Mary Jennie Horne

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.

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. 

William Alexander Horne

It’s always exciting to stumble upon a child you knew existed yet remained nameless. William Alexander Horne was one of those nameless individuals until a recent accidental find in my research. Born on November 23, 1871, likely in Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, William was the infant son of Moses Horne and Elizabeth Larimer He was one of eight children born to Moses and Elizabeth: Amanda Larimer Horne, Mary Jennie Horne, Lydia Etta (or Enna) Horne, Josephine “Jo” B. Horne, Olean (or Olena) “Ollie” R. Horne, George Richard Horne, William Alexander Horne, and Keziah Chambers Horne. William is my husband’s 2nd great-uncle, with their nearest common relatives being his parents, my husband’s 2nd great grandparents. His sister Amanda is my husband’s direct ancestor.

I stumbled upon William while searching for his sister, Ollie. Despite numerous attempts on Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, I found no new information for her beyond what I already knew. Determined, I combed through Apollo United Methodist Church records, page-by-page, hoping to uncover any trace of Ollie as I knew her parents were members of that church. It was during this search that I spotted a child whose parents were Moses and Elizabeth Horne. The 1900 census for Apollo revealed that Elizabeth had given birth to eight children, seven of whom I had already identified. As far as I can tell, William’s family was the sole Horne household residing in Apollo at the time, so I feel certain this is the correct family, and with the discovery of William, the family puzzle was finally complete.

Apollo United Methodist Church record (page 1)

William’s baptism, witnessed by the congregation, took place on June 27, 1872, at Apollo United Methodist Church, where sprinkles of holy water by the officiating minister, C. W. Miller, marked the sacred occasion. 

Apollo United Methodist Church record (page 2)

Other than the Apollo United Methodist Church baptism record, I find nothing else to document the life of William. I can only assume he died as an infant and was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Apollo, where his parents and at least one sibling (Josephine) rest. But that is only an assumption. 

References

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192286127/elizabeth-horne: accessed May 2, 2024), 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).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192286191/moses-horne: accessed May 2, 2024), 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 May 2, 2024), memorial page for Josephine 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).
• U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Washington, 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. 

Edith McCrum Smith, an updated sketch

This is an update of a sketch I posted for Edith in 2012. I felt it did not tell her whole life story so decided to expand on it.

Edith McCrum Smith, daughter of John Milton Smith and Amanda Larimer Horne, was born in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania on March 4, 1888. She was the third child of seven—Benjamin Gordon Smith, George Nelson Smith, Edith McCrum Smith, Howard Stanley Smith, Helen Margaret Smith, Bertha Edna Smith, and John Thompson Smith. She is my husband’s great-aunt with their nearest common relatives being her parents.

Neither the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or Armstrong County recorded births during the period 1855 to 1892, so unfortunately there is no birth certificate for Edith. Instead, you have to look at church birth and baptism records. Luckily, there is a Register of Baptisms for Apollo’s First Presbyterian Church, which is apparently where the Smith family worshiped. On page 140, I found six of the seven Smith children listed. The entire family is grouped together, so they were apparently re-written from other entries, or perhaps the church was catching up on member information and it was compiled at that point. Within the entries, I found several discrepancs, with two of them related to Edith:

• The family name—Smith—was not included at all. The person recording the children simply listed “J. M. & Amanda his wife” in the “Parents’ Names” column, leaving their last name out in the “Names” column.
• Ben should have been recorded as Benjamin.
• Edith was recorded as Elizabeth. I have found no other record showing her with that name.
• Edith’s birthday was recorded as March 11, not March 4.
• I have always been told Bertha’s name was “Bertha Edna Smith” not Edna Bertha. It could be either. Regardless, in this list she was recorded as Elva, not Edna.

Apollo’s First Presbyterian Church baptism record (first page)

I found a second First Presbyterian Church record listing the Smith children individually, although not all of them. Edith was one of the children not listed. Among the discrepancies in this record were the following:

• Page 154 records Benjamin as Bennie.
• Page 158 records George’s birth year as 1886, not 1885.
• Page 164 records Howard but does not include a birthdate.
• Page 178 included both Helen and Bertha. Helen’s birth year was recorded as 1896, not 1895. Bertha’s was recorded as January 22 rather than the 24th. 

Second First Presbyterian Church baptism record

I highlight these discrepancies to demonstrate how records can be inaccurate. With that said, my husband and I are in possession of a red memo book that Bertha left behind. Inside the book, she wrote birth and death dates for at least two generations of this Smith family. On two different occasions, she recorded Edith’s birth as March 4 vs. March 11. 

Both entries from Bertha's red memo book

Further down in this post, you can see that Edith’s tombstone is very aged and difficult to read. The photo was probably taken 20 years ago. I cannot remember if I took it when visiting the cemetery with my mother-in-law, or if it was taken by another researcher I once worked with. It could be either. Whatever the case, I was not aware of the baptism record at the time so have used the birthdate provided by Edith’s sister, Bertha, and by the birthdate recorded on her death certificate—March 4. Now back to the baptism record, the second page record does not tell us much, but does record Edith’s death date. 

