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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Andrew J. HORTON 

Pages 299, 200, 303, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: DENNIS, HANCOCK, HARE, HORN, HORTON] 

    
ANDREW J. HORTON, who represents Woodland Township on the County Board of Supervisors, is a farmer by occupation. He was an officer in the late war and won a military record that reflects honor on the soldiery of this, his adopted State. He was born in New Castle Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, October 28, 1835. His father, William Horton, was a native of the same county and was born in 1811. He was a son of Thomas Horton, who was a Virginian by birth. Ezra Horton, the great-grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Virginia. The Hortons came originally from Ireland. 
    
Ezra Horton was a farmer and he emigrated from his old Virginia home to Ohio, in a very earl day and settled on the present site of Mohawk village, he being one of the first settlers there. There his remaining years were passed and he died at a ripe old age. The grandfather of our subject accompanied his parents to Ohio when a boy. He was there reared and became a very extensive farmer in Coshocton County, and owned considerable land there. His farm was well improved, had a fine large brick house and two large barns, and was well supplied with fruit trees of all kinds. Mr. Horton sold his place there and came to this county in the month of October, 1853, and purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty acres just south of Summum, Woodland Township, where he resided until death rounded out his career in 1861, at upwards of eighty years old. He was a stanch Democrat in politics. 
    
The father of our subject was reared on his father's farm in Coshocton County, and learned the trade of a carpenter. When a young man he came to Fulton county, arriving here October 22, 1853, making the trip with four teams and a wagon, having left his old home October 1. He had purchased the northwest quarter of section 20, Woodland Township, before coming here, and he then settled on it. He also entered forty acres of Government land across the road and bought forty acres joining it. He farmed extensively and was greatly prospered. He sold a part of his original purchase to our subject and his brother, and bought out the heirs to his father's estate near Summum, which he subsequently sold a few years later for $70 an acre. He then invested in lands in Hancock County, Ill., and as land greatly depreciated during the panic of 1873, he lost heavily. He afterwards bought property in Astoria and lived there five years. He then made his home with his son Jefferson until his death, which occurred very suddenly. He was a Democrat in his political views and was active in the public life of the township, holding various local offices. He married Sarah Dennis, a native of Knox County, Ohio, who is still living. She is the mother of thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Jane, Sabina, Polly, Louisa, Alwilda, Andrew J., Washington, Thomas J., and Abram. Four are deceased. 
    
Andrew J. Horton was reared in Coshocton County, Ohio, until he was eighteen years of age. He attended school some but as soon as large enough to work, he lived out. The first summer that he worked for others his only payment was his board and clothes. The second summer he received $8 per month. After coming here he worked on his father's farm until the war broke out. He was then in the prime and vigor of early manhood, and on August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered in as Third Sergeant. He fought bravely in the battles of Perryville and Stone River and at the latter place was taken prisoner by Gen. Wheeler's men, and was held from December, 1862, until latter part of March, 1863, when he was exchanged at St. Louis. He joined his regiment in time to take an active part in the battle of Chickamauga, and he was engaged in several lively skirmishes following that battle and then came the battles of Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, and the taking of Atlanta. Our subject did good service in several skirmishes that were fought with the enemy on the way from Atlanta to Savannah. His courageous, self-reliant spirit, his devotion to his duty, and the ability with which he executed all orders won the approval of his superiors and gained him deserved promotion to the position of First Lieutenant. He was mustered out June 15, 1865, having won honors as a soldier and an officer of which he and his may well be proud. During his service he was never in a hospital or in a wagon or on horseback, except for about three hours ride in a wagon. 
    
After his return from the seat of war, our subject purchased the eighty acres of land, on which he now resides, of his father. He was given his attention exclusively to farming ever since, and besides raising grain is rearing stock with good profit. He is practical and wide-awake in the management of his agricultural affairs and the neat and finely improved appearance of his farm betokens thrift and good care on the part of the owner. 
    
June 25, 1857, Mr. Horton's marriage with Miss Polly Horn was duly celebrated. Mrs. Horton was born in Knox County, Ohio, May 14, 1837, and came to this county with her parents in the early days of its settlement. Five of the six children born to her and our subject are living: Thomas J., Julia, Mrs. Hare; Charles, deceased; Sallie, William and Dolly. Mrs. Horton is a very capable woman and during her husband's absence at the time of the war, she and her two oldest children were left at home and she very ably managed affairs and supported them comfortably. She is a member of the Christian Church and an earnest worker in the fold. 
    
Mr. Horton is one of our best citizens, and is deservedly popular with all who know him. His fellow-citizens, appreciating the fact that a man of his calibre and understanding, would make a good civic official, have elected him to represent Woodland Township on the County Board of Supervisors and he is now serving his third term in that important office. He has also held the position of Road Commissioner for twelve years and has done good service for his township in the minor offices. Politically he is a sound Democrat and uses his influence for the interest of the party.