On Sept. 1, 1889, Wilkins Perryman Horton was born in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Thomas B. and Mary E. Wilkins Horton. Thomas Horton was a livestock dealer and farmer who served during the Civil War as a Confederate soldier. When he was just three years old, Horton’s family relocated to Pittsboro, North Carolina. 

     Horton attended Raleigh’s Draughon’s Business College before receiving a law degree from the University of North Carolina. 

     In 1915, Horton opened his first law practice in Pittsboro with partner H.R. Haynes. 

     In 1918, Horton began his political career. He served as state senator for the Thirteenth District. During this term, Horton also served as a Chatham County attorney and served one term as president of the North Carolina Railroad. 

     By 1935, Horton’s political aspirations grew, and he left the senate to run for lieutenant governor. Horton was elected and served under Governor Clyde R. Hoey until 1939. His time as lieutenant governor was well appreciated by many and the North Carolina Senate recognized his leadership and organizational skills. 

     Horton then decided to run for governor. His platform throughout his run for governor supported fair taxes, economical government, better public schools, higher teachers' salaries, resource development, improved libraries and wildlife conservation.  He also favored state compensation for children injured in school bus accidents, social security and better pensions for Confederate veterans which was a personal issue for Horton since his father had served for the Confederacy. Horton lost his bid for governor, finishing second to Melvin Broughton. 

     After this loss, Horton returned to Pittsboro to practice law. This time, Horton partnered with Daniel L. Bell, his former campaign manager, and his adopted son, Harry P. Horton.

     Outside of politics, Horton was very involved within his community. At varying points in his life he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, master of the Columbus Lodge of Pittsboro, chairman of the Chatham County Democratic Executive Committee, chairman of the Chatham County Infantile Paralysis Foundation and vice-president of the North Carolina Infantile Paralysis Society.

     In 1944, Horton was elected national committeeman for the Democratic Party. 

     In 1947, he resigned from that post to become the chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Executive Committee. Horton served in this position for a year before he resigned. 

     Around this time, it was speculated that Governor R. Gregg Cherry would appoint Horton U.S. Senator. However, Horton was instead named chairman. 

     In the spring of 1949, Horton was appointed Superior Court judge by Governor W. Kerr Scott. Horton took the bench in July but was only able to serve until December when he became ill during a court session. Horton was taken to Duke Hospital and later died in his home. 

     Horton is buried in the Pittsboro Methodist Church cemetery near his adopted son, Harry Perryman Horton, the first district court judge for Chatham, Orange and Alamance County.