Paxson Family:
   Eighth Generation    

Compiled and copyright by MJP Grundy, 2006

    By this generation the age spread has gotten very large. It is hard to say anything other than that each individual was eight generations from his or her immigrant Paxson ancestor(s). A few of this generation are still living and therefore this page will be incomplete. It is also incomplete because I have only a tiny fraction of the Paxson members who could appear here.

    If you have information that could be added to this page, I would be glad to hear from you via my dear husband's e mail, which is kwg at cwru.edu. Just replace the "at" with the familiar @. (We are losing the struggle against spam.)

    You can refer to previous generations: the Seventh, or Sixth, or Fifth, or Fourth, or Third, or Second, or First (the Immigrant Generation), or English Ancestors from 1640 to 1682. There is also an alphabetical list of individuals born into a Paxson family that are listed in these pages, although the seventh generation is not yet complete, and the eighth (for those only included on their parents' page) is barely started. It takes me a while to keep it updated. For more information about this web site, go to its home page. You can also check out the list of collateral lines that married (sooner or later) into a Paxson line. This is far from complete.

    Most of the information on this page has been generously passed on to me by other Paxson descendants; but I have not yet had time to verify it myself. The only reason for posting this page so early in the construction process is to appeal to readers for help. If you have information to add to this page, I would be very glad to hear from you via e mail.

    For this generation, since I do not expect it ever to be anywhere near complete, the individuals are listed alphabetically instead of in the genealogical order used for the previous generations. All of the individuals here with biographical entries are included in the alphabetical list of Paxsons.

Aaron B., the son of Ezeriah Paxson⁷ (Aaron⁶, Jr. Amos⁵ #208, James⁴ #87, James³, William Jr.², James¹) and his wife Susannah (DELLINGER) Paxson, was born on 26 May 1851. He died 5 February 1916. Aaron married Sarah Catherine NULL on 2 October 1873.

Aaron got a quarter section, 160 acres, near Baxter Springs in southeast Kansas, in 1881. Family tradition has it that he and his wife first saw to the building of a large sturdy barn, living in it themselves until they were able to build a house. The barn still stands, with the "6 x 6 main beam super structure", held together with wooden pegs. It was designed for loose hay, and modern bales are much more difficult to stow in it. Around 1898 or 1900 Aaron built a larger house, square, two-storey, still standing, with a bathroom and small family room added in the 1960s. [My thanks to Steve Paxson, e mail 9m/1/2008 for this information.]

The area around Baxter Springs has lead mines, and it is possible that Aaron was involved in a local lead mine, perhaps even serving as president. Up until ca. 1970 there was a 120-acre place called Paxson Mill, about a mile away, on which there was a lead mine, run by Eagle-Picher. When it was sold the proceeds had to be divided among something like 260 heirs. I do not know which Paxson started it. [My thanks to Steve Paxson, e mail 9m/1/2008 for this information.]

Although Aaron may have been involved in a lead mine, his main occupation as well as his passion, was farming. He and his sons were well known for breeding jennies and jacks (mules) for other farmers. In his will he stated that at his death he wanted his sons to carry on with his life's work. This sentiment was echoed in his obituary, quoted below.

Although census enumerators often misspelled Aaron's last name as "Paxton", in his obituary and on his tombstone it is spelled "Paxson". His great grandson, who continues to live on the old homestead, also spells it Paxson—which is the correct spelling.

Aaron died of septicema on 5 February 1916. [Death certificate, data sent to me by Vanessa, 7m/8/2006.] His obituary gives a few more details of his life than show up in the census:

          Aaron Paxson was born May 26, 1851 and departed this life on Feb. 5, 1916, aged 64 years, 8 months and 10 days.
          Deceased was the eldest of a family of 12 children, five of whom survive. They are Martin Paxson of Alexandria, Ohio; Kate Stewart of Fairfield, OH; John C. Paxson of Portland, Ind; Emma Stewart of Fairfield, Ohio; Sarah Fundenburg of Xenia, Ohio.
          Deceased was married to Sarah C. Null of Delaware county, Indiana, on Oct 2, 1873. He moved with his wife to this county in February 1881, and resided here continuously up to the time of his death. To this union ten children were born, eight of whom survive him. They are Elmer Paxson, John Paxson, Herbert Paxson, Willard Paxson, Charlie Paxson, Mrs. Ed Sharp, Mrs. Bertha Wade, and Miss Josie Paxson. Two children, Mrs. Maud Stoskopf and Miss Anna Paxson, died several years ago.
          Mr. Paxson was ill a long time, but during his long illness he was a patient sufferer, no word of complaint coming from him. He was given the best of medical attention and loving hands did all that was possible to save him. He realized, however, that he was not to get well, and seemed to be more concerned as his family than about himself.
          The wife and children are going to miss the kindness and good counsel of Mr. Paxson, and the community will miss a good man.
          Mr. Paxson was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
          Always a hard worker, he amassed quite a competence. He was square in his dealing with his fellow man, and had the confidence of all with whom he had dealings of any kind.
          Funeral services were held Monday, and the remains were interred in the Baxter cemetery.
[Baxter Springs News (Kansas) Feb. 10, 1916. The very kind and helpful folks at the Cherokee County Historical Society dug it out for Vanessa, who sent it to me, e mail 7/7/2006.]

According to the IGI, Aaron's wife (who that source does not name) was born 10 November 1851 and died 21 October 1926; her remains were buried at Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas. [IGI: Record submitted after 1991 by a member of the LDS Church. No additional information is available.]

Children of Aaron B. and Sarah Catherine (Null) Paxson: [My thanks to Vanessa for the names and dates of the children, e mail, 7/7/2006.]

i.      Elmer Christian Paxson⁸, b. 11 May 1874 OH; died 1941; called "Buck"; unmarried. He and his brother Herb and nephew Bob farmed the family homestead.

ii.      John T. Paxson, b. 23 Dec 1875 OH;

iii.      Orous Herbert Paxson, b. 8 Dec 1878 in Delaware, Ind.; called Herb; lived on the old homestead with brother Elmer and nephew Bob until Herb got married and moved away.

iv.      Mary Anna Paxson, b. 10 Sept 1881; d. "several years" before her father's death in 1916; called Anna; unmarried.

v.      Willard M. Paxson, b. 7 Nov 1882 Cherokee Co, KS;

vi.      Willie Maud Paxson, b. 7 Nov 1883; d. "several years" before her father's death in 1916; m. __ STOSKOPF;

vii.      Birdie E. Paxson, b. 20 March 1886;

viii.      Bertha Francis Paxson, b. 7 March 1888;

ix.      Charles Oscar Paxson, b. 11 Jan 1892 Cherokee Co., Kans.; d. 1969; called Charlie; had a son, James Robert, called Bob, b. 1918. With Charlie's permission Bob dropped out of school after 8th grade, to farm. When Bob married in 1940 he and his bride moved in with the then bachelor uncles on the old homestead, and continued to farm it after they were gone.

x.      Josie May Paxson, b. 17 May 1894; unamrried at her father's death in Feb. 1916.

Alfred Moore Paxson⁸, son of James M. Paxson⁷ (James Steele⁶, Jacob⁵ #266, William⁴ #98, Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary Letitia (Moore) Paxson, was born 11 October 1902 in Little Britain, and died 3 December 1972 in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Alfred married Sarah Emily WHITE, daughter of Charles Claud White and Mary Ellen White. Sarah was born 22 July 1900 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; she was baptized 21 April 1907 at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, in Lock Haven. She died in 1980. Alfred and Sarah had two children. But the marriage was troubled and eventually the couple separated. They never got an official divorce, but Alfred lived with Julia Marie (WESTON) White and had another child. Julia was born 17 May 1918, in Keota, Oklahoma, and died 19 February 2003 in Aroda, Virginia. [I am indebted to Alfreda Melvin for information on this family, e mails 3/16 and 17/2008.]

In 1937 his father's obituary mentioned that Alfred was dean of the college of Business Administration, University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. [ Lancaster New Era, Nov 16, 1937, kindly transcribed and sent to me by Alfreda Melvin, e mail 3m/17/2008.]

Alvin David Paxson⁸, son of Ezra Wheat⁷ (Heston C.⁶, Benjamin⁵ #213, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary Jane (Baker) Paxson, was born 5 September 1872. His twin brother was Calvin David. Alvin married 7 September 1897 Josephine HALL.

In the 1880 census Alvin was "at school" in Limaville, Stark County, Ohio.

Children of Alvin and Josephine (Hall) Paxson:

i.       Eldis M. Paxson, b. 1899; m. Bobbie SELL;
ii.     Harold Paxson, b. 23 Apr. 1900; d. Oct. 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio;
iii.    Kenneth Paxson, b. 5 Oct. 1904; d. June 1982, in Cleveland; m. Louise who was b. 17 Sept 1913 and d. 26 Dec. 1987;
iv.    William Calvin Paxson, b. 28 May 1907 in Hudson, Oh.; d. 4 Oct. 1966 in Fostoria, Oh.; m. 2 Aug. 1933 Dorothy E. PETERS; 3 children.

Amos C. Paxson⁸ son of Amos Clossen, Jr.⁶, Amos⁵ #208, James⁴ #87, James³ #30, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3, was born 23 September 1855 in Ohio, and died 7 August 1919, with burial two days later. Amos married on 12 December 1882 Elizabeth DONNIEBRINK,

In the 1880 census Amos was enumerated as a 25-year old single farmer living in the household of Barnet TROOPE, also a farmer, in Indian Village, Tama County. Barnet was listed as 59 years old, with a 54 year old wife, Susan N., and 43-year old Delia BROWN engaged in house work. [Federal census for 1880, NA film T9-0365, p. 499A, image seen on Ancestry.com 11/20/2007.].

Children of Amos C. and Ellizabeth (Donniebrink) Paxson: ???

Arthur Lindley Paxson, son of Joseph Watson⁷ (Joseph Jefferson⁶, Benjamin⁵ #213, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3), and his wife Eveline (Dugdale) Paxson, was born 10 September 1857 and died in 193_. Arthur married first in 1878 Ida WALTON. She died in 1925, and he married a second time, Mattie or Nettie ___.

Arthur owned the Purity Ice Cream Co. at 121 West 14th St., in Marion, Ind. He went into the ice cream business with his uncle, Benjamin Franklin Paxson. The orginal factory in Marion was owned by Arthur. Later part was sold to Teller Belle-Vernon Dairies in Ohio. It appears they were the first to mix orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream in a log roll which came out as a mold cutting.

Children of Arthur Lindley and his first wife, Ida (Walton) Paxson: [wife and daughter's names and b date from gencircles.com/users/paxlincoln/1/data/1772]

i.       Bertha E. Paxson m. __ SMITH; 3 children;
ii.     Zula Pearl Paxson m. __ NESBITT; had a daughter;
iii.   Lindley Ellis Paxson m. Nov. 1909 Grace DEAN, and had a daughter, Jamece Peggy Paxson, b. 18 Dec. 1910.

