Ancestors should be remembered and honored. Among those who should not be forgotten are those who left no descendants, but are collateral branches on someone else’s tree.

Aulton Edward Horne, son of Minnie Mae Williams and her second husband, Charlie Horne, was mentioned in his mother’s obituary that I posted yesterday. He was born either 10 or 12 March 1910 in Plainview, Hale County, Texas. This is the only photo I have of Aulton with Minnie, as adults. Aulton looks quite young here so I would guess the picture was taken in the 1930’s.

Aulton & Minnie Horne

Technically, he was a half uncle of my father-in-law and a half grand uncle to my husband. In reality, Aulton was considered nothing less than a regular, well-loved uncle to Ed Stufflebean, my father-in-law.

As stated in Minnie’ obituary, Aulton was a veteran of World War II serving as a PFC in the U.S. Army. He enlisted on 9 April 1942 in Abilene, Texas for the duration of the war plus six months. At the time Minnie died in 1945, the war was drawing to a close and Aulton was in Guam.

Aulton had married Elsie Pryor sometime before the 1940 census. She was born on 19 March 1909 in Hill County, Texas, but they were living in Hamilton Precinct #1 in Hamilton County, Texas in 1940. Aulton and Elsie never had any children.

Aulton & Elsie Horne during the war

Aulton’s father, Charlie Horne, ran a laundry business and Alton followed the same trade so he and Elsie moved several times during their married life.

This is one of the most recent photos I have of Aulton, taken with his half sister, Pearl.

Aulton & Pearl

Although Aulton, due to his military service, would be considered part of the “Greatest Generation,” he unfortunately died long before that term was coined. He passed away at the very young age of 49 years old in Dallas, Texas, first suffering a heart attack, followed by a stroke on 22 November 1959.

Aulton was buried at Crown Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.  Elsie survived him by many years, passing away on 5 May 1997, also in Dallas, Texas. She was buried next to husband Aulton.

Remembering Aulton Edward Horne –  a part of the Greatest Generation and beloved uncle of Edward Stufflebean.