He commenced business for himself by purchasing the remaining six months of his minority, agreeing to pay $50 to his father for that purpose. In eight months from that time he had been a grocery clerk at $12 a month; a lake sailor before the mast; and the last half of the time owner and captain of the "Wild Goose," a small vessel he had purchased, and put into the wheat trade between Oswego and Canada. His marine speculation proved quite a profitable one for those days; he sold out and closed business, paid all his obligations, and had $300 in his pocket. During the winter of 1834-'35 he learned the trade of a cooper, and his specialty for a time was flour-barrels. Then the city of Oswego elected him constable, by the largest majority given to any man on the Whig ticket. The young officer was too kind-hearted to make his office pay, and he lost all he made in trade by failing to enforce payment from poor debtors according to law. Out of office he invested $7 in a contract for land, and in a month made $336 on the venture. Young Horton had another strong point, which was often brought into play in the inevitable wrestling-matches incident to town-meetings of long ago. His 130 pounds was a most animated and unmanageable load for his largest companions to handle, and at "square hold" he was the acknowledged champion of the township. Yet he was pronounced a consumptive by Dr. Van Schaick, with the advice "Go West--it may do you good; but I think it probable you will not live more than six months." He took the doctor's prescription, and went West. [Illustration: A. E. Horton]