Bio: Hornung, Jacob, Sr. (1845 - 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hornung, Marchetti, Seliger, Berris, Sannatag, Murr, Knauf

----Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913.

Hornung, Jacob, Sr. (25 October 1845 - 19??)

Jacob Hornung, Sr., justice of the peace, and for the past thirteen year?s clerk of the town of Marathon, is a retired farmer living two and one-half miles southeast of Marathon City. He was born in Clarion County, Pa., October 25, 1845, a son of Joseph and Mary Hornung. Joseph Hornung and wife were born in Germany and from there came to the United States in 1830 and settled first in Pennsylvania. In 1859 they removed with their children to Marathon County with the idea of securing and clearing up a farm. He was a hard working man, one of good principles, and was chosen a member of the school board and treasurer of the school district in which Judge Marchetti, of Wausau, was once a resident and school teacher. Joseph Hornung died when aged sixty-five years and his widow survived him, passing away at the age of seventy-four years, their burial being in St. Mary's Cemetery at Marathon City. They had two sons, John and Jacob, the former of whom is deceased.

Jacob Hornung had few educational advantages as he was only twelve years old when he went to work in the coal mines and labored both in Clarion and Armstrong counties until 1859, when he accompanied his parents to Marathon County, where through close attention to his books he prepared himself for an examination test,, was given a certificate to teach school, and for fourteen years was a very acceptable teacher. Mr. Hornung has always resided in the town of Marathon, securing his farm of 120 acres, which he has but recently sold to his son, when the land was wild, and clearing and improving it himself.

On January 19, 1869, Mr. Hornung was married to Miss Mary Seliger, who was born at Lancaster, Pa., and accompanied her father, Herman Seliger, to Marathon County in 1857. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hornung: Otilla, who is the wife of Henry Berris, of Oshkosh, Wis.; Herman, who lives in the town of Marathon, married Frances Blume; Jacob, Jr., who is deceased; John, who resides on a farm adjoining his father's place, married Theresa Sannatag; Peter, who lives on the old homestead, married Mary Murr; Anthony, who lives at home; and Helen, who is the wife of Peter Knauf, a farmer in the town of Marathon. Mr. Hornung and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Mr. Hornung belongs to St. Joseph's Society. He and sons are all stanch Democrats and he served first for three years in the office of town clerk, and then, after an intermission, was reelected and has served for the past thirteen years uninterruptedly.