Arthur Monroe Paxson, son of Eli Warner⁷ (Joseph Jefferson⁶ Benjamin⁵ #213, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.², James¹) and his wife Hannah Leona (Johnson) Paxson, was born 25 June 1867. He died of cancer 26 June 1945 in Jay County Hospital, Portland, Indiana. Arthur was married 15 September 1903 by the Rev. POLLY to Eva Jane CRITTON, the daughter of James Finley and Sarah S. (PEARSON) Critton. Eva Jane was born in Miami County, Ohio on 24 January 1882. She died at the Extended Care Unit of Jay County Hospital in Portland on 13 July 1976. Both are buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Redkey, Indiana, and have a monument marking their graves. [From "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson (Mrs. Frank Paxson), typescript, kindly sent to me 3/2005 by Tom Irey.]

Children of Arthur Monroe and Eva Jane (Critton) Paxson:

i.       Elsie May Paxson b. 2 Mar. 1906; d. at birth.

ii.     Frank James Paxson b. 16 Sept. 1910; m. 23 Apr. 1948 in Pleasant Chapel E. U. B. Church, Jackson Twp., Huntington Co., Ind. by the Rev. Bevis HILL to Helen Lucile DINIUS, daughter of Boyd Sherman and Eza Florence (SMITH) Dinius;

iii.   Carl C. Paxson b. 25 June 1917; d. of cancer 28 July 1977; m. 6 Jan. 1943 Mabel Eileen HESHER, daughter of William and Pearl (BLOCKER) Hesher; Carl was a plasterer, having learned the trade from his uncle John CRITTON; 8 children.

iv.     Fred M. Paxson b. 29 Nov. 1919; m(1) in Southport, England on 4 Jan. 1947 Doris Evelyn NIXON; they met when Fred was stationed in England during WWII; 3 children; divorced; Fred m(2) 29 Sept. 1979 Carrie Philomean (SCHOONOVER) Marks, widow of Frederick William Marks; 6 step-children.

Charles Rupert Paxton, son of John Barton⁷ Paxton (Bright Rupert⁶ (Joseph⁵, Jonas⁴, James³, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife, Anne Jones (Price) Paxton, was born 20 September 1896 in Philadelphia, and died on 9 August 1979 in Camden, New Jersey. Charles married on 22 September 1923 in Philadelphia Elizabeth Shaw BLAIR (shown to the right). Betty was born 17 December 1894 in County Antrim, Ireland, the daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane (McClure) Blair. Betty died 21 June 1946 in Philadelphia.

Charles was a musician; among other things he played the organ for silent movies. He loved puns.

Charles and Betty had one child.

Charles Small Paxson⁸, son of William Rodman (Samuel H. Paxson #337, John⁵ #125, Joseph⁴, William³, William², William¹) and his wife Catherine (Paxson) Paxson, was born in 1875 on the family farm in Middletown Township, Bucks County, and died in 1947. He was married in 1901 to Martha Kelso DUNNING. There is a great deal more information about her family available in 1328 North Fifteenth Street: The Dunning Family and Its Things", available on www.Lulu.com

Charles started the Paxson Manufacturing Company to produce floor sweeping compounds. The first Board of Directors of the Company is pictured to the left below. Charles is seated at the extreme left. The Company's second location, at 2612 North Third Street in Philadelphia, is pictured in the center. The office was on the second floor, front. In time they bought a second row house, and remodeled the front. To the right is a detail from the label of a retail-size cellophane bag for NilDust, one of their trademarked varieties of sweeping compound. The logo used on these web pages was designed by Martha for the Paxson Manufacturing Company and shows the initial letter "P", and an axe, within a sun/son, symbolizing P-ax-son.

Charlie and Marty raised their four children at 2104 W. Ontario Street, Philadelphia.

Charles S. and Martha K. (Dunning) Paxson had 4 children.

Clayton Kling Paxson⁸, son of Joseph C.⁷, (Timothy⁶, Joseph⁵ #212, Joseph⁴, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (Kling) Paxson, was born 2 November 1875. He died about 21 October 1948 in the Coatesville Hospital, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Clayton married Lucy "Louie" McPHERSON in 1898. She was born ca. 1876 in West Caln Township, near Sadsburyville, Chester County, and died in September 1938 in her 62nd year at Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster County. Clayton K. and his wife "Louie M." were living in West Caln, Chester County, at the time of the 1930 census.

Louie, whose formal name was Lucy, was the daughter of David and Mary (BLAIR) McPherson. Before her marriage she taught school. Later she was a member and lecturer of Sadsbury Grange No 1085. Louie was

prominent as a member of Upper Octarara Church with which her family had been connected for generations. She served as president of the Women's Missionary Society and later a secretary of the Chester Presbyterial Society and as a teacher in the Upper Octorara Sunday School. Se was prominent in the Octorara Historical Society and was narrator in the 1932 Washington pageant of that group. [Obituary in the Parkesburg Post, 8 Sept. 1938. My thanks to Cindy Grossholtz who found it in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc., and sent it to me 3m/26/2003.]

In the spring of 1937 Clayton retired from farming and sometime the next year he and Louie moved to Coatesville to live with her cousin, Dr. S. H. SCOTT. [Obituary for Mrs. Louie McPherson, in the Parkesburg Post, 8 Sept. 1938. My thanks to Cindy Grossholtz who sent it to me 3m/26/2003.

Clayton's obituary from the Coatsville Record of 22 October 1948 gives more details of his life.

        Clayton K. Paxson, one of the most widely-known residents of this part of Chester County, died in Coatesville hospital yesterday shortly after noon. He would have been 73 years of age if he had lived until November 2.
        Mr. Paxson had not been in good health for more than a year. Last April he fell and injured his back and he was in the hospital for more than two weeks. Since then he has been confined to his bed for the most part. On Tuesday last he fell and broke his hip.
        He was taken to the hospital in a critical condition on Wednesday and was under an oxygen tent until he passed away.
        Mr. Paxson was a son of the late Joseph C, and Mary Ann Kling Paxson ad was born near Black Horse where he spent his boyhood. He received his education at Fernwood Academy and George School and later attended Schissler Business College near Norristown.
        In 1898 he married Miss Louie McPherson, of Sadsburyville, and for a number of years he engaged in farming on West Lincoln Highway near Black Horse. Later for many years he farmed the old McPherson homestead near Sadsburyville. He retired about thirteen years ago.
        Mr. Paxson was a member of Upper Octorara Presbyterian church and Keystone Lodge, 569, F. and A. M. of Parkesburg. He was a charter member of Sadsbury Grange which was organized in 1893 and also a member of Pomona Grange, No. 3, of Chester and Delaware Counties.
        His wife died in September 1938, and he is survived by two brothers and a sister, William H. Paxson, of Atglen, with whom he made his home; Harry A. Paxson, of Parkesburg, and Mary, wife of Ferree C. Grossman, of near Boyd's Corner, and several nieces and nephews.
        The funeral will take place from Upper Octorara church on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery.

Curtis Paxson⁸, son of William Johnson Paxson, (Edward⁶, Timothy⁵ #227, Benjamin⁴ #92, Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹ #3) and his wife Ann Lenwell DEPUY Paxson, was born on 6 July 1856 in Philadelphia. He died on 16 May 1921, at 522 N. Preston St., West Philadelphia. Curtis married first, on 8 November 1878, at 409 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, Mary Eliza STRING, who was born 20 December 1857 in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of Benjamin T. and M. Jennie String. Mary Eliza died 30 March 1880, at 671 Brooklyn Street, in West Philadelphia. Curtis then married in 1885 Agnes I. MELDRUM. Agnes was born in 1855, in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Meldrum. Curtis and Agnes were divorced before 1900. Agnes died 6 September 1930. Curtis married for a third time between 1910 and 1920, Susan C. LABARR who was housekeeper for Curtis in his later years. Susan was born in January 1848 and died 17 April 1934 on N. Preston, Phila. [My thanks to Carolyn L. Allen who sent me this information.]

Child of Curtis and Mary Eliza (String) Paxson:

i. William Benjamin Paxson, b. 25 Mar 1880, 671 Brooklyn St, Philadelphia; d. 20 Dec 1955, Kingston, Penna.; m. 6 Jun 1905, at Summit, Penna., Edna DEVEREAUX (1884-1968), daughter of Robert and Louisa Carolina "Caroline" (Schwaderer) Devereaux. They had 5 children: [Information from Carolyn L. Allen.]

a) Curtis Devereaux Paxson, b. 19 Mar. 1906; d. 21 Dec. 1981, both in Wilkes-Barre, Penna. unmarried. In June 1919 he attended the first season of Boy Scout Camp Acahele, Penna. Curtis worked for an anthracite coal mine, managed a loan company for many years in several cities; retired to Port Jervis, NY; enjoyed travelling by cruise ship all over the world.

b) Mary Caroline Paxson, b. 11 Dec. 1907 in Wilkes-Barre; d. 24 Nov. 2000 in Conn.; m. 27 June 1932 Roger BACON (d. June 1977); 2 children.

c) Dorothy Louise Paxson, b. 30 July 1911 in Wilkes-Barre; d. 25 Jun 2000, Dallas, Pa.; unmarried. Until 1997 she lived at 132 Butler St., Kingston, Pa., when she moved to an assisted living place in Dallas, Pa. She was bookkeeper for a jewelry store in Wilkes-Barre. After retirement she volunteered as treasurer and driver for many years for Meals on Wheels.

d) William Benjamin Paxson, Jr., b. 1 Dec 1918, Kingston, Pa.; d. Nov. 1982 in a forest fire in Australia; m. 18 Sep 1945, in London, England, Edna SIMMONS, daughter of Harold and Isabelle Simmons. Edna was b. 24 July 1923 in London. William worked for the US state department in England; Rome, Italy; Rio De Janero, Brazil; Kingston, Jamaica; and Washington, D.C. They had 2 children.

e) Robert Devereaux Paxson,

David T. Paxson⁸, son of Joseph C.⁷, (Timothy⁶, Joseph⁵ #212, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (Kling) Paxson, was born 20 October 1877; he died 27 September 1939 at his home near Paist's Mill on the Lincoln Highway. He married Mary McPHERSON, the daughter of David and Mary (BLAIR) McPherson; her sister Louie married David's brother Clayton. Mary was born about 1880 in West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and died 16 January 1960 in Coatesville Hospital at the age of 80.

Mary attended West Chester State Teachers College.

David was a farmer, and operated a "fine farm" on the Lincoln Highway. His obituary in the Daily Local News of 28 September 1939 gives more details about his life:

        After having been about as usual yesterday, David T. Paxson, one of Sadsbury township's most prominent and progressive farmers, was found dead in the barn at his home, near Paist's Mill, on the Lincoln Highway, west of Sadsburyville, at about 6:30 o'clock last evening, from a blood clot upon his brain. Mr. Paxson had been under treatment for several years for high blood pressure. . . .
        He was in the 62nd year of his age, having been born October 22, 1877, upon the farm now owned by Benjamin Paxson. He was reared upon the nearby farm now owned and occupied by the misses Meredith.
        He formerly served as Supervisor in Sadsbury Township, and also had served a number of years as Secretary of Sadsbury Grange.
        He had attended Moscow Public School and the Parkesburg Academy. He was an active member of Upper Octarara Presbyterian Church, Sadsbury Grange, 1085, and the Paxson Family Association of America, whose reunions he always attended with great interest. He was a man of jovial disposition and always had a laugh ready to share with others. He was most upright in his daily life and had a vast number of friends. . . .

