My Genealogy Hound

SPENCER B. VAN HORN. In enumerating the prominent business establishments of Benton Harbor, mention is invariably made of the store owned and conducted by Mr. Van Horn. The building is conveniently and centrally located for purposes of trade, and is admirably adapted for the display of a fine stock of dry goods, notions and carpets, having a frontage of twenty-five and a depth of one hundred and twenty-five feet. The stock is large and very completely assorted, and as the proprietor maintains the most favorable relations with producers, he is able to keep his stock up to the very highest standard of quality and to give the people every advantage in prices. As a consequence of these facilities, combined with fair dealings, he has established an extensive business and holds a prominent position among the leading merchants of Southwestern Michigan.

A native of Berrien County, Mich., our subject was born March 15, 1847, and is the youngest of four children of Jacob and Euphemia (Kinsey) Van Horn, natives of New Jersey. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed with his family to Berrien County, Mich., in 1837 and located on a farm four and one-half miles east of Benton Harbor, where he conducted general agricultural and stock-raising pursuits. In 1865 he came to Benton Harbor, where for a number of years he conducted a boot and shoe business. He died in this city in 1868. His widow survived him for a number of years, dying in Benton Harbor in 1886.

Until eighteen years of age the subject of this sketch resided on the home farm, meantime attending the district schools and also carrying on his studies in the St. Joseph High School for two years. His mercantile experience commenced with a clerkship in the store of Alvin Burridge, of Benton Harbor, after which he was employed by George Rice, and later by the firm of Pitcher & Jones, remaining in the latter position two years. He was then employed by H. M. Zekind, of St. Joseph. He was economical and industrious, and, carefully saving his earnings, he was enabled to start in business for himself. In 1878 he embarked in the dry -goods business at Benton Harbor, and a few years afterward added a large assortment of carpets to his stock.

November 1, 1876, Mr. Van Horn was united in marriage with Miss Julia Ogden, of Benton Harbor, her parents, Stansbery and Ruth A. Ogden, having been long-time residents of this city. One child has blessed the union, Lucy O., who is a student in the city schools. The family residence is a comfortable abode and is pleasantly located on the corner of Ogden and Empire Avenues. In politics Mr. Van Horn is a prominent Republican and has served as Alderman from the Second Ward for several years. Socially, he is a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, A. F. & A. M.; Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; and he joined Niles Commandery No. 12, K. T., but has since changed his membership to Malta Commandery, recently instituted at Benton Harbor.