Moxley, Anson M. 1849-1941

MOXLEY, DART, BARNS, BENTLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/3/2012 at 09:37:14

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Feb. 26, 1941

ANSON MOXLEY
ONE OF REAL
OLD SETTLERS
-----------------------
Pioneer Lived in This
Vicinity for Seventy
of His 91 Years.

Anson M. Moxley, who passed away at his home here last Wednesday, Feb. 26, was born near Jefferson, N.Y., on July 20, 1849, the son of Ezekiel and Ruth Dart Moxley. His age was 91 years, five months and six days at his death. He was the oldest of a family of five children, all of whom preceded him in death.

Mr. Moxley grew to boyhood and young manhood in his native state, attending what he chose to describe as a "little red schoolhouse" in a rural district near Jefferson. He acquired further education at a seminary in New York state, following his years in the public schools.

MARRIED IN '71

He was married to Miss Lydia Dart on Oct. 12, 1871, in Jefferson. Shortly after their marriage they decided to come west and on Nov. 25, 1871, they arrived in Grinnell, living that first winter in the home of a relative while Mr. Moxley taught in one of Iowa's pioneer schools.

During the winter Mr. Moxley purchased a farm west of Newburg to which they moved in the spring of 1872. This farm was their home until 1918, when they moved to Grinnell. Last fall the happy couple observed their 69th wedding anniversary.

Six children were born to them, of whom three, with their mother, survive. They are Mrs. Frank Barns and Mrs. Blanche Bentley of Grinnell and Talmage Moxley of Newburg. Six grandchildren and one great grandchild are also among the survivors.

LIFELONG METHODIST.

Having been reared in a thoroughly Christian home, early in life Mr. Moxley was converted and joined in the fellowhsip of the Methodist church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. After settling on the farm near Newburg he joined the Methodist church near his farm home and never transferred his membership to any other.

However, upon moving to Grinnell he became a regular attendant at the services of the First Methodist church here and was a member and devoted Bible student in the Bob Coutts Sunday School class.

He had a deep and abiding Christian faith and lived an exemplary Christian life. He was numbered among Grinnell's finest citizens and a great host of friends will remember him as a truly outstanding man.