Apollo’s First Presbyterian Church baptism record (second page)

On June 25, 1900, Edith and her family lived in Washington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Edith’s parents had been married for 18 years. Her mother was enumerated as having had six children, all of which were living. Her father was a rougher, operating “roughing mill roll stands to reduce steel billets, blooms, and slabs to specified dimensions” in a sheet mill. Her brother Ben worked as a clerk in some sort of depot (I am unable to read the type of depot in the census record). George, Edith, and Howard were attending school. Her brother John was born after this census was taken.

At some point in her short life, Edith contracted measles, resulting in her going blind. Her parents sent her to the Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, probably to learn the skills now requred to get her through life.

Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind. Photo used with permission of My Genealogy Hound, http://mygenealogyhound.com/index.html.

About October 8, 1906, Edith contracted typhoid fever and was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh where she was attended by Dr. Joseph A. Baird. He last saw her October 23, one day before her October 24th death. A week earlier, 163 cases of typhoid fever had been reported in Pittsburgh, with several ending in death. At the age of 18, Edith’s parents buried her at Apollo’s Riverview Cemetery on October 26. Although her death came first, she shares a tombstone with her parents and sister, Helen. As mentioned above, Edith’s side of the stone is difficult to read. 

Updated April 29, 2024 to add a new photo of Edith's tombstone.

Photo by T. Heasley; used with permission per Find A Grave profile

Edith’s death certificate listed her occupation as school girl. Like her sister Helen, Edith had heart trouble. She never married or had children.

Edith's death certificate

The photo of Edith below is actually a button pin and is the size of a quarter. I wrote about the pin in 2016. You can read that post here. 

References

• Bertha Smith Athya red memo book.
• Deaths of One Week: Typhoid Fever Claims Several Victims and Many New Cases of the Disease Are Reported, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1906..
• Edith Smith Certificate of Death no. 100243, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1906.
• How to Find Pennsylvania Birth Records; https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/How_to_Find_Pennsylvania_Birth_Records.
• Personal visit to Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
• Rougher: A description for the rougher job; https://job-descriptions.org/rougher.html. 
• U.S. Federal Census, Washington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1900.
• U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701–1970, Apollo, Pennsylvania, First Presbyterian Church, Baptisms, Births, Deaths, 1904–1907. 

Smith family photos

Another in a series of photos from Bertha Smith Athya’s photo collection. This one is Howard Stanley Smith, his wife Myrtle Mary Stewart, Amanda Horne Smith (mother of Howard, George, and Bertha), and George Nelson Smith. All most likely lived in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania at the time this photo was taken. Howard married Myrtle in 1916 so I’m guessing this photo was taken somewhere between 1916 and 1920.

Amanda is my husband’s great-grandmother; Howard and George his grand uncles. 

Josephine Larimer

Josephine Larimer, daughter of William Larimer and Magdalene Neley, was born in Pennsylvania on August 21, 1838. I can document seven children in this family—Harriet Larimer, Amanda Larimer, Washington Larimer, Elizabeth Larimer, William Larimer, Josephine Larimer, and Robert Larimer. Josephine is the 2nd great grand aunt of my husband. Their nearest common relatives are her parent, William Larimer and Magdalena Neley.

Josephine comes from a line that I felt needed a deeper dive into. I was specifically interested in finding out more about her mother, Magdalene. Josephine’s sister, Elizabeth Larimer Horne, is my husband’s direct ancestor. Elizabeth’s death certificate listed Magdalene’s birthplace as Ireland so I wanted to know more. What I found was census records that listed her birthplace as Pennsylvania, which I tend to believe more accurate than the death certificate. Magdalene would have provided the information for the census record whereas the informant on Elizabeth’s death certificate was her daughter, Lydia Horne, who wouldn’t have had first hand knowledge. I don’t have enough information yet to tell Madgalene’s story so instead decided to write about Josephine, who was easier to track through time.

On August 10, 1850, Josephine and her family lived in the Peebles Township of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Her father worked as a house carpenter. Both of her parents were 50 years old. A 19-year-old male named David Patterson lived in the home. He too was a carpenter so probably worked with Josephine’s father. The house was full with seven of the Larimer children living there, three of them adults—Harriet (age 25), Amanda (age 23) and Washington (age 20). Josephine (age 12) and her brother Robert (age 10) were the only children attending school.

On June 11, 1860, Josephine, her parents, and brothers Washington and William continued to live in the Peebles Township. Her father, and now Washington, worked as a carpenter. Josephine’s father had a personal estate valued at $200.

I have been unable to find Josephine in the 1870 census but it appears that she married William Alexander Thompson, son of David Thompson and Susan Larimer, about 1870. I have yet to determine if his mother, whose maiden name was Larimer, had any connection to Josephine’s family. It wasn’t long before their family began to grow with daughter Harriet Lewella Thompson’s birth taking place in 1871. A second child was born in Pittsburgh on February 17, 1873—a son they named James L. Thompson. Unfortunately, Harriett only lived three years, dying on June 24, 1874 from scarlatina anginosa, better known as scarlet fever. They buried Harriet at Allegheny Cemetery on June 26. The following year, Josephine found herself pregnant again and gave birth to a son in Pittsburgh on September 7, 1875. They named him William, perhaps after his father.

