Mining-stock was his first business experience, and it cost
him $1,000. It was his _last_ transaction in that line also.
Spent a few months at mining in El Dorado and Placer Counties,
and then opened a store at Pilot Hill. There also he devised
and constructed a ditch 6½ miles in length, purposing to
supply the miners with water as well as other commodities. At
the end of a year he had sold out his water-works and other
interests for $6,500, of which sum he had used the larger
portion in his improvements. Next he was trading in gold-dust
on account of Adams' Express Co., realizing usually $30 a
day in commissions. A day or two before the failure of his
employers, in 1853, a friend suggested to him, that his money
remaining in their office at ----, might be safer in his own
pocket. It was "a word to the wise," and before noon the next
day he had ridden 30 miles, and much to the dissatisfaction of
the agent, drawn his money from the safe of the company. His
next care was for his friends hard at work in the mining-camps
and elsewhere. To all whom he could reach he gave the hint,
and thousands of dollars were secured, by his prompt efforts,
to those who had earned the money by the hardest of toil. The
following day the express offices were closed, and payments
suspended. He was in capital standing in the mining districts
where he had operated, and resumed the business with himself
for banker. He bought at the mines and sold in the towns, often
with a profit of $4.50 per ounce. He was a man of _dust_, and
with his native adroitness, managed to carry valuable deposits
of the precious article upon his person without a single
mishap. Sometimes his outer garments would scarcely secure him
other than the slightest attentions. His landlords were afraid
their bills would be unpaid, except his fares were collected
in advance. He arrived one evening at one of the rough taverns
of those times, with treasure enough about him to incite the
gamblers about him to worse crimes for its possession. His good
clothes were covered with very dirty overalls and woolen shirt.
In calculating Yankee phrase, he interrogated the proprietor as
to his accommodations for man and beast, and the reasonableness
of his _charges_. Card-playing ceased for a time in the general
astonishment, then the party shouted with laughter at the
green chap from Connecticut. They bantered him to play off a
Yankee trick. He showed them how to eat the mush and milk,
which he had stipulated for as his supper, and with a yawn of
indifference to the jests made at his expense, he signified
his desire to sleep. The door of his room was without lock or
bolt, but the landlord laughingly assured his guest, that he
would be the last man anybody would think of robbing. He awoke
next morning from an undisturbed sleep, and at breakfast-time
was up and _dressed_. He passed over a small package of _dust_
in settlement, which was accepted and pronounced all right.
Word was sent to the stable, his horse could _now_ be brought
out--his bill was paid.
"Mister, want to _buy_ some more o' that stuff?"
"Yes;" replying with a surprised look.
"How much?"
"Suppose I can buy all _you_ have to sell."
"Will you treat this 'ere crowd ef you can't?"
"Yes, I will, and _yeou_, too."
Diminutive sacks of dust were handed to the wondering host, and
the coin counted out in return. By the time $2500 had exchanged
hands, the landlord's $20-pieces were exhausted, and our Yankee
had played the "trick" with a $250 pile still in reserve. The
laugh came in then louder than the night before; and as the
glasses were being filled the buyer of gold-dust remarked,
irreligiously, that he would have robbed the fellow himself if
he had known how he was playing him.
The business was as suitable as profitable to the man, and so
well did he manage it, that his profits for the last quarter
of 1854, were $1000 per month. Another success was in a novel
undertaking for those golden days. He went prospecting for
ice-fields, and finding a favorable situation 25 miles above
Georgetown, in El Dorado County, put up 312 tons of the cool
mountain product. A few months afterwards the speculation
returned him eight thousand dollars.
In March, 1856, among the passengers on board the steamship
_Cortez_, for Panama, was Mr. Horton. Soon after their arrival
at the isthmus, the memorable rising of the natives took place.
The mob would have had easy work in carrying out the plan of
outrage and plunder, but for the prompt and courageous action
of our friend and a few of his companions. Among nearly 200
people from the steamer, who were dining at the hotel where
the attack was made, there were but three with fire-arms. The
announcement that the rioters were coming, caused a stampede
from the table to the upper rooms. On bursting into the house,
the leading ruffians were halted at the stairway by _Capt._
Horton and his aids, and as the attempt to ascend was made,
a few effective shots drove the assailants into the street.
