Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 284

MRS. MATILDA HORTON, widow of the late J. B. Horton, one of Muscatine County's prominent citizens, is now living in Conesville. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1820, and is a daughter of Hugh B. and Catharine ( English ) Nelson. Her mother was twice married, her first husband being a Mr. Roney, by whom she had six children. Her union with Mr. Nelson was graced with a family of seven children: Elizabeth, who is living in Johnson County, Iowa; Jane, Thomas, and Samuel, all deceased; Joseph, a resident of Muscatine County; William, whose home is in Iowa City, and Stewart, also deceased.

The girlhood days of our subject were spent in the Buckeye State, she remaining at home with her parents until April 9, 1840, when she ceased to be Miss Nelson, and was united in marriage with J. B. Horton, who was born in Ohio , Feb. 2, 1814, and was a son of Thomas and Jane ( Butler ) Horton, who were the parents of twelve children, of whom he was the fourth in order of birth, but all are now dead with the exception of Polly, widow of a Mr. Scritchfield, who is living near Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

The couple began their domestic life upon a farm in their native State, engaging in its cultivation for some time, after which they removed to West Bedford, Ohio, where they kept a hotel for a year. Their next place of residence was at a small town called the Cross Roads, where they again engaged in hotel-keeping for about three years, but at the expiration of that time they returned to West Bedford. Remaining in that town but for a short time they then emigrated westward, settling in Illinois on a farm, where they made their home for two years, after which they removed to Sharp's Landing, on the Illinois River, where Mr. Horton kept a warehouse. In the year 1865, leaving Illinois, they continued their journey until reaching Muscatine County, where they permanently located, making their home on a farm of eighty acres in Pike Township, which the husband had purchased. Previous to this time he had enlisted in the late war, but after six months' service, his health having failed him, he was dischared on account of physical disability.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Horton the following children were born: Martha Jane, the eldest, born March 29, 1843, is the widow of Jackson Horton, and resides in Conesville; Nelson, born April 14, 1845, is living in Illinois; Henrietta, born June 18, 1847, died Jan. 12, 1856; John B., born June 13, 1849, died Nov. 16, 1852; Josephine, born Sept. 5, 1851, is the wife of Silas Ames, a resident of this county; Thomas B., born Aug. 26, 1853, makes his home in this county; Adeline F., born Oct. 6, 1855, is the wife of Oril Crane, of Johnson County, Iowa; Mary C., born March 27, 1858, died Oct. 24, 1866; Silas, born Feb. 25, 1860, is now living in Conesville, Iowa; William, born Nov.5, 1861, is a resident of Conesville; George B., born Nov. 7, 1864, died Jan. 20, 1865.

Mr. Horton was a Democrat in politics for many years, but afterward supported the Greenback party. His death occurred July 20 1886, and he was mourned by a large circle of friends. His industry, perseverance and enterprise through life enabled him to leave his family in comfortable circumstances, his property consisting of 120 acres of fine land in Pike Township and a lot and residence in the village of Conesville. His widow also receives a pension for his services in the army. Mrs. Horton still resides in Conesville, and is one of the highly esteemed ladies of Muscatine County. Her son William Austin makes his home with her. He was married, Nov. 5, 1887, to Ada Butcher, and by their union, one child has been born, Grace M., Sept. 7, 1888.


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