Record of Harriett Lewella Thompson's death (click to enlarge)

The Thompson family lived on Hiland Avenue in Pittsburgh in 1874 but by June 12, 1880, had moved and lived on Pennsylvania Avenue in Pittsburgh. Her 81-year-old mother lived in the home. She was enumerated as Maggie Larimer and widowed. Like her father, Josephine’s husband was a carpenter. She and her husband had two children at the time, James and William. At age 7, James was attending school. William, just 4 years old, was not. Josephine gave birth to a fourth child they named Joseph, I assume after her, on March 31, 1883. Sadly, he died from diphtheria on October 14, 1885 at the age of 2 years, 6 months, and 13 days. They buried Joseph the next day at Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

On June 1, 1900, Josephine, William, and their son William lived in a rental home on St. Andrew Street in Pittsburgh. She was enumerated in the census as having had three children, two of which were living. Josephine, her husband, and son were all able to read and write. The family now had at least a third generation of carpenters with both William and son working in that profession. 

On May 6, 1910, Josephine and William lived on Pace Street in Pittsburgh. The census enumerator noted that they had been married for 49 years, which doesn’t sync with the 1880 census. I really need to find them in the 1870 census records. The 1880 record shows that Josephine had given birth to five children, with only one living. I have yet to find a record to document the fifth child. There was a James L. Thompson and his family living on Princeton Place which appears to be adjoined to Pace Street. Josephine and William lived at house number 207 and James lived at house number 209. The age for James is right so I feel pretty certain he is her only surviving child. James and his wife Margaret had five children at the time—Joseph W. Thompson, Margaret J. Thompson, Marie A. Thompson, Ruth D. Thompson, and Helen G. Thompson. They had lost one child. James was a carpenter, the same occupation as William. 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania census, 1910 (click to enlarge)

Josephine’s husband William died from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 73 years, 7 months, and 10 days on June 21, 1911. A private funeral service was held at the River Avenue home of their son James on June 23, with burial following at the German Lutheran Cemetery in Pittsburgh. William’s “Record of Burial Place of Veteran” on file with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs notes that he was buried at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Unfortunately, I can’t figure out if the cemeteries named are the same, just different names for them. Josephine’s husband served as a Sergeant with Company B of the 123rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry from May 13, 1863 to July 1, 1865. She filed for a widow's pension on July 5, 1911.

Record of Burial Place of Veteran for William A. Thompson

On January 7, 1920, Josephine was enumerated as an inmate at the Ladies Grand Army Home on Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The Ladies Grand Army Home provided care to Civil War widows. She died there on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1925 from chronic myocarditis (“an inflammation of the heart muscle”) contributed by arteriosclerosis (commonly called “hardening of the arteries”). She was 87 years old. Josephine was buried on January 2, 1926 at German Lutheran Cemetery (again, is this St. Peter’s Cemetery?) in Pittsburgh. She was survived by her son James. 

References

• Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861–1934.
• Joseph Thompson, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., Deaths, 1870–1905.
• Josephine Larnar [sic] Thompson Certificate of Death no. 125137, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• Mrs. Josephine Lamar Thompson, Pittsburgh Daily Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1926.
• Myocarditis, Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myocarditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352539.
• Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2N1-S47 : 15 February 2020), William A. Thompson in entry for William Thompson, 1875.
• Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths, 1870-1905, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZ7N-K46 : 2 March 2021), Harriet Lewella Thompson, 24 Jun 1874; citing v 10 p 162, Allegheny County Courthouse, Pittsburgh; FHL microfilm 505,820.
• Registration of Births in the City of Pittsburgh, State of Pennsylvania, A.D. 1873.
• The Ladies' G.A.R. Nursing Home, Abandoned America; https://www.abandonedamerica.us/slideshow463947.html.
• Thompson death notice, Pittsburgh Daily Post, June 22, 1911.
• U.S. Federal Census, Peebles Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1850, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1880, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, Swissvale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1920.
• William A. Thompson, Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–2012.
• William Alexander Thompson Certificate of Death no.59337, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
• William Thompson obituary, Pittsburgh Daily Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1911.

Moses Horne, a 2nd great grandfather

Moses Horne, son of George Horne and Mary Brown, was born in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on April 6, 1832 or 1833. The book History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2 by John Newton Boucher includes a sketch for George Richard Horne, son of Moses. In the book, Boucher notes “In this class may be mentioned George Richard Horne, a representative of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and a roller in the Vandergrift mills of the Amrican [sic] Sheet Steel and Tin Plate Company. His grandfather, who was the founder of the family in America, emigrated to the United States and settled in Maryland, whence he came to East Liberty, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He was a well known contractor in his day, and furnished the stone for the building of the old Allegheny court house and the county jail. He died at an early age, being drowned in the Butcher’s Run flood in 1838.” The grandfather mentioned in this passage would have been the Moses’ father, George Horne. It also means that because George Horne died in 1838, Moses would only have been five or six years old when the flood took place. I haven’t found any other records showing that Moses had siblings, so it’s possible he was an only child. Moses was my husband’s 2nd great-grandfather.

Raised in Allegheny County, Moses became a carpenter, which records show he did for many years. During that time, he also became a contractor (like his father before him), as well as worked in the retail business.

