JOHN N. BILLHORN

John N. Billhorn, who is engaged in general farming, stock-raising and dairying in Honey Creek township, his place comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, has throughout his life been actuated by a spirit of progress and improvement that is manifest in the attractive appearance of his farm. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, April 30, 1862, a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth Billhorn. The parents were natives of Germany and in the '50s came to the United States, settling in Bureau county, Illinois, where the father passed away in 1894. The mother survives and yet makes her home in Illinois at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. In their family were seven children, of whom five are still living.

John N. Billhorn was reared on the old homestead farm in Illinois, where he remained to the age of twenty-two years, his time being divided between the acquirement of an education in the public schools and the work of the farm. On leaving home he came to Delaware county and rented the tract of land upon which he now resides. He carefully cultivated this and, practicing economy as well as industry, was at length able to purchase the property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 20, Honey Creek township. The farm is today well improved and is one of the attractive properties of his section of the county. Good crops are annually gathered and dairying and stock-raising constitute important sources of revenue. He keeps on hand high grade cows for dairy purposes, and he has no difficulty in disposing of his dairy products because of their well known excellence.

In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Billhorn and Miss Mary White, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Huffman) White, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence in early life they came to the new world, spending their last days in Illinois, where for many years they made their home. They had a family of seven children, six of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Billhorn have become the parents of eleven children, Alice V., Jessie E., Robert S., Myrtie M., Arley R., Pearl A., Unnetha, Royal, Gladys M., Alford G. and Paul G. All are at home with the exception of Unnetha, who passed away, and the eldest daughter, Alice. V., who is now the wife of Robert Ray of Des Moines.

Mr. Billhorn votes with the republican party, but has never been active in seeking or desiring office. He has served as school director, and his interests always center along those lines of activity which constitute the channels through which flow the greatest good to the greatest number. He may truly be called a self-made man, for when he came to Delaware county he had no capital.  He possessed, however, the substantial qualities of determination, ambition and energy and upon these as a foundation he has builded his success.

Back to Biographies

Back to Main Page
Back to Iowa AHGP
Back to AHGP