Jewell W. Horning, merchant, is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of Fonda, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit has brought him well-merited success. He was born in Fultonville, New York, on November 18, 1884, his parents being George M. and Carlotta (Becker) Horning. George M. Horning was born in Fultonville, on April 3, 1849, the son of Alexander and Matilda (Wooley) Horning, and is now living in Fonda, a retired coal dealer. Alexander Horning and his wife were both born in Fultonville, and both died there. Alexander Horning, a tailor, was the son of George Horning. The Horning family took an active part in the Revolutionary war, five of its members having fought in the battle of Oriskany. Carlotta (Becker) Horning, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born at Amity Springs, New York, on December 7, 1853, and died in Fultonville, on July 29, 1915. She was a daughter of Isaac Becker, who married a Miss Warford. At the time of his death Isaac Becker was prospecting for gold in Pennsylvania, but prior to that he had been employed on the Erie canal for a number of years.
Jewell W. Horning attended the high school in Fultonville, but at the early age of eight years went to work as a newspaper boy. When he was twelve years of age he entered the employ of Wellington Cross, dealer in general merchandise, and remained as clerk for six years. He then worked for the New York Central Railroad at Utica for four months, then came to Fonda and went to work as salesman with the firm of Barney Galinsky & Sons, Ready-to-wear Furnishers, and remained with the firm for eleven years. In 1916 he purchased the business which he has since been very successfully conducting.
On August 19, 1912, in New York city, Mr. Horning was united in marriage to Miss Florence Lowe, who is one of the eight children of George F. and Fannie (Barrett) Lowe. She was born on January 7, 1886, and is a graduate of the Le Roy (New York) high school, class of 1905, and of the Normal School at Geneseo, class of 1907, after which she taught in the high school at Fonda for three years. George F. Lowe was born in Geneseo, Livingston county, on January 28, 1857, and is now living in Fultonville, where he is engaged in the hay and grain business. He is the son of Austin and Mary (Carr) Lowe, the former of whom was born in Geneseo, on October 20, 1825. He was a farmer. His wife, Mary (Carr) Lowe, was born in Geneseo in 1820, and died there in April, 1892, aged seventy-two years. Fannie (Barrett) Lowe, mother of Mrs. Horning, was born on May 21, 1854, in Le Roy, and is now residing in Fultonville. She is the daughter of Solomon and Melshtha Josephine (Muisson) Barrett. Solomon Barrett was born in Le Roy and died in Bliss, New York. Solomon Barrett was the son of Dr. Solomon Barrett, who was located at Le Roy. He was a very prominent physician and one of the first to remove cataracts from the eyes. Mrs. Horning is a member of Caughnawaga Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and of the Dutch Reformed church in Fonda.
Mr. and Mrs. Jewell W. Horning have two children: Gretchen Lowe, who was born on December 10, 1916; and Jewell Warford Horning, Jr., who was born on October 17, 1920. Mr. Horning is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Fonda; Fultonville Lodge, No. 531, A. F. & A. M.; Cross Commandery of Gloversville; and the Community Club of Fonda. He attends the Reformed church and since 1923 has been a trustee of the village of Fonda. In politics he is a stanch republican. It may be said of Mr. Horning that he has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.