Onondaga Hill Native Passed Early Life in Log Cabin
Days when Syracuse was “a cedar swamp with lots of deer and bear running wild over it” are recalled by James Horton of Baldwinsville, who celebrates his 92nd birthday today. Mr. Horton, father-in-law of Police Chief Frank Spring of Baldwinsville, was born November 22, 1843, at Onondaga Hill a son of Purdy Horton and Harriett Purdy Horton. His birthplace was the first hotel built in that section of the county, his parents chancing to be guests there at the time that he was born.
When Mr. Horton was seven weeks old, his parents moved to Big Bend, in the town of Clay, now known as Horseshoe Island, where they purchased 99 acres of land. The island came into existence later with the cutting of the barge canal.
Until he was 20, Mr. Horton’s home was the log cabin in which his father built at Big Bend. Altho he desired to enlist in the civil war, his family could not give him permission. After passing his 20th birthday, he earned his living by working on adjacent farms.
Set up Housekeeping on Boat
He was married on Christmas eve, to Hattie Patchett of Clay, the ceremony being performed in Euclid by Elder Beman. He and his bride set up housekeeping on a boat, in which they went up and down the Erie canal carrying lumber and other articles. They spent the first seven years of their married life on this boat.
Later, Mr. And Mrs. Horton went into the hotel business, running what is known as the Half Way house, between Cold Spring and Liverpool. In 1897, they moved to Newbridge, where they lived until Mrs. Horton’s death in 1926. Since then, Mr. Horton has made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. And Mrs. Spring, in North street, Baldwinsville. Mr. Horton first voted for president in 1864, casting his vote for Abraham Lincoln. He stopped voting when the 19th amendment was passed giving women the right to vote. He considered that “men could fight tough in politics without women getting mixed up in it, too.”
Hopes to Reach 100
Is Mr. Horton’s great ambition to be 100. If his health continues as excellent as it is now. “I’ve never had a serious illness,” he remarks. “I still can take it!” Mr. Horton leads an active life. He mows lawns, takes care of a large garden, and in the winter clears sidewalks for both his own house and that of a neighbor. Altho he no longer attends the movies, he is extremely fond of the radio. He enjoys riding, and rides only when he is going long distances.
A birthday part for Mr. Horton is to be given in the Spring home the Spring home this evening with 20 members of the immediate family as guests. Five of his six children will be present, his son William Horton of Tonawanda is the only one unable to attend. Besides Mrs. Spring, his other children include Charles J. Horton, Frank H. Horton and George J. Horton of Baldwinsville and Mrs. Charles Knapp. His seven grandchildren and his six great grandchildren also attended the party.
James H. Horton, 96, oldest man in Baldwinsville, and pioneer in Central New York, died yesterday morning at the home of his son-in-law, Police Chief Frank Spring, 24 North st., Baldwinsville.
Mr. Horton had been in failing health all winter and had been confined to bed for the past three weeks. Mr. Horton, who had been active in walking and gardening until recently, had often expressed an ambition to live to be 100.
Born in the first hotel built at Onondaga Hill, Nov. 22, 1843, Mr. Horton was the son of Purdy and Harriett Horton. When he was still a baby, his parents moved to Big Bend in the town of Clay, now known as Horseshoe island where they purchased 99 acres. The island came into existence later with the advent of the barge canal.
Operated Hotels
Mr. Horton was eager to enlist with the union forces in the civil war but his parents objected. After working on farms, he turned to the hotel business and for years operated the Halfway house between Liverpool and Cold Springs and a hotel at Belgium.
He married Hattie Patchett of Clay in 1870. Before entering the hotel business he and his wife purchased a boat and carried lumber and other articles up and down the Erie canal for a few years.
His memories reached back to the days when Syracuse was “a cedar swamp with lots of deer and bear running wild over it.”
In 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Horton moved to Newbridge where they lived until Mrs. Horton’s death in 1926. Since then he had made his home with his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Spring.
Leaves Four Sons
Surviving besides Mrs. Spring are another daughter, Mrs. Charless Knapp of Fulton; four sons, William Horton of Tonawanda and Charles, Frank and George Horton of Baldwinsville; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by a brother, Frank Horton, 84, of Deer Park, Washington. This brother was located about a year ago but he and Mr. Horton did not meet, the two having last seen each other about 40 years ago.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Spring home. Rev. N. S. Aller, a retired clergyman, will officiate in accordance with the ____________________