California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
San Bernardino County and Riverside County
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HARRY
C. HORNBECK. — One of the first evidences given by a com-
munity of its prosperity is the erection of handsome, modern buildings
for business and residential purposes. As long as the people are
satisfied with old, unimproved and decaying properties, they cannot be
said to take much interest in their surroundings, nor are they regarded
as very progressive by outsiders. When, however, old buildings begin to
fall, and new ones go up in their place, the proof is positive that a
new element has been injected, that a fresh start has been made, and it
is remarkable what a change comes about not only in the appearance of
the place, but the people themselves. Local pride is stimulated,
competition is awakened, and outside capital is attracted. Newcomers
passing through are impressed with the advantages of the region, and
even if they do not become permanent residents, they carry forth the
information regarding the locality, which is of so favorable a nature
that others do come in resolved to remain. Connected with such
improvements in a close degree, and oftentimes bringing them about, are
the contractors and builders, without whom no real improvements of a
lasting nature can be affected. One of these representative men of San
Bernardino who has more than done his part in the improvement of this
city is Harry C. Hornbeck, one of the most capable and experienced men
in his line in Southern California. Harry C. Hornbeck was born
in Hoopeston, near Danville, Illinois, July 1, 1881, a son of Newton and
Sarah G. (Smith) Hornbeck. Newton Hornbeck was born in New York State,
and is now a resident of Los Angeles, California. He is a veteran of the
Union Army, having served in Company E, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. Although only sixteen years old at the time of his
enlistment, he finally was accepted, although it was his third time of
trying. Like so many lads of that period, he was intensely patriotic and
determined to be a soldier. His parents regarded him as too youthful for
such service, so he ran away, and when sent back by army officials,
again ran away, and repeated the action when he was again returned to
his parents. In spite of his youth he proved a good soldier and
participated in many important engagements, including those of Peach
Tree Creek, Lookout Mountain, and those of General Sherman's campaign
from Atlanta to the sea. He was wounded in the leg by a spent ball, but
was otherwise uninjured. Becoming a contractor and builder, he followed
that line of business for many years, and for years was a prominent
figure in Livingston County, Illinois, where he served as sheriff and as
a justice of the peace. For more than twenty years he served as
commander of his post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Streator,
Illinois. His father, Henry Hornbeck, established the family at
Streator, coming to Illinois from New York State in 1855. The Hornbeck
family is an old American one of Revolutionary stock. Mrs. Sarah G. (Smith)
Hornbeck, mother of Harry C. Hornbeck, was born in Connecticut, and died
in 1919. She, too, came of Revolutionary stock, and her family is of
English descent, her great uncle being General Warren of the Colonial
Army, and she was also related to the same family as General Wooster of
Revolutionary fame. In addition to Harry C. Hornbeck there are three
children of the family of Newton Hornbeck and his wife still living,
namely : William E., who is a contractor of Los Angeles, California, is
married and has three living children, one of his sons, Earl Hornbeck,
having been killed in action in the Argonne sector in France September
28, 1917, by the side of his lieutenant; Claude C, who is a motorman of
Los Angeles, is married and has six children; and Ida, who is the wife
of Albert Plummer, an electrician of Los Angeles, and they have two
children. It is interesting to note
in connection with the Hornbeck family that during the historical debate
between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, held at Ottawa,
Illinois, there were thirty-six states represented by as many young
ladies of the city, and nine of them were sisters of Mr. and Mrs. Newton
Hornbeck. Harry C. Hornbeck attended
the public schools of Streator, Illinois, and then went into the
building and contracting business with his father at Streator, where he
continued to reside for about six years. For the following three years
he worked in different Illinois cities, and then located at Springfield,
Illinois, and continued a resident of that city for ten years. While
there he was engaged for a time in repair work on the old Lincoln home,
and for seven years did cabinet and case work for the Powers planing
mill. Leaving Springfield, he came to California and, settling at Long
Beach, established himself in business as a manufacturer of furniture,
conducting his factory for about eighteen months and then selling and
locating permanently at San Bernardino, where for three years he was in
the employ of Contractor Myzelle. Mr. Hornbeck then went into the
contracting and building business for himself, and since then the
greater part of his work has been in the erecting of dwellings and store
fronts, and he has proven in it that he thoroughly understands every
detail of his calling. He has established a reputation for being
strictly honorable and for living up to the spirit as well as the letter
of his contracts. Mr. Hornbeck has had a full
and active life, and while acquiring a material prosperity has not
neglected what is still more important than the amassing of money, the
winning and holding of public confidence, and his standing is of the
highest commercially as well as personally. In the course of his work he
has met with twenty acci- dents, has had twenty-five bones in his body
broken, but in spite of the serious nature of many of his injuries, has
emerged with a cheerful spirit and so little evidence of any disastrous
results that it is difficult to believe he ever met with misfortune of
any kind. Formerly Mr. Hornbeck belonged to the Odd Fellows and the
Modern Woodmen of America, but no longer maintains his membership in
these orders. On July 2, 1905, Mr. Hornbeck married at Springfield, Illinois. Miss Melissa J. Shutt, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Jacob Shutt. Mrs. Hornbeck belongs to one of the most prominent families of Macoupin County, Illinois, her people having been among the pioneers of Central Illinois. The Shutt family is one of the old and honorable ones of America, having been founded here long prior to the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Hornbeck have three children, namely: Luella May, who is a student of the San Bernardino High School, class of 1925 ; Lois E., who is a student of the San Bernardino High School, class of 1926; and Marian J., who is attending school. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |