Although by birth John Jacob Horn, a prominent miller of St. Johnsville, is a German, by education, environment and experience he is a thoroughgoing American, for he was brought to the United States by his parents when he was less than a year old and has resided here ever since. His parents were Adam and Gertrude (Zay) Horn, who left Hesse-Darmstadt, where their son was born on October 29, 1848, and like so many of their compatriots following the unsuccessful revolution of 1848 made their way across the Atlantic to the new land, where republican ideals were put into practice. The Horns arrived in this country on the 4th of July, 1850, and settled in Fort Plain, whence they moved to St. Johnsville in 1864. Here Adam Horn engaged in the milling business, taking over the mill that had been established in 1849 by Azel Hough and continued in this line of work until his death some years later. Following the death of the father the business was continued without interruption by his sons, John Jacob and Fred L. Horn, until January, 1923, when once more the hand of Providence intervened and Fred L. Horn was called to his reward. The milling interests are now being conducted by John Jacob Horn in connection with the administration of the F. L. Horn estate.
John Jacob Horn spent the first fifteen years of his life in Fort Plain, where he was educated in the public schools. He was quite a lad when the family came to St. Johnsville and shortly became actively associated with his father in the mill, where he learned the business from the bottom up. For many years past he has been demonstrating the value of the training he received at his father's hands by his able and efficient management of an important and prosperous industry. Mr. Horn is held in high regard in local business circles, the policies and the methods he has pursued in the management of his affairs being such as to recommend him to the respect and confidence of all who have transactions with him. The long period of his residence here has made him thoroughly familiar with the history of the village and in many ways he has contributed to the upbuilding and improvement of the community.
Mr. Horn was married in Fonda, New York, in 1872, to Miss Harriet Pickard, who passed away on the 15th of April, 1886. Mrs. Horn was the daughter of George and Maria (Snyder) Pickard and represented an old family of the Mohawk valley. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Horn: Helen E. Horn, of St. Johnsville.