After David's death, Mary moved to Parkesburg where she lived the rest of her life. She was a member of Sadsbury Grange No. 1085 for over 50 years. She was a member of the Octarara Presbyterian Church where she was active in the old Church Assembly, Women's Association, and other organizations. She died at the Coatesville hospital 16 January 1960. She and David were both buried in the upper Octorara Cemetery. [Obituary found by Cindy Grossholtz in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; I am indebted to her for sending it to me 3m/26/2003.]

Child of David T, and Mary M. (McPherson) Paxson:

1. Horace M. Paxson⁹, b. 8 Jan. 1908; d. 1 Mar. 1972 in Chester Co. Hospital.

Edgar L. Paxson⁸, son of Hartwell Littleton⁷ ( Jacob Canby⁶, Jacob⁵ #214, Joseph⁴, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Ina Emmeroi (LEACH) Paxson, was born 1 June 1881 in Lacota, Van Buren County, Michigan, and died 7 September 1946 at his home in Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan. Edgar married on 11 January 1904 Bessie Stoughton HOLLAND, daughter of Henry Edward and Mary Frances (KNAPP) Holland. [My thanks for information on this family from Dana Paxson, e mails 29 June, and 1 July 2005; from Maggie Paxson, e mails on 6/23 and 6/24/2005; and from Eileen Talamantez, e mails 4/28/2007; the latter sent additional information from Glimpses of the Past: Stories and Pictures of North Berrien County Pioneer Families (North Berrien County Historical Society, 1992).] Bessie was born 26 February 1879. At the age of two, in 1881, her mother took her west with her brother and sister. They lived in Nevada for about nine years before returning to Michigan after her father was killed in a mining accident. [My thanks to Dick Paxson for these memories of stories he heard from his grandmother, e mails 4/4/2008 and 12/28/2008.] For a little more on Bessie's family, see Holland Family History, page 114 and page 115, although her birth year given there is incorrect. The "L" in Edgar's name is just an initial; there is no middle name. [My thanks to Richard Joseph Paxson for this information, e mail 4m/3/2008.]

While he was quite young his parents moved to a farm southwest of Hartford. At the age of 15 they moved to Watervliet, where he graduated from the local high school in 1899. Edgar went to Normal School and taught in the Washington School in Coloma. Then he was employed in building homes and cottages around Paw Paw Lake and Watervliet. On 11 January 1904 he married Betsey or Bessie Holland. [Obit, 9/9/1946 in the Dowagiac Daily News, kindly sent to me by Eileen Talamantez, 4/13/2007.]

The family removd to Dowagiac, probably in early 1912, where he lived the rest of his life. He built the house pictured here, at the corner of McOmber St. and 201 E. Prairie Ronde St., in about 1918 or 1919. Their son Robert was about two when they moved in, and their youngest child, Ruth, was told that as a baby she slept through the noise of built-in bookcases being constructed. The house, in prairie style, has three stone bases that support short pillars, two in the front, visible in this photo, and one in the back obscured by the tree truck. The house is on a corner lot. [My thanks to Dick Paxson for the photo and information, e mail 4/4/2008.

In 1922 Edgar established the Paxson Company, manufacturers of woodworking machinery, including the "Bearcat" power saw rigs. Over the course of his career Edgar designed and constructed hundreds of homes and many commercial buildings in Dowagiac and vicinity, including "some of Dowagiac's finest residences." [Obit, 9/9/1946 in the Dowagiac Daily News, my thanks to Eileen Talamantez for sending this to me, 4/13/2007.] In addition to being a carpenter and home builder, Edgar owned and operated a lumber mill. [E mail 1 July 2005 from Dana Paxson.] He built his own home in Dowagiac (pictured above to the left). Edgar's grandson described it as having "three unique stone pillars at the three corners of the house". [My thanks to Richard Joseph Paxson, e mail 4m/3/2008.]

Edgar designed a stone monument commemorating the local folks who died in the First World War. It was erected in 1919 in the median of the Main Street boulevard where the street ends at Front Street. The first photograph below is a detail from an old post card, probably from the first half of the 1920s. The monument is made of stones fitted together, and for years had a working drinking fountain jutting out from the front of it. Eileen remembers riding her bike to get a drink there, as the water seemed to taste so much better than what came out of her spigot at home. The fountain hasn't worked for years, probably because the water pipes rusted out and the cost of repairs would be too much. The style of the stone work matches the three pillars on the Paxson family's home. It has light globes on each side and one of the plaques is shown in the third photograph. [My thanks to Richard Joseph Paxson for the description, e mail 4m/3/2008, and for the two color photographs, taken ca. 2005; thanks also to Eileen Talamantez for sending the picture of the post card, e mail 4m/5/2008.]

The 1938 city directory for Dowagiac listed the Paxson Co. on LaGrange St., E. L. Paxson, Mgr. He lived at 201 P Ronde with his wife Mrs. Bessie, and daughter Ruth, employed as a stenographer. Also Edgar's widowed mother, Mrs. Ina E. lived with them. [Luedders' City Directory, 1938, p. 74. My thanks to Eileen Talamantez for sending this to me, 4/18/2007.]

For eleven years Edgar suffered from pernicious anemia. In spite of this he remained active in business until a few months before his death. He died at his home on McOmber street Saturday evening, 7 September 1946, at 6:30. He was 65 years old. [Obit, 9/9/1946 in the Dowagiac Daily News, my thanks to Eileen Talamantez for sending this to me, 4/13/2007.]

Children of Edgar L. and Betsey/Bessie Stoughton (Holland) Paxson:

i. Ronald Edward Paxson, b. in Watervliet 10 Mar. 1905; d. 20 Oct. 1973 outside of Kalkaska, Mich.; m. 12 June 1931 Evelyn May ROTH. She was b. in Dowagiac 12 July 1907, and d. 27 Apr. 2005 in Kalamazoo. Ron is the boy in the lower part of the picture to the right in 1914 in the third grade class at Oak Street Elementary School [taken from photos held by The Museum of Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac and published in Steven Arseneau and Ann Thompson, Images of America: Dowagiac (Arcadia Publishing Co. 2005). My thanks to Eileen for sending this, 4/18/2007]. Ronald was living in Dowagiac in 1946, and took over the Paxson Company after his father's death. After retirement Ron and Evelyn moved near Kalkaska, Mich. They had three children.

ii. Howard Hartwell Paxson, b. 9 Dec. 1906; d. 27 Aug. 1988 in Benton, Berrien Co., Mich. [My thanks to Eileen Talamantez, e mail 4/28/2007, for sending me these dates from "Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996".] Howard is the boy in the upper part of the picture to the right in 1914 in the third grade class at Oak Street Elementary School [taken from photos held by The Museum of Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac and published in Steven Arseneau and Ann Thompson, Images of America: Dowagiac (Arcadia Publishing Co. 2005). [My thanks to Eileen for sending this, 4/18/2007]; in 1946 he was with his brothers Gordon and Robert in Paxson Advertising, Benton Harbor;

iii. Kenneth Holland Paxson, b. ca. 1909; d. 1918 at the age of 9.

iv. Gordon E. Paxson, b. 23 July 1912; d. in an airplane crash 23 July 1954; m. Oct. 1938 Dorothy Lorraine SWEANY.

    Gordon graduated from Dowagiac Central High School in 1929. His yearbook (the 1929 Wahoo) entry (to the right) has been kindly sent to me by the daughter of a classmate. She (Margaret GALE) and Rita MICHAELS, hung out with Gordon and Howard ANTHONY, frequenting Olympia (the local ice cream parlor) for sodas on Friday afternoons. Once they cut school to go fishing. [E mails 4m/11, 4m/13, 4/14/2007, Eileen Talamantez.] Howard went off to Hillsdale College, and Gordon went to the Art Institute in Chicago. He won a travelling fellowship to Europe. [The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Mich., July 27?, 1954; my thanks to Eileen for sending it to me.]

    A newspaper clipping of Oct. 1938 announcing Gordon's upcoming wedding to Dorothy Lorraine SWEANY, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Claris of Chicago, provided additional information. Gordon was instructor in painting and drawing at Rockford College, Rockford, Ill., and Dorothy was a member of the San Carlo Opera company ballet in Chicao, and also danced with the Chicago Civic Opera company ballet. [newspaper clipping datelined "Dowagac, Mich., Oct. 11 (1934); my thanks to Eileen for this.] They had met at the Chicago Art Institute. Dorothy stopped dancing after her marriage. [E mail from their granddaughter, 4/16/2007.]

    During World War II Gordon enlisted in the Navy. After being discharged he joined his brother Howard's advertising agency in Benton Harbor as a designer for 18 months. He left to become assistant to the Dean of the Fine Arts Dept. at Syracuse University. He became interested in industrial design and upon the urging of his old high school chum Howard Anthony, he returned to Benton Harbor and opened the Gordon Paxson Design Studio in 1952. [The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Mich., July 27?, 1954; my thanks to Eileen for sending it to me.]

    In July 1954 Howard, now the owner of the successful Heath Company [remember Heath kit electronics?] wanted to check out a new British-built, twin-engine DeHaviland Dove airplane he was considering purchasing. He invited high school buddies Gordon Paxson and Laurel "Brownie" Brown and his wife Florence, to fly to Florida with him. All of the men were fascinated with flying and airplanes. Then Howard and Gordon planned to go on to the Bahamas for ten days. [The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Mich., July 24, 1954; my thanks to Eileen for sending it to me.] "Benton Harbor folks were stunned to learn that all four passengers and both pilots lost their lives when the small plane crashed into the mountains about 35 miles from Chattanooga, Tenn." The newspaper gave conflicting theories of the cause: either a midair explosion, or an engine dropping off in mid flight. The mayor of Benton Harbor ordered flags to fly at half-staff for twenty days. A double funeral was held for Howard and Gordon, and with over 500 people attending it was said to be the largest ever in the area. A second double funeral was held for the Browns. [The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Mich., July 24, 26, and 27?, 1954; my thanks to Eileen for sending these clippings to me.]

    The class of 1929 organized a collection of contributions for a trust fund for the education of the three Paxson children, aged 11, 9, and 3. [Mimeographed letter to the Class of '29 from Mildred Otteson, Corresponding Secretary, August 5, 1954, sent to me by Eileen Talamantez, 4/14/2007.] After Gordon's death Dorothy taught art for a time, and continued living in St. Joseph in the house Gordon had designed. All three of the children became artists of one kind or another. [E mail from her granddaughter, 4/16/2007.]

v. Robert Keith Paxson, m. Irene GREGORY during World War II. He was in the Air Corps and met her on a blind date in Missouri; she then joined the WACs. Bob was a sophomore at Dowagiac High School in the 1932 year book; engaged with his older brothers Howard and Gordon in Paxson Advertising, Benton Harbor. "During his retirement, Bob wrote his memoirs and tells with humor how the wedding almost didn't happen when his bride-to-be was confined to her barracks." Although the memoir was never published, Bob did have some short stories published in some magazines and some articles published in the Dowagiac Daily News. [My thanks to Dick Paxson, e mails 4/4 and 4m/5/2008 for this anecdote and information.]

vi. Ruth Marion Paxson; m. William PITTS; he was associated with the Paxson Company in Dowagiac; two children.

