Horner Notables and Anecdotes

This page contains information and stories related to all members of note of this Horner family line. If you find errors or omissions, or if you have related stories to share please send Email.

 Last Update: 30 May 2003

Horner Legends

This well known nursery rhyme is reportedly based on the actions of John Horner of County Somerset, England. In 1545, Queen Elizabeth I decreed that the monasteries of England be suppressed. John Horner served as the Queen's agent and confiscated lands held by the monasteries. An old legend says that he deliberately kept back one of these estates for himself by opening a packet in which was concealed a deed (for the village of Mells)--the plum in the pie: He was knighted Sir John Horner and given a coat of arms by Queen Elizabeth I in 1584. While we have not established direct links to John Horner, many researches believe that our George Horner was a direct descendent of the original "Little Jack Horner." 

William Horner (1746-1824) hauled a four horse load of beef butchered on his place in Orange County, North Carolina to General Washington at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777/78 . For his service to the Revolution, including sundries furnished and cash paid the Militias of North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina he was awarded 4 pounds, 6 shillings, 4 pence, by the Hillsboro District of North Carolina. He was also awarded land grants in what later became Tennessee.

Thomas N. Horner (1761-1844) son of George Horner and Elizabeth Holloway, served during the War of 1812 as a Sergeant in the North Carolina Militia.

George R. Horner (1761-1844) son of George Horner and Elizabeth Holloway, served during the War of 1812 in the North Carolina Militia first as  a Private, then an Ensign and finally a Lieutenant.

Caleb Witt (1762-1827) Son of Caleb Witt and Lavina Harbour, husband of Miriam Horner (daughter of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred) served during the American Revolution in the Virginia Line.

John Horner (1770-1822) served in the 5th Regiment 2nd Company detached from the Orange County, North Carolina Regiment in the War of 1812, under Captain Robert Thompson and Lieutenant Samuel Strahorn. For his service he was awarded a grant of land on the Buffalo near Beardstown, Tennessee. In 1810 the Pillow family were migrating west, probably to Missouri. There were no ferries, so they had to ford the streams. They attempted to ford Buffalo River but found the water too deep and swift. They were swept away down the stream, losing their wagons and teams. They saved themselves by catching on a drift that had lodged against some obstruction in the river. It was only a little way from the house of John Horner. He heard their cries for help and ran down to find the people in great danger. He did not have a boat and the Pillows could not swim. He told them if they would do as he said he would try to bring them out; they readily agreed. He swam over and brought the woman out first, then rescued the rest. He carried them to his house and kept them until they were able to proceed on their journey. A few months later he received a letter from the folks, saying that they had a son and his name was John Horner Pillow.

Lewis W. Russell (1774-1846) son of George Russell and Elizabeth Bean, husband of Esther Horner (daughter of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred) fought in the Florida War.

Thomas Green (1775-??) husband of Catherine Horner (daughter of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred) served during the War of 1812 in Tennessee.

John W. Richardson (1776-1879) husband of Mary Horner (daughter of John Horner and Elizabeth Russell) served in the War of 1812 enlisting in Tennessee Mounted Gunman mustering out on 27 April 1815.

Thomas Nelson Horner (1781-1868) son of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred served during the War of 1812 in North Carolina.

Cavalier H. Horner (1783-1851) son of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred enlisted during the War of 1812, on 9 October 1813, under Colonel William Lillard and Captain Zachariah Copeland as a Pvt. in the 2nd Regt. of Tennessee Volunteers, Warrant No. 37430 issued after his death to Elizabeth Duncan, his daughter. He volunteered at Outlaw's Bend on 8 October 1813 for three months. He was discharged at Dandridge, Tennessee on 18 February 1814 and received 80 acres at Panther Springs, Tennessee for his service. He was also appointed as Deputy Sheriff on 11 September 1821 in Greene County, Tennessee.

William Harrison Horner (1795-1864) son of John Horner and Elizabeth Russell, founded Hornersville, Dunklin County, Missouri in 1932.

Lewis Russell (1806-1869) son of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner (daughter of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred) served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Company I of the Thirteenth Arkansas Infantry Regiment.

