carpentry contractor while Amelia worked in "filing pins" for an automobile factory.

Sadly, Amelia died in 1939. Her remains were lowered into eternal sleep in Gibson Township Cemetery in Bentley, Bay County.

The U.S. Census of 1940 shows the widowed David heading a household in Garfield, Bay County, including his son Charles, daughter-in-law Elsie and grandchildren. He labored that year as a farm operator.

In 1941, at the death of his brother Austin, David remained in Bay City, Bay County, MI. He would have been age 67 at the time.

The spectre of death swept him away in 1955. He sleeps for all time beside his wife.

~ Son Charles E. Van Horn ~

Son Charles E. Van Horn (1903-1967) was born on Oct. 27, 1903 in Bartlow Township, Henry County, OH.

His early years were spent in Henry County, OH, and then later in Bentley, Gladwin County, MI. He assisted his father with farm labor.

At the age of 19, on the Fourth of July 1923, David was united in matrimony with 19-year-old Elsie M. Ruse (1903-1991).

Their brood of children included Clara Marie Van Horn, Audrey Van Horn and Elizabeth E. Van Horn.

The family home in 1930 was on Elm Street in Bay City, Bay County, MI.

Circa 1940, the federal census enumeration shows the Van Horns in Garfield, Bay County, under the roof of Charles' father. The two men worked together on the family farm.

Sadness enveloped the family when Charles died at age 63 on July 7, 1967.

As a widow, Elsie lived for another 14 years. She surrendered to death at the age of 87 on May 16, 1991. Her remains were placed into eternal sleep in Gibson Township Cemetery, Bentley, MI.

Daughter Clara Marie Van Horn (1925- ? ) was born in about 1925 in Michigan.

Daughter Audrey V. Van Horn (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927 in Bay City, Bay County, MI. When she was 25 years of age, on April 14, 1952, in Port Huron, St. Clair County, she married Frank N. Barkley (1928- ? ). He was a native of Charlevoix County, MI and the son of Alton L. and Edith (Baker) Barkley.

Daughter Elizabeth Van Horn (1930- ? ) was born in about 1930 in Bay City, Bay County, MI. On Oct. 25, 1947, the 18-year-old Elizabeth was wed to 24-year-old Orsland Harry Whitney (Dec. 1, 1927-1999), also of Bay City and the son of Harry O. and Minnie (Chapman) Whitney. The nuptials were held in Bay City. During World War II, Orsland had served in the U.S. Navy. Again after the outbreak of the Korean War, he again saw Navy service as a machinist's mate. He appears to have spent his life in Beaverton, Gladwin County and Pinconning, Bay County. Orsland died on May 24, 1999. Burial of the remains was in Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Kawkawlin, Bay County. Elizabeth's fate is not yet known.

~ Son Ernest Webster Van Horn ~

Son Ernest Webster Van Horn (1905-1984) was born on June 5, 1905 in Ohio, likely in Henry County.

He made the move in boyhood from Ohio to Michigan.

David entered into marriage with Irene Lillian Blair (1909-1977).

Together, they produced a large family of 15 known children -- Floyd Ernest Van Horn, Marian Geister, Juanita Van Horn, Iva Pearl Yankee, Laurence E. Van Horn, Franklin Richard "Frank" Van Horn, Roy L. Van Horn, Amelia Van Horn, Kenneth Van Horn, Dorothy Welthers, Jerry Arthur Van Horn, David Van Horn, Ronald Van Horn, Jerry Lee Van Horn and James Van Horn. All lived to adulthood except one. Grief cascaded over the family when son Jerry Arthur died at the tender age of 40 days on Dec. 19, 1943.

Circa 1930, census records show Ernest employed as a carpenter in a boat works in Bay City, Bay County, MI and living with his wife and children in his parents' household.

In 1940, the family was in a rented residence in Gibson, Bay City, with Ernest continuing his carpentry work in the building trades..

Irene passed away in Bentley, Bay County at the age of 67 on May 27, 1977.

Ernest outlived his wife by about six-and-a-half years. He succumbed to the angel of death at the age of 78 on Jan. 8, 1984, in Bentley. Burial was in Gibson Township Cemetery in Bentley, Bay County.

