[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] pursue the avocation of a farmer. He has taken an active part in local politics and is widely known and respected throughout Westchester County. He early connected himself with the Dem-ocratic party, and was elected in April, 1865, commis-sioner of highways for three years. In 1866, while still commissioner, he was elected to till the office of justice of the peace, which he still holds. In 1868 he was elected supervisor and was re-elected the fol-lowing year. He is a stockholder in the Peekskill National Bank and largely acquainted in business circles in and about that place. He married, March 1, 1848, Mary F. Tompkins, daughter of Samuel Tompkins. They 440 HISTORY OF WESTCHESTEB COUNTY. have three children — Henry B., Ferdinand (formerly town clerk) and Annie A. William James Horton, son of Hon. Frost Horton and Phebe Tompkins, and at present supervisor of the town of Yorktown, was born there December 10, 1828. Soon after his birth he accompanied the fam-ily to the adjoining town of Pee'kskill, where he at-■ tended the public school and also enjoyed a short term in the 1'eekskill Academy. In the spring of 1845 he entered the Drury Academy, at North Adams, Massachusetts, where he remained for three years, finishing his studies in 1848.