Hixson, Jacob

HIXSON, SLAGLE, HARPER, WAMSLEY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 19:39:43

Jacob Hixson was formerly a representative citizen of Buena Vista Township and a pioneer settler of Jasper County. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 24, 1815, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Slagle) Hixson, who were natives of West Virginia. He attended the early subscription schools of his native state, and though his privileges in that direction were limited, be became a well-informed man. Upon his father's farm in the Buckeye State he remained until thirty years of age, and then went to West Virginia.

Mr. Hixson was married in that state on the 17th of June 1847, to Miss Margaret Harper, who was born in West Virginia November 9, 1820, and is a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Wamsley) Harper, who were born in the same state as was their daughter. She grew to womanhood in Randolph County and attended the old-time subscription schools of that day, which were held in log houses with greased paper windows, puncheon floor and huge fireplace. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson became the parents of seven children, who are yet living, as follows: John W., Virginia, Adam H., George W., Jacob, Laura A. and Grant W.

In 1852 Mr. Hixson left West Virginia with his family and sought a home in Jasper County, Iowa. Two families made the journey together with two wagons and seven horses. They left their old home the last of October, and after a journey of six weeks reached Monmouth, IL. The weather had then become so cold that they spent the winter in Monmouth. The grandfather, John Hixson, with his family, who had accompanied our subject, left for the Hawkeye State in March, and in April Jacob Hixson reached Jasper County. He immediately made a settlement upon the farm where his widow now lives, in Buena Vista Township. John Hixson and his family also settled in the same township, and here he died in October 1854.

Our subject entered land from the Government and also purchased additional land. His first home was a log cabin, and in 1855 he began building his present residence, to which be removed the following year. Much of the lumber used in its construction was sawed by band, and the laths and shingles were also made in the same way. Mr. Hixson was familiar with frontier life in this locality and was a prominent and influential citizen.

In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In his death, October 11, 1885, the county lost one of her representative and well known pioneers, his family a loving husband and father, and his church a faithful member. His word was as good as his bond, and he was widely known for his strict integrity in all business affairs. Ho was a hard working and industrious man, and left to his family a fine farm, which yields to them a good income. Mrs. Hixson is still living on the old homestead and is one of the pioneer women of the county. She is beloved by all who know her,
for she possesses many excellencies of character. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 91