Mrs. Clara Van Horn was born at Welton, Iowa, November 10, 1868, and died at her home in the county of her birth at the age of 58 years, 10 months, and 11 days. She was one of seven children born to John B. and Martha Van Horn, of whom three survive: Sherman and Ruth Van Horn, and Elizabeth Knight.
Early in life, at about the age of fourteen, she was converted and baptized and joined the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Welton. The pastor of the church at that time was Rev. John T. Davis.
January 1, 1894, she was united in marriage to Leonard A. Van Horn, to which union eight children were born: Mrs. Reva Saunders, Floyd, Merritt, Irel, Loyal, Kenneth, Burelson, and Glen, all of whom survive her with the exception of Floyd, who died from the effects of an attack of influenza during the World War while in the service of his country.
During her life she was associated with the work of various organizations: for forty-five years she was a faithful and active member of the church of her faith, and for many years an active worker in the Ladies' Benevolent Society of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and the Ladies' Aid of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was for nineteen years an efficient member of the Royal Neighbors. During her membership in these organizations she served in various official capacities with credit to herself and to the advantage of the societies.
Clara Van Horn's Christianity was expressed in deeds of loving kindness rather than in verbal testimony. Seldom was her voice heard in the councils of her church, but if there was a case of need or a service to be rendered or work to be done, with her quiet, tender, sympathetic ministry she was there. She was a faithful, loving, devoted wife and mother, her greatest concern being for the comfort of her loved ones. It can truly be said in the words of one of old, "She was a great woman." Though she suffered severely over a long period of time, she never complained; and without a murmur, conscious to the end, she passed into the Great Beyond, where perhaps she will be the first to extend the hand of welcome to the other members of her family as they too are called to the Home of Many Mansions. She is survived by her husband, seven children, five grandchildren, one brother, and two sisters, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted from the Seventh Day Baptist church, Sunday afternoon, October 16, 1927, by Rev. C. L. Hill, of Farina, Ill., a former pastor of the church, and her body was laid to rest beside that of her son Floyd, in the cemetery by the church. C. L. H.
