Robert A. Horton (1850-1928)

HORTON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/15/2023 at 20:55:45

Robert A. Horton
(November 11, 1850 - July 26, 1928)

Prominent in the business circles of Calhoun County stands Robert A. Horton. His success in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict, unswerving integrity. His enterprise and progressive spirit have made him a typical Iowan in every sense of the word, and he well deserves mention in her history. What he is today he has made himself, for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him. Mr. Horton was born in Winnebago County, Illinois, November 11, 1850, and is a son of G. L. and Jane (McBride) Horton, both of whom were natives of New York, their marriage being celebrated in that state. They emigrated westward, however, before there was a railroad built beyond Chicago. In 1837 they arrived in Illinois, making the
journey overland with a team, Mr. Horton, the father, driving a yoke of oxen into Chicago. He was a farmer by occupation and
for many years followed that pursuit upon the prairies of Illinois. Both he and his wife died in that state, with whose pioneer development they were actively identified. Mr. Horton was a Republican in his political views, strictly endorsing the principles of the party. In his family were six children, but two of the number, Mary and Wilbur, died in infancy. Roger Sherman enlisted in Company L, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel John S. Farnsworth, and went into camp at St. Charles, Illinois, on the Fox river in 1861. He was killed in a skirmish at Culpeper on the Muddy river, when taking part in a cavalry charge, and was holding the office of quartermaster sergeant at the time of his death. A. A. Horton, the fourth member of the family, married Josephine Potter, and after her death he wedded Julie Brownlee. He is now residing in North Dakota, where he is engaged in the real estate business, but for a number of years he made his home in Pomeroy, Calhoun County, where he was a lumber merchant. Frank, the next member of the family, died at the age of twelve years. Robert A. Horton, the youngest of the family, obtained his early education in the common schools of Illinois, pursuing his studies until eighteen years of age, when he entered the high school at Rockford. When his education was completed he turned his attention to farming which he followed continuously in Illinois until 1874 when he came Iowa, locating in Pocahontas County, where he purchased a farm, making his home thereon for four years. On the expiration of that period he sold his land and removed to Manson, Calhoun County, where he purchased the lumber business of Enoch Skinner, conducting the same for five years as a member of the firm of R. A. Horton & Company. He was most successful in that enterprise, his patronage steadily increasing
and bringing to him a handsome financial return. On selling his lumber interests he began dealing in real estate and is also a representative of the loan and insurance business. In this enterprise he formed a partnership with Cyrus A. Whittlesey, under the firm
name of Horton & Whittlesey. They handle land in central and southern Minnesota and also Iowa land, and have negotiated some very important real-estate transfers. Mr. Horton is well versed in land values and his labors have been effective in up building and improvement of this state. He is a man of resourceful business ability, of keen sagacity and strong determination and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. He has also been assignee for two firms that have failed in business and closed out their affairs in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned. He conducts all transactions along the lines of the strictest commercial ethics and his reputation for straightforward dealing and integrity is unassailable. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called Mr. Horton to public offices of honor and trust. At different times he has filled all the city and township offices, discharging his duties in a most conscientious and capable manner. He is quite prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Morning Light Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M.; Temple Lodge, No. 95, K. P.; and to Evening Light Lodge, of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member. He has filled all of the offices in the Knights of Pythias organization and represents the true spirit of the craft in his exemplary life.
On the 29th of December 1873, Pomeroy, Iowa Mr. Horton was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Brownell, who was born in Vermont, in 1852 and is a daughter of Thomas J. and Mary (Carpenter) Brownell, who were also natives of the Green Mountain state in which they were reared and married. They remained in New England until 1854, when they emigrated westward to Illinois, locating in Winnebago County, where the father followed the millwright's trade. Subsequently he came to Iowa, locating in Pocahontas County in 1873. There he devoted his attention to farming until his life's labors were ended
in death. His wife also passed away in that locality. They were the parents of four children: Ray C. married Mrs. Ellen Blackinton and resides at Ogden, Utah. He was formerly a partner with his brother-in-law in the lumber business at Manson, Iowa, but now engages in the cattle business. Morell died when eighteen years of age. Sarah is the wife of our subject. Niles L. married May Palmer, a daughter of Dr. Palmer, of Davenport, and resides in Pomeroy, Iowa, occupying the position of postmaster of that city. After the death of his first wife, who passed away January 19, 1895 and was
laid to rest in Manson, Iowa, Mr. Horton was again married, his second union being celebrated in Webster City, this state, Miss
Ida Wiegel becoming his wife. She was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, near Freeport, and is a daughter of David Wiegel, a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation, who came to Marshall County at an early date. Her mother and father are both deceased and are buried at Marshalltown. Mrs. Horton is one of eight children, four of whom are deceased. By his first marriage Mr. Horton had four children, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are Arthur T., born in Manson, Iowa, October 29, 1884, and now a student in the high school; Mary E., who was born September 19, 1888; and Margie, born February 11, 1892. Mr. Horton has had a successful career since the time, when as a young man, he started out in business on his own account, and his life demonstrates what can be accomplished by industry and enterprise in a land which is unhampered by caste or class. He is in touch with the progressive spirit which has led to the wonderful development of the west. Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and with marked diligence he has persevered in the transaction of his business interests until he stands today among the many successful men of Calhoun County. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.542]