On August 10, 1850, Moses and his 56-year-old widowed mother lived with the Bernard O’Neil family in the Peebles Township of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was 17-years-old and working as a laborer. In 1858, Moses married Elizabeth Larimer, daughter of William Larimer and Magdalene Neley. Between 1859 and 1873, they had eight children—Amanda Larimer Horne, Mary Jennie Horne, Lydia Enna (or Emma) Horne, Josephine B. Horne, Ollie Bertha Horne, George Richard Horne, Keziah Chambers Horne, and one unknown child. I can only document seven of the children.

5/3/24 update: The unknown child was William Alexander Horne, born November 23, 1871, and likely died an infant. Also, Ollie Bertha Horne is incorrect. I believe her correct name to be Olean (or Olena) “Ollie” R. Horne. And Lydia's middle name is likely Etta.

Daughters Amanda and Josephine

On June 11, 1860, Moses, Elizabeth, Amanda, and his 70-year-old mother “Mary” lived in the Peebles Township of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Moses was working as a carpenter. In 1862, they lived on Shady Lane in East Liberty. He paid taxes in Allegheny County during the months of May and June 1863. Moses was working as a retail dealer in 1865 and paid $10 in annual taxes in Division No. Five of Collection District Number 22. It was with the help of these tax records that I finally found Moses in the 1850 census record after having looked solidly for several weeks. I’d previously looked for Moses in those census records, but this time around, I looked almost every day to no avail until I discovered the tax records. I was looking in the wrong township. It made me very happy to find the 1850 census record if I must say so myself! I needed to see if there were other children in the Horne family and it was this record that told me the answer was probably not. The 1862 Pittsburgh city directory showed that Moses’ widowed mother was still living in the home and he was still working as a carpenter. He was still living on Shady Lane and working as a carpenter in 1868 but there was no mention of his mother Mary. Sometime during that year, Moses moved his family to Paulton, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 

On July 8, 1870, Moses and his family lived in the Manor Dale area of the Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Moses, who was working as a carpenter, had real estate valued at $1200 and a personal estate valued at $500. Elizabeth was keeping house. Daughters Amanda, Mary, and Lydia were attending school; son George was just a baby at five months. Moses’ 75-year-old mother Mary was living with them. It took me a while to find Moses in the 1870 census record due to a transcription error—Worn vs. Horn or Horne—but like in 1850, I kept looking and finally found the record. Around 1875, Moses and his family moved to Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He immersed himself into the community by becoming active in politics as well as joining the Apollo United Methodist Church. 

On June 25, 1880, Moses and his family still lived in Apollo. He was a dealer in groceries. His 10-year-old son George was a clerk in a store so was most likely helping his father. Elizabeth stayed busy keeping house while daughter Amanda was a dressmaker. I can personally attest to Amanda’s sewing skills as I have in my possession a baby dress she made for her son Benjamin Gordon Smith about 1884. Click here if you’d like to see and read what I wrote about Ben’s dress several years ago. At age 20, Amanda was no longer attending school, but Jennie, Lydia, Josephine, Ollie, and George all were. Moses’ youngest daughter Keziah was enumerated as Kizzie. In 1882, Moses attended the wedding of his daughter Amanda to John Milton Smith, my husband’s direct ancestors. The wedding took place in Apollo, so it’s possible that if the Horne family had not moved there, I wouldn’t be married to my husband today as she might have never met John and the family wouldn’t be what it is today!

Moses Horne family in the 1880 Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania census

On April 3, 1890, Moses attended another wedding, that of his daughter Lydia to Harry T. Henry in Apollo. And then he attended the wedding of his son George to Emma Schmidt in Armstrong County on March 26, 1892. 

A Republican, Moses was a member of Apollo’s city council in 1895.

On June 1, 1900, Moses, Elizabeth, and Josephine were living in Apollo. Moses had returned to his carpentry work. At age 35, Josephine was apparently not working. The census enumerator recorded Elizabeth as the mother of eight children, five of which were living. 

Moses died at home of heart disease in Apollo at the age of 77 on April 11, 1910. His son George was the informant on the death certificate. He was buried at Riverview Cemetery there in Apollo. The census taker came around four days later.

Moses' death certificate

Moses’ obituary ran in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on April 12:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1910
Deaths in Nearby Towns
Apollo, PA., April 11.—Moses Horne, aged 77, died today at his home here. He was a steel worker and had lived here for 50 years. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Harry Henry of Vandergrift, Mrs. H. Smith and Miss Josephine of Apollo, and Mrs. V. Shepler of Leechburg; and one son, William Horne of Apollo.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1910

I found his obituary interesting in that most of the information is wrong, at least as far as my research goes:

• Not once did I find any record that said Moses was a steel worker.
• He didn’t move to Apollo until around 1875, which would be 35 years, not 50. 
• The church records I found have him attending the Methodist church, not the Episcopal.
• His daughter Amanda married John Milton Smith, not Mr. H. Smith.
• His only son was named George Richard Horne, not William.
• It did not list his wife as a survivor. She didn’t die until 1913 and her death noticed listed her as the wife of the late Moses Horne.

Pittsburgh Daily Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1913

Whatever the case, I’m happy I decided to write this sketch for Moses. When I started it, I didn’t have any information on his father and only a name for his mother. Finding the History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania sketch on George Richard Horne helped take me backwards one more generation which is always exciting. 

