USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume II > Part 15
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James F. Horton was united in marriage, June 10th, 1874, with Harriet Elizabeth Stringham, born December 31, 1855, daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Bull) Stringham. Her mother, Mary (Bull) Stringham, was a native of Orange coun- ty, New York, and a daughter of Samuel, Jr., and Mary (Os- borne) Bull, both of Orange county, New York. Samuel Bull, Jr., was a son of Samuel Bull, born November 12, 1758, near Circleville, Orange county, New York. He served as private during the Revolutionary War and assisted in forging the links
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of the chain which was stretched across the Hudson river at West Point to prevent the British fleet from ascending the river.
The children of James F., and Harriet Elizabeth (String- ham) Horton, are as follows:
1. James Walworth, born March 14, 1875. 2. Marian Elizabeth, born September 1, 1878; she married Dr. F. W. Cort- wright, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has one child, Mar- ian Elizabeth Cortwright. 3. Harriet Stringham, born October 29, 1879; she married Samuel F. Reynolds, of City Island, a practicing attorney in New York City. 4. Ida Ethel, born March 20, 1882; she married Jno. Wesley Miller, of City Island, who is at present postmaster of that place. 5. Mildred Louise, born April 12, 1893. 6. Henrietta Jay, born January 18, 1898.
Stephen Decatur Horton, second son of Captain Benjamin Franklin and Delia A. (Abbott) Horton, was educated in the schools of City Island and at Sellick's Academy, Norwalk. Connecticut. After leaving the latter institution he entered the Hudson Institute at Claverack, New York, under the tuition of Professor Flack, where he studied for some time. Upon his re- turn to his home on City Island and attaining his majority he engaged in the mercantile trade, which line of pursuit he con- tinned until a recent period. At present Mr. Horton is the au- thorized manager of the shipping news station and information bureau located at City Island, on the premises on which he now resides. The station is situated on part of the land originally purchased by his grandfather, George W. Horton.
Rochelle Horton, third child of Benjamin Franklin and Delia (Abbott) Horton, received his educational training in the schools of City Island, attending the same until his eighteenth year, when he became apprentice to his unele, Captain Nicholas W. Abbott, with whom he served three years studying naviga-
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tion on the East River and Long Island Sound. Upon complet- ing his apprenticeship Mr. Horton became a licensed pilot, be- ing eligible to navigate in the waters of Hell Gate and Long Is- land Sound, and has continued in that line of pursuit up until the present time.
Captain Rochelle Horton is a member of Pelham Lodge No. 712, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes an active interest in the social and material affairs of the neighborhood wherein he resides. In 1873 Captain Horton married Martha J. Price, who was born January 8, 1851, and of this union had born to him the following children. 1. Samson W., born August 30, 1875, who upon attaining to manhood years took up his father's voca- tion, and is now a licensed pilot at City Island, being eligible to navigate in the waters of Hell Gate and Long Island Sound. 2. Sarah A., born March 8, 1878.
Martha J. (Price) Horton, mother of the aforementioned children, died August 22, 1886. Mr. Horton married secondly, April 25, 1888, Alvarette B. Sturgis, who was born January 5, 1864, and of this marriage were born the following children : Clara May, born March 30, 1889; Rochelle N., born February 10, 1897 ; Alvarette B., born June 18, 1898.
Nicholas A. Horton fourth son of Benjamin Franklin and Delia A. (Abbott) Horton, received his educational training in the schools of City Island. He is now marine reporter and health officer at City Island. He married Louisa R. Smith. Two children : Edna Marguerite, born February 20, 1887; Dorothy L., born January 6, 1891.
Benjamin Franklin Horton, the fifth son of Benjamin Franklin and Delia A. (Abbott) Horton received his elementary educational training in the schools of City Island, which was supplemented by a course in the academy at Fort Edwards, Washington County, New York, and upon returning home to
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City Island became engaged in various pursuits, and, not unlike his worthy ancestors, has proved himself a good and useful citizen.
Benjamin Franklin Horton was married October 3, 1895, to Lena Heiser, born August 6, 1867, and daughter of Charles N. and Anna (Luhman) Heiser, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former of the city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, and the latter of the city of Bremen. Of this marriage were born the following children: Vera Anna, born August 13, 1896, and Frank Heiser. born October 11, 1903.
