Mary Jennie Horne was born around 1863 in Pennsylvania, the second of eight children born to Moses Horne and Elizabeth Larimer. Her siblings were: Amanda Larimer Horne, Mary Jennie Horne, Lydia Enna (or Etta or Emma) Horne, Josephine “Jo” B. Horne, Olean (or Olena or Ollie) R. Horne, George Richard Horne, William Alexander Horne, and Keziah “Kizzie” Chambers Horne.
Mary is my husband’s 2nd great-aunt; their closest shared ancestors are her parents, who are also my husband’s 2nd great-grandparents.
In 1860, the Horne family lived in Peebles Township, Allegheny County. By 1870, they had relocated to Washington Township in Westmoreland County, making either location a possible birthplace for Mary.
On July 8, 1870, the family was recorded in the Manor Dale community of Washington Township. Mary’s father, Moses, worked as a carpenter, with real estate valued at $1,200 and a personal estate of $500. Her mother Elizabeth managed the household, which included six of their eight children. Mary, Amanda, and Lydia were attending school, while Josephine, Olean, and baby George (just five months old) remained at home. Also living with them was Mary’s 75-year-old paternal grandmother, Mary (Brown) Horne.
Finding this census record was a challenge due to a transcription error—“Worn” instead of “Horn” or “Horne.” Mary was listed as Mary J., age 9.
Mary’s brother, William, born November 23, 1871, likely died in infancy. Around 1875, the family moved to Apollo in Armstrong County, where her father Moses became active in local politics and the family joined the Apollo United Methodist Church.
By June 25, 1880, the Hornes were settled in Apollo. Mary was enumerated as “Jennie,” age 17. Her father had shifted careers and was now a dealer in groceries, likely assisted by 10-year-old George, who worked as a store clerk. Her mother continued her role as housekeeper, and sister Amanda had become a dressmaker. My husband and I are in possession of a dress made by Amanda. Mary, Lydia, Josephine, Olean (listed as “Ollie”), and George were all attending school.
This 1880 census is the last online record I have found for Mary.
Mary does not appear in the 1900 census. That year, her mother Elizabeth reported having had eight children, with only five still living. I have documented the deaths of Amanda (1943), Lydia (1923), Josephine (1941), George (1915), and Keziah (1953), which suggests that Mary, Olean, and William were the three children who had passed away by 1900.
Although a death notice for a Jennie Horne appeared in the Pittsburg Dispatch on May 10, 1892, the age discrepancy—nearly nine years—raises doubts about whether it refers to the same individual. The notice mentions St. John’s Church in Pittsburgh, which seems inconsistent with her family’s known affiliation with Apollo United Methodist Church in Apollo. Given the distance and the family’s local ties, it is unlikely her funeral would have been held in Pittsburgh, suggesting this may be a different person altogether.
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Pittsburg Dispatch, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1892 |
Mary’s parents and sister Josephine are buried in Apollo’s Riverview Cemetery, leading me to believe that Mary may be buried there as well—perhaps in an unmarked grave or one lost to time.
References
- Died, Horne, Pittsburg Dispatch, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1892.
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192286191/moses-horne: accessed September 2, 2025), memorial page for Moses Horne (6 Apr 1833–11 Apr 1910), Find a Grave Memorial ID 192286191, citing Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA; maintained by Danica Jack (contributor 48068126).
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192285915/josephine-horne: accessed September 2, 2025), memorial page for Josephine “Jo” Horne (15 Dec 1864–24 Mar 1941), Find a Grave Memorial ID 192285915, citing Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA; maintained by Danica Jack (contributor 48068126).
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192286127/elizabeth-horne: accessed September 2, 2025), memorial page for Elizabeth Larimer Horne (12 Nov 1831–1 May 1913), Find a Grave Memorial ID 192286127, citing Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA; maintained by Danica Jack (contributor 48068126).
- George R. Horne, Certificate of Death no. H5054, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1915.
- Miss Josephine Horne, Certificate of Death no. 25609, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1941.
- Mrs. Amanda Smith, Certificate of Death no. 10335, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1943.
- Mrs. Keziah C. Shepler, Certificate of Death no. 9961, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1953.
- Mrs. Lydia Henry, Certificate of Death no. 91353, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1923.
- U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1880.
- U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong, Pennsylvania County, 1900.
- U.S. Federal Census, Peebles Township, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, 1860.
- U.S. Federal Census, Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1870.
- William Alexander Horne, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013, PA – Armstrong, Apollo United Methodist Church.
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