Charles W. Hoxie, 1849-1934

HOXIE, BISHOP, TABER, DEAN

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/21/2010 at 06:33:51

Among the worthy retired farmers and veterans of the Civil war now living in Clay county, is Charles W. Hoxie, who is also numbered among those who have contributed to the development and progress of this section of the state. Mr. Hoxie was born in Branch county, Michigan, on the 7th of July, 1849, and is a son if Orton and Hannah M. (Van Patten) Hoxie. His parents were born, reared and married in New York state, whence they went to Michigan in 1812, locating on a farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was engaged in railroad construction work and laid the first T rail on the Rock Island railroad into Joliet, Illinois. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are still living.

Charles W. Hoxie was reared on his father's farm in Michigan and received his education in the public schools of that locality. In 1864, when fifteen years of age, he enlisted, at Jackson, Michigan, in Company I, Thirteenth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served to the end of the war. He took part in a number of the big closing battles of that war and marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. He came through with but one slight wound and was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky. He then returned home and remained on the farm with his father until he had attained his majority. He was then married and in 1871 he started west, locating in Cherokee county, Iowa, from which point he soon afterwards went to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he took up a homestead in Grant township. He lived on that place until 1878, when he rented the farm and moved to Spencer. For awhile he was engaged in grading work on the railroad, but later he sold his O'Brien county farm and bought one hundred and forty-four acres of land in Clay county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his efforts, making of it one of the best farms in this section of the state. He is now retired from active business affairs and is living in a comfortable and attractive home in Spencer.

In 1871 Mr. Hoxie was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Bishop, daughter of Levi and Susan Bishop, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie have been born five children, namely: Alice, who is the wife of J. C. Taber; Nina M., the wife of R. W. Dean; Frank O., who lived on his father's farm; R. W.; and one that died in infancy. Mr. Hoxie is a member of Annett Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic, and in political affairs gives his support to the republican party. Mr. Hoxie is a poet of more than ordinary ability and has a large collection of his writings in book form. Many of the poems have been published and have received very flattering comment. Mr. Hoxie is a man of sterling character, has always given his support to those movements which have had for their object the betterment of the community, and has ever been regarded as a reliable and dependable citizen.

Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

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