 |
|
 |
|
BIXBY BROTHERS, Clarence and Clayton Bixby, of Cedar township, Benton county, own and operate one hundred and sixty acres in sections 18 and 19. Clayton Bixby was born in 1850, in Illinois, and came to Benton county in 1864, with his parents and the other children, the journey being made by team. Clarence Bixby was born in 1859, in Illinois, and came to Benton county with the others. They are sons of Warren and Marcia (Hawkins) Bixby. The father, a son of Loren and Sarah Bixby, was born in Vermont, where his parents were both born and reared. He also lived in his native state until he was twenty years of age, and had worked away from home several years. At the age of twenty-one he went to Ohio, where he learned the cooper's trade working there about fifteen years, and in the meantime marrying. On April 8, 1843, he removed to Illinois, and after remaining there twelve years he settled in Benton county, Iowa, where he rented a farm four years and then purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. He had no near neighbors, and set out to improve his wilderness farm. He later purchased another eighty acres near the first, and carried on farming the remainder of his life. He died March 12, 1901.
Warren Bixby was a man of great ambition and high purpose, and became very successful. He was a capable and industrious farmer, and was held in high esteem by his associates. His wife was a daughter of Samuel and Matilda (White) Hawkins; her parents came from New York and Vermont, respectively, as pioneers of Ohio, and in a day when the state was heavily timbered, cleared their land and brought it from a wild state to one of cultivation. Mercia Hawkins was born in Vermont, July 18, 1820, and reared in her native state. She removed to Ohio with her parents, and there married. She died February 16, 1904, on the old homestead. Warren Bixby and his wife had children as follows: Emma, born June 23, 1844, and died in 1884, who married (first) Rufus Worthen, who died in Andersonville Prison, in the Civil war, and (second) James Maxfield; Ellen Maria, wife of Thomas Brown, who died in 1880; Clayton Aurelius; Gertrude M., wife of Edward Irons, who died in 1901; Marcia M., who died in infancy; and Clarence M.
The Bixby Brothers have spent all their time on the home farm since first removing there and are considered enterprising and successful farmers. They make a specialty of fine horses, and are the owners of two full-blooded imported Percheron stallions and two of the same breed imported Percheron brood mares, besides a number of other horses. They also have fine hogs and other stock. They have put their farm into fine condition, and take great pride in their work. Both of them are adherents of the Republican party, and are public-spirited, useful citizens. Their farm is located near LaPorte.
 |
