Horace Capron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Capron
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Horace Capron (approx. 1861–1865)
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| United States Commissioner of Agriculture | |
| In office December 4, 1867 – July 31, 1871 |
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| President | Andrew Johnson Ulysses S. Grant |
| Preceded by | Isaac Newton |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Watts |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1804 Attleboro, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 1885 (aged 80) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery Georgetown, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Children | 6, including Horace Capron Jr. |
| Awards | Order of the Rising Sun |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America
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| Branch/service |  United States Army
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| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank |  Brevet Brigadier General (after leaving active service) |
| Commands |  14th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | |
Horace Capron (born August 31, 1804 – died February 22, 1885) was an American who had many different jobs. He was a businessman and a farmer. He helped start the town of Laurel, Maryland. During the American Civil War, he was an officer for the Union Army.
Later, he became the United States Commissioner of Agriculture, a top government official for farming, under Presidents Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant. He also worked as an important advisor to Japan, helping them develop the island of Hokkaidō. After he passed away, his large collection of Japanese art was sold to the Smithsonian Institution.
Contents
Early Life and Business Ventures
Horace Capron was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts. His father, Seth Capron, was a doctor who also owned wool mills. Horace learned about mills from a young age. He later managed several cotton mills, including Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland.
In 1834, Horace married Louisa Victoria Snowden. Her family owned a large estate called Montpelier Mansion. Horace and Louisa had six children together. One of their sons, Horace Capron Jr., later received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War.
Horace was very involved in using machines in cotton mills starting in 1835. He helped create the Patuxent Manufacturing Company. This company ran the Laurel Mill, a cotton mill on the Patuxent River. Through this work, he and his partners helped start the town of Laurel Factory, which is now Laurel, Maryland.
After facing financial difficulties with the mill, Horace moved to a farm in Illinois. His mother and sister, Louisa Thiers, were already living there. Louisa Thiers became famous for being the first person verified to live to be 111 years old. In Illinois, Horace remarried Margaret Baker and became a dedicated farmer. He tried new farming methods, wrote articles, and won awards for his work.
Military Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Horace Capron was asked to form and lead the 14th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. He was the oldest cavalry officer in the Union Army. He fought in many battles and skirmishes, from Kentucky to Georgia.
Sadly, his eldest son, Horace Capron Jr., was killed in battle. Horace himself left the army in 1864 due to an injury. He was later given the honorary rank of Brevet Brigadier General.
Capron was made a lieutenant colonel in 1862 and then a colonel in 1863. He commanded different groups of soldiers during the war. He led his regiment in the Knoxville campaign in 1863. At the Battle of Walker's Ford, his soldiers, armed with Henry repeating rifles, helped stop a Confederate attack.
He also led a brigade at the Battle of Bean's Station. His troops were pushed back by Confederate soldiers. Later, he served in the Atlanta campaign and the Franklin–Nashville campaign. He was involved in several smaller fights leading up to the major Battle of Nashville.
After his military service, his experience led him to be appointed as a Commissioner in the United States Department of Agriculture in 1867.
Helping Japan Develop
In 1870, Kiyotaka Kuroda, a Japanese official, asked Horace Capron to be a special advisor. Kuroda was visiting the United States and wanted Capron to help develop Hokkaidō, a large island in northern Japan. Capron agreed and traveled to Japan. The Japanese government paid him a large sum of money for his help.
Capron spent four years in Hokkaidō. He suggested many ways to develop the island. He introduced large-scale farming using American methods and tools. He brought in seeds for Western fruits, vegetables, and crops. He also brought livestock, like his favorite Devon and Durham cattle.
He set up experimental farms and had the land surveyed for minerals and farming areas. He also suggested improvements for water systems, mills, and roads. Because the climate in Hokkaidō was similar to parts of the United States, he recommended planting wheat and rye. This led to the creation of Sapporo Beer, one of Japan's first breweries. He also helped design the city of Sapporo with an American-style grid plan.
Capron admired the Ainu people of Hokkaidō, comparing them to Native Americans. He also respected the Japanese people. He believed that adopting Western culture would help Japan grow quickly.
During his time in Japan, Capron met with Emperor Meiji three times. The Emperor was very interested in Capron's work. In 1884, nine years after he left Japan, Horace Capron received the Order of the Rising Sun (2nd class). This was a high honor for his work in transforming Hokkaidō.
Later Years and Legacy
After returning from Japan, Capron continued to have connections with the country. He helped Japan buy livestock and military equipment. He even sold his house in Washington, D.C., to become Japan's first Embassy in the United States. He also spent time writing about his life.
On February 21, 1885, Horace Capron attended the dedication of the Washington Monument. It was a very cold day, and the extreme weather was too much for the 80-year-old Capron. He suffered a stroke and passed away the next day. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
During his time in Japan, Capron collected many pieces of Japanese art and antiques. After his death, his wife Margaret sold this collection to the Smithsonian Institution. It became an important part of the Smithsonian's Asian art collection.
Images for kids
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Grave of Capron at Oak Hill Cemetery
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