OXLEY, Fred J.

OXLEY, SANFORD, VINCENT

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 9/15/2005 at 21:58:12

Fred J. Oxley, living on section 9, Magor township, Hancock county, has substantial possessions in farm lands and is engaged quite extensively in the raising of hags. He has also become identified with financial and other business interests of the county and is one of the progressive and representative men of his section of the state. He was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 14th of August, 1863, and is one of the thirteen children of William and Maria (Vincent) Oxley, who were natives of England and in 1852 came to America.

Reared upon the home farm in his native county, Fred J. Oxley began his education as a district school pupil when a little lad of about six years and pursued his studies as opportunity offered until he reached the age of eighteen. In 1864 the family removed to Fayette county, Iowa, where our subject was employed as a farm hand for four years, when, feeling that his age and experience justified his starting in business on his own account, he came to Hancock county, locating, in Magor township in 1881. There he rented land which he cultivated for four years. While thus engaged he carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase property. His land was raw, unbroken prairie land when it came into his possession, but today his farm is one of the best equipped in the county and his home possesses all the modern conveniences. His holdings now include one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 9, Magor township, eighty acres on section 8 of the same township and two hundred acres in Freeborn county, Minnesota. He makes a specialty of raising Duroc and Chester White hogs and that branch of his business is proving very profitable. He has also become interested in other business projects and is now president of the Commercial Savings Bank, a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank and for twelve years has been president of the telephone company of Corwith.

On the 20th of April, 1887, Mr. Oxley was united in marriage to Miss Julia Sanford, a daughter of John V. and Loecada Sanford. She passed away in April, 1897. There were three children of that marriage: Fred B., who is now married and resides in Minnesota; Hilton J., whose death occurred in 1895; and Mildred J., who was graduated in June, 1917, from St. Mary's College at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Oxley later married Miss Elizabeth Pybus, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hoppe) Pybus, who were natives of England. The children of the second marriage were:. Leslie V.; Gladys, who died in March, 1902; Gail; and John H.

Mrs. Oxley is actively interested in the raising of chickens, making a specialty of Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks. She uses incubators entirely for batching and in 1917 is raising one thousand chickens. She also has Indian Runner ducks and the fine poultry makes a very pleasing and interesting feature of the farm.

In politics Mr. Oxley is a republican and has been called upon to fill various positions of honor and trust. He was county supervisor for nine years and did much to further public interests in that connection. He has also been township trustee and the cause of education has long received his stalwart support, his
activities as a member and president of the school board doing much for progress along that line. He is also well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Yeomen. He and his wife bold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and they are highly esteemed socially, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 262.