M. T. SEXSMITH

SEXSMITH, KINMOUTH, MOORE, DONNELLY

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/15/2004 at 19:16:58

"M. T. Sexsmith, who passed away June 9, 1907, after a period of residence covering four decades in Adair county, was during all those years actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits and at the time of his demise owned six hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. His birth occurred in the state of New York on the 14th of March, 1842, and he is a son of Matthew and Janette (Kinmouth) Sexsmith, natives respectively of New York and Scotland. The father was an extensive lumber dealer and spent his entire life in New York state. His wife also passed away there. To them were born eight children but all are now deceased but four: a son, William, who is living in Creston, iowa; two daughters who reside in Buffalo, New York; and a daughter who makes her home in East Meredity, New York.

M. T. Sexsmith, who was reared and educated in the state of New York, removed westward to Illinois but after a year spent in Henry county, that state, returned to New York and there remained during the winter. In the fall of 1866 he came to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing and locating on a farm in Summerset township which he improved and continued to operate until called to his final rest. Success attended his undertakings as an agriculturist and at the time of his demise he owned six hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. The family also own a handsome residence in the city of Greenfield, where Mrs. Sexsmith now makes her home. Mrs. Sexsmith and her daughter Gertrude manage the rental of the farm property and conduct all their business interests in an able manner that insures them a gratifying income.

On the 15th of April, 1874, Mr. Sexsmith was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Moore) Donnelly, and a native of New York. Her parents spent their entire lives in New York state. They had six children, four of whom survive, namely: Thomas, a resident of the state of New York; J. M., a practicing physician of Troy, New York; Mrs. Elizabeth Sexsmith; and Mary, who lives in the state of New York. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sexsmith numbered three children. Thaddeus J. was graduated from the Greenfield high school and was also a student in the Highland Park College at Des Moines. After leaving school he returned home and assisted in the operation of the farm until his demise, which occurred on the 25th of September, 1907. Gertrude is a high-school graduate and is still at home. Edna K. pursued a high-school course and is also a graduate of the University of Iowa, while at the present time she is attending the medical department of the University of Illinois.

Mr. Sexsmith passed away on the 9th of June, 1907, when sixty-five years of age, and his remains were interred in the Greenfield cemetery, the community thus losing one of its substantial agriculturists and highly respected citizens. Mrs. Sexsmith and her daughter are members of the Presbyterian church and are well known and highly esteemed in the locality where they reside."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.