Son Floyd Ernest Van Horn (1926-2006) was born on Feb. 25, 1926 in Bay City, Bay County. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was married at least twice. His first bride was Eleanor Burzynski ( ? -2002). They were wed on July 29, 1948, and their union endured for 53-plus years until cleaved apart by death. They were the parents of two sons -- Thomas Van Horn and Richard Van Horn. For more than four decades, he earned a living as a bricklayer. He finally retired from the occupation in 1989. In the community and socially, Floyd held memberships in the Visitation church, Knights of Columbus, West Bay City posts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Amereican Legion, Saginaw Local Brick Layers union 7, Michigan State LCI Association and the League of Catholic Women and Men. Sadly, Eleanor passed away on Feb. 4, 2002. Floyd married a second time on Nov. 13, 2004 to Patricia (Tucker) Riggie ( ? - ? ). She brought two stepsons into the second marriage, Gregory Riggie and Timothy Riggie. Floyd died in Mid-Michigan Medical Center of Midland, Midland County, MI on Jan. 18, 2006. A funeral mass was sung in the family church, led by Rev. Gerald E. Balwinski, and an obituary was published in the Midland (MI) Daily News. He rests for all time in Bay City's Floral Gardens Cemetery.

Grandson Thomas Van Horn ( ? - ? ) married Susan. They were in Bay City in 2006.

Grandson Richard Van Horn ( ? - ? ) wedded Patt. The pair relocated to Florida.

Daughter Marian Van Horn ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Robert Geister ( ? - ? ). The couple's place of residence in 2003 was in Alger, MI.

Daughter Juanita Van Horn (1928- ? ) was born in about 1928 in Michigan. She was united in matrimony with (?) Parkinson. In 2003, she made a home in Bay City, MI.

Daughter Iva Pearl Van Horn (1929-2006) was born on Dec. 18, 1929 in Bay City. On March 13, 1948, at the age of 18, she entered into marriage with Casper "Cap" Yankee (July 31, 1923-2002). The couple did not reproduce. During their dating years, they barely avoided death -- and two friends were killed -- when a car Casper was driving, en route home from a party. Reported the Battle Creek Enquirer and Ludington (MI) Daily News, his vehicle was "struck by a New York Central passenger train while the quartet was returning from a birthday party. The dead were Peter J. Geno, 22, of Linwood, and Mary Suzanne Kelby, 16, of Sawingaw. Casper J. Yankee, 23, of RFD 1, Pinconning, driver of the car, and Iva Van Horn, 17, of Bentley, were taken to Bay City general hospital with critical injuries." The article added that their vehicle was hurled 84 feet by the collision. His serious head lacerations required 100 stitches to close. The news was published near and far, including in Windsor, Canada and Philadelphia, PA. Casper was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. The Yankees made a home in Alger, Ogemaw County, MI. She was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Purple Heart Auxiliary. He surrendered to the angel of death at age 79 on Sept. 7, 2002. Iva Pearl outlived him by three-and-a-half years. At the age of 76, she died in Bortz Health Center of West Branch, Ogemaw County on Jan. 31, 2006. Pastor Tim Teall led her funeral service. Her remains are in eternal repose in Bay City's Floral Gardens Cemetery.

Son Laurence E. "Larry" Van Horn (1932-1986) was born in 1932. He was brought together in marriage with Mary A. (1936- ? ). Death cut him away in 1986. Burial was in Gibson Township Cemetery, Bentley, Bay County.

Son Franklin Richard "Frank" Van Horn (1933-2014) was born on Aug. 31, 1933. He married Joyce Keysor ( ? - ? ), daughter of Andrew Jackson and Loretta Ruth (Bitler) Keysor Sr. They were the parents of Rick Allen Van Horn, Kathleen Jo Pensak, Robert Frank Van Horn, Debra K. Van Horn, Betty Lou Van Horn, JoAnn Elaine Van Horn, Karen Lee Maher and Ernest Dale Van Horn. In 2003, he lived in Loomis, MI. Sadly, at the age of 80, he died in Bentley, Bay County on July 23, 2014.

Grandson Rick Allen Van Horn

Granddaughter Kathleen Jo Van Horn married (?) Pensak.

Grandson Robert Frank Van Horn (1959-1999) was born on March 27, 1959 in Bay City, Bay County. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Sadly, he died in Pinconning, Bay County at age 40 on Oct. 6, 1999. He rests in the sacred soil of Gibson Township Cemetery in Bentley, Bay County.

