William Samuel Horton (1865 – 1936): A Pioneer of American Impressionism William Samuel Horton was born November 16, 1865, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, into a wealthy family. From early childhood, he demonstrated an exceptional talent for drawing and painting—a passion that would define his life’s trajectory. Despite parental disapproval regarding his independent spirit, Horton pursued his artistic ambitions relentlessly, enrolling at t…