Rutland

HORTON, Edwin

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 208 
(portrait p 208)

Edwin HORTON, of Chittenden [Rutland County, Vermont], was born 25 August 
1841 in Clarendon [Rutland County, Vermont], son of John N. and Elsie 
(POTTER) HORTON. He was reared among the usual surroundings of the youth in 
his time, dividing his time between attendance at the common and select 
schools of Clarendon and Black River Academy of Ludlow [Windsor County] and 
labor upon the paternal homestead. Desiring more extended education, he 
devoted much time to private research and reading. He settled in Chittenden 
in 1858, where he has principally followed farming, but has been obliged to 
devote much time to those official duties which his upright character and 
keen intelligence have brought to him. He has held at various times 
different town offices, especially that of lister; for twenty-three years 
constable and collector, resigning these positions in 1893; was the 
Republican representative of the town for three terms; elected senator from 
Rutland County 1884, and served on the committee on claims; again elected 
representative 1890, and was one of the leaders of the House.

Enlisted 15 June 1861 at Troy [Rensselaer County], New York; served one year 
in Company G, Twenty-second Regiment of that state; in 1862 discharged from 
he U. S. service. When the draft took place in 1863 Mr. HORTON was the only 
one of the fifteen drafted from the town whom fortune selected to fight for 
their native land to fulfill this duty. He immediately joined the Fourth 
Vermont Regiment, and saw hard service in the battles of the Wilderness and 
Petersburg, and was twice wounded while in action, but remained with the 
regiment and was discharged when the regiment was mustered out in 1865.

Mr. HORTON has a large acquaintance throughout the state and many friends. 
Member of Roberts Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Rutland; society of 
Vermont Officers; Masonic order, uniting with Otter Creek Blue Lodge, 
Davenport Chapter and Council, and Killington Commandery of Knights Templar, 
and Mt. Sinai Temple; also member of Killington Lodge, Otter Creek 
Encampment, and Canton Rutland of Odd Fellows. On 04 August 1862 in Bethel 
[Windsor County, Vermont] Mr. [Edwin] HORTON was married to Ellen L., 
daughter of Zenias and Harriet (BROWN) HOLBROOK. Their children are: Bertha 
A. (Mrs. Harley BAIRD, of South Boston), Fred E., Ida M. (Mrs. D. F. 
SPAULDING, of South Boston), and Hattie E.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly