Born in Ontario, Canada, January 4, 1836, he lived there until he was 18 years of age, when he came to Iowa settling in Maquoketa. He lived in Maquoketa for six years, then came to Woodbury county. During the early years of his residence in this county, Mr. Horton became interested in the public school system and through his efforts many schools were erected in the county. He served as school director at Smithland. In the early 80's he was a member of the voluntary military unit. Mr. Horton was a member of the Woodbury county board of supervisors for many years. In 1892, he was elected representative from Woodbury county to the Iowa Legislature serving in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly. Defeated in the election as justice of the peace in 1914, Mr. Horton retired from public life.