Goodrich – For more than half a century, Dick Horton has witnessed the evolution of a village.
Now, as the village council commemorates its 50th anniversary at their Oct. 8 meeting, Horton, 85, will hang a commemorative plaque at the administrative building, 7338 South State Road. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
A lifelong village native, Horton was elected to the village council when it first began, in 1957, along with the four other elected officials: Eve Pearson, Ellis Shermon, Don McKinnon and Mike Sealy.
Reminiscing, Horton said he can still remember the very first year the village council became a reality. He recalls a council that dealt with simpler problems.
‘We didn’t start with any money, and when we finally got some, the first thing we wanted to do was put in street lights so the kids would be safer. We only had about 750 residents back then, but we made sure to incorporate our city right away so we could take care of the roads ourselves. That’s why we bought a road grader as soon as we could,? said Horton.
After his four-year term, Horton said he decided to run again in 1961. ‘When I tied with Eve Pearson that year, we drew cards to see who would serve. I drew the lowest card so I lost, but because I had a young family at the time, I was somewhat relieved,? said Horton.
Born in 1921 at the old Wheelock Hospital, Horton’s ancestors arrived in Goodrich around 1840. That’s when the Horton Cemetery and Horton Road got their names, he said.
A self taught banjo player, Horton said he started playing the instrument when he was 12-years-old.
Horton met his wife Barbara at an amateur show when they were seniors at Goodrich High School.
‘Six weeks after we got married I went into the army and was stationed in Marseilles, France,? said Horton.
Retired from Bell Telephone after 36 years, Horton said he was a lineman, worked as an installer and did repair work in engineering. ‘When I finally retired, I was doing outside plant engineering,? he said.
Married for 65 years, Horton lives with Barbara in the same house he built with his brother Karl in 1947.