For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 367
EMERSON E. OXLEY....The buckeye state is represented in Iowa by many worthy sons, among whom may be named Emerson E. Oxley, who lives upon a beautiful farm in Goshen township, Muscatine county. His eyes first opened to the light of day at Georgetown, Harrison county, Ohio, December 8, 1853, and he is a son of Daniel and Mary ( Combs ) Oxley, both natives of Ohio. In 1854 the family removed to Pleasant Grove, Belmont county, Ohio, and there the early manhood of Emerson E. Oxley was spent. In 1881 the father came with his family to Atalissa, Iowa, and purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred November 13, 1909, at the age of eighty-six years. The mother was called away five years previously on May 6, 1904. To them nine children were born, namely : L. F., of Allegheny, Pennsylvania ; Emerson E., our subject ; Mattie, who became the wife of Britton Stucker of Muscatine county, and is now deceased ; Kate A., at home ; Mary E., the wife of A. M. Hawthorne, of Dexter, Iowa ; Ida R., now Mrs. Clarence Hargrave, of Muscatine county ; George T., at home ; Henry W., of Circleville, Kansas ; Hattie L., also at home.Emerson E. Oxley was educated in the common schools of Ohio, being reared under influences which proved to be quite favorable in the development of a character for usefulness and efficiency in everything he has undertaken. He devoted his attention to farming and after his marriage he purchased seventy acres of land in Goshen township, subsequently buying forty acres of good land two miles eastward. His farm is under a high state of cultivation and under his admirable management has been well improved. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser and as he pays close attention to his business he enjoys a goodly measure of prosperity.
On the 10th of March, 1866, Mr. Oxley was united in marriage to Miss Anna Miller, a daughter of John and Sophia ( Breinninger ) Miller. Her parents were born in Germany and came to America in childhood, making their home at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They came to Muscatine county, Iowa. in 1871. Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller : Louis, deceased in infancy ; John F., of Wilton Junction, Muscatine county ; Anna, now Mrs. Oxley ; Emma R., at home ; George M., of West Liberty, Iowa ; Bertha, now Mrs. Reid, of Wilton Junction ; Fred, who went west when twenty three years of age and has not since been heard from ; and Robert, now in active practice as a physician in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Oxley seven children have been born : Ray L and Paul V., both now in Canada ; and Ethel V., Wilbur E., John C., Arthur D., and Mildred I., all at home, Mildren being seven years of age.
Mr. Oxley has from his boyhood been industrious and enterprising and as the years passed he acquired a reputation for stability that gained for him many friends. His success is largely due to good judgment and undaunted perseverance so necessary in carrying out any important undertaking. In early manhood he supported the republican party but for the past twenty years has been a strong advocate for the principles of the prohibition party and supports that party on all occasions. Although he has not sought office, he has served most creditably as road supervisor and also for fifteen years as member of the school board. In religious belief he and his wife and family adhere to the Methodist church.
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