Immediately the reign of terror and bloodshed began.
"Please, sir, save my father!" was an appeal from a little
boy, as he pointed to where a swarthy assassin stood taking
aim at a defenceless man. The American's revolver was leveled
and fired just in time to render the other's shot harmless by
his own fall. Others were protected by the same faithful hand
and stern purpose as they retreated towards the only place of
safety--the American steamer. Arriving at the water, the crowd
rushed on to a small steam-tug, and but for the quick thought
and bold action of our leader, would have been overtaken by
the pursuing mob. He took command, gave his orders to fasten
to a lighter near at hand, transferred his passengers to the
larger craft, and signalled the engineer to start for the
_Cortez_. Fortunately, he was obeyed without question, and a
more successful trip was never made by the _Wild Goose_ and her
commander on Lake Ontario! His money loss was some $10,000, but
he could count untold gain in the saving of lives, and to this
day he refers to his participation in those fearful scenes with
satisfaction not to be calculated in coin.
On their arrival in New York, Mr. Horton was named by his
fellow-passengers as the person to proceed to Washington, to
make a statement of the occurrences at Panama, in response to
a call from the authorities to that effect. From that time
until his marriage in 1861, he made several journeys between
Washington and Wisconsin, as a witness in the riot case and a
claimant for damage. His testimony was important in deciding
the demand for reparation made by the United States upon the
Government of New Grenada. His own claim was most strenuously
and successfully opposed by the Spanish commissioner. He
had done too much injury to his people to have _his_ losses
repaid. _All_ other claims were not so objectionable; and as
a compromise in the final settlement, the man who deserved
a General's commission for courage and strategic skill, and
liberal pay for the personal risks taken in his defense of
American citizens, was stricken from the list of creditors.
Starting again for the Pacific coast soon after the civil war
was began at Sumpter, he included a trip to British Columbia
in his travels. At Lewiston, on the Columbia River, he began
to think of the outfit needed for the journey. His effects
inventoried one gold pencil, a single-barreled pistol, and $15
cash. To his brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Wright, who was one
of his traveling companions, and much better provided with
equipments, he intimated that he must do a little _trading_
before he could proceed. In half a day he had exchanged his
jewelry and pistol for a pair of horses; sold one of them again
at a clean profit of $50; paid $15 for a third; and early in
the afternoon returned to camp with two good animals, fine
revolver, saddles, blankets, and about $60 in money. Trading
was his special success--speculation invariably a failure. For
a distance of 1400 miles through the northern wilderness, that
Lewiston revolver brought down most of the game upon which the
company feasted by the way. In the Salmon River country, trees
and the feathery snow furnished most comfortable bedding. They
sold their surplus provisions to a British customs officer
on the route, at a profit of 66 per cent. At Lytton, they
replenished their stock, and loaded five of their horses with
saleable goods. They found a market at Williams' Creek for
flour at $1.00 per pound, and for bacon at $1.25.
Arriving at the Cariboo mining district, the party bought the
"Darkey's Claim." It was a rich prospect, and they worked the
lead until snow closed the operations, taking an ounce of gold
from a bucket of dirt. At this time the claim would have sold
for thousands of dollars. After wintering at Victoria they
returned to make their fortunes, securing a force of workmen
at $10 a day. After working four feet further their riches
"jumped" and vanished beyond recovery. Not a hundred feet off
three miners were taking out 75 ounces per day, and others
doing equally well. But the "Darkey" had "run out," and the
owners accepted $200 for their lost treasure. Mining has had no
attraction for him to this day.
When Mr. Horton reached San Francisco again, his financial
condition would have caused a "panic" in any other man. In
capital he was "broke," but in nothing else. Then as now, there
were the strength and elasticity of steel in the man's spirit
and nerves. He first tried a stall in the market; but the
dollar a day realized caused him to retire from business in a
short time. Buying and selling a ranch in Rio Visto concluded
his real-estate operations in that part of the State. He was
a dealer in second-hand furniture in San Francisco, when he
first heard San Diego discussed as one of the great cities of
the future. The value of its harbor and climate was the topic
of the evening at a private literary gathering where he was
a frequent listener. What he had heard so impressed itself
in his thoughts that he could not sleep that night, until he
had jumped out of bed, and satisfied his inquisitiveness by a
careful study of the map of California. The situation seemed
revealed as a prize especially for him. He determined to secure
it, and--slept.
