Hornbeak, once known as Wilsonville is located on the twisting, turning, up and down hill road between Troy and Reelfoot Lake. Leaving Troy on this road was always a thrill, because I knew we were going to the lake. Somewhere down one hill, one of the adults would sort of whisper, “that’s where some of the nightriders lived,” and it was a little scary; Turning right at the bottom of the last hill and going a ways, one found deliciously cool spring water coming from iron pipe in the side of the hill; a trip to the lake was not complete without a drink of this lovely water.

Hornbeak was settled soon after the Civil War by James Wilson, Eli Hornbeak, Billy Barnett, James Ellington, John White, W. B. Ashley and others. The name was changed in 1887. Frank Hornbeak ran a store and handled the mail and found it difficult to do both, so he decided to quit the mail. A Postmaster General official came and asked him to continue as postmaster with the promise that the office might be placed in a salary class and the name changed to Hornbeak since a “Wilsonville” existed in East Tennessee.

Sion Williams lived in the first home built during the Civil War in Hornbeak. He was know for his cabinetry, inventions, undertaking and coffins, and Reelfoot Lake boats. His patents included a combination ironing board and stepladder and a window sash stop.

James Ellington clerked in the first general store operated by Lishnet. Other stores included H. M. Wilson & Co., John Barnett and Peery and Hornbeak.

W. B. Ashley operated a wood shop and built the Peery & Hornbeak store. Logan Moultrie had the first cotton gin with mule power operating the drive wheel. Later Albert Maloney started a steam driven gin. Henry Wilson operated a spoke factory in 1881-1883.& Will and Dan Johnston, James Rumage and John Barnett had a flour mill for 40 years.

A school was built in 1854 near “Old Center” cemetery of logs covered with cypress nailed over the cracks between the logs. It was seated with split logs in which stout pegs were driven to make them stand upright. Desks were planks laid on pegs driven into the wall and goose quill pens were used.

The Bank of Hornbeak was organized in 1904. Officers were James Rumage, President; J. W. Darnell, Vice-president; R. Lilly, Cashier. H. D. Smith succeeded Mr. Rumage as president in 1917. Paschall Ellington was later a cashier and Laura Rumage an assistant. In 1916 the town was incorporated with John Hodge as first mayor. Other early mayors were G. S. Kendal and Ralph G. Hornbeak. The first marshal was C. M. Ashley. In 1940, Dr. C. C. Marshall had lived in Hornbeak for 43 years and was operating a drug store.

HORNBEAK METHODIST CHURCH: Charter members, including the first few years of its organization from 1860: J. F. Williams, M. E. Williams, Rutha C. Barnett, Elisha C. Ephlin, Judy L. Ephlin, John Tomilson, Mary Tomlison, Jonathan King, Rebecca A. Miller, Samuel M. McElyea, John M. King, Nancy P. King, Samuel Davis, Wincy Davis, Mary Tucker, John W. Mays, Mary E. Mays, Larrah Mays, William Tucker, Rebecca A. Moultrie, Mary Barnett, L. A. Barnett, Wm. Barnett, F. F. Gates, Wm. Maloney, A. Fields, Sarah Ezell, M. J. Alison, G. W. Blankenship, E. A. Barnett, L. J. Wilson, A. W. Jackson, V. Tucker, M. E. William’s, Sarah E. Scaggs, Martha A. Chadwell, Robert Barnett.

HORNBEAK CHURCH OF CHRIST was established prior to 1876 on land donated by James Wilson. No written records before 1876 exist when a Brother Roulach held a meeting. Obion County History assembled and edited by E. H. Marshall contains an article stating that it began with a membership including Mr. Britton, Jas. Wilson, T. H. C. Peery and others.

HORNBEAK BAPTIST CHURCH was organized November 29, 1891 with W. B. Clifton of Martin preaching, John White as Clerk pro-tem and Mr. Clifton, Moderator. John White, James Rummage, Mary Cockran, Sallie Moultie, Tinnie Edwards and Fannie Watson presented themselves on forth-coming letters. Walter Roberts was approved for baptism.

Bibliography:

• Obion County History, Union City, Tennessee, Volume One, 1981, Pub. Obion County Historical Society, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas.
• Obion County History, Union City, Tennessee, Volume Two, 1985, Pub. Obion County Historical Society, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas.
• Marshall, E. H., History of Obion County, Reprinted, 1970, 1974, by H. A. Lanzer Co., Union City, Tennessee.