Granddaughter Debra K. Van Horn

Granddaughter Betty Lou Van Horn

Granddaughter JoAnn Elaine Van Horn

Granddaughter Karen Lee Van Horn wedded (?) Maher

Grandson Ernest Dale Van Horn

Son Roy L. VanHorn (1934-2003) was born in on Nov. 23, 1934 in Bentley Township. In a wedding held in Beaverton, Gladwin County, MI on June 2, 1956, he married Helen Steele ( ? - ? ). Two children in this family were Rodney VanHorn and Gary VanHorn. The couple dwelled for years in Gladwin County. Trained in chemistry, he was employed for 35 years by Dow Chemical's AG Formulation Development in Midland. He retired in 1991. Active socially and in the community, he belonged to the Coleman lodge of the Masons and Harrison lodge of the Moose. He loved baseball, coached Pony League in Beaverton, and enjoyed fishing, hunting small game and whitetail, and cultivating his orchard. His family considered him a learner and a very creative person. Toward the end, he was admitted to Mid-Michigan Medical Center-Midland. He died there at the age of 68 on Oct. 17, 2003. Elder Donn Pendelton presided over the funeral service, with an obituary appearing in the Gladwin Record & Clarion.

Grandson Rodney VanHorn wedded Cathy and made a home in Beaverton, MI.

Grandson Gary VanHorn resided in Beaverton, MI.

Daughter Amelia Van Horn (1936- ? ) was born in about 1936. She and Michael Beebe ( ? - ? ) were joined together in marriage. They made a residence in 2003 in Beaverton, MI.

Son Kenneth T. Van Horn (1938- ? ) was born in about 1938. He married Sadie. They made Bentley, MI their home.

Daughter Dorothy Van Horn ( ? - ? ) wedded Kenneth Welthers ( ? - ? ). The couple migrated to Indiana.

Son David Van Horn ( ? - ? ) was united in matrimony with Nancy. Circa 2003, they were in Beaverton, MI.

Son Ronald Van Horn ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Diane. The couple put down roots in Standish, MI.

Son Jerry Lee Van Horn (1947-2006) was born on June 7, 1947 in Bentley, Bay County, MI. He joined the U.S. Army and served as a staff sergeant during the Vietnam War. He was a recipient of a Bronze Star. His residence in 2003 was in Standish, MI. He died three days before Christmas 2006 in Sterling, Arenac County, MI at the age of 59.

Son James Van Horn ( ? - ? ) entered into marital union with Debbie. In 2003, the couple lived in Beaverton, MI.

~ Son Robert D. Van Horn ~

Son Robert D. Van Horn (1909-1984) was born on Nov. 25, 1908 in Deshler, Henry County.

At the age of 21 in 1930, a bachelor, Robert resided with his parents in Bay City, Bay County, MI. He generated income through his work as a salesman for a produce house.

Later in the year, on Sept. 14, 1930, Robert married Amelia Dowd (1913-1989).

Two known children borne by the pair were Robert Lee Van Horn and Donna Isabell Arquette.

Sadly, Robert succumbed to death on March 29, 1985 while in Standish, Arenac County, MI.

Delia survived him by four years, and passed away on Dec. 15, 1989. Burial of her remains was beside her husband's in Gibson Township Cemetery.

Son Robert Lee Van Horn (1931-1953) was born on Dec. 15, 1931 in Bay City, Bay County. At the age of 20, on Feb. 2, 1952, he was joined in matrimony with 19-year-old Nellie Iola Spencer ( ? - ? ), daughter of Elijah Edward and Pearl (Shoup) Spencer of Twining, Arenac County. The couple tied the knot in Turner, Arenac County, MI. During their brief marriage, in Twining, they together produced a daughter, Patricia Ann Tyler. As the Korean War was already underway, Robert joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to Company B of the 65th Engineers Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. His military occupation specialty was as chief wheel vehicle mechanic. After he was shipped to Korea, Nellie made a home in Standish, MI. Tragically, on May 30, 1953, he was horrifically wounded by an enemy missile in the North Korea sector. A day later, he died. A notice of his death was published in the Detroit Free Press. His remains were returned to the United States in July 1953. They were shipped to San Francisco aboard the SS Green Bay Victory, and thence to Brooklyn Army Base in New York, before further transport to Michigan. Interment was in Cedar Valley Cemetery in Twining. His young widow faced the task of ordering an official military stone to mark his grave.

Granddaughter Patricia Ann Van Horn (1952-2004) was born on Oct. 13, 1952 in Bay City. She was an infant when her father was killed at war. On July 21, 1970, in Sembach, Germany, she married Harold AllenTyler (1947-1972). Harold passed away on Aug. 12, 1972 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, IL. Patricia survived her husband by more than 30 years. Sadly, she died in Rantoul, Iroquois County, IL on Feb. 17, 2004.

Daughter Donna Isabell Van Horn (1936-1994) was born on Oct. 24, 1936 in Bay City. On Dec. 19, [year?], she married John Arthur "Jack" Arquette (1935-1996). Death spirited her into eternity in Midland, Midland County, MI on July 26, 1994. John joined her in death two years later on July 17, 1996. They sleep together for all time in Gibson Township Cemetery in Bentley, Bay County.