George W. Horton was the first of this branch of the family to settle on City Island, where he purchased a tract of land com- prising about one-third of the island, which he improved and engaged in farming, and here he erected a residence which is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. Mr. Hor- ton was a progressive and enterprising citizen and during his residence on City Island contributed much of his time and sub- stance for the development of the material as well as the moral welfare of that place. Part of the original tract of land pur- chased by him is yet in the possession of his descendants. He served for a number of years as supervisor of the township of Pelham, and was instrumental in having the first street and public highway made on City Island. He was also instrumental in causing the erection of the court house at White Plains, and also contributed liberally toward the building of the highway running from City Island to Bartow Station.
REV. AZARIAH HORTON.
The Rev. Azariah Horton, born 1715, was graduated from Yale College in 1735. He was appointed missionary to the Long Island Indians, making his headquarters at Southampton. He afterwards labored among the Indians at the "Forks of the
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Delaware," and was the predecessor of Rev. David Brainerd. In 1751 he became the first pastor of the Presbyterian church at Bottle Hill (now Madison), New Jersey. He remained here till 1776, when he resigned. In 1777 there was an epidemic of small pox, and in ministering to the sufferers he contracted the disease from which he died. He was buried in the cemetery by the church where he labored so long. The tombstone bears this inscription :
"In Memory of Rev. Azariah Horton, For twenty five years Pastor of the Church. Died March 27, 1777, aged 62."
He left a large family. One of his daughters, Mary, mar- ried Jacob Morell. She was the great-grandmother of Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler.
JAMES MADISON HORTON.
James M. Horton, president of the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company of New York City, is a lineal descendant in the sev- enth generation of Barnabas Horton, the pioneer ancestor of the family whose personal history and that of his forbears ap- pears in a preceding narrative. The line of descent is traced through his third son, Caleb Horton, born 1640, married Abi- gail Hallock, to their son, Barnabas Horton, born 1666, married Sarah Hines, 1686, to Barnabas Horton, born 1690, married Mary Sweazy, and who located in Orange county, New York, to Silas Horton, born 1730, married Experience Vail, to Silas IIorton, born August 24, 1756, married Mary Danes, 1777, to Barnabas Horton, born 1780, married Jerusha Wheat, 1804, and died 1867, mentioned at length hereinafter.
The first member of the Horton family to settle in Orange county, New York, was Silas Horton. He was a son of David Horton, who purchased a large tract of land near Goshen, and
Barnabas Horton
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his son Silas settled on this tract about the year 1732. Some years later his cousin, Barnabas Horton, also located in Orange county, and both of these men were the progenitors of large families. They were all strong patriots, and their names figure very extensively on the list of men who were signers of the declaration for freedom in 1775. The following are the names of members of the Horton family who were signers of the pledge to support the cause of freedom in Orange county in 1775: Jonathan, David, David, Jr., Silas, Jr., William, Elihu, Zebulon, and Barnabas Horton. Silas Horton, Jr., was the grandfather of James M. Horton.
