- ROBERT L. HORNE, a prominent tobacco raiser residing on section
27, Janesville Township,
- was born on Prince Edward Island in 1837, and is a son of
Robert W. and Violet (YOUNG) HORNE, who were the parents of fourteen
children, of which our subject was the third. The father was
a native of England and was a jeweler by trade, but also followed
the occupation of farming. The mother was a native of Prince
Edward Island, where they were married. In 1857 they emigrated
to the United States, locating in Rock County, Wis., purchasing
land in Janesville Township. The sons engaged in its cultivation.
Mr. HORNE afterward bought land in Magnolia Township, where
he developed a farm, making it his home for several years. His
death occurred in Green County, on the 1st day of April, 1886,
at the age of seventy-six years. His wife is still living and
resides at Brodhead, Green County. Their children are: Ellen
Elizabeth, now Mrs. PROWSE, who resides on Prince Edward Island;
Emily, now Mrs. ROSSITER, of Spring Valley, Rock County; Robert
L.; Frederick, who died at the age of eighteen months; William
who is married and lives in Dakota; Henrietta, who died on Prince
Edward Island, when only one year old; Eliza, now Mrs. RICHMAN,
of Magnolia, Wis.; Priscilla, now Mrs. PATRIDGE, of Green County,
Wis.; Samuel, who is married and resides in Denver, Colo.; James,
who is living in Brodhead, Wis., is also married; Joseph is married
and makes his home at Edgerton, Rock County; Margaret is the
deceased wife of James NIGHHART, of Green County; Hannah, now
Mrs. SMITH, residing in Dakota; Stephen is married and resides
in Brodhead, Wis.
- Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth on Prince
Edward Island, where he also
- received his education. When twenty years of age he came
with his parents to Rock County, and in 1859 was united in marriage
with Elizabeth C. NEWITT, their union being celebrated in Janesville.
The lady was born in New York, and is a daughter of Robert and
Elizabeth (HARGROVES) NEWITT, the former a native of Ireland,
and the latter of the Empire State. Her father followed the
occupation of farming throughout this life, and his death occurred
in New York many years ago. In 1858 Mrs. NEWITT came to Rock
County, where she passed the remainder of her life, dying in
1861. They were the parents of six children: William, who died
in Ishpeming, Mich.; Thomas, who is a resident of New York City;
Mary, who became the wife of Mr. PEPPERS, both deceased; Mrs.
HORNE; Robert who is residing in Center Township, and Henry,
a carpenter in Janesville Township. By the union of Mr. and
Mrs. HORNE four children have been born, three of whom are living:
Anna Violet, the second child, who became the wife of Beaumont
DE FORREST, died Dec. 25, 1882; Robert Edgar, Laura C. and Charles
Henry are yet with their parents.
- After his marriage Mr. HORNE turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits and purchased a farm
- of 200 acres in Magnolia Township, continuing its cultivation
for a period of five years. Selling out he then purchased a
farm near the city, but later also sold that land and subsequently
purchased the farm which he now owns. It is situated on section
27, Janesville Township, and the land is very valuable. For
two years, from 1876 until 1878, he engaged in the grocery business
at Janesville. He is now one of the most extensive growers of
tobacco in the county, annually employing an average of fifteen
men in the cultivation of this product. Politically, he is a
supporter of the Republican party and takes a prominent part
in political affairs. He has held the office of Justice of the
Peace in Janesville Township, and is a man well informed on all
the leading issues of the day. In the promotion of any enterprise
for the public welfare he takes a prominent part, and both he
and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. HORNE is
one of the self-made men of Rock County, having by his own unaided
efforts become one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. He
is now operating 145 acres of land, and as a farmer ranks among
the best.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 898-899.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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