Introduction

Early Years: 1804-1834

Laurel Years (1835-50)

A Life in Transition (1851-1859)

Civil War (1860-68)

Department of Agriculture (1866-1871)

Japan (1871-1875)

Final Years (1875-1885)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Home

 

Horace Capron's life and fortunes suffered major setbacks starting around 1849. Louisa died March 27, 1849,  at the age of 37. She was buried in the Snowden family cemetery, along with an infant son Nicholas, who had died in 1836. Horace was was left a widower with 5 children:  Horace Capron Jr., Albert, Osmond, Adeline, and Elizabeth. It is possible that his sister, Louisa Kirwan Thiers, who was living in Laurel at the time, helped care for the family.

			Horace Capron's youngest sister Louisa Kirwan Thiers. She and her husband moved to Laurel around 1848 and lived there until 1850. She later moved to Wisconsin and lived to be 111 (!) years old.
Economic Disaster
Horace also faced economic disaster.  Prices of his stocks fell.  His debts increased.  Was it because of the economic recession?  Mismanagement?  Overextension of his agricultural interests--or all three? "The primary cause of my troubles...was no doubt the result of an over weening confidence in my abilities for overcoming every obstacles that came in my way...The commendation of  the press of the whole country had confirmed it."  Horace Capron Autobiography p. 78 Capron became an "Insolvent Debtor" and lost all his possessions, his manufacturing and his agriculture properties.  He and his family left Laurel, though it would be years before his affairs were completely settled.