MAJOR JOEL W. HORTENSTINE.
About the year 1778 Jacob Hortenstine came from Germany to
America, making his home first in Pennsylvania, and coming from that
State to Virginia, settling in Washington county. Here his son John
Hortenstine grew to manhood and married, his wife being Margaret,
daughter of James Wilson, of Washington county, whose wife was
Phebe Dryden, who had a brother killed at Kings Mt. battle. Joel W.,
son of John Hortenstine, and subject of this sketch, was born on the
old family homestead where he now lives. February 7, 1841. Before
the war he was lieutenant in the Virginia militia, and since the war has
held rank of major in the same organization. In March, 1862, he
went into service in Jeffries battery, which was in the campaigns of the
Confederate Army of the Tennessee, under Humphrey Marshall, Bragg,
Joe, Johnston, Hood, and others, and with which he remained until
the close of the war. He had one brother killed at Sharpsburg, during
Lee's invasion of Maryland, four cousins killed in service, one at Chancellorsville,
one at Spotsylvania C. H., one at Chickamauga, one in the
West.
Since the war Major Hortenstine has been fifteen years notary public,
and fifteen years surveyor, which office he is still filling. He married at
Maple Grove, Washington county, September 26, 1867, Mary V.
Campbell, born in this county, and they have ten children: Edwin C.,
Annie, Susan B., Margaret S., John, Bernard Todd, Henry R., James
W., Jacob L., Raleigh.
Mrs. Hortenstine is the daughter of James L. F. Campbell, an influential
farmer of Washington county, living near Abingdon, commissioner
of revenue and sheriff of the county. Her mother is Rosannah,
daughter of Abram McConnell, of this county.
