Maj. Horton possessed more than an ordinary fund of cheerfulness and joviality; and his humorous and genial nature was an unfailing source of interest and life in the family and in the social circle. He was a careful business man. Though long engaged in mercantile pursuits, he never had occasion to fear financial crises or revulsions, living always prepared at any moment to honor his pecuniary obligations. Punctuality and promptness were marked characteristics of the man. To perform was more pleasing to him than to promise; in enterprises for the public good he was always among the first. He was constable for many years, Justice of the Peace for five years, and declined a re-election; was Treasurer of the County for two years, and was one of the electors on the Democratic electoral ticket in 1848. He was Captain and then Major in the militia, and from 1828 to 1835 Brigade Inspector. Though not a public professor of Christianity, he was its friend and supporter, and conscientiously and habitually practised its virtues. He was uniformly in attendance upon public worship, and paid more money for the Terrytown Tabernacle (Union meeting-house) than any other person. He was popular and pleasing in his manners, and politically a man of mark, but never a _politician_--holding office only when the office sought him. His end was quiet and peaceful. "The 'Angel's Whisper' stole in song upon his closing ear; From his own daughter's lips it came, so musical and clear, That scarcely knew the dying man what melody was there: The last of earth's or first of heaven's pervading all the air."