WILIAM F. PAXTON

PAXTON, ST JOHN, SPINIER

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/15/2004 at 21:01:11

"William F. Paxton is engaged in general farming on section 1, Summerset township, where he has a good property comprising one hundred and sixty-six acres. He was born in Tama county, Iowa, on the 19th of April, 1868, a son of Frank and Clarissa (St. John) Paxton, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Soon after their marriage they came to Iowa and were accompanied by Amos Paxton, the paternal grandfather of William F. Paxton. This was about the year 1855. They settled in Tama county, where the father and grandfather cut timber, which they hauled to the mill and had lumber sawed, from which to build their houses. After it was sawed, however, they needed money so badly that they sold the lumber and built log houses for themselves. Times were so hard and conditions so unpleasant that when sitting at the table eating his corn bread, which was the principal food of the family, the grandfather would frequently cry and wish himself back in Ohio working in the paper mills at seventy-five cents per day but did not have the money to return and accordingly was forced to remain. In time conditions changed as the result of their labors. The land which was entered by the father and grandfather is still in the possession of the family and is today worth more than two hundred dollars per acre. Frank Paxton died about eleven years ago but his widow survives and yet owns the home farm of three hundred and five acres, although she resides in Mantour.

William Paxton remained with his parents during the period of his boyhood and youth and was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, sharing in all the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of the frontier. He acquired his education in the district schools. The building in which he pursued his studies was afterward purchased by his father for a chicken house, a fact which indicates something of its size. After attaining his majority William Paxton continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until his thirtieth year. He rented land for a year. In 1900 he purchased eighty acres of his present farm and the following year removed to Adair county, taking up his abode upon the land which he had previously acquired. Subsequently he bought eighty-six acres adjoining, so that he is now the owner of an excellent farm property. His land is naturally rich and arable and he has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation. His farm methods are at all times practical and progressive and he has steadily advanced in the attainment of success, being now at the head of a business which is bringing him substantial returns.

Mr. Paxton was married in 1898 to Miss Mathilda Spinier, of Tama county, and by this union there has been born a son, Orville M. Mr. Paxton is a republican in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. His life has been one of untiring industry and persistent and intelligently directed labor has brought him the success which now classes him with the substantial farmers of the district."

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