Alonzo Horton, Father of San Diego

Prior to his arrival in San Diego in 1867, Alonzo Horton had an assortment of occupations ranging from making baskets and barrels to trading cattle, land and wheat. He had been a grocer, sailor, wrestler and furniture dealer. He also serviced California gold miners and fended off a riot in Panama. Before arriving on the west coast, Alonzo founded the village of Hortonville, Wisconsin in 1848.