W. K. Van Horn
W. K. Van Horn, carpenter and builder, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, 1829, and was raised there until twenty years of age, and learned the carpenters' trade. From twenty to twenty-six he was rambling and traveling in the Western States and Territories, and as far south as Mexico. He then located in Butler County, Ohio, and was there until tober(sic), 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Ohio, Volunteer Infantry, serving three years; received several slight wounds while in the service; was discharged and mustered out in 1864; in 1870 emigrated to Kansas, locating in Jewell County and took a homestead near the present site of Jewell City; put up the first frame house in the county, and was among the very first who settled in the county, was thirty miles from a post-office and fifty miles from a blacksmith shop; at the end of two years sold out and located at Jewell City and opened a grocery store, and continued in this business about two years; he then located at Beloit and worked at his trade, remaining there until June, 1882; then located in Scandia and commenced contracting and building; was Deputy County Surveyor of Jewell County; was Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and when the first store was opened in the county, bought the first goods sold, the article being a plug of tobacco. He was married in 1855, to Miss Mary J. DRAKE, of Ohio. They have three children--W. H., Eva A. and Harry K. His wife died in 1867, and he was married again in 1869, to Miss Edith Jones, of Hamilton County, Ohio. He is a member of Jewell Lodge, No. 116, I. O. O. F., and has been a member of the G. A. R. for a good many years.
William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, published in 1883 by AT Andreas, Chicago, IL