Pvt. Daniel J. Horner, Co. C

Daniel J. Horner was born on May 27, 1843 in Somerset County, PA to John J. and Mary (Beeghley) Horner. He was one of eleven children born to the couple.

Daniel enlisted in Company C 142nd PA Infantry on Aug 11, 1862 and was mustered in on Aug 23. He was severely wounded in his regiment's first battle at Fredericksburg, VA on Dec 13, 1862, and had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. Pvt. Horner was mustered out of the service on Feb 23, 1864.

After he came home, Daniel went to school at  Mount Pleasant College, and at the State Normal School in Millersville, Lancaster County, PA from 1866-1868. He paid for his schooling by teaching during the winter months.

After Daniel moved back to Somerset County, he held a variety of public positions, including Register and Recorder of Deeds, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and Clerk of Courts. As he held these public offices, Daniel also was a store clerk and a carriage manufacturer in the private sector. In 1891 he was elected as an Associate Judge of Somerset County. A very civic minded man, Daniel was a commander of the R.P. Cummins Post 210 of the G.A.R., a member of several fraternal organizations, and was a member of the monument committee for the 142nd monument at Gettysburg, where he spoke at its dedication on Sept 11, 1889.

Daniel married Susan Bell on Dec 14, 1870 and the couple had one child, Marion Bell Horner, who died in 1890 at age 16.

Daniel Horner passed away on Apr 22, 1907 and is buried in Somerset Union Cemetery, Somerset, PA.

Sources:

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 103-105.