Edward John Paxson⁸, son of William Johnson Paxson, (Edward⁶, Timothy⁵ #227, Benjamin⁴ #92, Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹ #3) and his wife Ann Lenwell DEPUY Paxson, was born on 19 January 1854 at 925 Wallace St., Philadelphia. He died on 10 December 1920 in Chester, Pennsylvania. "Edward Jay" was married on 15 February 1880 to Florence Parker CARTER. She was born 20 January 1858. They were divorced before 1910. [Birth date and place from title page of Edward John Paxsons's diary/hand-illustrated book offered on e bay Nov. 2007, item #180186108497; my thanks to Dot Michael for bringing this to my attention, e mail 11/28/2007.]

Edward and Florence had two children. But the first, Mabelle, died after only five days. The second, a son Harold, who was apparently the apple of his papa's eye, died at the age of three years and ten months. Edward took it hard, and 30 years later when the wind softly pushed against a door, he was again reminded of how little Harold had pushed the door. Edward wrote a poem about "Baby Hands".

"Edward Jay" wrote poems and songs which are in the diary/book that was "engrossed by the author to be copyrighted by Edward J. Paxson for the author. Vol. I". (He seems to have often referred to himself in the third person.) It was offered for sale on ebay in November 2007. Elaine Paxson purchased it and I am very grateful that she has made some of the material available to me. This page seems to explain Edward's religious philosophy. He decried the "pie in the sky when you die" theology, embracing instead a theme dear to the hearts of seventeenth century Friends that we humans are intended to live now as if we are citizens of God's Kingdom.

Sometime before 1910 Edward and Florence were divorced. In the 1910 census Edward was living with his mother and her sister at 2444 Master Street, Philadelphia.

Perhaps the portrait to the left was taken when he hoped to publish some of his writings. His eyes seem sad, and I notice he is wearing what looks like a wedding ring. My thanks to Elaine Paxson for making the photograph available to me.

Children of Edward John and Florence Parker (Carter) Paxson:

i. Mabelle Lloyd Paxson⁹, b. 1881; only lived 5 days.
ii. Harold Depuy Paxson, b. 1883; d. 1887, aged 3 years and ten months.

Estella Annette Paxson, daughter of Francis Marion⁷ (Amos Clossen, Jr.⁶, Amos⁵ #208, James⁴ #87, James³ #30, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) was born 26 January 1863 and died 9 March 1942. She married Albert KENT, the son of Moses and Dolly COLBY Kent.

Children of Albert and Estella Annette (Paxson) Kent:

i. Bessie Keziah Kent, b. 1888; d. 1968; m. 1909 Gustav Godfried GREENBECK. Gustav was b. 1882 and d. 1983; both are bur. in Greenfield Cemetery. Gustav was the son of Friedenand and Elizabeth Rechtenback Greenbeck. In the 1930 federal census for Greenfield Town, Adair Co., Iowa, "Gust G. Greenbeck" was 47 and had been married when he was 27 years old; Bessie K. was 40 and had been married at age 21 years. His occupation was listed as laborer, working streets. Two daughters were living with them on North Street, Opal V., age 10 and Vivian B., 8. [Census schedule, Enum. Dist. 7-6, p. 265 or 4B, lines 96-99. Seen on Ancestry.com, 11/20/2007.] They had three children:

a) Izetta Pearle Greenbeck, stillborn. 1919.
b) Opal Viola Greenbeck, b. 1920; d. 1999; m. 1938 Earl D. CULVER. He d. 2002.
c) Vivian Burle Greenbeck, b. 9 Oct. 1921; d. 7 Nov. 2002; m. 29 Oct. 1939 Fred Roy CONRAD, son of Albert and Olive Clida (Thompson) Conrad. Fred was b. 4 Feb. 1904; d. 22 Mar. 1945 in a tractor accident in Arbor Hill, Va. He was a farmer and coal truck driver. They had 4 children.

ii. Ivy Kent, m. Paul RICHARDSON;

iii. Jay Kent, m. Edna CHAMBERS;

iv. Verle Kent, m. Grace HOYT;

Frances Asbury Paxson⁸, son of William Johnson Paxson, (Edward Paxson⁶, Timothy⁵ #227, Benjamin⁴ #92, Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹ #3) and his wife Ann Lenwell DEPUY Paxson, was born on 23 December 1866, in Kensington (a neighborhood in Philadelphia). He died sometime on 10 December 1943 in Chester, Penna. Frances married on 19 October 1893 Sarah Hinckson RICHARDSON. She was born in 1870 and died in 1933 at the age of 63 of an infection of her foot. [My thanks to Lyn Paxson for this information, e mail 2m/8/2008.

According to the 1900 census, "Frances" [sic] was a bookkeeper at The Mill Bottom.

Children of Frances Asbury and Sarah (Richardson) Paxson:

i. Frank G. Paxson, b. Oct. 1894 in Penna.; d. 1948; m(1) ca. 1922 Anna C.; m(2) 1934 Helen B.; resided at 2523 Myra St, Jacksonville City, Fla.; worked as an Office Manager, for an Oil Wholesale concern. Three children.

ii. Edith Paxson, b. Mar. 1897 in Penna.; m. __ HEWES; 2 children.

Frederic Logan Paxson, the son of Joseph Armitage Paxson⁷ (Howard⁶, Elias⁵ #306, Abraham⁴ #115, Thomas³, Henry², James¹), was born 23 February 1877, and died 24 October 1948. He married Helen JACKSON.

He attended Friends Central High School in Philadelphia, where he presented a speech at graduation.

Frederic was an historian of the western frontier, PhD from the Univ. of Wisconsin. Typical of his era and training he did not understand or appreciate women's or family history and threw away a whole trunk of old family letters. He did, however, write up a family reminiscence for his daughters. Again, reflecting his era and training, he did not use scholarly research to compile it, as genealogy was disparaged by professional academicians.

The following "In Memoriam, 1948" was written by J. D. Hicks H. E. Bolton J. P. McBaine:

      Frederic Logan Paxson, long a prominent figure among American historians, died in Berkeley, California, October 24, 1948, from an embolism, following a major operation. A former president of the American Historical Association, and professor of history successively at four state universities, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin, and California, he was at the time of his death Margaret Byrne Professor of United States History, Emeritus, at the University of California. He had retired the year before after a period of service at California of fifteen years, during the last eight of which he had been Chairman of the Department.

      Professor Paxson was born in Philadelphia, February 23, 1877. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he also received his Ph.D. degree. His Master's degree he held from Harvard. Throughout his life he was a loyal member of the Society of Friends.

      As a scholar, his interests ranged through all United States history. He first won recognition by his studies on the influence of the frontier West in American History. His Last American Frontier (1910), his numerous articles in historical journals, especially on railroads, and his History of American Frontier (1924), all emphasized this theme. For the latter he received the Pulitzer prize for the best book of the year on American history. He was also among the first to emphasize the importance of recent American History. His New Nation, published in 1915, and his Recent History of the United States, a textbook which went through numerous printings, and was repeatedly revised, did much to set the pattern of historical writing in this field. The first World War gave him still another special interest. During this conflict, he was in Washington as a Major in the United States Army in charge of the Economic Mobilization Section of the Historical Branch, War Plans Division, General Staff. Later he brought out a series of three volumes on American Democracy and the World War (1936-1948), books in which he attempted successfully to bridge the gap between the historical specialist and the general reader. Among his other books was one on The Independence of the South American Republics (1903), another on The Civil War (1911), and at the time of his death, he was well along with a book on the history of land grant colleges in the United States.

      As a University professor, his teaching and writing deeply influenced the thinking of thousands of students, both undergraduate and graduate. Before his retirement in 1947 he had supervised the writing of no less than sixty-six Ph.D. theses on practically all phases of United States history. As a skilled administrator, his service was in constant demand, not only in departmental matters, but also in general University affairs. As a loyal friend and a trustworthy adviser he was widely known in historical circles the nation over. As a faculty colleague he was admired for his charm and dignity, his unfailing courtesy, his well-nigh universal interests, and his incisive observations on men and events. His passing brings deep grief to all who knew him well.

      He is survived by his wife, Helen J. Paxson, and by three daughters, Dr. Jane T. Paxson, of Albany, California, Miss Emma F. Paxson, of Berkeley, who was until recently with the army of occupation in Germany as a Captain of the WACS, and Mrs. Stanley L. Ruey, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=hb9p300969&doc.view=frames&chunk.id=div00021&toc.depth=1&toc.id=, seen 4/13/2007.]

For readers who might like to sample Frederic's history, four of his books can be downloaded from the web at http://www.archive.org/: Recent History of the United States 1865-1929, America at War 1917-1918, The Civil War, and The Last American Frontier.

The three daughters of Frederic Logan and Helen (Jackson) Paxson:

i.       Jane Taylor Paxson
ii.     Emma Fell Paxson
iii.   Patricia Paxson, who m. Stanley L. RUEY.

George Morgan Paxson, the son of Isaac Paxson⁷ (John Jefferson⁶, Jonathan #221, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Louisa (HESTON) was born 10 July 1869 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and died there on 23 July 1935. [Roberts, comp., The Kirk Family, 391, incorrectly has his middle initial "C".] His earthly remains were buried in the Union Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven. George married Emma Deibert GILHAM in Schuylkill Haven. She moved there from Shamokin.

An attorney with offices in Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven, George also worked as a freight agent for the Reading Company. His father and two brothers also worked for the Reading Co.

George was involved in a number of civic activities, serving on the Board of Education, the Building and Loan Association, and the State Bank board. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He and his family were members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. [Paxson family entry in a book published for the 225th anniversary of Schuylkill Haven; my thanks to Elaine Paxson for e mailing me images of two pages, 1m/4/2008.]

Children of George M. and his wife Emma D. (Gilham) Paxson:

George S. Paxson, son of Wilson S. Paxson⁷ (son of Howard⁶, Elias⁵ #306, Abraham⁴ #115, Thomas³ #45, Henry², James¹) and his wife "Jennie" (Hall) Paxson, was born 1 December 1874, and died on 11 April 1896. George married in 1890 Mary DOAN [Information about his wife from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lukedillon/pafg100.htm#2586 seen 12/16/2007.]

The photograph to the right shows George.

George died after suffering two weeks with appendicitis. He was a quarry superintendent. He was born, died, and was buried in Solebury. [Register of Deaths, Bucks County Courthouse, Doylestown (seen 8/1987).]

Child of George S. and Mary (Doan) Paxson:

i. Earl Daniel Paxson⁹, b. 1 May 1894 in Bucks Co.; d. 29 Mar 1937 in Grass Valley, Calif.; m. 23 Jul 1917 in Colorado Ethel Luella BECK. She was the daughter of Marcellus Loren Beck and Anna Pearl (Roach) Beck, b. 28 Dec. 1896 in Colorado Springs, Co.; d. 28 Feb. 1973 in Hood River, Ore. They had 3 children. [Information about them from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lukedillon/pafg101.htm#2623 seen 12/16/2007.]

