Charles W. Hoxie, 1849-1934

HOXIE, BISHOP, DEAN, TABOR

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/4/2012 at 18:21:12

C.W. Hoxie, 84, Civil War Veteran, Taken by Death
MOURN GRAND OLD MAN OF ANNETT POST
Patriotic Societies in Final Tribute on Tuesday

Charles W. Hoxie, 84, of Spencer, one of the five remaining veterans of the Civil war now residing in this community, passed away at Mercy hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, last Friday, February 9, 1934, following a brief illness resulting from the infirmities occasioned by his advanced age.

In his death Spencer mourns the passing of a soldier, a pioneer, and gentleman. Its citizens stood at the bivouac of the dead Tuesday afternoon as final tribute was accorded to this grand old man of Annett post, number 124, of the Grand Army of the Republic who rested, momentarily, under the folds of the flag he loved before he started the long march to salute and to receive his commission from The Great Commander-in-Chief.

Perhaps those who stood could see him marching with that erect, military carriage that made him so familiar and loved a figure on the streets of Spencer in past years. Straight as a silver-tipped arrow with no hint of the burden of the years he carried. Straight as in the days when he followed Sherman to the sea in the war for the preservation of national unity.

Enlisted When 15

Charles W. Hoxie was born July 7, 1849, at Algamsee, Mich., the son of Orton and Hannah Van Patton Hoxie. He was the oldest of four living children and attended the rural schools of his community until early adolescence.

When just past 15 years of age he heard the call of Abraham Lincoln for volunteers to meet the ever-extending onslaughts of the Confederacy. He enlisted October 7, 1864, In Company I of the 13th Michigan Infantry and was immediately sent to the front.

He fought for his country in the battles of Averysboro, N. C., Bentonville, the Siege of Savannah, and followed General Sherman in his historic march through Georgia to the sea. He was honorably discharged from service July 25, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.

Following his discharge he returned to the home of his parents and farmed with them for about five years. On March 10, 1871, he was united in marriage with Cornelia A. Bishop and the couple moved at once to O'Brien county Iowa, where they took up a homestead and joined the ever-increasing colony of pioneers.

Come to Clay County

Until 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie farmed their homestead but sold it in that year and purchased a farm in Meadow township, Clay county. Here they farmed for six years. For a few times during his farming in O'Brien county he had come to Spencer to reside, but in 1920, he took up a permanent home here at 178 West First street and resided in Spencer until his death.

Mr. Hoxie was a member of the Baptist church for many years and was known for his exemplary Christian life. He also was a member of Annett post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Illustrative of the esteem in which he was held in the community, Mr. Hoxie was elected an honorary member of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce several years ago and often attended its meetings and functions.

For many years, Mr. Hoxie has been known as a writer of poetry along religious and patriotic lines His writings were known to everyone and he was a frequent contributor to the columns of The News-Herald. His annual contributions on days of patriotic significance and at the time of each Clay county fair came to be looked forward to by readers.

Surviving Relatives

Surviving to mourn his death, in addition to the host of friends who salute his memory, are his wife and two daughters, Alice Tabor and Mina Dean, and two sons, Frank O. Hoxie of Mound, La., and Ray Hoxie of Worthington, Minn.; five grandchildren, and also two brothers, Myron B. Hoxie of Battle Creek, Mich., and Fred Hoxie of Algamsee, Mich.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Grace Methodist Episcopal church in Spencer, interment being made in Riverside cemetery here. The church was filled by the many who came to join in the final requiem and by the members of the various patriotic societies who attended in groups.

A family service at the Cobb Funeral home preceded the church rites which were conducted by Rev. H. E. Hutchinson, pastor of the Grace M. E. church.

Members of the Spencer encampment of the Sons of Veterans and Glen Pedersen post of the American Legion were seated in a reserved section in the main auditorium while members of the Women's Relief Corps filled the adjoining room. Representing Annett post of the Grand Army of the Republic were John Runkle and I. H. Sargent. Seated with them was Major D. M. Odle, chaplain of Annett post and a veteran of the Spanish-American war. Aaron Jones of Dickens and C. H. Harriman, the two other surviving members of Annett post, were unable to be present.

Take Part in Rites

Mrs. C. D. Eckerman at the organ played a funeral prelude and recessional, the latter including the melody of "Marching Through Georgia," commemorative of Mr. Hoxie's war service. "No Night There" and "Pearly White City," two vocal selections, were sung by a quartette composed of Miss Edna Holstrom, Miss Maxine Peterson, W. R. Clifford and O. C. Rieste, Mrs. Eckerman accompanying. Following the memorial address by Rev. Hutchinson, the Sons of Veterans gathered about the casket to conduct special patriotic rites. Members of the W.R.C. also performed a ritual. Commander R.G. Hekel of the American Legion, R.A. Peterson and Harley Jones served as a color guard.

Frank J. O'Brien, Ed Squier, L.E. Dye, W.H. Annett, D. H. Logan and Lester J. Winn served as casket bearers.

As the body of Mr. Hoxie was laid to rest taps were sounded over the grave and members of the Legion presented to Mrs. Hoxie the flag that had covered the casket during the services.

Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; February 16, 1934.

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Poem Serves as Requiem for its Author, C.W. Hoxie

One of the poems written by Charles W. Hoxie was used Tuesday afternoon by Dr. H. E. Hutchinson
as the theme of the memorial service at the Grace Methodist Episcopal church that marked a
sorrowing community's final gesture of love and respect.

In its lines were reflected the simplicity of his faith, the beauty of his belief, and in its final stanzas an inspiring courage born of certainty. No text or words could have more completely expressed the philosophy of Charles W. Hoxie than these words which he wrote from the experience of his own soul:

"Oh, what blessings there for me,
In that blessed home to be;
In that home prepared for me,
Blessed Savior, there with Thee.

Out in that home that's far away,
Out in the realms of endless day,
Jut beyond the Jordan's shore,
'here we'll meet to part no more.

"In that bright and gladsome day,
May we hear our Savior say,
In that home that's far away—
'Blessings on thy soul today.'

"Oh, What joys Thou hast for me
When Thy blessed face I see,
When this fleeting life is o'er
And we meet—to part no more.

"Blessed Savior, keep my soul
While the angry billows roll.
May I hear Thee say to me:
'Fear not! I am keeping Thee'."

Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; February 16, 1934.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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