ARCHIBALD K. VAN HORN, M.D., a successful practicing physician at Yellow Creek, in the southwestern part of Loran Township, is the son of Robert and Catherine (Coon) Van Horn, natives respectively of Athens, Ohio, and Plum Creek, Pa. The parents after their marriage commenced life together on a farm near Athens, where they resided a few years and then removed to Northfield, in that State, where they still remain and where the father, although quite well advanced in years, is still conducting the operations of his farm.

The parental household included our subject, who was the eldest, a sister, Jennie, now a widow residing in Northfield, Ohio, and a younger brother, Andrew M., who is engaged in farming at Northfield. The birth of our subject took place Dec. 7, 1833, after the removal of the family to Northfield. He there spent the years of his early childhood, and pursued his first studies in the district school. When about eleven years of age he was placed in a select school where he continued his studies until sixteen. He was then sent East to Pennsylvania, entering Westminister College, at Lincoln, and in a three years’ course added greatly to his already generous fund of knowledge. He now decided to seek his fortune in the Western country and accordingly, in 1857, came to this State, locating first at Paris, Edgar County. He there engaged in teaching about eight months and thence removed to Tazewell County, where he was similarly employed two years. His next remove was to Rock Run Township, this county, where he taught school two summers, and soon afterward took up the study of medicine. Later he attended lectures at Chicago, and subsequently entered the office of Dr. G. V. Ewing, of Rock Run, under whose instruction he remained two years and was then considered competent to enter upon the practice of his chosen profession. For this purpose he located first at Baileyville, where he was a resident eighteen months, and whence he removed, in the fall of 1863, to Yellow Creek, where he has since remained.

While a resident of Baileyville, Dr. Van Horn was united in marriage, at White Pigeon, Mich., Feb. 20, 1861, with Miss Emma V., daughter of George and Anna (Hill) Snyder. The parents of Mrs. Van H. were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated to Illinois about 1870, and are now living in Freeport. Their family included eight children, two sons and six daughters, all of whom lived to become men and women. The wife of our subject was the fourth in order of birth, and first drew breath in Centre County, Pa., Feb. 10, 1838. She received a fair education in the common schools and remained with her parents until her marriage. The two children born of this union are Linnie K., wife of D. W. Bettz, a prosperous farmer of Loran Township, and Saddie, still at home with her parents.

Upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage a large number of the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn assembled at their residence to celebrate their silver wedding. The modest little home entertained about seventy-five guests, and the host and hostess were made the recipients of two elegant easy chairs, one for each. The leading spirits on this interesting occasion were Miss Sadie Goodrich and Mrs. G. S. Kleckner. The table groaned under its weight of good things, and the jests and toasts which followed were made the subject of pleasant comment for many a day. The Doctor and his wife are greatly esteemed by the cultivated people of their community and have always moved in the best circle. The Doctor has always taken a warm interest in township and town affairs, and besides the duties of his profession, has officiated as Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk. Both he and his estimable lady are prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church and are numbered among its most cheerful and liberal givers. The Doctor was licensed as a local preacher in 1886, but his diffidence has prevented him from filling the pulpit except when urged to do so.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888