William Pixler has clearly demonstrated his energy
and progressiveness in connection with the
agricultural and live-stock industries in his native
county and is the owner of one of the well-improved
farms of Mendon township, where he is successfully
prosecuting his operation in diversified agriculture
and the raising of fine horses cattle and hogs. He
has not faltered in loyalty to his native county and
is contributing his quota to its civic and industrial
prosperity; the while he has secure place in popular
confidence and good will In the township of Mendon,
Clayton county, Iowa.
William Pixler was born on the 24th of June, 1867,
and he is a son of Amos and Sarah Ann (Markle)
Pixler, the former of whom was born in the State of
Indiana and the latter in the city of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. Coming to Clayton county in the pioneer
period of its history, Amos Pixler purchased a tract
of unimproved land in Mendon township and there he
continued his activities as an enterprising farmer
for the entire course of a long and successful
career. He and his wife still maintain their home in
Mendon township, where he is now living virtually
retired in the merited enjoyment of the rewards of
former years of earnest toil and endeavor and honored
as one of the sterling pioneer citizens of the
county, his political allegiance having always been
given to the Republican party. Of the children
Melinda, the first born died in childhood; George
resides on his farm south of McGregor, this county;
Marietta is deceased; William, of this sketch, was
the next in order of birth; Eliza is the wife of
David Shaw, a farmer of Clayton township; and Nathan
is a successful representative of agricultural
enterprise in Mendon township.
William Pixler did not neglect to make good use of
the advantages afforded in the public schools of his
native county and in the meanwhile he gained equally
valuable discipline and experience in connection with
the work of his father's farm. In beginning his
activities as an independent agriculturist he rented
a farm in his home township, and later purchased a
place of eighty acres, this farm continuing to be his
place of residence until he acquired his present
homestead of eighty acres, Mendon township, where he
has since continued his zealous and effective
activities as an up to date agriculturist and
stock-grower. He has found no reason to deviate from
a course of strict allegiance to the Republican
party, but he has had no desire to enter the arena of
practical politics or to become a seeker of public
office of any description, In a fraternal way he is
affiliated with the Woodmen of the World as a member
of the camp at McGregor.
In October 1892, Mr. Pixler wedded Miss Gertrude
Hayes, daughter of Addison and Melissa Hayes, of
Clayton township, and the two children of this union
are George and Orville, both of whom are now
residents of the city of Rockford, Illinois. Mrs.
Pixler was summoned to the life eternal in May, 1899
and on the 6th of July, 1900, was solemnized the
marriage of Mr. Pixler to Miss Ida Barnhouse, who
likewise was born and reared in this county, where
she made good use of the advantages of the public
schools. She is a daughter of Philip and Mary
(Brookner) Barnhouse, the former of whom was born and
reared in Ohio and the latter near Calmar, Winneshiek
county, Iowa, where her parents were pioneer
settlers. Philip Barnhouse came to Clayton county in
an early day and became one of the representative
farmers and influential citizens of Farmersburg
township, where he continued to reside until his
death, which occurred February 18, 1890, his wife
having passed away September 11, 1885. Mrs. Pixler
was born on the old homestead farm of her father in
Farmersburg township, and the date of her nativity
was January 3, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Pixler have five
children namely: Albert ,Mae, Charles, Bertha and
Ida, and the attractive family home is known for its
cordial hospitality and good cheer.