George Washington Paxson, son of Francis Marion (Amos Clossen, Jr.⁶, Amos⁵ #208, James⁴ #87, James³ #30, William Jr.² #16, James¹) was born 5 April 1855 in Ohio, and died on 11 October 1912. He married on 23 March 1887 Minnie Nellie POWERS. She had been born 12 March 18__ in Michigan, the daughter of Humphrey and Caroline PACKER Powers. Minnie died 29 December 1918. [Information from Mary Louise Giles, with my thanks.]

Both George and Minnie had died before all of their children had reached adulthood. I have not checked the Orphan's Court records, but did find this tantalizing notice of a court case involving their youngest son, Wendell.

In the case of Wendel PAXTON, a minor, the court agree with a petition that property in which the ward has a share is unproductive and decreasing in value. The court authorized the guardian to give a deed and sell the property at cash value of $1,600. The share of Wendel PAXTON in this property is $266.66. [http://www.iowaoldpress.com/IA/Tama/1925/sept.html, seen 11/19/2007.]

Children of George Washington and Minnie Nellie (Powers) Paxton:

i.       Florence M. Paxton, b. 1888; d. 1909; m. 1908 Perry W. HALL;
ii.     Harold Humphrey Paxton, b. 1891; m. 1909 Anna KERNER;
iii.   Glen Frances Paxton, b. 1893; m. 1916 Nellie FOWLER, who was b. 1896;
iv.    Violet Rosene Paxton, m. Walter BRYAN;
v.     Allen Dale Paxton, m. Tena VANA;
vi.    Audrey George Paxton, ;
vii.   Milford James Paxton, m. Alta Irene WALL;
viii. Wendell Powers Paxton, m. Darlene WARD.

Harry Paxson Where does this man fit into our family? There's a missing link here.

"One very beautiful mature soul was Harry Paxson. Harry Paxson died last month in Chesapeake in his ninth decade. I doubt there was a more beloved man than Harry. I never saw Harry without feeling like I brightened his day, as everyone felt with Harry. He was a glowing light of love which eclipsed all physical deterioration." ["The Shopper.com" issue of Dec. 16, 2007, seen at http://www.theshopper.com/stageslife.shtml on 12/16/2007.

Was he the Harry Paxson widower of Ethel?

      Ethel M. Paxson, 84, of London died Friday, Nov. 10, 2000, at Dardanelle Nursing Center.
      She was a daughter of the late James and Etta Phelps Wolfe, affiliated with the Pentecostal faith, and was preceded in death by one sister, Nellie Cantrell; and one brother, Lester Wolfe.
      Survivors include her husband, Harry Paxson; one daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Lee Morgan of London; three sons and two daughters-in-law, James and Joan Paxson of Clarksville, Ronald L. Paxson of Lamar, and Tarry and Kathy Paxson of Knoxville; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
      Funeral was at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at Roller-Cox Chapel with Rev. Doug Ming officiating. Graveside services and burial were at 2 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith.
      Pallbearers were Skip Wiggins, Steve Wilcox, Ray Britton, Kevin Ramsey, Kerry Wiggins, Bill Hill, Tim Storms, and Quinton Ramsey. [http://www.cswnet.com/~graphic/00obit/11-15-00.html seen 12/16/2007.]

It seems likely that this is the husband of Ethel:

      Harry C. Paxson Jr., known among locals as ``Mr. Education'' and the ``Miracle Man,'' was praised for his investment in the city by Gov. George F. Allen.
      ``You are a model of what a true Virginian should be and a Virginian ought to be,'' said Allen, a Republican and former Jaycee. ``You remind me of (Thomas) Jefferson, an individual who devoted much of his talents, his time and his resources helping out his community in this state and our founding nation, as well as others outside the nation.''
      Allen spoke at a dinner last Thursday honoring Paxson as Chesapeake's First Citizen. The award is given annually by the Great Bridge Jaycees.
      After Allen's speech, state Sen. Mark L. Earley, R-Chesapeake, presented a surprise to Paxson - a copy of a resolution passed by the state Senate and House of Delegates recognizing Paxson as the city's First Citizen.
      Paxson, 88, is known for his coaching success at South Norfolk High School. He also is credited as a school leader who helped ease two big transitions: integration and the merger of South Norfolk and Norfolk County schools.
      As a youth, he attended South Norfolk High School, playing right guard for the football team that won the 1925 Class B state championship. He continued to play football at the College of William and Mary.
      After his graduation, Paxson returned to South Norfolk High to coach football, baseball and basketball. Both his baseball and basketball teams won state championships in 1935.
      In the process, he coached some of the city's most prominent leaders. Chesapeake Circuit Judge William L. Forbes was one of Paxson's bat boys.
      ``His enthusiasm was contagious,'' Forbes said at the dinner and awards ceremony. ``He had more impact on young people than any one of us.''
      Paxson went on to become South Norfolk High's assistant principal in 1940 and then head of the Norfolk County Recreational Department. He was the assistant personnel superintendent of Norfolk County schools before the locality merged with South Norfolk in 1963.
      He retired from the Chesapeake school system, where he had continued as assistant personnel superintendent, in 1972.
      Paxson is still known as ``Uncle Harry'' to his large extended family of friends.
      ``I know many people,'' he said. ``I went to high school with some of them. I makes me feel so good to see them.''
      At the ceremony, Paxson stood in the hallway of the Holiday Inn in Greenbrier, greeting the 270 guests one by one. Dressed in a dark gray pin-stripe suit adorned with a white carnation corsage, his weathered face blushed and his eyes sparkled in excitement.
      ``Good to see you, my friends,'' Paxson said heartily to each guest. ``Good to see you.''
      ``You're so special,'' a friend said.
      In his acceptance speech, Paxson was modest. His humble comments sparked laughter among the guests.
      "I don't know what to say," he said. "I'm the oldest person ever receiving that award, so don't expect much."
      At the end, Paxson credited his achievements to others.
      "If I have had any opportunity to positively touch your lives in any small way, I'd like to say thank you," said Paxson. [" GOVERNOR PRAISES HARRY PAXSON, BEING HONORED AS FIRST CITIZEN", The Virginian-Pilot, Friday, July 15, 1994, as seen 12/16/2007 on http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/vp940715/07130127.htm

Henry "Harry" Andrews Paxson, son of Joseph C.⁷, (Timothy⁶, Joseph⁵ #212, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (Kling) Paxson, was born 6 February 1882 in Sadsbury Township, and died on Monday 31 December 1962 at his home in Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Harry married 24 June 1914 in Lenover, Penna. Helen Rene CHALFANT.

Helen was born 12 August 1890 in Lenover, the daughter of Harry and Clara M. (YOUNG) Chalfant. The Chalfont brothers owned the Chalfont Machine Works in Lenover. In 1852 they manufactured threshing machines in a stone building that is still standing on Lower Valley Road west of Parkesburg. There was a rail siding next to their plant, from which they shipped many machines out west. For a while they produced a large car there. In 2006 there was three remaining Chalfont cars in existence, one in Canada and two in West Virginia. Harry operated a hardware store in Parkesburg. He lived west of town across from the Chalfont plant along the road where other Chalfont family members built houses. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 35.]

Helen lived in the Parkesburg area all her life. Helen was a graduate of Parkesburg High School and Darlington Seminary, West Chester, Peabody Institute of Music, Philadelphia, and West Chester State College. She taught in the Coatesville School System for 35 year, and for 8 years at Octorara School. Helen died 16 February 1971. [Obituary, Daily Local News 17 Feb. 1971, in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; I am indebted to Cindy Grossholtz for sending it to me 3m/26/2003.]

In the 1930 census for Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Harry is listed with his wife Helen and two sons, H. Chalfont Paxson (12), and James Paxson (6). Harry was a 48 year old carpenter, who married when he was 32. Helen was an elementary school teacher, her age illegible, but married when she was 24, so ca. 40 years old.[Census schedule image as seen on Ancestry.com, 11/23/2007, taken Apr. 23, 1930, Enum. Dist. 15-56, Sheet 3-B, lines 76-79; Roll 2020.]

The family were members of the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church.

Harry died suddenly in his home, aged 80. His body was buried in the Upper Octorara Cemetery on Friday; he died on Monday. [Obituary, Parkesburg Post 3 Jan. 1963, found by Cindy Grossholtz in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; I am indebted to her for sending it to me 3m/26/2003.]

Children of Harry Andrew and Helen (Chalfant) Paxson:

i.       Harry Chalfont Paxson, b. 22 Mar. 1918 in Parkesburg; d. 17 Sept. 2001 in Apoka, Fla.; m(1) 3 Oct. 1942 Annette LANARD at Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia; she d. in 1984. Harry m(2) Beverly __. Annette graduated from the Univ. of Penn. and taught at the Coatesville High School. Harry graduated from Parkesburg High School and West Chester State teachers College, then worked for 25 years as a ceramic engineer in the research department of Lukens Steel. He also worked for G & WH Corson in Plymouth Meeting. He served as Sunday School Superinetendent of the Parkesburg Presbyterian Church. From 1957 to 1975 he served on the Octorara School Board, for seven years as president. In 1989 he removed to Florida. 5 children.[Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 35-6.]

ii.     James Howard Paxson, b. 31 May 1923; d. 6 Dec. 2001 in Apopka, Orange Co., Fla. [dates from Social Security Death Index[an error occurred while processing this directive]]; m. Anna CROSSMAN. James lived in West Grove, Penna., and was a member of Landenberg Methodist Church; he was a Mason, member of the Lions at Avon Grove, and the Sertoma Club. He was a judge of the American Horse Show Association and lent a horse to the US equestrian team. He was a farmer, but also and his sons ran the James Paxson & Sons trucking firm. Had at least 2 sons and a daughter. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 36.]

Jesse Cole Paxson⁸, son of Hartwell Littleton⁷ ( Jacob Canby⁶, Jacob⁵ #214, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Ina Emmeroi (LEACH) Paxson, was born 30 January 1894 in Watervliet, Michigan, and died ca. February 1940 in California. He married Martha __, probably in California.

Jesse's middle name of Cole was no doubt from his maternal grandmother's second husband. I gather there is a complicated story involving an 1869 divorce, with the five children split up and only the two little girls, Ina and Ada Leach, staying with their mother Julia. She married W. S. COLE in 1873, taking his name. [E mails from Elaine Bennett-Sharp, 2/21, 22/2009.]

Jesse went to California as a young man and never came back to Michigan. I do not know any of the circumstances, but Jess's brother Edgar wrote that their mother "had grieved for him for many years". When Jess died, a letter was sent to Edgar, who forwarded it to the Matron of the facility where their mother lived so that Ina would not be alone when she learned of the death. Three grandchildren also immediately went to be with her. Jesse's death "was a severe blow" to Ina. She died ten months later. [Letter from Edgar Paxson to his aunt Elizabeth Inman, Santa Cruz, Calif., Oct. 15, 1941. Typescript kindly sent to me by Elaine, 2/22/2009.]

