Part 22

"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.

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.

He married 11 May, 1852, MARY JANE SAFFORD, daughter of Rev. Henry Safford, of Greenboro, Georgia, and Eliza Burr, daughter of Dr. William Burr, of Philadelphia, who was a nephew of President Burr, of Princeton College, N. J. The Safford family is large, and includes many persons of distinction. The Hon. A. B. Safford, of Cairo, has written the history of the family, and says he has written to every penitentiary in the United States, and not a Safford can be found on their records.

Children:

1. William Henry, born in Bolivar, Tenn., 14 Dec., 1855.

2. Mary Eliza, born in Bolivar, Tenn., 11 Jan., 1857.

3. Catherine Alethea, born in Bolivar, Tenn., 20 Jan., 1860.

I. SUSAN BAILEY, daughter of Gilbert Horton and Lydia Bailey (_Maj. Gilbert_, _Capt. Barnabas_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born at Bay View, Southold Township, 11 July, 1820; married at Bay View, 12 Dec., 1839, by the Rev. Ralph Smith, to HIRAM TERRY, son of Jesse Terry and Hannah ----, and born in Southold.

Children, all born in Southold:

1. Marietta A., born 4 April, 1841; died 19 April, 1865.

2. Charles E., born 4 Dec., 1843.

3. George I., born 9 August, 1850; died 28 August, 1868.

4. Lydia Bailey, born 18 Nov., 1854; died 27 Nov., 1869.

II. GILBERT WILSON, son of Gilbert Horton and Lydia Bailey, born at Bay View, 31 March, 1824; married in Cutchogue, L. I., 13 Dec., 1848, by the Rev. Ezra Youngs, to PHEBE ANN YOUNGS, daughter of Richard Youngs and Deborah Tuthill. She died 27 Nov., 1858, without issue, and he married 2. in Bridge Hampton, L. I., 12 Nov., 1862, by the Rev. Thomas Gray, to JANIE MARIA HALSEY, daughter of Daniel S. Halsey and Amanda Smith, and born in Bridge Hampton, about 1826.

Children, both born at Bay View:

1. Gilbert Wilson, born 9 April, 1865.

2. Daniel Halsey, born 5 Dec., 1871.

Mr. Horton has a farm and a very pretty situation at Fair View, Southold Township, and he owns the celebrated old cask in which were brought over a portion of the household goods of the old puritan, Barnabas, facetiously called "Uncle Barney's Money Pot," which it was said, he brought over with him, filled with _gold_ and _silver_.

I. NANCY LANDON, daughter of Hon. Silas Horton and Mary Landon (_Col. Benjamin_, _Capt. Barnabas_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born in Southold, 17 March, 1828; married 8 June, 1850, by Rev. Jonathan Huntting, to DAVID HAWKINS HORTON, son of Barnabas Horton and Mehetabel Osborn, and born at Mt. Hope, N. Y., 25 Feb., 1817.

Children:

1. Adelaide Landon.

2. Josephine.

3. Marietta.

4. Mary Landon.

IV. JAMES EDWIN, son of Spencer Horton and Emily Lewis (_Dea. John_, _Budd_, _Jonathan_, _Dea. James_, _Jonathan I._), born in Wallkill, Orange Co., N. Y., 13 Jan., 1835; married in Newburgh, 24 Oct., 1806, by Rev. John Brown, D. D., to SARAH SNEEDEN HATHAWAY, daughter of Col. Odell S. Hathaway and Helen Maria Birdsall, and born in Newburgh, 11 June, 1836.

Children, all born in Newburgh:

1. George Hathaway, born 19 August, 1863.

2. Ida Cushman, born 31 May, 1866.

3. Edith Alden, born 19 August, 1868.

4. Hiram Falls, born 28 Aug., 1869.

5. Helen Marie, born 25 April, 1874.

Mr. Horton is a successful merchant in the city of Newburgh. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and highly respected in the community.