Here was the opportunity long sought and never despaired
of. In three days the stock was disposed of, and the store
closed. The proceeds were small--perhaps less than $500. No
one among his friends could be induced to join him in his
visionary enterprise. Alone, on the 6th of April, 1867, Mr.
Horton reached San Diego. It exceeded his expectations, and
obstacles in the way of purchase were quickly swept aside by
his indomitable energy. The few people there were having such
a quiet time, that they had become indifferent to the charm
of office. The first work was to get an election called for
Trustees, those officers only being empowered to sell lands
belonging to the city. Candidates were provided and elected.
The desired property was legally advertised and sold, and on
the 11th day of May following, a deed of some 750 acres was
made. Thirty-six cents an acre, and but one bidder! Mr. Horton
was the happy purchaser, and little did he care that his
investment was looked upon by most of the 150 people then in
San Diego, as a wild expenditure of money.
The work of advertising the new city was immediately commenced.
The tin case in which he carried the first map of "Horton's
Addition to San Diego," through the streets of San Francisco,
is carefully treasured in his office, and could not be bought
for its weight in gold. Horton was everywhere, and irresistible
in glowing dreams of the future of his city. His labors were
untiring from the time he measured off blocks and lots with a
tape-line, and laid out the streets for his workmen to clear
from cactus and sage-brush, until the winter of 1869-'70, when
his sales averaged $15,000 a month. From $3,000 in 1867, his
receipts increased to nearly $85,000 in 1869. His money built
up the place as fast as received, and it is safe to state, that
$300,000 have been used by him for that purpose.
This is but an imperfect sketch of Mr. Horton's business
career in San Diego. He has richly earned the sobriquet of
"Father of the City," and the respect and best wishes of his
fellow-citizens. His faith and works have been the _life_ of
the place, when crops failed for want of rain, railroad hopes
were delayed, or croakers insisted on publishing its death as
a certainty. Long may Horton live, and great the prosperity he
may witness in the pet child he has so bravely matured--HIS OWN
SAN DIEGO!
Mr. Horton is a man of liberal views, and has always been
an ardent and practical advocate of political and religious
freedom. To the poor, both black and white, he has been a
faithful friend. To-day, an honest man in homespun receives as
cordial a grasp of his hand, as the man in broadcloth and fine
linen. That he has the sympathy and respect of the masses of
his fellow-citizens, was manifested in a most gratifying manner
in the vote given him in his county for State Senator, in the
contest of 1871. His opponent was the Democratic chief of the
county, that had never before failed to give a large Democratic
majority. San Diego honored the Republican Horton with a
majority of 50, and he only failed in election by the adjoining
county (forming the balance of the district) voting as usual,
largely Democratic. Socially he is a warm-hearted, affable
gentleman, true to his friends, and watchful of those who play
him false. Temperate in his habits, and always active in mind
and body, his health is as robust, and his personal appearance
as young as most men at 50 years. Last and best tribute to his
character, is the kind care for his parents in their helpless
age, and that love for his MOTHER, which to her was the dearest
and last earthly tie broken in her departure to the better Home.
VII. LUCY JANE, daughter of Erastus Horton and Tryphena Burleigh,
born at Scriba, N. Y., 7 April, 1835; married at Hebron, Jefferson
Co., Wis., about 1857, WILLIAM W. BOWERS, Esq., born at Whitesboro',
N. Y., 20 Oct., 1834. They reside in San Diego, Cal.
Children, all born in San Diego:
1. Grace, born 6 Dec., 1869.
2. Vine, born 17 July, 1873.
Mr. Bowers moved from Whitesboro' to Oakland, Wis., 30 Nov., 1851,
and thence to San Diego, 30 Sept., 1869. He is engaged in the bee
business, which, it is said, pays remarkably well.