Children of Jesse Cole and Martha (__) Paxson: [Letter written by Blanche (GLASS) FROST to Thomas W. Jones, 31 March 1979, copy kindly sent to me by Elaine, 2/22/2009.]

i. Helen LaVerne Paxson, b. 1907;
ii. Vivian Estelle Paxson, b. 1910;

John B. Paxson⁸ (ca. 1851- ), son of Heston⁷ Paxson (Isaiah⁶ (Benjamin⁵, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Margaret, was born ca. 1852 in Indiana. He was enumerated in the 1880 census as aged 28, plasterer in Red Key, Jay Co., Ind., b. in Ind, parents b. in Ohio; wife: Arizona A. 20, b. in Ind, father in Va, mother b in Ind. [NA Film Number T9-0287, p. 493A, as transcribed on familysearch, seen 7m/3/2005.]

John Barton Paxton, son of John Barton⁷ (Bright Rupert⁶ (Joseph⁵, Jonas⁴, James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his second wife, Anne Jones (Price) Paxton, was born 5 April 1889 in Philadelphia. He died in the early 1960s in Wagoner, Arizona. John married on 27 September 1916 in Prescott, Ariz., Henrietta KATZMAR of Auburn, New York. She was the daughter of Paul H. and Amelia (Henberger) Katzmar. "Henri" died in the 1960s in Auburn, NY. They had no children.

John was a mining engineering who "didn't like the city, although he had a lively interest in people and things." Henrietta's sister Charlotte took them to the World's Fair in San Francisco. They lived in Wagoner, near Flagstaff, Arizona. The photograph shows Henri and John at their homestead, with John's older sister Sue (with the camera), taken in the mid 1950s.

John and "Henri" had no children.

John Conard Paxson, the son of Isaac Paxson⁷ (John Jefferson⁶, Jonathan #221, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Miriam (CONARD) was born 23 November 1861 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He died on 22 December 1933 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. John married on 29 September 1886 Fannie Libbie HEEBNER in Port Carbon, Penna. She was born 27 December 1858 and died in 1941. [My thanks to Elaine Paxson for information on this family, e mails, 3/2008.]

Children of John Conard and Fannie Libbie (Heebner) Paxson:

i.      George Heebner Paxson⁹, born 23 Nov. 1887 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuykill County; m. Emma __.
ii.     Isaac Earl Paxson, b. 13 Feb. 1890 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuykill County, PA; d. 1969; m(1) Carrie BUEHLER, divorced, no children; m(2) Lena Ursula MOHL; children; ran a dairy business on the old farm on Schuylkill Mountain, which sits above Schuylkill Haven; after his death farming ended although the property is still the home of a descendant.
iii.    Thomas Arthur Paxson, born 4 April 1891 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuykill County; d. 26 Aug. 1891, age 4 months, 22 days.
iv.    Harold Lenker Paxson, born 21 May 1894 in Schuylkill Haven; d. 19 Sept. 1894, age 3 months 29 days.
v.     Mary Elizabeth Paxson, b. 6 Nov. 1895 in Schuylkill Co.; d. 1980; m. __; had a daughter.

John Watson Paxson, the son of Wilson S. Paxson⁷ (Howard⁶, Elias⁵ #306, Abraham⁴ #115, Thomas³, Henry², James¹), was born 4 July 1885, and died in January 1969. He married Ethel MILLS, who was born 28 May 1895 and died 20 September 1988. Both are buried at Wrightstown Meeting.

Watson, as he was known, farmed most of his life. His first farm was along the Delaware River and canal below Bowman's Hill tower. Later he had a farm in Gardenville. His grandson remembers that Watson seemed tall and had "the frostiest white hair". [E mail 11/16/2007 from John Paxson.]

Children of J. Watson and Ethel (Mills) Paxson:

i.       John Watson Paxson II,
ii.     Charles H. Paxson
iii.    Grace Paxson,
iv.    Robert F. Paxson, m. Mary LOGAN;

Joseph Elwood Paxson, son of Phillip I.⁷ (Joseph Jefferson⁶, Benjamin⁵ #213, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.², James¹ #3), was born 14 September 1847. He married on 1 April 1871 Mary Shelley PARRETT. She was the daughter of Amos and Mary (Shelley) Parrett; Amos died in the Civil War and Mary married a second time, to Jonah IREY, Jr., son of Phineas Irey. [e mail from Tom Irey.]

In the 1880 census he is listed as Elwood J. (age 32) with his wife Mary L. (28) and three children, all born in Indiana: Iva M. (8), Amos E. (5), and Anna C. (1 year old). He was listed as a farmer. [1880 federal census for Penn Twp., Jay Co., Ind., NA Film no. T9-0286, p. 356A; seen 9/24/2008 on FamilySearch.]

Joseph was known as an excellent carpenter and building contractor; he also owned a 74-acre farm in Penn Township, Indiana.

Children of Joseph Elwood and Mary Shelley (Parrett) Paxson:

i.       Iva M. Paxson, b. 1872; m. Thomas J. HARRELL;

ii.     Amos Ebert Paxson, b. 1875; d. 1935; m. Iva BUNKER; 3 children;

iii.    Anna Clementine "Clemmie" Paxson, b. 1879;

iv.    Opal Paxson, b. 1884; m. Walter WILLIAMS;

v.     Leslie Merle Paxson, b. 1888; d. 1956; m. 22 Mar. 1913 Orpha Belle WALDO, daughter of Rev. Loren E. Waldo; 7 children;

vi.   Esta Paxson, b. 1892; m. Walter WILLIAMS after her sister, Walter's first wife, died;

vii.   Phyllis Paxson, b. 20 Dec. 1894; m. Forest HULLINGER.

Joseph Howard Paxson⁸ (called Howard), son of Charles S. Paxson⁷ (Howard⁶, Elias⁵ #306, Abraham⁴ #115, Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and his wife Sarah B. (Michener) Paxson, was born 12 September 1868 in Plumstead township. He died in July 1946. Howard married 6 June 1895 Emma Augusta FLACK. She was born 18 March 1869, the daughter of Wilson J. and Mary Anna (Pickering) Flack. ["Flack Genealogy" webpage of Jim Flack, Carol Temlin, and Rich Flack, seen 11m/9/2007 at http://www.flackgenealogy.com/ There is considerable controversy over the date of birth of Wilson J. Flack because of the many different ages for him given to the census enumerators over the years. Jim Flack offers ca. 1830, which matches the date on his gravestone.]

Howard, Emma, and their daughter Edna seemed to have lived in a second house on Howard's father's property, as enumerated in the 1910 census. Then by the 1920 census, Howard's elderly parents moved in with them, and J. Howard was listed as the head of the household. [I am indebted to Jim Flack for sending me the census, e mail 11m/9/2007] In 1930 census both parents had gone to their reward, and "Joseph H." and "Emma F.", both listed as 61 years old, married at age 29, were living on the farm. It was valued at $10,000. [Census schedule image as seen on Ancestry.com, 11/23/2007, taken in Apr. 1930, Enum. Dist. 9-65, Sheet 6-B, lines 84-85; Roll 2008.]

The photograph to the right shows Howard. On the left is his headstone in Solebury Meeting graveyard.

Child of J. Howard and Emma Augusta (Flack) Paxson:

i.     Edna M. Paxson, b. 9 Mar. 1896; m. 16 Oct. 1922 Harvey FAUK.

Joseph Townsend Paxton, son of John Barton⁷ Paxton (Bright Rupert⁶ (Joseph⁵, Jonas⁴, James³, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife, Anne Jones (Price) Paxton, was born 23 August 1880 in Philadelphia. He died suddenly on 22 January 1910 while on company business in Durham, N. C. As there was nobody else to take over the company, it was sold after his death. Joseph m. Nettie __.[HREII notes.]

Joseph joined Race Street Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends by application 23 May 1900. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

Joseph and Nettie had no children.

Mahlon Irey Paxson, son of Joshua M.⁷ (Joseph Jefferson⁶, Benjamin⁵ #213, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary J. (Irey) Paxson, was born 11 November 1842 on his parents' farm in Penn Township, Jay County, Indiana, and died 15 February 1920 in Pennville. He married on 22 (or 27 as in Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana) February 1866 Matilda Ellen KEESE. She was born 23 Tenth Month 1848, the fourth daughter of Stephen and Sarah Keese who had moved to Indiana from Vermont as early as 1838. Matilda died 2 February 1876. This photograph of Mahlon and Matilda is copied from W. T. Keese, Keese Family History and Genealogy from 1690 to 1911 [(Cardington, Ohio: Independent Printing Co., 1911), opposite page 43. My thanks to Tom Irey for sending this to me.] Mahlon married for a second time on 12 October or November 1877 Rebecca Jane WALKER. She was born in 1851 and died in 1933 in Pennville. [W. T. Keese, Keese Family History and Genealogy from 1690 to 1911 (Cardington, Ohio: Independent Printing Co., 1911), 43; "The Rumple-Haworth Family History" updated 7/26/2003, by Shannon Colleen O'Hara-Haworth, at http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/; and, "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson (Mrs. Frank Paxson), typescript, 36 (copied for me 3/2005 by Tom Irey). Second marriage being in Nov., her middle name of Jane, and years of birth and death are from Dave Paxson, e mail 5/15/2009.]

Mahlon had little time for schooling, completing only four or five terms by the age of seventeen. However, he continued to read and observe, thus making up for the lack of "book learning". [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403, as cited by Dave Paxson, "Family Group Sheet for Mahlon Irey Paxson", May 14, 2009.]

At the age of nineteen Mahlon enlisted as a private in Company F, 75th Regiment Indiana Infantry on 31 July 1862 in Pennville (then known as Camden), serving in the Civil War until 8 June 1865. He saw action at Chickamunga, among other battles. His feet were injured on the march from Raleigh, North Carolina to Washington, DC in May or June 1865. He also suffered chronic diarrhea, piles and fistula. Later he was a member of Lew Dailey Post #33, Grand Army of the Republic, as noted on his tomb stone. Politically he was a strong independent, although he supported the Greenback party while it was in existence and later became a Populist. [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403.] This was a time when fraternal organizations flourished. Mahlon was a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, joining at Keystone. It claims to be the oldest fraternal organization started in the United States, tracing its origins to the rebel Sons of Liberty in 1765. "They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Confederacy and its democratic governing body." After the War of 1812 the name was changed to the Society of Red Men, and then in 1834 to the Improved Order of Red Men. I wonder what Native Americans might think of its boasted efforts to perpetuate "the beautiful legends and traditions of a once-vanishing race and the keeping alive some of the traditional customs, ceremonies, and philosophies." The photograph shows him in the group's uniform.

With money saved from his army pay Mahlon bought a 60-acre farm, to which he brought his bride, Matilda E. Keese. Not too long after that they exchanged the farm for 80 acres of woodland. There he built a log cabin, 16 x 18 feet, and set up a blacksmith shop. He cleared about 50 acres, but made more money in smithing. On 2 February 1876 Matilda died, leaving four children. Two years later Mahlon remarried Rebecca Jane Walker, the widow of Miles PAXSON of Jay County. She had a son, Luther M. Paxson. Rebecca was an active member of the United Brethren church from her childhood. Mahlon did not belong to any religious organization. [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403, as transcribed by Dave Paxson, "Family Group Sheet for Mahlon Irey Paxson", May 14, 2009.]