References

• Bertha Edna Smith Athya photo collection.
• Boucher, John Newton, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, vol. 2, pp. 599–600.
• Certificate of Death number 34752, Moses Horne, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Vital Statistics, April 12, 1910.
• East Liberty (Pittsburgh); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Liberty_(Pittsburgh).
• Elizabeth Horne obituary, Pittsburgh Daily Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1913.
• Marriage License, George R. Horne and Emma Schmidt, State of Pennsylvania, County of Armstrong, March 26, 1892.
• Marriage License, Lydia E. Horne and Harry T. Henry, State of Pennsylvania, County of Armstrong, April 7, 1890.
• Members in Full Connection, Apollo United Methodist Church; Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669–2013.
• Members in Full Connection, Apollo United Methodist Church; Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669–2013.
• Moses Horne obituary, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1910.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1862.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1868.
• U.S. Federal Census, Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 1880, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Manor Dale, Washington Township, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Peebles, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1850, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Washington, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, 1870.
• U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862–1918 for Moses Horne, Pennsylvania District 22; Annual Lists; May 1865.
• U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863–1865 for Moses Horne, Pennsylvania 22nd vol. 1 of 3.

Harry Thomas Shepler

Harry Thomas Shepler, son of Lewis Hamland Shepler Jr. and Keziah Chambers Horne, was born in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania on December 18, 1910. He was the 5th child of 7—Bryon Reeves Shepler, Elizabeth Horne Shepler, Josephine Marie Shepler, Louise Margaret Shepler, Harry Thomas Shepler, Harold Lewis Shepler, and Howard Moses Shepler. Harry would have been my husband’s 1st cousin 2x removed. Their nearest common relatives are Moses Horne and his wife Elizabeth Larimer.

Harry's twin brother
Harold Shepler
(ca. 1929)

At just over a month old, baby Harry came down with catarrhal pneumonia, also known as bronchopneumonia. He was seen by a doctor on January 23 and 24 but died in Apollo at 3:30 a.m. on January 25, 1911. According to Harry’s death certificate (his father was the informant), he was buried at Apollo Cemetery on January 26. I submitted a request for a photo of Harry’s tombstone through Find-A-Grave but unfortunately, the person who attempted to fulfill my request discovered that the cemetery has no record of Harry’s burial.

Harry was a twin—his brother Harold shared the same birthday—December 18, 1910. Were they identical or fraternal twins? I don't know but I found a photo of Harold in the 1929 Vandergrift High School yearbook which gives us an idea of what Harry might have looked like had he lived.

Harry's death certificate

Keziah Chambers Horne

Keziah Chambers Horne, daughter of Moses Horne and Elizabeth Larimer, was born on July 24, 1873 in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. She was one of eight children—Amanda Larimer Horne, Jennie Horne, Lydia E. Horne, Josephine B. Horne, Ollie Bertha Horne, George Richard Horne, Sr., Keziah Chambers Horne, and one unknown child. I don’t know the sex or name of the eighth child. It was noted in 1900 census records when Elizabeth Horne was enumerated as having had eight children. I have only found seven children for her. Keziah was my husband’s great grand aunt.

5/3/24 update: The unknown child was William Alexander Horne, born November 23, 1871, and likely died an infant. Also, Ollie Bertha Horne is incorrect. I believe her correct name to be Olean (or Olena) “Ollie” R. Horne. And Lydia's middle name is likely Etta.

On June 26, 1880, Keziah and her family lived in Apollo. His father was a “dealer in groceries” and her mother a dressmaker. She was enumerated as Kizzie. Keziah was received from probation at Apollo United Methodist Church in Apollo on August 25, 1889. She was baptized there on September 10, 1889.

1880 census record

Keziah married Lewis Hamland Shepler Jr., son of Lewis Hamland Shepler Sr. and Louisa Reeves, on May 23, 1896 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in a ceremony performed by Rev. C. B. King. Lewis was part of the Shepler family that originated in Germany and whose presence in America dated back prior to the Revolutionary war. Lewis was employed as a merchant, involved in the family business—dry goods. Together Keziah and Lewis had seven children—Bryon Reeves Shepler, Elizabeth Horne Shepler, Josephine Marie Shepler, Louise Margaret Shepler, Harry Thomas Shepler, Howard Moses Shepler, and Harold Lewis Shepler. Bryon was born on August 5, 1896 in Leechburg, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, just over two months after Keziah and Lewis were married.

Marriage License for Keziah and Lewis

Keziah’s daughter Elizabeth was born in Leechburg on May 3, 1900. The census enumerator visited their home on June 1 and found Keziah, Lewis, and their two children (Bryon and Mary) renting a home there in Leechburg. A daughter was enumerated as Mary (age one month) so I assume that was Elizabeth. The age is correct. Keziah and Lewis had been married four years. She was enumerated as having had two children, both of which were living. Lewis was a dry goods merchant. Lewis’ brother Van T. Shepler opened a dry goods store in Leechburg in 1897. Perhaps Lewis was working in that store with or for his brother. There was an 18-year-old black woman named Eva M. Taylor living in the home, enumerated as a servant.