Barnabas Horton, son of Silas and Mary (Danes) Horton and father of James Madison Horton, whose name appears at the head of this brief memoir, was born in Orange county, New York, November 26, 1785, and died November 23, 1867. He received the limited educational advantages afforded by the common schools of that early day, and was reared to manhood on a farm, in the meantime thoroughly familiarizing himself with the labor and duties pertaining thereto. Throughout the long period of his active career he zealously upheld the tradi- tions of his ancestors, and in every way was a most estimable and worthy citizen, just and conscientious in all his business transactions, and highly respected and esteemed by all with whom he was brought in contact, either in business or social life. In his domestic relations he was always solicitous con- cerning the welfare of his family, proving himself a kind and loving husband and a most indulgent father. October 23, 1808. Mr. Horton married Jerusha Wheat, born February 18, 1792, and died March 31, 1848, a daughter of Amos and Annie Wheat, who had a family of ten children as follows: Annie, Timothy, Jerusha, Polly, Pattie, Betsey, William, Charles, Thomas, and Nelson Wheat. The children of Barnabas and Jerusha (Wheat)
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Horton were as follows: 1. Loton, born January 29, 1810, died June 28, 1874; married Adaline Corwin, October 11, 1832. She died October 6, 1886. Issue: George B. and Ira C. Hor- ton. 2. William Harrison, born July 18, 1813, married Pru- dence Warner, February 2, 1839; issue: Jonathan Decatur, and Sophronia A., wife of Benjamin Vail, of Orange county, New York. 3. Ann, born February 14, 1816, became the wife of Lanson Beakes, October 17, 1839, of Orange county, New York, she died October 4, 1840. 4. Timothy W., born January 25, 1819, and died January 18, 1897; married "Sallie" (Sarah) Ann Beyea, January 31, 1846, of Orange county, New York, and had four sons and two daughters, a full account of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work. 5. Millicent J., born March 16, 1823; she died December 11, 1897. She married Chauncey Hor- ton, who was born April 24, 1817, and they were the parents of the following children: Sarah Ann, born October 7, 1843, died August 19, 1848. Almedia T., born November 22, 1847, died September 6, 1849. Ada Virginia, born May 26, 1850, died December 4, 1858. Susan Maria, born September 24, 1853, mar- ried Albert A. Robertson. Mary Adelia, born April 30, 1858, died March 26, 1859. George W., born June 19, 1862, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. James Madison, born June 26, 1864, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Chauncey Horton, father of these children, died Febru- ary 19, 1872. 6. Alfred M., born September 19, 1827, died April 22, 1903; married, August 18, 1847, Adaline Wheat, born March 5, 1830, daughter of Timothy Wheat, who was born May 15. 1785, and died July 9, 1855; his wife, Eleanor Wheat, was born October 9, 1789, and died March 9, 1858; children of Alfred M. and Adaline (Wheat) Horton are: Millicent J., born May 14, 1851, died March 2, 1855. Ida M., born July 21, 1856, died August 23, 1856, and Charles S.
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Horton, born August 4, 1857. Adaline ( Wheat) Horton died December 5, 1896. 7. Gabriel C., born November 30, 1830, died September 28, 1864; married, January 26, 1852, Mary Ann Slaw- son, and had two sons-Gabriel, born June 27, 1857, died in infancy, and Loton Horton, born April 22, 1854, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mary Ann (Slawson) Horton died July 26, 1857, and Gabriel C. Horton married Eliza- beth Thompson, who bore him two children-Horace and Gil- bert. 8. James Madison, born August 3, 1835 (referred to hereinafter). The faithful mother of the above mentioned chil- dren died March 31, 1848. She was a most estimable woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved and esteemed by all who knew her. Barnabas Horton married (secondly) - -; no issue. Mr. Horton was a consistent Chris- tian gentleman, and a devout member of the Baptist church. He was a very abstemious man in all his habits, and in every pos- sible way set a splendid example for his children.
James M. Horton, youngest child of Barnabas and Jerusha (Wheat) Horton, was born at the family home in Middletown township, Orange county, New York. He acquired his elemen- tary training in the schools of the neighborhood, which he at- tended during the winter months, the summer months being devoted to work on the farm. At the age of fifteen he entered the academy at Middletown, attending about two terms, and upon the completion of his studies took up the practical duties of life on his own account. His first employment was with his brother Timothy at farm work, for which he received for the first year twenty dollars and a new overcoat. After being thus employed for about two years he concluded to look for better opportunities for making a start in business, and accordingly came to New York City. With a small capital, a portion of which he borrowed from friends, he entered into partnership
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with his brother, Timothy W. Horton, and brother-in-law. Chauncey Horton, in New York, in the milk distributing busi- ness, and this partnership continued for some time. Recog- nizing the future possibilities of the milk trade in New York City, James M. Horton purchased the interests of the other members of the firm, and conducted the enterprise alone for a number of years, during which time he established a profitable and extensive trade which he subsequently sold with all its ap- purtenances to his nephew, Ira C. Horton. During the period of time that Mr. Horton was engaged in the milk distributing business he did much by his thorough and methodical manage- ment to bring the standard of his supply of milk to a high grade of perfection. He was instrumental in the organization of the Orange County Milk Association, and served as president of the same for some time.