Mahlon (age 37) and Rebecca J. (age 25) show up in the 1880 federal census for Penn Township, Jay County, Indiana. With them are four children, all born in Indiana: Florence (12), Nealy (7), Luther M. (6), and Lelfer [sic] (age 1 year). Luther was Rebecca's son by her first marriage. Mahlon was listed as a farmer. [ NA Film Number T9-0286, page 364A, as seen on FamilySearch, 9/24/2008.]

About 1883 Mahlon exchanged his 80 acres for 100 acres in Notttingham Township, Wells County. It was a mile and a half southwest of the village of Petroleum.

He made many improvements on this farm, including among others one of the largest barns in the township and a beautiful two-story modern dwelling costing twenty-five hundred dollars. He brought the land to a high state of cultivation and by his energy, foresight and successful management added continually to his possessions until within a comparatively few years he was numbered among the wealthiest men in his part of the county. [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403, as transcribed by Dave Paxson, "Family Group Sheet for Mahlon Irey Paxson", May 14, 2009.]

Mahlon collected guns. Here he is with his boys showing off some Civil War era muzzle loaders. From the left: Sherman Irey, Telfer Phineas, Mahlon Irey, Orville Leslie, and Ernest. Eventually Mahlon created a museum for his collection, of which this picture is only a small part. After his death it was sold at public auction. The clipping to the right lists the things he had collected. Fred Williams, representing the State of Indiana, bought the "entire stock of relics" for $1,700.

In 1896 Mahlon purchased a "fine residence" in Bluffton, but after a short time he returned to the country, eventually trading his city property for a farm in Lancaster. He moved there in 1898, while retaining his Nottingham farm, which eventually went to his son Telfer. Mahlon owned some 752 acres of good farm land in Lancaster Township, Nottingham, several pieces in Jay County, and some in Stafford County, Kansas. He bred Galloway cattle and also Jerseys. He owned a "fine threshing outfit", a shredder, and continued to operate a blacksmith shop. His was the "self-made" "rags to riches" American dream. [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403.]

In 1909 Mahlon's son Telfer, who took over the farm in Nottingham, held a major sale of stock and equipment. The list indicates not only what was for sale, but the equipment a modern farm had before the First World War. The photograph shows ten horses, and may have been the day of the sale or shortly before. Note the large barn.

Don H. Fisher has written a 137 page book, Mahlon Paxson, Civil War Soldier, Farmer, Patriot recording Mahlon's biography and travels, and including letters and pictures. It also documents information on Mahlon's Civil War battles, the hardships, and marching with General Serman's army (at one time marching 30 miles barefoot). The man had a full and interesting life.

In preparation for the close of his eventful life, Mahlon planned an unusual grave monument in the rustic style, showing a scroll hung from a tree stump. [My thanks to Dave Paxson for sending this image of it, 5m/9/2009.]

Children of Mahlon Irey and Matilda Ellen (Keese) Paxson:

i. Florence Estella Paxson m(1) 6 Jan. 1884 David KELLY, m(2) Lilburn KEESE; she donated a number of items to the Indiana State Museum in 1930; 6 children: [Data on the children from: Keese, Keese Family History and Genealogy from 1690 to 1911, 43.]

a) Mary Ethel Kelly, b. 7 June 1885;
b) Verna Matilda Kelly, b. 30 Mar. 1887;
c) Marion Francis, b. 25 July 1889;
d) William Edward Kelly, b. 2 Aug. 1891;
e) Monna Juanna Kelly, b. 6 Oct. 1893;
f) James Ulric Kelly, b. 6 Aug. 1895;

ii. Nealy Pearl Paxson m. 10 Dec. 1890 George LANNING; resided in Michigan; 6 children: [Data on the children from: Keese, Keese Family History and Genealogy from 1690 to 1911, 43.]

a) Esther May Lanning, b. 19 Aug. 1891;
b) Frederick Lanning, b. 19 Mar. 1893;
c) Sarah Ellen Lanning, b. 8 Feb., 1896;
d) Anna Lanning, b. 29 May 1900;
e) Zella Lanning, b. 9 Aug. 1904;
f) Franklin Lanning, b. 11 Apr. 1910;

iii. Nathan Paxson, d. by 1880. [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403.]

iv. Adrian Paxson, d. in infancy, but after the death of his mother. [Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana (1903), p. 403.]

Children of Mahlon Irey and his second wife Rebecca Jane (Walker) Paxson: [Information about Rebecca's children from Dave Paxson, e mail 5/15/2009.]

v. Telfer Phineas Paxson, b. 27 Dec. 1878 in Jay Co., Ind.; d. 26 Jul. 1937 in Bluffton, Ind.; m. 30 Mar. 1902 Elva EICHORN (she was b. 31 Aug. 1885); their wedding photograph is to the right [my thanks to Bruce Lynn Sonner, e mail 6/28/2009]; lived on his father's farm in Nottingham Twp.; he was remembered for studying the Bible.

vi. Sherman Irey Paxson, b. 17 Sept. 1881 in Jay Co.; d. 27 Oct. 1961; m. 26 Sept. 1902 in Uniondale, Ind. Clara GREGG (b. 8 Aug. 1884; d. 2 May 1873 in Bluffton, Ind.); lived on part of his father's farm in Lancaster Twp.; 3 children, all born in Bluffton, Wells Co.: [My thanks to Dave Paxson for information on Sherman's family, e mail 8m/29/2009.]

a) Dorothy M. Paxson, b. 23 Jan. 1906; d. 22 Jan. 1983 in Ft. Wayne; m. John H. SMITH
b) Lloyd Sherman Paxson, b. 8 May 1909; d. 16 Feb. 1966 in Ft. Wayne; m. Gwendolyn NYBLICK
c) Roger Earl Paxson, b. 17 Sept. 1918; d. 13 Dec. 2001 in Van Wert, Ohio; m(1) 6 Jan. 1938 in Bluffton, Ind. Doris BYERLY; m(2) Mary BROWN; he worked for General Electric in Ft. Wayne for 32 years, retiring in 1981; 3 sons, 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren as of 2001.

vii. Orville Leslie Paxson, b. 5 July 1885 in Jay Co., Ind.; d. 7 June 1946 in Clinic Hospital, Bluffton, Wells Co., Ind. and was bur. in Elm Grove Cemetery; m. Inez Orilla STRAM (b. 14 Sept. 1888; d. 3 Aug. 1966); managed a strip mine pit in Bluffton, Ind.; had children:

a) Frederick Mahlon Paxson, b. 2 May 1908 in Wells Co.; d. 7 June 1966;
b) Mildred L. Paxson, b. 25 Jan. 1910 in Bluffton; d. 12 Feb. 1989 in Titusville, Fla.; m. 23 Aug. 1923 Harold M. KRINN;
c) William Wendell Paxson, b. 5 May 1913 in Wells Co.,; d. 5 Sept. 1977 in Huntingdon Co., Ind.;
d) Ruth Maxine Paxson, b. 8 Apr. 1917 in Wells Co., Ind.; d. 18 Dec. 2004 in Bluffton; m. 14 Sept. 1939 Dwight Edward NIBLICK. She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1935; she was a member of the First United Church of Christ; 4 children, 10 grandchildren. [Obit., Dec. 20, 2004 Bluffton News-Banner.
e) Doris June Paxson, b. 30 June 1919 in Bluffton; d. 27 June 2007 in Prairie Village, Kan.; m(1) 26 Sept. 1945 in Nobelsville, Ind., Don Herbert FISHER. Dottie "graduated from Lancaster High School near Bluffton and was active in swimming, diving, and roller-skating in dance team competitions. Full of spunk, she enjoyed skeet shooting and horseback riding with her father and played the violin she received from her grandfather. During World War II she worked for the General Electric plant in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where parts for the war effort were built." They lived on the Connor Prairie Farm, and when it became an historical site she led tours of the buildings there. Doris was a skilled seamstress making stylish clothes and appliqued quilts, studied oil painting, and was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Organization in Noblesville, Ind. In 1960 the Fisher family moved to Prairie Village, Kansas. They joined the Asbury United Methodist Church. Dottie had a great sense of style and "worked for many years in sales behind the counter as an Estee Lauder representative in the Jones Store (now Macy's)". [Obituary in the Kansas City Star 7/1/2007.]
f) Jayne Paxson, b. 26 Oct. 1922 in Bluffton; d. 30 Jan. 1993; m. David Carl BOOTH; Jayne retired in 1984 as a machinist from CTS at Berne; member of First United Church of Christ.

viii. Ernest Paxson, b. 7 Jan. 1886; d. 6 Feb. 1898 from an accidental gunshot by his brother Orville.

Phillip A. Paxson, son of Joshua M.⁷ (Joseph Jefferson⁶, Benjamin⁵ #213, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary J. (Irey) Paxson, was born in 1847. On 15 August 1870 he married Sarah "Sallie" M. SIBRAY. [The information for this family is from "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson (Mrs. Frank Paxson), typescript, 36. My thanks to Tom Irey who sent me a copy 3/2005.]

Children of Phillip A. and Sarah M. (Sibray) Paxson:

i. Leona "Ona" Violet Paxson, b. 1878; m(1) 25 Oct. 1903 Melvin LANNING; m(2) 1910 Howard G. SHARP;
ii. Karl I. Paxson, b. 1885; d. at birth.
iii. Oscar Alvin Paxson, b. 7 Aug. 1889; m. 1910 Ruth Lydia McCLAIN.

Samuel Livezey Paxson⁸, son of Eugene⁷ (Howard⁶, Elias⁵ #306, Abraham⁴ #115, Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and his wife Martha (Livezey), was born 18 August 1870, and died 2 September 1948. He married ca. 1899 Ann E. HORN.

Samuel was a school boy in the 1880 census list. In the 1910 census he lived in Solebury, and owned the Cuttalossa Orchards near Lumberville. In the 1930 federal census he was enumerated as a 59 year old farmer on a fruit farm in Solebury Township; he was married at age 29, and his property was valued at $20,000. With him was his wife, "Ann E.", age 60, also married at age 29, born in Pennsylvania of parents born in New Jersey. [Census schedule image as seen on Ancestry.com, 11/23/2007, taken Apr. 22, 1930, Enum. Dist. 9-65, Sheet 8-B, lines 99-100; Roll 2008.]

Child of Samuel L. and Ann E. (Horn) Paxson:

i. Richard H. Paxson, b. 20 Jan. 1908, an invalid, unmarried.

Theodore Paxson, son of Chandler Paxson⁷ (Joel Cheshire⁶, Jacob⁵ #276, John⁴, Reuben³, William Jr.², James¹) and his wife Elizabeth (Emery) Paxson, was born 3 March 1901 at Allen, Dixon County, Nebraska. He married 24 January 1923 at Tamarack, Minn., Della May HANSEL. She was born 4 December 1902. They had 4 children. [Information from Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954.

i. John Richard Paxson⁹, b, 12 July 1924; d. 7 Aug. 1925.
ii. Helen
iii. Roy
iv. Duane

William Alpha Paxson⁸, son of John⁷ (Aaron, Jr.⁶, Amos⁵ #208, James⁴ #87, James³, William Jr.², James¹) and his wife Louisa Ann (LeValley) Paxson, was born 6 July 1850 near Jamestown, Greene County, Ohio, and died 16 January 1933. William Alpha, known as "Alf", married Becky RANKIN.