1900 census record

Keizah’s daughter Josephine was born February 3, 1904 in Blairsville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, about 25 miles from Apollo. Van Shepler opened another store in Blairsville in 1902 so perhaps Lewis moved the family there to work in that store. They were still living in Blairsville when their daughter Louise was born on August 7, 1906. Keziah and Lewis lived in Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania in 1908. Lewis was working in the dry goods and notions business. Again, Van Shepler opened a Kittanning store in 1905 so I’m wondering if Lewis moved the family again to work in that store.

1908 city directory

Keziah’s father Moses died of heart disease on April 11, 1910 in Apollo. Moses was buried on April 13 at Apollo Cemetery. I don’t know if Keziah was living in Apollo at the time but by April 20, 1910, she and her family had moved to Apollo where they lived on North 9th Street. Keziah and Lewis had celebrated 14 years of marriage by the time the census enumerator came around. It was the first marriage for both. Keziah was enumerated as the mother of four children, all of which were living. Lewis worked as a manager in a dry goods store. On December 18, 1910, Keziah gave birth to twin boys in Apollo—Harry Thomas Shepler and Harold Lewis Shepler. Tragically, Harry died a month later on January 25, 1911 of catarrhal pneumonia (a leading cause of infant mortality in the early 1900s) after being sick for just three days. Baby Harry was buried at Apollo Cemetery on January 26. On February 18, 1912, Keziah gave birth to a baby boy they named Howard Moses Shepler. Howard was given the middle name Moses I assume to honor Keziah’s father. Keziah’s mother Elizabeth died in Apollo on May 1, 1913 after suffering from senile dementia for three years. Elizabeth was buried beside her husband at Apollo Cemetery on May 3. The Pittsburgh Daily Post carried a death notice on May 3:

Mrs. Elizabeth Horne, 83 years old, widow of Moses Horne, died in her home, in Apollo.

Keziah’s brother George was tragically killed in 1915 in a train accident. He died on December 19, 1915 from a fractured skull and other injuries caused after being struck by a locomotive on the Conemaugh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad at the West Apollo Crossing. George was buried at Vandergrift Cemetery in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

By January 13, 1920, Keziah and her family had moved to 133 Lafayette Avenue in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the home Keziah would live in for the rest of her life. Her son Bryon no longer lived in the home and Lewis was no longer working at a dry goods store. Instead, he was a chamber man at an acid plant. Keziah’s sister Lydia died in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on October 2, 1923. She was buried at Vandergrift Cemetery.

1920 census record

On April 11, 1930, the census enumerator again found the Shepler family living on Lafayette Avenue in Vandergrift. They owned the home which was valued at $7,500. In performing this census, the enumerator checked to see if the family had a radio. She (Mrs. Carrie Bell) didn’t find one at this home. Keziah and Lewis had now celebrated 25 years of marriage. Lewis was still a chamber man but now at a steel plant. The only children living in the home were Harold and Howard. Harold, at age 19, was married and joined by his wife Mildred. Harold worked at a gasoline station as an attendant.

On April 3, 1940, Keziah and Lewis are living alone in the Lafayette Avenue home. The house had gone down in value to $4,500. At age 68, Lewis was retired, or rather, pensioned, as written by the census enumerator. The highest grade that Keziah had completed in school was the 10th. Lewis graduated from high school, completing 12 grades. Keziah’s sister Josephine died in Apollo on March 24, 1941 of mitral stenosis at the age of 76. She was buried at Apollo Cemetery on March 26. Josephine was blind and never married. Her sister Amanda Larimer Horne Smith died on January 11, 1943 in Washington, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Amanda was buried at Apollo Cemetery.

1940 census record

On January 29, 1953, 79-year-old Keziah suffered a fatal heart attack at her Lafayette Avenue home in Vandergrift. She died 12 hours later. Keziah was buried on February 1 at Riverview Cemetery (also known as Apollo Cemetery) in Apollo. Lewis lived for another five years before his death on June 13, 1958 in Oklahoma, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was buried at Riverview Cemetery with Keziah.

I don't have a picture of Keziah but do have pictures of two of her sisters and several of her children so you can imagine what she might have looked like.

Sisters Josephine and Amanda

Sisters Amanda and Josephine

Antique postcards

Last weekend, I pulled out a large box of papers that came into our possession after the death of my mother-in-law. Busy with everything else in life, I sat the box aside without looking to see what was inside. Finally, after way too many years have passed, I opened the box and looked inside. Wow! It was full of genealogical treasures—obituaries, funeral cards, a few photos, school papers, letters, greeting cards, birth records, death records, etc. Lots of historical documents to keep a family historian happy for a long time.

Two items in the box caught my attention because of their age—postcards mailed to Helen Margaret Smith, my husband’s grand aunt. Now what is a grand aunt you ask? I didn’t know either so had to google it. Per Reference*, “a grand-aunt or grand-uncle is the sibling of your grandparent, while great-aunts and great-uncles are further removed. However, “grand” and “great” are often used interchangeably.” Helen’s sister was Bertha Edna Smith, my husband’s grandmother.

