Jacob Hornef was my third great-grandfather on my maternal grandmother’s (Carman) line*. He was born in Otterberg, Germany and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 3, 1894. His death certificate is available on FamilySearch.

He was an immigrant and a laborer from a humble background. When Ancestry.com added Wills and Probate records from Philadelphia, he was the last person I expected to find, considering that I have found few Last Wills & Testaments for my ancestors and those I have found have been for men with land or who had some wealth. So far, Jacob Hornef is the only ancestor I have found in that database.

I have transcribed his Last Will & Testament. It was signed in 1876 and probate was filed in 1895. His wife is named as executrix. His children are not mentioned. Both he and his wife signed their names using old German script:

Signature of J Hornef

Signature of Katharina Hornef

*
Jacob Hornef (m. Katharina Faber)
— Catherine Hornef (m. Elon Carman)
—- Joseph Elon Carman (m. Anna M. Funston)
—— Naomi Evelyn Carman (m. Orville W. Garrison)
——– Carol Lucille Garrison (m. Charles E. Conrad)
———- Me

Last Will & Testament of Jacob Hornef

Transcribed by Alexander Conrad from digital scans

————————

No. 494 1895
Estate of Jacob Hornef (Deceased)
Application for Probate and Letters Testamentary
Filed March 25 A.D. 1895
Elias P. Smithers, Register

————————

I Jacob Hornef of the 31st ward of the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, Laborer, being of sound mind memory and understanding, do make and publish my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

First I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid and satisfied by my Executrix herein after named.

Item, I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catharine Hornef her heirs and assigns forever, all my property real, personal, and mixed of what nature and kind soever and wheresoever the same shall be at the time of my death.
And I do nominate and appoint my said wife Catharine Hornef, Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I Jacob Hornef the Testator have to this my Will written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this Ninth day of March A.D. One Thousand Eight hundred and Seventy six. (1876)
[signed] J Hornef

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Jacob Hornef, as and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testator and of each other.
Frederick Koons
Frederick T. Koons

———————–

(Form 4.)
City and County of Philadelphia, ss.
Register’s Office, March 25 1895

I do swear that as the Executrix of the forgoing last Will and Testament of Jacob Hornef deceased, I will well and truly administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits of said deceased, according to law; and that I will diligently and faithfully regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to Collateral Inheritances. That the said Testator died on the 3rd day of June A.D. 1894 at 3 o’clock, AM.

Sworn and subscribed before me the date above, and letters testamentary granted unto her.
[signed] Chas Irwin

[signed] Katharina Hornef
2246 Taggert St.

(Katharina Hornef) [written on the bottom probably because she signed in German script]

—————————

(Form No. 4 1/2)
State of Pennsylvania
City and County of Philadelphia

Be it Remembered That, on the Twenty fifth day of March A.D. 1895, before me, Elias P. Smithers, Register of Wills for the City and County aforesaid, after due proof and hearing had, according to the Laws of the said State, It is ordered and decreed, that the last Will and Testament of Jacob Hornef late of the City and County, deceased, be duly admitted to probate and filed of record in the Office of the Register of Wills of the said City and County.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year above written.
[signed] Elias P. Smithers, Register

—————————–

(Form 6.)
City and County of Philadelphia, ss.

Register’s Office, March 25 1895

Then personally appeared Frederick Koons and Frederick T. Koons the subscribing witnesses to the forgoing last will of Jacob Hornef deceased, and on their solemn oath did say that they were present, and did see and hear Jacob Hornef deceased, the Testator therein named, sign seal, publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound disposing mind, memory, and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Sworn and subscribed before me, the above date.
[signed] Chas Irwin, Deputy Register

[signed] Frederick Koons
[signed] Frederick T. Koons

Place of Death
 County: Phila.   City: Phila.   Hospital: Hahneman
Usual Residence: 502 N 18th, Phila, Pa

Name of deceased: Joseph E. Carman
Date of death: 11 3 56
Sex: M
Color or Race: W
Widowed
Date of birth: 5-6-1872
Age: 84
Usual occupation: Bricklayer
Birthplace: Pa
Father’s Name: Joseph C.
Mother’s Maiden Name: Catherine Horneff
Informant’s own signature: Anna M. Peterson (daughter)
Burial: 11-7-56, New Glenwood, Del Co, Pa

—

Original Source Citation:
Pennsylvania, Department of Health, death certificate 20615 (1956), Joseph E. Carman; Division of Vital Records, New Castle.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Certificate of Death
no. 119344

Place of death: County of Delaware, Township of Lower Chichester, Market st. Linwood
Full Name: Mrs. Mary C. McNeil*
Sex: female
Color: white
Married
Date of birth: January 7 1881
Age: 29 years, 11 months, 8 days
Occupation: Housework
Birthplace: Linwood, Pa.
Name of father: Andrew Mahla
Birthplace of father: Germany
Maiden name of mother: Eva Horneff
Birthplace of mother: Phila. Pa.
Informant: John McNeil, Linwood
Date of Death: Dec. 15 1910
Place of burial: Lawn Croft Cemetery, Dec 18th 1910

*Note: all other records I have found, including the marriage of Mary C. Mahla and John McNeal, have the spelling of McNeal

——–

Original Source Citation:
Pennsylvania, Department of Health, death certificate 119344 (1910), Mrs. Mary C. McNeil; Division of Vital Records, New Castle.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Certificate of Death
no. 54199

Place of death: County of Delaware, Borough of Marcus Hook, Market st. above 10th
Full Name: Jacob H. Mahla
Sex: male
Color: white
Date of birth: June 16th 1879
Age: 27 years, 11 months
Married
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Name of father: Andrew Mahla
Birthplace of father: Germany
Maiden name of mother: Eva Amelia Hornef
Birthplace of mother: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Printer
Informant: Andrew Mahla Jr., (address) Allegheny
Date of Death: May 16th 1907
Place of burial: Lawn Croft Cem., May 19th 1907

———

Original source citation:
Pennsylvania, Department of Health, death certificate 54199 (1907), Jacob H. Mahla; Division of Vital Records, New Castle.