Spencer Horner (1807-1864) owned a farm near Ozone, Arkansas during the Civil War. All of his sons except young James and possibly his eldest, John, served in the Union Army. In 1864 his son William came home on leave, AWOL or a scouting mission in Johnson County. John had gone out on the mountain to get some horses shod. While the family gathered for a chicken dinner bushwhackers approached the house. Spencer went out to talk to them and they shot him dead in his tracks. William made a break for the woods through the potato patch but they caught and pistol whipped him. William died 8 days later. William's tombstone inscription reads "Wm. R. Homer Born Aug. 1, 1834 Killed Aug. 10, 1864 by parties known to his family." 

George W. Russell (1807-1860) son of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner (daughter of William Horner and Elizabeth Allred) and his wife Annie Hamm migrated from Tennessee in ox wagons, and settled in Franklin County, Arkansas, and in 1832 erected the first house in the town of Mulberry. Here they resided until their respective deaths. George served in the War of 1812.

James Hunter Horner (1822-1892) son of Col. William Horner and Sarah Parker, served the Confederacy during the Civil War as Captain of Company E (Granville Targetteers), 23rd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry.

Elijah Witt Horner (1826-1870) son of George Horner and Harriett Elizabeth Russell, served the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Dr. John Turner Horner (1829-1911) son of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner, wanted to marry a poor girl but his father, Spencer, wanted him to marry a girl with more wealth, Susannah Boen. On one occasion, John had stopped to visit with Susannah and Spencer happened by and took John's horse, insuring a lengthy visit with Susannah. They later married, but their marriage was not a happy one. He received primary and secondary education in Arkansas and taught school. When he was 21 he began his studies in medicine. His preceptor was Dr. Forley of Clarksville, Arkansas. In 1860 he entered the medical college in New Orleans for two years. One day, and six children later, he came home and she hit him over the head with a broomstick. He left and never came back. Within two weeks of the killing of Spencer and William two of Spencer's sons and a son-in-law died while stationed at Lewisberg Ridge, Arkansas. John decided that northwestern Arkansas was too dangerous for the remnants of the family. He organized a refugee wagon train and moved the remaining Horners, along with several other families, to Cassville, Missouri where the Union Army had a large encampment. John claimed to have organized and served in Company K, Second Arkansas Union Infantry along with his son and brothers. He also claimed to have fought in a number of skirmishes, including the engagement neat Camden, Missouri. However, he was home in Johnson County, in 1864 and his application for a Union pension was turned down because he could not sufficiently prove that he had served.

James Jefferson Horner (1829-1912) son of John B. Horner and Sarah Sparks, served the Confederacy during the Civil War serving in Company K of the 42nd Tennessee Infantry.

Levi Kirkland Horner (1829-1907) son of Lewis W. Horner and Mary Ann Curry, served the Confederacy during the Civil War in the Twentieth Tennessee Regiment.

William H. Russell (1830-1906) son of George W. Russell (son of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner) and Annie Hamm served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Company B of Colonel Gordon's Regiment from August 1862 to 1865.

John W. Boen (1830-1865) husband of Zilpha Horner (daughter of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner) served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Company H of the Twenty-Sixth Arkansas Infantry.

Moses R. Horner served the Confederacy during the Civil War as a Private in Company A of the Sixty-Sixth North Carolina Infantry Regiment.

John J. Bowman (1832-1872) wife of Oma Horner (daughter of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner) served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Company C of the 16th Arkansas Infantry.

Nathan Sparks Horner (1832-1922) son of John B. Horner and Sarah Sparks, served the Confederacy during the Civil War serving in Company G. of the 42nd Tennessee Infantry.

Wiley B. Wagner (1833-1914) son of Absolum Wagner and Susan Russell (Daughter of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner) served the Confederacy during the Civil War.

William Riley Horner (1834-1864) son of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner served the Union during the Civil War as a Private in Company K of the Second Union Infantry. He was killed by bushwhackers in Johnson County, Arkansas while home on leave.

George Washington Turner (1834-1861) son of Henry B. Turner and Mary Russell (daughter of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner) served the confederacy during the Civil War in Company I of the First Arkansas Infantry. Captured and died of Dysentery on a Union Army boat near Memphis, Tennessee.

Amos H. Horner (1837-1913) son of Isaac Horner and Mary Moore, served the Union during the Civil War in Company E of the 2nd Arkansas Calvary.

John Andrew Pope (1837-1864) husband of Melvina Elizabeth Horner (daughter of Jesse Horner and Mary Matilda Patterson) served the Confederacy during the Civil War and was killed in action a Petersburg, Virginia.

Jesse A. Boen (1839-1862) husband of Mary Ann Horner (daughter of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner) served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Company H of the 26th Arkansas Infantry. He  died in the hospital at Camp Hope, Arkansas, August 26, 1862.

George Washington Hill (1840-1941) son of Lorenzo Dow Hill and Elizabeth Miriam Russell (daughter of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner) served the Confederacy during the Civil War as a Private in Company B of the 17th Arkansas Infantry.

William Richardson (c1841-1930) son of Benjamin Richardson and Jemima Horner (daughter of John Horner and Elizabeth Russell), served the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Henry Horner Turner (1842-1925) son of Henry B. Turner and Mary Russell (daughter of Lewis R. Russell and Esther Horner) served the confederacy during  the Civil War as Orderly Sergeant, 3rd Lieutenant, then 1st Lieutenant in Company I of the 15th Arkansas Volunteer Infantry.

  Robert Franklin Green (1842-1910), son of John Green and Elizabeth Hicks, fought for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He was wounded in the Battle of Shiloh and lost an arm.

Hiram Boen (1842-1902) brother of John W. Boen served the Confederacy during the Civil War enlisting at Jasper, Arkansas on 2 September 1862 in Company A of the Second Arkansas Infantry.

Andrew Jackson Horner (1843-1864) son of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner served the Union during the Civil War in Company K of the Second Arkansas Infantry Regiment. He died of disease in Lewisburg Arkansas while in the service.

Spencer Marion Horner (1844-1916) son of Spencer Pleasant Horner and Axey Ann Roberson served the confederacy during the Civil War in 8th (Dibrell's) Tennessee Calvary.

Jesse Pleasant Hor1ner (1844-1901) son of Russell William Horner and Martha Ann Patterson, served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Tennessee.

Thomas A. Horner (1844-1865) son of John B. Horner and Margaret McDonald, served the Union During the Civil War as a Corporal in Company C of the Fourth Tennessee Calvary.

Pleasant  Horner (1845-1864) son of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner served the Union during the Civil War in Company K of the Second Arkansas Infantry Regiment. He died of disease in Lewisburg Arkansas while in the service.

Thomas Jefferson Horner (c1845-??) served the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Ezra Russell Patterson (1846-1924) husband of Martha Melinda Horner (daughter of John Valentine Horner and Elizabeth Dilworth) served the Confederacy during the Civil War in the Ninth Tennessee Calvary.

Louis Cass Horner (1848-1923) son of John Turner Horner and Susannah Boen served the Union during the Civil War in Company K of the Second Arkansas Infantry Regiment.

William Jesse Wilson (1848-??) husband of Mary Ellender Horner (daughter of John Turner Horner and Susannah Boen) served the Union during the Civil War.

James C. Boen (1851-??) son of James W. Boen and Zilpha Horner (daughter of Spencer Horner and Permelia Turner) served the Confederacy during the Civil War in Company H of the 26th Arkansas Infantry.

Junius Moore Horner (1859-1933) was Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Western North Carolina.

Robert Thomas Shannon (1860-1931) son of Joseph James Shannon and Nancy Ann Young was listed in the 1930 Who's Who in America. He graduated Vanderbilt and Cumberland School of Law. Robert was a research attorney and compiled the first annotated code of the laws of Tennessee in the early 1890's these are known in the state as the Shannon's Code. He revised and published the Tennessee code until his death in 1931. 

George Washington Barham (1855-1927) husband of Mary Jane Horner was a lawyer and served as the County Judge of Franklin County, Arkansas from 1892 to 1898 and again from 1919 to 1922.