The first card is dated June 10, 1909 and is postmarked from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Helen lived in Paulton, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania at the time. Postage to mail the card was one cent. There is no message written on the postcard–just the word “Auntie.” The image on the front is labeled “Canal Scene, Bethlehem, PA.” Unfortunately, I don’t know which aunt might have sent the card. The card has slight damage around the edges but it otherwise in good condition.

The second card is dated November 9, 1911 and is postmarked from Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, a borough in Allegheny County, nine miles from Pittsburgh. Helen still lived in Paulton when she received this card. The message written on the card is “Am attending a Luther League Convention in St. Stephens Lutheran Church of E. E. Pitts” and is signed “Lovingly, E.C.H.” Again, I don’t know who sent the postcard but do know that Helen’s mother’s maiden name was Horne so it could be a member of that family. It was obviously someone close since it was signed “Lovingly.” The image on the front is labeled “Drive to Stanton Avenue, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.” This card has slightly more damage around the edges but like the 1909 card, is otherwise in good condition.

I was curious about the Luther league so searched Newspapers.com and found the following article published by The Pittsburgh Press on November 5, 1911:

The thirty-ninth semi-annual convention of the Pittsburgh district, Luther league will be held Thursday in St. Stephen’s Lutheran church, Hamilton and Brushton aves. In the morning Miss Gertrude Dunmire of Monongahela City, will speak on “How to Make Our Committees More Efficient.” In the afternoon addresses will be made by Rev. J. G. Reinartz, of East Liverpool, O., and E. F. Daume, of this city. K. J. F. Wilharm will render a report of the State Luthern league convention, recently held in Easton. In the evening, Rev. W. F. Kennerly, of Alliance, O., will speak on “The Cost of the Kingdom.” There are over 2,000 members of the Pittsburgh district League. C. W. H. Hess is president; Rev. H. B. Ernest vice president, Miss Margaret Strohecker secretary, and O. W. A. Oetting, treasurer.

The article doesn’t tell me much but it was nice to connect it to the message written on the postcard.

I blogged about Helen on December 10, 2014. She was just a teenager when she died on March 18, 1913 after suffering from endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart per Wikipedia. A beautiful young woman taken too soon.

Helen Margaret Smith

Unknown friend and Helen Margaret Smith (on the right)

George Richard Horne, Sr.

George Richard Horne, Sr., son of Moses Horne and Elizabeth Larimer, was born December 1, 1869 in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was one of eight children—Amanda Larimer Horne, Jennie Horne, Lydia E. Horne, Josephine B. Horne, Ollie Bertha Horne, George Richard Horne, Sr., and Keziah Chambers Horne. There was an eighth child, but I don’t know its sex or name. I found this child noted in 1900 census records when Elizabeth Horne was enumerated as having had eight children, five of which were living. He was my husband’s great grand uncle.

5/3/24 update: The unknown child was William Alexander Horne, born November 23, 1871, and likely died an infant. Also, Ollie Bertha Horne is incorrect. I believe her correct name to be Olean (or Olena) “Ollie” R. Horne. And Lydia's middle name is likely Etta.

I wrote the following text when I researched and blogged about George’s sister Josephine on November 27, 2015:

I haven’t been able to find the Horne family in 1870 census records. Since George was born in Apollo in 1869 I expected to find them there. I ran an ancestry.com search but found nothing. Since that didn’t work I manually checked the 20 pages of Apollo census records and still found nothing. Disappointing to say the least since I need to identify the eighth child. In 1876, county land ownership maps for Apollo recorded the Horne family as living on Indiana Street in Apollo. The D. H. Williams and R. S. Cochran families were neighbors. I feel certain they were in Apollo in 1870. I just have to find them.

Nothing has changed. I again searched for the Horne family in 1870 census records and again, came up empty. I’ll keep searching.

5/3/24 update: I finally found the Horne family in 1870, living in Washington Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The family was incorrectly transcribed as 'Worn' instead of 'Horne.' Moses Horne worked as a carpenter; his real estate was valued at $1200 and personal estate at $500. Elizabeth Horne was keeping house.

On June 26, 1880, George and his family lived in Apollo. His father was a “dealer in groceries” and his mother a dressmaker. At the age of 10, George was enumerated as “clerk in store” so I assume he was helping his father in the grocery store.

1880 Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania Census

George married Emma I. Schmidt (parents unknown) in 1892, I assume in Apollo. Emma’s death certificate indicates that she was born in Switzerland. Together George and Emma had four children—Herbert Moses Horne, Ollie B. Horne, George Richard Horne, Jr., and Phyllis E. Horne. George and Emma didn’t waste time starting their family. Son Herbert was born in Apollo on January 17, 1893. Daughter Ollie was born in March 1895. Their son George Jr. was a Christmas Day baby, born in Apollo in 1896. And daughter Phyllis was born on August 3, 1898. By the time 1900 rolled around, their family was complete.

On June 7, 1900, George and his family lived on Farragut Street in the Allegheny Township of Vandergrift Borough, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The family lived next door to Effie (Jack) and her husband Addision Beale. Effie Jack was the daughter of Eunice Alvira Smith and Daniel Jack. Eunice was the sister of John Milton Smith who married George’s sister, Amanda Larimer Horne (and my husband's great-grandmother). George’s sister Lydia and her family lived two doors away. George’s sister-in-law, Ida Schmidt, age 22 and born in Switzerland, lived with them.

