Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 483-484

GEORGE H. HORTON, of the town of Fennimore, Grant county, an old settler of the county, is a veteran of the war of the Rebellion. He came to Grant county in the early part of 1857, and has been identified with all its subsequent history.

Mr. HORTON was born Feb. 16, 1835, at Grafton, N.H., to which State his father, Elisha P. HORTON, removed from Connecticut after his marriage there to Avis WHEATON, a native of the latter State. Elisha P. HORTON was a farmer by occupation. He died in New Hampshire when our subject was a mere child, and left his widow with ten children. Mrs. HORTON also died in New Hampshire about twenty-five years after her husband. George H. Horton was reared in New Hampshire, worked at various occupations when a young man, and in 1857, at the age of twenty-two, came to Wisconsin. He was at Prairie du Chien for a time, and then came to Fennimore, where he was employed on the farm of John SWITZER, a well-known citizen of the community, working for him a year. He then engaged in breaking land by the acre, his first contract being for one hundred acres for Michael BOWER - the place now owned by William ROGERS. He bought and sold several pieces of land, continued breaking land, and gradually accumulated considerable money. In 1861 he and Miss Mary SWITZER were married. Mrs. HORTON was born in the town of Fennimore, Sept. 17, 1844.

Mr. HORTON became a member of Company K, of the famous 47th Wis. V.I., the company being under the command of Charles Baxter and the greater part of our subject's military service was rendered in Tennessee. The principal duty of the command was to keep watch of wandering bands of guerrillas that infested that part of Tennessee. Mr. HORTON was taken sick on his way to the front, at Louisville, and was detained at the hospital at that city. He was anxious to be with his command, and rejoined the regiment at Nashville, only to be rendered worse by the exposure, and at Tullahoma, Tenn., he had to succumb, being taken to the hospital, where he was still under treatment when the war was ended. He as honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in 1805. Mr. HORTON never fully recovered from the effects of his army life, although a quiet farm life has greatly modified his troubles.

Soon after his return from the army Mr. HORTON was appointed administrator for the estate of his father-in-law, who died Jan. 11, 1863. He made his home for some time on the SWITZER homestead farm, in the meantime investing his own money in a fine farm of 280 acres near the village of Fennimore. He also owned a quarter section elsewhere, and has devoted his life to farming and stock raising.

Mr. and Mrs. HORTON have had four children: George G., who married Mary DUNCAN, now resides in Patch Grove, Grant county, engaged in farming; they have three children, Clarence, Lossen and Hazel. Charles G. married Maggie SMITH, and they have three children, Hattie, Gracie, and Mabel; he is a farmer in Fennimore township. Frank is engaged at present in railroading. Clyde S. graduated from the Platteville Normal, in the class of 1900. Mr. HORTON is a well-known and highly respected citizen of the county. He is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Socially, he belongs to Sam Monteith Post, No. 173, G.A.R.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck