in 1855 Eli Horton patented a lathe chuck that was subsequently manufactured by E. Horton & Son Company The firm would later claim to have been established in 1851. Eli Horton's original lathe chuck design could be used as both a universal chuck (similar action to a scroll chuck) or an independent 4-jaw chuck. Other designs were available in sizes up to 42 inches in diameter. They also made the Morrow drill chuck.

Advertisement from August 1912 Machinery

Information Sources

• December 1909 Machinery, page 321, illustrated article, "S. E. Horton Four-Jaw Independent Chucks". On page 342, in a listing of new catalogs: "S. E. Horton Machine Co., Windsor Locks, Conn. Price list of four-jaw independent reversible jaw chucks, made in seven sizes, covering the usual ratings of 8-inch to 26-inch sizes inclusive."
• July 1912 Steam, page 26.

  The business interests of the E. Horton & Son Company, and of the S. E. Horton Machine Company, Windsor Locks, Conn., have been consolidated, and the management of the combined industries will be undertaken by Sidney E. Horton, formerly superintendent of E. Horton & Son Company.

• November 1913 Machinery, page 176, in a listing of new catalogs: "E. Horton & Son Co., Windsor Locks, Conn. Catalogue No. 12 of lathe chucks, faceplate jaws and drill chucks, including the Morrow ball-bearing self-tightening drill chuck. The catalogue lists the new lines of the S. E. Horton Machine Co. with those of the E. Horton & Son Co., thus forming a complete line of chucks for all purposes."
• 1914 Special Acts and Resolutions of the State of Connecticut, Volume XVI, page 1314, in a listing of new incorporations: "S. E. Horton Machine Company / Windsor Locks / (certificate of incorporation filed) May 20, 1909". On page 1380, in a listing of corporate dissolutions: "S. E. Horton Machine Company, Windsor Locks, certificate filed October 4, 1912."
• Iron Age,V107, 14 Apr, 1921 pg. 997.

  The E. Horton & Son Co., Windsor Locks Conn., manufacturer of “Horton” chucks has acquired the manufacturing rights and business of the “Ellison” drill chuck, including plant and equipment, from the American Machine Co., Hartford, Conn. All tools, fixtures and other manufacturing equipment formerly used by the American Machine Co. in the manufacture of these chucks including a complete stock of chucks and parts have been taken over by the Horton company, and production is now being made at the company’s plant in Windsor Locks.

• 2019 book by M. D. Montemerlo, Windsor Locks History: Volume II, pages 215-224, has a detailed history of this company.
• Findagrave.com entries for Eli Horton (1803-1878), son Stoddard Ellsworth Horton (1833-1873), and grandson Sidney Ellsworth Horton (1869-1969), who in 1912 was president of the E. Horton & Son Co., as indicated in the ad shown above.
• We have seen photos of a four-jaw chuck that is marked, "Made by S. E. Horton Machine Co. / Windsor Locks, Conn. / NOT — the E. Horton & Son Co." There is also a trademark with the words "Trade / SE / Chucks / Mark" in a diamond. More research is needed to understand how this S. E. Horton Machine Co. relates to the E. Horton & Son Co., and when it was active.