Untitled From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 577-578

CYRUS A. HORNBECK, deceased, was, in his time, a prosperous and successful farmer in the town of Paris, and was known throughout this part of Grant county, as a thoroughly honorable and upright man of good intentions and a fine spirit.

A native of Indiana, Mr. HORNBECK was born Feb. 28, 1842, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (MITTS) HORNBECK, old and prominent settlers in this part of Wisconsin, who were born in 1812, in Pickaway county, Ohio. They were married Feb. 14, 1832. Moving from Ohio to Indiana, they located on the Tippecanoe river, three miles from the historic Tippecanoe battle ground, now known as Lafayette, where the Old Soldiers Home is located. This was the birthplace of our subject. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. HORNBECK came overland to Paris, Wis., with teams, one an ox-team, named Polk and Dallas, after the 1844 candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency. The family settled on a farm a half mile north of the village of Dickeysville, where their home was maintained until their removal to the village of 1899. Mr. HORNBECK died in July, 1900, and his aged wife is still a resident of the village. Out of a family of twelve children born to them five are still living: M. V., born in Ohio, is now a resident of Butte, Nebraska; Sarah is the widow of Lewis BECKETT, of Dickeysville; Martha J. is Mrs. Henry SMITH, of Centerville, S. Dak.; Cynthia A. is Mrs. W. WILLIAMS, of Lancaster, Wis.; and Mary E. is unmarried and is living at home.

Cyrus A. HORNBECK was the sixth child born in his parents' family, was reared in Grant county, and had his education in the village schools. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted, when but nineteen years of age, in Company I, 25th Wis. V.I., serving under Capt. Nash, and seeing much of the most tremendous struggles of that great war. One of the magnificent army that Gen. Sherman led to the sea, he had part in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Madison. Returning to his own home, he bought a farm northwest of Dickeysville, and when he was married, in 1870, this became his home during the first years of his married life. Mrs. HORNBECK is the estimable daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (MCLEES) SHINOE, an old and prominent family in Grant county. She was born in the town of Paris, Feb. 2, 1849, and had her schooling in the village of Dickeysville.

Mr. and Mrs. HORNBECK made their home on the place mentioned for seven years, when they sold out and purchased of George W. GRIFFIN the property known as the ARCHER estate, situated on the Big Platte river, on the road leading from Dickeysville to Potosi, and where the ARCHER ferry, known later as Hickory Dell ferry, was operated. At this home for eight years every opportunity was improved that presented itself, and their labors were crowned with success. Mr. HORNBECK owned and operated the ferry, and when in the spring the head waters of the Mississippi backed the waters at times to the depth of sixteen feet over the bottom land of his farm, the small steamers from Dubuque, Iowa, would tow wood barges up to his place. Mr. HORNBECK would load them with wood, and ship to Dubuque to be sold. He also made several rafts from the large elms which grew in the bottom, and floated them to the sawmills at Dubuque to be sawed for the paddles, to be used in making stern-wheels for the boats that plied the Mississippi.

In the spring of 1888, Mr. and Mrs. HORNBECK bought the PIDDINGTON Farm, on the Little Platte, three miles east of Dickeysville. On this farm of 239 acres new and valuable buildings were erected, and the place improved in every possible way as time, money and strength permitted, until it became one of the most desirable country homes in the town of Paris, and was known as the Iron Spring farm. There Mr. HORNBECK died in December, 1898. He was reared in the faith of the Christian Church, and lived the life of a good and just man, with many friends and few enemies. He was a Republican and entertained strong political views. For many years he was assessor of the town, and during his long incumbency of a trying position he was held in high esteem by the people for his honest and upright conduct of the office, and his fair and accurate judgment. With the Sherman Post, No. 66, G.A.R., of Platteville, he was connected for many years, and had a host of friends among the old veterans. He was also a member of the State Centennial Veterans of Madison. Mr. HORNBECK left his wife with five sons and one daughter: (1) Melvin H., born in Paris, Dec. 12, 1870, married Miss Sophie REESE, of Grant county, who died some six years after marriage, leaving three children, Huldah L., Hettie L., and Virgil L. (2) Albert O., born Oct. 2, 1872, is living at home with his mother. (3) Orvil L., born Nov. 7, 1874, graduated from the State Normal at Platteville, in 1897, and is one of the highly educated young men; he is living at home. (4) George H., born Jan. 15, 1877, married Miss Christina LANGE, of this town, and now lives at Cuba City. (5) Minnie E., the only daughter, was born July 21, 1881, and educated in the State Normal at Platteville. She is a young lady of much culture and refinement. (6) Earl D. V., born Nov. 29, 1884, is at home with his mother. Mrs. HORNBECK is a member of the Congregational Church, Cornelia, Wis., and is known as one of the Christian women of this community. She is a member of the Ladies' Relief Corps of Platteville. She is still in the prime of life, and has manifested much business ability in the management of her farm and other valuable interests, and is the mother of a family which is a credit to any motherhood. Their honorable instincts, refined and cultured manners, and sound moral qualities evidence the guiding of a gentle hand and loving heart.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck