Bixby, Benjamin F. (1828-1914)

BIXBY

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Date: 10/11/2006 at 01:04:50

Benjamin F. Bixby
June 17, 1828 - Nov 21, 1914

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.140, Layton Twp.)
B. F. Bixby, ticket and express agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, Walnut; born in Norridgewock, Me., June 17, 1828, son of Rufus and Betsey (Weston) Bixby, he a farmer, born at Norridgewock in 1796, participated in the war of 1812, and is still living; she born in Madison, Me., in 1798, died April 17, 1882. They had fourteen children, viz., Mary, Solomon E., Llewyn, Caroline N., William W., Ann L., Elizabeth, Lyman Munson, Munson, Lyman, A. B., Sarah A., Ann L. and B. F., our subject, who received an academic education, attending the Bloomfield and Brunswick Academies of Maine, graduating from the latter in 1851. Commenced life as a school-teacher, following the profession from the time he graduated until 1852; when the gold fever broke out, he left home for California, going by way of Chili, making a stop at Valparaiso, and while there he assisted in rescuing the Captain of the ship Florida who was imprisoned by the city authorities. After a period of six years in California, where he was engaged in mining, he returned in 1859. Moved to Madison County, this State, where he remained until 1864, when he enlisted in Company E, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry. Served until the closed of the war. Returned to Madison County and engaged in speculation. Moved, in 1868, to Dallas County, where he was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and now has full charge of the depot at Walnut. Subject was married, in Winterset, Madison County, this State, in September, 1859 to Mary A. Hornback, born in Indiana in May 1842, daughter of Abraham and Martha Cornell, he born on Scioto River, Ohio, in 1802, she in 1804. Mr. and Mrs. Bixby have five children, viz., Franklin, William R., Mintie M., Derrick Lloyd and Bessie. Subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican, and his brother William W. is a civil engineer and surveyor; surveyed the route of the Northern Pacific Railroad from St. Paul to Puget Sound, W. T. His brother Solomon E., is a pastor of a Congregational Church in Holland, Mass.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa p.530)
BENJAMIN F. BIXBY descends from an old American family who have been famous as soldiers and pioneers from old colonial times. Deacon Solomon BIXBY, grandfather of our subject, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was the father of eight children, viz.: Amasa, Rufus, Amos, Sumner, Jotham, Jonathan, Simon, Deborah and Nancy. The father emigrated to the State of Maine, and settled at Norridgewock, on the Kennebec River, during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He lived to the age of sixty-six years, and was a prominent member of the Congregational Church, in which he was a deacon for many years. He was one of the founders of the church in Norridgewock, and was a prosperous farmer, owning one of the finest farms in the State.
Rufus BIXBY, a son of the above and the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead at Norridgewock in 1796, and received a common-school education. He was married to Betty WESTON, daughter of Deacon Benjamin WESTON, who was born at Skowhegan, Maine, and was a son of a Revolutionary soldier. He was one of ARNOLD's brave soldiers who invaded the then impenetrable and unexplored forests of Northern Maine in the late fall and early winter. Mr. WESTON received his death from exposure. He reached home and died two weeks after his return. Mr. and Mrs. Rufus BIXBY were the parents of fourteen children, three of whom died young: Solomon, William, Benjamin F., Augustus, Mary, Caroline, Elizabeth, Eunice and Sarah. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a deacon in the Congregational Church. He lived to the age of eighty-five years.
Benjamin F. BIXBY, the subject of this sketch, was born on his grandfather's farm at Norridgewock, Maine, June 17, 1828, and received a good academical education at the old academies of Bloomfield, Anson and Thompson. He began life as a school-teacher at Madison, Maine, and on the Penobscot Bay. In March, 1852, he sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to California. While his vessel was stopping at Chili for a supply of water during an insurrection there, they found Captain BROWN, of the bark Florida, held a prisoner by the Chilian authorities, accused of aiding the insurgents; and at night the captain of Mr. BIXBY's vessel rescued BROWN and immediately put to sea, expecting to be followed by a man-of war. The former carried two large guns, besides small arms and cutlasses, and was ready for defense. The next day, however, Captain BROWN was placed aboard his own vessel, and went on his way rejoicing.
On arrival in California Mr. BIXBY mined for gold at Volcano, Placerville and Cedarville. He followed this business quite successfully four years, and then went into the dairy business in Jackson, California, which he continued two years. He then returned to Maine to visit his relatives, and in 1858 came to Winterset, Iowa. He obeyed the call of his country, and enlisted in Company E, Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served at Helena, Arkansas. He was taken sick with malarial fever, and came near death. He was in the hospital at Helena, in the old residence of General HINDMAN, a noted Confederate General. After serving out his time, Mr. BIXBY, returned home to Winterset, and was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, September 28, 1864. He was shattered by the malaria and for two years was disabled. He then went into the employ of the Rock Island Railroad in the depot at De Soto, Iowa, for five years. In 1874 he came to Walnut in the employ of the same railroad company, as station agent, in which capacity he served fourteen years; he was also agent for the United States Company. Mr. BIXBY's long service with the Rock Island Company is the best indication of his character and of his faithful and honest services. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster under Harrison, and is now filling that office to the satisfaction of the Government and the people of Walnut. He is well fitted for this position by his long business training, his pleasant and courteous disposition, and his accommodating way of dealing with the people. He is a member of JOHN A. DIX Post, G. A. R., No. 408, Walnut, of which he has been adjutant many years. In his political principles he is a Republican.
Mr. BIXBY was married in Winterset, Iowa, in September, 1859, to Miss Mary A. HORNBACK, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (McCONNELL) HORNBACK. The father was a native of Ohio, and of German descent, and was a resident of La Fayette, Indiana, for many years. He settled in Madison County, Iowa, in 1852, and died in 1884, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was the father of six children: James, George, John, Elizabeth, Nancy and Mary A. To Mr. and Mrs. BIXBY have been born five children: Franklin (deceased at five years of age), William, Loyd, Maud and Bessie. William W. BIXBY, the next eldest brother of our subject, made the first survey ever made to the Pacific Coast, about 1854-'55, which was made for a railroad from St. Paul to Puget Sound. Lyman, the younger brother, was a soldier in a Maine regiment, and was captured at the battle of Cold Harbor. He was a Lieutenant, and was in charge of the company when captured. He was six months in Andersonville and Libby prisons, and escaped from the former, and after nine days in the swamp was recaptured by means of bloodhounds. He was finally exchanged. He saw service before Richmond, being for two weeks under fire at one time.