Argus Albion Horner (1893-1985) son of Nathan E. Horner and Mary Jane Cotham, served as a Private in the U.S. Army during World War I.

Hartley Dennis Horner (1893-1975), son of Andrew F. Horner and Roseanna Frances Brutton, joined the army in 1912 when he was 18 year old from Cumberland County, Kentucky. He served on the Mexican Border in the Cavalry patrolling the Rio Grand. He fought in the battles against Pancho Villa. When World War I started the Cavalry wasn't sent to Europe so he transferred to the Field Artillery as First Sergeant of Company C, 3rd Ammunition Train, 3rd Division. He was discharged in 1919 and returned to Cumberland County.

Jeremiah Mitchell 'Jerry' Horner (1895-1976), son of Andrew F. Horner and Roseanna Frances Brutton, served in the Army in France during World War I.

James Quitman Boen (1897-1966) son of George Washington Boen (son of Jesse A. Boen and Mary Ann Horner) and  Phoebe Catherine Cowan, was a veteran of World War II.

Whitney Robert Johnson (1907-1970) son of Nathan B. Johnson and Kizzie R. Vaught (daughter of George Marion Vaught and Sarah Ann Horner) served as the County Judge for Johnson County, Arkansas.

Bedford Harold Horner (1917-1979) son of James Franklin Horner and Josephine Lewis was veteran if World War II and Korea and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Webb C. Vaught (1919-1989) son of William Charles Vaught and Martha Emma Casey, grandson of Sarah Ann Horner, was the mayor of Hartman, Johnson County, Arkansas and served on the Hartman Board of Education.

Aubrey Keeter (1920-1960) son of Carl R. Keeter and Dalia Florence Horner (daughter of Thomas Jefferson Horner and Nancy Emma Hudspeth) served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

James Albert Horner (1920-1941), son of Jeremiah Mitchell Horner and Mary Belle Jarvis, served in the US Air Force and was stationed at Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

James Hartley Horner (1921-??), son of Hartley Dennis Horner and Millie Arlee Sewell, served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II between July 1942, and November 1945. He was a B-24 Heavy Bomber Pilot in the 90th Bomb Group, 320th Squadron, 5th Air Force. He flew 46 Missions and had 480 hours of combat flying time in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. He was discharged in 1945 as a Captain. He served in the Michigan Air National Guard from 1948 until 1950 as a pilot of A-26 Invaders light bombers. He was employed at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn Michigan from 1947 until 1982 as the Material Manager., at the Wane Michigan Assembly Plant.

Albert Edwin 'Buddy' Horner (1923-1942), son of William Albert Horner and Nora Jane Parr, served with the 5th Field Artillery, First Division, U.S. Army. He was killed in action in North Africa on December 11, 1942.

Dennis Richard Horner (1923-1977), son of Hartley Dennis Horner and Millie Arlee Sewell, served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He was trained as a heavy bomber pilot. He was discharged in 1946, but reentered the service in 1953 and served until he was discharged for medical reasons in 1972. When he reentered the Air Force, he spent years flying North Atlantic early warning patrols and was later attached to SACC, flying B-47 bombers carrying atomic weapons. He later served in Air Force Intelligence out of Langley Field, Virginia, and flew missions in Vietnam testing the prototype of the AWAC surveillance planes. He was given a medical discharge for throat cancer in 1972. His rank at that time was Major. He lived five more years and worked as a Real Estate Broker in Newport News, VA.

Ira B. Horner (1925-??), son of Hartley Dennis Horner and Millie Arlee Sewell, joined the US Navy in 1943 at the age of 17 and served in the Pacific Theater on the transport ship William B. Leeds as a member of the armed guard manning a 5 inch 38 gun. He was discharged in 1945, as a Seaman 1st class.

Sidney Monroe Vaught (c1926-1995) son of Sidney Monroe Vaught (son of George Marion Vaught and Sarah Ann Horner) and Dorothy E. Cowan, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Hoyt Harding Vaught (c1920-1995) son of Sidney Monroe Vaught (son of George Marion Vaught and Sarah Ann Horner) and Dorothy E. Cowan, served during World War II.