VI. WILLIAM MORGAN, son of Gurdon Horton and Lucy Davidson
(_Dea. Ezra_, _Rev. Ezra_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at
Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y., 6 July, 1829. Enlisted 4 Sept.,
1861, in Co. B.. 81st Reg. N. Y. Volunteers--was honorably discharged
19 Jan., 1865, by reason of wounds received in action. He married
8 April, 1848, in Oswego, by the Rev. Dr. Voltair, to MARY ANN
WILLIAMS, daughter of Charles Williams and Ann Kenally. He is now
living at North Scriba, Oswego Co., N. Y., and is a cooper by
occupation.
Children, all born in Oswego Co., N. Y.:
1. Lucy Jane, born 8 April, 1849.
2. Wm. Henry, born 31 Dec., 1852.
3. Caroline Kate, born 7 Sept., 1859.
4. Charles Gurdon, born 5 May, 1861.
5. Anna Mary, born 14 May, 1863.
6. Janette, born 8 Aug., 1867.
I. JARED, son of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd (_Dea. Ezra_, _Rev.
Ezra_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at Hartford, Ct., 18 Jan.,
1822; moved to Albany, N. Y., in 1840, where he now resides. He is
a butcher by occupation; married at Albany, 30 Dec., 1847, by Rev.
Joseph Belnap, to HARRIET TREDEAU, daughter of Alaxcie Tredeau and
Sary Ann Percy.
Children, all born in Albany:
1. Ezra Tredeau, born 29 Oct., 1850.
2. Clara Ann, born 18 May, 1853.
3. Frederick, born 16 May, 1855.
4. Alaxcie, born 27 Sept., 1857.
5. Edward Grant, born 4 Nov., 1866.
6. Harriet Louisa, born 19 July, 1871.
II. HELEN, daughter of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd, born 5 Aug.,
1823, at Union, Conn.; married at Union, Conn., 1 Dec., 1843, ORRIN
MORSE, of Putnam, Conn., born in Union, Ct., 27 Jan., 1822, son of
Jedediah Morse, born 14 Sept., 1780, son of Nathan Morse, of Ashford,
Ct., born at Sturbridge, in 1734, son of David Morse, of Sturbridge,
born in Medfield, in 1709, son of David Morse, born in 1683, son of
Ezra Morse, born 5 Feb., 1644, the sixth child of John Morse, born in
England, in 1611, and had eleven children, who was the son of Samuel
Morse, of Medfield, the common ancestor of the Morses in New England,
who was born in Old England, in 1585.
Children:
1. Sanford, born 27 April, 1845; died 14 June, 1845.
2. Helen Jennette, born 9 June, 1848.
3. Seth Herbert, born 14 May, 1852.
4. Delpha Adela, born 23 July, 1864.
III. THOMAS, son of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd, born in Union,
Ct., 4 May, 1825; married in Union, 29 April, 1850, DELIGHT WALES,
daughter of Aaron Allen Wales, of Union, who was a lineal descendant
of Dea. Nathaniel Wales, who came from England in 1635, in the ship
_James_, of Bristol, a fellow-passenger with Rev. Richard Mather.
Children:
1. Emma, born at Union, 2 Aug., 1852; died at Stafford, Ct., 1
Oct., 1867.
2. Ellsworth Wales, born at Stafford Springs, 4 Jan., 1862.
They reside at Stafford Springs.
V. ELVIRA, daughter of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd, born in Union,
30 July, 1829; married 27 Jan., 1851, THOMAS P. LEONARD, of Putnam,
Ct., son of Daniel Leonard, of Union, and born 22 Aug., 1828.
Children, born in Putnam:
1. Ida Elvira, born 29 April, 1853.
2. Eugene Thomas, born 26 March, 1857.
3. Lucy Maria, born 2 Feb., 1861.
VII. EZRA MASON, son of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd, born in Union,
3 June, 1832; married in Union, 2 Aug., 1859, JANE BARTLETT, daughter
of Daniel Bartlett and Lucy Paine, and born in Union, about 1834.
