University of Virginia Library

WILLIAM HENRY HORTON

William Henry Horton represents the fifth generation
of the Horton family of the same name. His father,
his grandfather, his great grandfather and his great,
great grandfather were
all named William
Henry. His sires for
four generations were
physicians, but he failed
to qualify for the
practice of the profession.
He was born
in Nelson County, Virginia,
May 11th, 1862,
being a son of Dr.
William Henry and
Bettie Anne (Roberts)
Horton, and is of English
descent. His father and
grandfather were
natives of Campbell
County, Virginia. As a
boy he attended the
schools of Nelson
County and was one year in the Lexington High
School. He was reared on a farm, and in early manhood
engaged in various mercantile pursuits. He located
in Roanoke on September 15th, 1886, and opened
a livery business in the Trout farm stables, located on
the site now occupied by the Roanoke Times. An apple
orchard surrounded the barns, extending back to
Franklin Road. In 1889 Mr. Horton associated with
him, John M. Roberts in the livery business under the
firm name of Horton & Roberts, and he, himself, engaged
in the real estate business. He invested largely
and when the depression and panic came in 1893, like
others, he went to the wall. For the second time he
gave his attention to the livery business, but never lost
confidence in Roanoke's future. He purchased the
business of W. C. Williams and began supplying livery
service for the summer resorts of Virginia, West Virginia,
and North Carolina. He prospered, and after
paying his "boom" obligations his surplus money was
again invested in Roanoke real estate. His investments
were judicious and to-day he owns some fine inside
business property, both improved and unimproved, including
the Horton Building adjoining the Post Office.
His beautiful home, "Nestlebrooke," comprises a valuable
one hundred and seventy-five acre farm situated
in the northwestern part of Roanoke and within the
city limits, being one of the most valuable tracts of
land in the country.

On July 23d, 1890, he married Susie G. Roberts,
daughter of Colonel Nathaniel and Mary Jane Roberts
of Greenfield, Indiana. Mrs. Mary Jane Roberts was
a daughter of the late Andrew Campbell of Monroe
County, West Virginia. Mrs. Horton is a native of
West Virginia, having been born in Monroe County
and removed with her parents to Indiana at the age
of two years.