1900 Vandergrift, Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Census

On May 3, 1910, George and his family lived on Farragut Avenue in Vandergrift Ward 1, Westmoreland County. George was enumerated as a roller in a sheet mill. The census enumerator recorded George and Emma as having been married once each, for 18 years. Emma was the mother of four children, all of which were living. George’s sister-in-law, Edith Schmidt, age 30 and born in Sweden, lived with them.

1910 Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Census

George’s father, Moses, died of heart disease on April 11, 1910. George was the informant on the death certificate which was filed on April 12. Moses was buried at Apollo Cemetery in Apollo on April 13. His mother, Elizabeth, died in Apollo on May 1, 1913. She had suffered from senile dementia for three years. Elizabeth was buried beside her husband at Apollo Cemetery on May 3.

The Indiana Gazette headlines, December 20, 1915

Tragedy struck the Horne family in 1915 when George was killed in a train accident. He died on December 19, 1915 from a fractured skull and other injuries caused after being struck by a locomotive on the Conemaugh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad at the West Apollo Crossing. The account of the accident was the lead story in The Indiana Gazette in Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania on December 20, 1915.

Three Relatives of Indiana Families Are Killed In a Collision

Brother-in-law of Ray Craig; An Uncle of Mrs. John McGregor and A Nephew of John McConnell Met Horrible Deaths Near Apollo Early Sunday Morning 

Two More Died in the Hospital

Robert Milliron, aged 37 years, a mill worker of Vandergrift, and a brother-in-law of Ray Craig, local Adams Express agent and George Horne, aged 50, a mill worker of Vandergrift, and an uncle of Mrs. John McGregor, of Indiana, were instantly killed, together with Clifford McConnell, aged 27 years, of Vandergrift, a nephew of John McConnell, of Indiana, when the jitney bus in which they were riding with W. H. George, of Vandergrift, Robert R. Trautman, Herbert Horne and Henry Graden, also of Vandergrift was struck by a fast freight on the Conemaugh division of the Pennsylvania Railroad at a grade crossing in West Apollo, early yesterday morning.

Herbert Horne, who is a cousin of Mrs. John McGregor, is in a critical condition from internal injuries in the Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, with but slight hopes entertained for his recovery.

The occupants of the jitney bus were returning to their home in Vandergrift, when the accident occurred. It is believed George was unable to stop the bus because of a steep grade crossing in West Apollo. The bus had almost crossed the tracks when the fast freight train rounded a curve and crashed into the rear of the machine. Milliron and George were crushed between the freight engine and the wrecked jitney bus while the three others were hurled clear of the track. The bus was entirely demolished.

Physicians at the hospital said that Trautman and Horne cannot live. Graden was reported improving at his home but physicians said that while he is expected to recover his condition is still serious. 

(A telegram just received announced the deaths of Trautman and Horne.)

After the accident the injured were carried into the Elks club but Milliron died before medical attention could be given. Horne and McConnell were dead when found. Trautman and Herbert Horne after being attended by physicians were placed on a special train and taken to Pittsburgh. They were taken from the Pittsburgh station to the hospital in the Allegheny police patrol. 

The story was also picked up by the Associated Press and ran in The Morning Herald in Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on December 20, 1915.

4 Killed, 3 Hurt When Fast Train Hits Jitney Bus 

(By Associated Press to The Herald)

Pittsburgh, December 19.—Four persons were killed and three injured, two probably fatally, early today when a fast freight train on the Conemaugh division of the Pennsylvania railroad struck a jitney bus at a grade crossing in West Apollo. Geo. Horne, aged 50, and Clifford McConnell, aged 27, were instantly killed, while Hobert Milliron, aged 37, died shortly after the accident. W. H. George, aged 42, was brought here and died in a local hospital several hours later.

Robert R. Troutman, aged 27, and Herbert Horne, aged 23, a friend of George Horne, aged 23, a friend of their condition is critical [sic]. Henry Graden, aged 37, is in a serious condition but may recover. All the dead and injured were from Vandergrift. The bus was owned and operated by George. It is believed that George was unable to stop the automobile because of the steep grade at the crossing.

Altoona Tribune,
December 20, 1915

In the Morning Herald story, Herbert Horne was listed as a “friend of George Horne, aged 23, …” however, George had a son named Herbert who would have been about the same age so I believe this was probably him. If that’s the case, Herbert didn’t die from his injuries but instead survived and lived until December 19, 1933 when he died of cardiac failure.

The story was picked up a third time by the Altoona Tribune in Altoona, Pennsylvania on December 20.

A Railroad Train Struck a Jitney 

Vandergrift, December 19.—Three persons were killed, three were probably fatally hurt and one escaped injury last night when a jitney bus containing seven passengers was struck by a Pennsylvania railroad train at a grade crossing in West Apollo, near here. 

The killed are George Hoine [sic], aged 54; Robert Milliron, 37, and Clifford McConnell, 23, all of Vandergrift. W. H. George, aged 42, owner of the machine died tonight. Robert R. Trautman, aged 27, and Herbert Horne, 23, are probably fatally injured.

George was buried at Vandergrift Cemetery in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His will was probated in Westmoreland County in 1916.