In 1869 Mr. Horton purchased an interest in the Fussell Ice Cream Company, and the following year became actively engaged with the firm in the manufacture of ice cream. The same year (1870) the firm was reorganized under the name of Dunnington & Emigh, Mr. Horton taking an active part in the directing and management thereof, and continued thus engaged up to 1873. In the meantime Mr. Dunnington and Mr. Emigh died, and Mr. Horton was instrumental in organizing and hav- ing incorporated the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company, of which he is the president, John J. French secretary, and Joseph A. Cozzino treasurer. Mr. Horton has given much of his time and attention towards the management and the direct- ing of the interests of the company, and by his skill and enter- prise has contributed materially towards perfecting the vari- ous details of the processes that have led up to the present high standard of purity and excellence which the product of their establishment has attained. Ice cream was first introduced into
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this country in 1794. The first place at which it was sold was at a house of entertainment, kept by a man named Corre, at number twenty-one State street, New York. It should also be stated that Mr. Horton is the first who has undertaken the manufacture of ice cream on so large a scale, having numerous factories in Greater New York, also a number of parlors in various parts of the city where their goods are sold directly to the consumer, and in fact their products are being sold by all the leading dealers in Greater New York and vicinity, and thus it will be seen that the enterprise is one of considerable mag- nitude, furnishing employment to many skilled operatives, clerks, and salespeople.
James M. Horton is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word. His business beginning was entirely the result of his indefatigable perseverance and energy, coupled with careful study and close application in the details of this great enter- prise, the building up of which has been the logical result of his sincere and earnest desire to produce an article of useful- ness and at the same time a luxury that is both wholesome and beneficial to mankind. In addition to the many exacting duties pertaining to his commercial interests, Mr. Horton takes an active interest in such other enterprises as have for their object the good and welfare of the community in which he resides. He is a member of the Congregational Club of New York City, the Young Men's Christian Association of Harlem, and the Young Women's Christian Association of Harlem. He is a member of the board of directors of the Mt. Morris Bank, located on the corner of Park avenue and 125th street, New York City. Mr. Horton attends the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
James M. Horton was married in New York City, Febru- ary 8, 1865, to Mary Ann Cassell, daughter of Samuel Whit- Vol. II-15
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taker and Margaret Hope (Robertson) Cassell. Their children are: Harry C., born November 8, 1865, married, October 22, 1902, Louisa Durland, born January 29, 1879, daughter of Daniel and Susan (Lovejoy) Durland. Mary Hope, born August 8, 1869, married Edward B. Lewis, of New York City, and has children : Madison Horton, born July 15, 1896, and Edward Buckleigh, Jr., born December 15, 1900. James Madison, Jr., born May 14, 1874, died August 15, 1874. Mary Ann (Cassell) Horton, whose death occurred May 29, 1876, was a woman of character and refinement, respected and esteemed by all brought within her influence, and her death was sadly deplored by many who had shared her generous benefactions.
CHAUNCEY E. HORTON.
Chauncey E. Horton, treasurer of the James M. Horton Ice Cream Company, is a descendant of an old and honored ances- try, whose history is given in detail in the sketch of James Madison Horton and the Horton family sketch which appear in this work. He was born at Middletown, Orange county, New York, March 11, 1847, the first of six children born to Timothy W. and Sarah Ann (Beyea) Horton.
Timothy W. Horton (father) was also a native of Middle- town, Orange county, New York, his birth occurring January 25, 1819. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, in the meantime attending the schools of his native town and there acquiring a practical education which prepared him for the duties of life. For a number of years he served in the capacity of teacher in the schools of Orange county, New York, but the greater portion of his active career was devoted to farm pur- suits, in which he was eminently successful. By his marriage, on January 31, 1846, to Sarah Ann Beyea, born April 8, 1826, daughter of Peter and Durinda (Morey) Beyea, the following
I. A. Horton
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named children were born: Chauncey E., born March 11, 1847, referred to hereinafter. William A., born July 22, 1849, mar- ried Carrie Hoyt. Mary A., born July 8, 1850, became the wife of William S. Wheat. James M., born August 8, 1853, unmar- ried. Seymour, born April 1, 1855, a personal sketch of whom follows this, married Mary Anna Langley. Ella, born Aug. 18, 1861, became the wife of Frank H. Beyea, no issue. Timothy W. Horton, after a long, active and useful life, died January 18, 1897, leaving to his family a record for strictest integrity and uprightness. Mrs. Horton survives her husband and resides on the homestead in Orange county, New York. She is a lady of the old school type, and is possessed of many excellent quali- ties of mind and heart, and is highly esteemed by all who know her.
