My Genealogy Hound

HORACE HAUNTON, a prominent citizen of Westhampton, and in charge of the Loudville grist-mill, was born in County Norfolk, England, December 13, 1850, son of Thomas and Miriam (Ellis) Haunton, both natives of the same county. Thomas Haunton, who was a shoe-maker, worked at his trade up to the time of his death in 1872. His wife lived through seventeen years of widowhood, passing away in 1889. They had a large family — fifteen children — five of whom died in infancy. The others were named: Miriam, Fannie, Thomas, Sarah, Ellen, Hermon, Tabor, Charles, Horace, and Horeb.

Horace Haunton received his education in the national schools of England, and at sixteen started to earn a livelihood in a paper-mill. At the end of two years he obtained employment in the chemical works at Thetford, where he remained four years. He had a brother-in-law living in America, from whom he heard good accounts of the country; and in 1872 he sailed for the United States, taking passage on the “James Foster, Jr.” The voyage occupied five tedious weeks, and Mr. Haunton was well pleased at the end of that time to find himself in the city of New York. He went direct to Loudville and obtained work in a paper-mill owned by Caleb Loud, remaining three years. In 1875 he went to Georgetown, Province of Ontario, Canada, and, obtaining work in the government mills under the charge of William Barber & Brothers, paper manufacturers, remained something over four years. He returned to Loudville in 1880, and again entered the employ of Mr. Loud. Nine years after he was made superintendent of the mill then owned by Buchanan & Bolt. Subsequently he was given charge of the Loudville grist-mill, which he has conducted for two years, making many important repairs. He is also to some extent engaged in farming.

In 1875 Mr. Haunton was married to Mary J. Clark, a native of Unionville, Conn. Her father, Kenas Clark, sacrificed his life on the altar of patriotism, having been killed in the Civil War. Mrs. Haunton died May 3, 1888, leaving four children, namely: Hermon Victor, now in Easthampton; Percy Claude, Charles Kenas, and Mattie Ellen, at home with their father. On December 3, 1890, Mr. Haunton was again married, taking for his wife Susan E., daughter of Franklin and Dorcas Strong, of Westhampton. Mr. and Mrs. Strong are both deceased. Mr. Haunton is a naturalized citizen and a zealous Republican. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to Ionic Lodge of Easthampton. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist, and attends the church in Westhampton, in which he leads the choir. While a strong business man, Mr. Haunton appreciates the refinements of life. He is especially a lover of music, as his office in the church choir indicates; and he is always a willing assistant, when not too inconvenient, in any musical project in need of his services.