Children, all born in Union, where he resides:
1. Balzamond Mason, born 15 March, 1862.
2. Emmons Burr, born 17 Sept., 1863.
3. Lucy Paine, born 11 May, 1865.
4. and 5. (twins,) Mary Percy, born 24 June, 1868; died 28
June, 1870; Martha Priscilla, born 24 June, 1868; died 16 July,
1868.
6. Knowlton Howard, born 16 Aug., 1871; died 29 June, 1872.
VIII. CHARLES, son of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd, born in Union,
3 July, 1834; married in Albany, N. Y., 23 March, 1859, JANE FRANCES
PERCY, daughter of John Percy and Eliza Ann ----, and born in Albany;
reside in New York City.
Children:
1. Florence Effie, born in Albany, 4 April, 1860.
2. Frances Charlena, born in Albany, 13 Nov., 1863.
3. John Charles, born in Brooklyn, N. Y., 16 May, 1867.
IX. OLIVE, daughter of Ezra Horton and Lucy Shepherd, born in
Union, 27 June, 1836: married 10 April, 1860, JOSEPH R. LANGDON, of
Woodstock Valley, Ct., born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1834; died 29
July, 1872.
Children:
1. Essie E., born 21 Feb., 1867; died 26 Aug., 1872.
2. Lucy Evelyn, born 13 April, 1870.
[Illustration: E. H. CLEVELAND, M. D.]
IV. ELISHA GRIGGS, M. D., son of Norman Horton and Esther Griggs
(_Dea. Ezra_, _Rev. Ezra_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at
Stockbridge, N. Y., 20 Aug., 1830; married 1 April, 1855, HARRIET
RAWSON, daughter of Emery Rawson and Julia Ruggles, and born in
Linden, Vt., 2 Sept., 1832.
Children, born at Whitewater:
1. Minnie I., born 9 April, 1856.
2. Emery Norman, born 22 June, 1859.
3. Hattie May, born 2 March, 1870.
They reside at Whitewater, Wis. The Doctor is a skillful physician,
doing a fair business.
VIII. MELVIN MORRIS, son of Norman Horton and Esther Griggs, born at
Koskonong, Wis., 13 May, 1843; married at Koskonong, 24 Dec., 1863,
SOPHRONIA CHEESEBRO, born at Koskonong, Jan., 1843.
Children, born at Cold Spring, Wis., where he resides:
1. Leo Leslie, born 1 Sept., 1864.
2. Everett Ezra, born 1 June, 1867.
I. SOPHRONIA, daughter of Chauncey Horton and Amanda Chaffee
(_Dea. Ezra_, _Rev. Ezra_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at
Ashford, Ct., 5 Jan., 1826; married 17 May, 1849, JOHN J. CARVER, of
Stockbridge, N. Y. No children.
II. ALMIRA AMANDA, daughter of Chauncey Horton and Amanda Chaffee,
born in Ashford, Ct., 20 Jan., 1828; married 18 Oct., 1849, H. A.
COOLIDGE. She died in Feb., 1875.
Children:
1. Edward Horton, born 13 July, 1850, in Cazenovia, N. Y.; died
in 1854.
2. Mary Frances, born 31 May, 1858, in Litchfield, Ill.
3. Kate, born 27 Nov., 1860, in Litchfield, Ill.
III. EMELINE, daughter of Chauncey Horton and Amanda Chaffee, born in
Ashford, Ct., 22 Sept., 1829; married in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N.
Y., 8 March, 1854, to the REV. GILES BUTLER CLEVELAND, born 12 Aug.,
1825, in Durham, Greene County, N. Y. They have one son, viz.:
Arthur Horton Cleveland, born in the city of Philadelphia, 10
Feb., 1865.
Mrs. Cleveland graduated from the Ladies' Department of Oberlin
College (Ohio), in 1853, and from the Woman's Medical College of
Pennsylvania, in 1855. She was elected to the Chair of Anatomy in
that College, in 1857, which she held until 1862, when she was
transferred to the Chair of Obstetrics. This she still occupies, and
is also a member of the Board of Corporators.
In 1860, at the solicitation of a number of philanthropic ladies
of Philadelphia, who had in view the establishment of a Hospital
for Women and Children, Professor Cleveland went abroad for medical
study, and to make herself acquainted with the arrangements and
management of hospitals. She entered the School of Obstetrics in
connection with the _Maternite_ of Paris, and after receiving the
diploma of that institution, found ready access to the wards and
lecture-rooms of other hospitals, and was allowed free inspection of
their administrative departments.