Chauncey E. Horton, whose name appears at the head of this review, was educated in the schools adjacent to his home in Middletown, and the academy at that place, where he pur- sued advanced studies, and later took a commercial course in Eastman's College at Poughkeepsie, New York. After his grad- uation from the latter institution he was engaged in various pursuits until April 1, 1874, when he entered the employ of the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company, at No. 1264 Broadway, New York, where he remained for a period and was then trans- ferred to No. 1288 Broadway, remaining there up to 1886, when he came to the present establishment of the company at No. 598 Sixth avenue. During this period of thirty-one years Mr. Hor- ton rendered faithful, competent and efficient service to his em- ployers, who, recognizing his business abilities, elected him treasurer of the company in 1902, in which capacity he is serv- ing at the present time (1905). Mr. Horton is a member of Chancellor Walworth Lodge No. 271, Free and Accepted Masons, Columbian Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, and
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has attained to the thirty-second degree in the craft, and is a Noble in Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the New York Athletic Club.
SEYMOUR HORTON.
Seymour Horton, a leading and representative business man of New York City, where he has been for a number of years engaged in the distributing and retail milk trade, was born in Orange county, New York, April 1, 1855, the fifth child and fourth son in the family of Timothy W. and Sarah A. (Beyea) Horton, referred to in the preceding sketch of Chauncey E. Horton.
He received a through and practical education in the schools of his native county, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, assisting with the labors thereof as is the custom with boys born and bred in the country. He gave his undivided at- tention to farming and dairying up to the year 1882, when he came to the city of New York and engaged in the milk distribut- ing business, in which line he has continued up to the present time (1906), and by close application to the details of the same and promptitude in the deliverance of his orders this enterprise has proven a financial success. He has acquitted himself in such a way as to gain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is associated, and his business capability is recognized throughout the community. Mr. Horton was married February 17, 1887, to Mary A. Langley, born February 25, 1856, daughter of Charles and Ellen (Watson) Langley, both natives of the Emerald Isle. There is no issue of this marriage.
LOTON HORTON.
The family of which Loton Horton, a prominent and highly respected business man of New York City is a worthy re- presentative, was founded in this country by Barnabas Horton,
Seymour Horton
Lolow Horton
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a full account of whose history and that if his descendants in the line of which Loton Horton is a member, is found in the sketch of James Madison Horton and the Horton Family sketch which precedes it in this work.
Gabriel C. Horton, fifth son and seventh child of Barnabas and Jerusha (Wheat) Horton, was born in Orange county, New York, November 30, 1830. He died September 28, 1864. Mr. Horton was a farmer by occupation, and was regarded by all who knew him as an upright and just man in all his affairs of life. He was a useful and good citizen, an indulgent father and loving husband. Gabriel C. Horton was twice married; his first union occurred January 26, 1852, with Mary Ann Slawson, born January 22, 1835, daughter of - Slawson, of Orange county, New York. Of this marriage were born two children : an infant son who died June 27, 1859, and Loton, whose name in- troduces this review. Mary Ann (Slawson) Horton died July 26. 1857. She was a most estimable woman, and was possessed of many fine qualities of mind and heart which endeared her to all who came in contact with her. Gabriel C. Horton married (second) Elizabeth Thompson. Of this marriage were born two children : Horace Thompson, born May 9, 1860; and Gilbert B. Horton.
Loton Horton was born in Orange county, New York, April 22, 1854. He received his elementary training in a school at Middletown, New York, and this was supplemented by a course of study in the schools of New York City. At the age of eighteen he took up the practical affairs of life, and soon hereafter engaged in business on his own account in the milk trade. In this line of enterprise he met with a marked degree of success, which was the direct result of his indefatigable perseverance, energy and the straightforward methods of his business dealings. In 1902 he organized the Sheffield Farms
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Slawson Decker Company, of which he was elected president, and under his practical and careful judgment this organization has acquired a large and profitable patronage among the best families of New York City, and has gained a high standing in commercial circles. He has been a resident of New York City for many years, and in all respects has proven himself a worthy citizen of that great metropolis.
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