On her return, she was chosen Resident Physician of the then
chartered Woman's Hospital of Philadelphia, which position she
continued to fill for seven years. She has been one of the Managers
of the Hospital from its organization, and a member of the Consulting
Board since her retirement from the office of Resident Physician.
Professor Cleveland has made a number of important surgical
operations, and is the first woman, so far as known, who ever
performed ovariotomy. In her second case, a tumor, weighing fifty
pounds, was successfully removed, the patient making a good recovery.
IV. MARY ANN, daughter of Chauncey Horton and Amanda Chaffee, born in
Ashford, Ct., 1 Feb., 1831; married 16 May, 1854, the REV. RICHARD
HOLTON CLARK, born in Carolina Centre, Tompkins Co., N. Y., about
1828.
Children:
1. Mary Frances, born in Stockbridge, N. Y., 20 May, 1856.
2. Emma, born in Nelson, N. Y., 5 Aug., 1858.
3. Charles Richard, Cuyler, N. Y., born 17 Nov., 1862.
V. CYNTHIA MALVINA, daughter of Chauncey Horton and Amanda Chaffee,
born in Stockbridge, N. Y., 22 Feb., 1833; married 27 Aug., 1857,
JUSTUS WILLIAMS, of Ft. Atkinson, Wis., born at Cazenovia, about 1830.
Children:
1. Edith Virginia, born at Jefferson, Wis., 25 June, 1859.
2. Herbert Leslie, born at Ft. Atkinson, Wis., 28 April, 1868.
VI. CHAUNCEY CHAFFEE, son of Chauncey Horton and Amanda Chaffee,
born in Stockbridge, N. Y., 24 March, 1835; married 18 Jan., 1859,
ELIZABETH HURLBURT, born about 1837.
Children, all born in Stockbridge, where he resided:
1. Eddie, born in 1860; died young.
2. Anna P., born 20 Oct., 1863.
3. Nellie, born in March, 1865; died in 1869.
4. Harry, born 1868; died in 1868.
I. STODDARD ELLSWORTH, son of Eli Horton and Katherine E. Ellsworth
(_Dea. Ezra_, _Rev. Ezra_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at
Stafford, Ct., 31 March, 1833; died 24 Jan., 1873, at his residence,
Windsor Locks, Ct. He was a man of excellent character, and talent as
a machinist; married 14 Nov., 1865, FANNY E. CHASE, daughter of John
Chase and Emma Greenleaf, and born 16 March, 1816, at Lyme, N. H.
Children, all born at Windsor Locks:
1. Myra Elsie, born 16 April, 1866.
2. Katie Elvise, born 30 Nov., 1867.
3. Sydney Ellsworth, born 28 Oct., 1869.
4. Alice Chase, born 18 May, 1872.
III. KATIE ELSIE, daughter of Eli Horton and Katherine E. Ellsworth,
born at Stafford, Ct., 6 Jan., 1837; married 14 Dec., 1870, EZRA B.
BAILEY, born at Franklin, Ct., about 1835. They reside at Windsor
Locks and have one son, viz.:
Phillips Horton, born 24 Aug., 1872.
REV. WILLIAM HORTON THOMPSON, son of William Thompson and Catherine
Ingals, and grandson of the Rev. Calvin Ingals and Mary Horton (_Rev.
Ezra_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at West Stafford, Ct., 7
July, 1818. He fitted for college at Morison Academy, Mass., in 1840,
under the care of Rev. Charles Hammond. Entered Amherst College,
and remained there three years. In 1844, he entered the Theological
Seminary at Columbia, S. C., whence he graduated, in 1847. Settled
first in the ministry at Atlanta, Ga. In 1849, he had charge of a
mission church in Augusta, Ga. He was settled in Chattanooga in
1851, and in Bolivar, West Tennessee, for twelve years. In 1865, he
was settled in Columbus, Kentucky, and in July, 1873, he moved to
Lexington, Miss., where he is now engaged in the ministry.