Alf was a lawyer and farmer. He attended Ohio Wesleyan College for two years, taught school, read law in Xenia, and finally went on for a year at Cincinnati Law College. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1874. He practiced law in Washington Court House from 1874-1876, then moved to Jamestown where he practiced from 1876 till he died. He also operated extensive farms. He wrote a lot of poetry on rural themes, but published only one book, A Buckeye Baron: A Rural Story of a Buckeye Boy (Cincinnati: The Robert Clarke Company, 1901). [William Coyle, ed., Ohio Authors and Their Books: Biographical Data and Selective Bibliographies for Ohio Authors, Native and Resident, 1796-1950 (Cleveland: World Publishing Co., for the Ohioana Library Association, 1962), p. 487, as seen 6/27/2005 on http://www.wvu.edu/~lawfac/jelkins/lp-2001/paxson.html.] According to Au Revoir, a document located in the Greene County Archives, he was known as the "poet laureate" of the Greene County Bar. [http://www.wvu.edu/~lawfac/jelkins/lp-2001/paxson.html citing Gillian Hill, Greene County, Ohio: Time Capsule of 1901 (Arcadia Publishing, 2002), 2.]

A Buckeye Baron purports to be a true story, dictated to W. A. Paxson by a man who may or may not be his twin brother. It is full of late Victorian purple prose and highly improbable plot twists (like our hero accompanies Henry Morton Stanley, and ends up in a Masonic ritual in darkest Africa--shades of da Vinci Code). It also is studded with fairly awful poetry written by Paxson. But I suspect that unselfconsciously it reflects quite accurately the times, attitudes, and characters of rural southwest Ohio in the 1860s. Anyway, it is a rather amusing light summer read. The photo is from an illustration in the book, labelled "me", presumably Alf Paxson.

Wilmington College Library's copy of A Buckeye Baron was inscribed by the author to __ Doan (I'll let the reader decipher his handwriting). There is a fragment of a very intriguing holograph letter pasted into the front of book. The right margin of the last page of the letter has been clipped so that it fits better. It is undated, consisting only of a "Post Script", and signed, "Mother" (is she Mrs. Doan?). She obviously does not care for William Alpha Paxson, calling him "Alf Paxton", of Jamestown, Ohio. She goes on to relate:

He had the gift of gab & used it unwisely. My brother Will was in love with Becky Rankin and she with him. All went well with them until he went to see her one night and thru the window saw Alf Paxton sitting with her, so he turned around & left, and never went back. After Becky had married Alf she met Will once by accident & immediately she asked him what happened to him & he told her. Her reply was: "Why didn't you ask me?"
   Alf Paxton was the man in Jamestown who saw my father in some town when I was visiting Hattie Hockett and told him that I had gone camping with a wild bunch of young people who were not decent. My father was very much excited about it and had Walker drive over to the perfectly decent, well chaperoned camp to bring me home. The youn[g] people were nice -- both the boys & girls. So I wouldn['t] go back with him. In f[act] he stayed too.

She concluded (and the reader must make his or her own decision as to the merits of the accusations and conclusions) with this character and literary assessment:

Alf Paxton was noted for being a lia[r] but I guess he could write [poems]. I don't think that I read any of them.

William Alpha Paxson wrote a "Chronological Sketch, or History of the LeVally Family, Written for the Family Reunion, August 19, 1928". It is posted on the LeValley [note the spelling] web page with this caveat:

Unfortunately, the first half is mostly fiction. John J. LeVally was not born until around 1794--far too late to have participated in adventures with Lafayette or George Washington. His father did not move the family to Ohio until 1811. Yet the information on John's descendants seems fairly accurate.

It then goes on to name the parents of Alf: John Paxson, whose wife, Louisa Ann LeVall[e]y was a twin of Lewis, born 22 November 1829.

In addition to his literary sideline (hardly a career), Alf was a lawyer and politician. He was mayor of Jamestown when a tornado struck in 1884. He sent the following telegram to the mayor of Dayton:

One half of our town was totally destroyed by the terrific cyclone of the 27 inst. Hundreds of our citizens are in destitute circumstances and in need of relief. Any assistance will be gratefully received. [http://www.dragonbbs.com/members/ww8566/cyclone2.html (as of 6/27/2005).]

Children of William Alpha and Becky (Rankin) Paxson: [WA Paxson, "Chronological Sketch, or History of the LeVally Family" as posted on http://www.wvu.edu/~lawfac/jelkins/lp-2001/paxson.html (as of 6/27/2005).]

i.       W. A. Paxson, Chief Solicitor for the City of Washington, Ohio, in 1938; [he received a letter in that capacity on 13 Aug. describing reasons for the Green River Ordinance. See http://www.cityofgreenriver.org/aboutus/grord.htm (as of 5/27/2005).]

ii.     Mary Paxson, d. by 1928; m. __ DICKEY; had a son, Homer Dickey of Dayton; perhaps she is the one nicknamed "Frostie"? ["Mother" in the letter quoted above, reports that Alf had "a lovely daughter named 'Frostie'."]

iii.   Patience Paxson, m. Edward SUMMERS; res. Worcester, Mass.;

iv.     John N. Paxson, d. by 1928;

v.       Charles A. Paxson, d. by 1928;

William D. Paxson, the son of William Patterson Paxson⁷ (Stephen⁶, Joseph⁵ #209, James⁴ #87, James³ #30, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Harriet Missouri (Swing) Paxson, was born in 1871. Will, as he was called, married first Sofie PERRY. Five years after her death he married on 25 September 1898 Jeannette (CARR), formerly married to a physician, with whom she had a child. [I am indebted to Grey Brogdon for the information on this family, e mails 1m/2008.]

Sofie was the daughter of Calvin C. PERRY, born in 1835 in Indian Territory, a descendant of the Okla-fa-lay-a Choctaw Clan. He was a farmer and stock rancher for most of his life, and owned much of the land around present day Calvin, Oklahoma. He gave the land along the river to build the present day town, which is about 90 miles east by southeast as the crow flies from Oklahoma City. The locals wanted to call it Perry but because there was already a city by that name they settled on Calvin. He married Phebe (Phoebe) BURRIS, the eldest daughter of Judge Gabriel Burris, of Kiamichi County. During the Civil War Calvin served for one year in General Cooper's command and fought in the battle of Bird Creek (December 1861). In 1888, following the passage of the Dawes Act, he was appointed a Commissioner of Registration for the registration of the freedmen (former Black slaves of Choctaw owners brought with them when forced out in the 1830s by Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act of 1830). When the Dawes Act became final and land was divided within the new territory, slaves were considered a part of the tribe and therefore received an equal share of land. Often this was 180 Acres and was located within the tribal regions. Former slaves of the Indians were very fortunate, because under the Dawes Act they were taken care of compared to the slaves released in the south who received no land, livestock, or home (forget the promise of "forty acres and a mule") and eventually were forced into sharecropping.

Will Paxson had a large cattle and horse spread at Blue Ridge Ranch, 5 miles south of Calvin. There was a Blue Ridge Church and School located near by and the Blue Ridge Cemetery across the road where many of the family are buried. Will had a large two story white farm house with a wrap-around porch near the old Church and cemetery.

Jeannette was the widow (?) of a physician, and went on to become a Dr. herself.

In the 1920 census for Hughes Co., Okla., William and his second wife, Jeannette, provided a home for Will's brother Fred L. and aunt Anna L. Paxton. Nearby lived his son Calvin and wife Mary Paxton.

The Dawes Act, 8 February 1887, changed the official relationship of the US government towards some of the Indians. In 1893, President Grover Cleveland appointed the Dawes Commission to negotiate with the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles, who were known as the Five Civilized Tribes, who had been excluded from the original Act. As a result of these negotiations, several acts were passed that allotted a share of common property to members of the Five Civilized Tribes in exchange for abolishing their tribal governments and recognizing state and federal laws. By an Act of Congress of 3 March 1901, every Indian born in the United States who received land in allotment and took residence separate and apart from any tribe of Indians, was declared a citizen of the United States.

The purpose of the Dawes Act and the subsequent acts that extended its initial provisions was purportedly to protect Indian property rights, particularly during the land rushes of the 1890s, but in many instances the results were vastly different. The land allotted to the Indians included desert or near-desert lands unsuitable for farming. In addition, the techniques of self-sufficient farming were much different from their tribal way of life. Many Indians did not want to take up agriculture, and those who did want to farm could not afford the tools, animals, seed, and other supplies necessary to get started. There were also problems with inheritance. Often young children inherited allotments that they could not farm because they had been sent away to boarding schools. Multiple heirs also caused a problem; when several people inherited an allotment, the size of the holdings became too small for efficient farming. [The National Archives, "Teaching With Documents: Maps of Indian Territory, the Dawes Act, and Will Rogers' Enrollment Case File", at http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/fed-indian-policy/, seen 1m/11/2008.]

Although Sofie had both Choctaw and Chicksaw ancestors, Congress decreed that each Indian choose only one affiliation. Will and Sophie's four children were enrolled as Choctaws. Together they were given 380 acres of land as Choctaw Indian allotments (the land was often in parcels and not congruent). [Indians who did not or could not comply faced a more bleak situation. See another view of the Dawes Act and other US legislation concerning Indians.] Will and Sophie's youngest daughter married a farmer, so the land allotment worked well for her.

Children of William D. and his first wife Sofie (Perry) Paxton:

i. Calvin C. Paxton⁹, b. 23 May 1887; d. Sept. 1991 in Heavener, Okla.; m. Mary REESE from Heavener, Okla. (?). In the 1920 census the couple lived near Will and Jeannette.

ii. Walter Paxton, b. 2 Mar. 1892; res. in Brooklyn, NY (?)

iii. Angeline Paxton, b. 31 Dec. 1893; res. in Illinois; became Angie SWANSON (?); had two children.

iv. Pearl Paxton, b. 22 Mar. 1894; d. 12 Oct. 1981 in Stillwater Nursing Home; in the Fairlawn Cemetery alongside Madison Brogdon; m. James Madison BROGDON, the marriage being conducted by Pearl's grandfather William Patterson Paxson. In 1904 at the age of 10 years she was one of 16 female Choctaw students at the Chishoktak Boarding School when her Great Aunt Anna L. Paxton taught there. Pearl and Madison lived on the allotment as farmers (Madison's family had been farmers in Uvalde, Georgia). An additional 10 acres of land was given to Pearl that was very near the Blue River. They lived on the farm until around 1914 when most of the land was sold and the family moved into Calvin, where J.M. Brogdon owned a general store. After their three children graduated from Shawnee High School, the family moved, living in Atoka, Shawnee, and Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Child of William D. and his second wife Jeannette (Carr) Paxton:

v. George Paxton, d. at 3:47 p.m. Sunday, 25 Oct. 1910 (killed by a train); bur. Blue Ridge Cemetery, Calvin.

William H. Paxson⁸, son of Joseph C.⁷, (Timothy⁶, Joseph⁵ #212, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (Kling) Paxson, was born 3 January 1880 [Lamborn, The Paxson Family, 34.] and died sometime after his wife's death in 1955. William married Florence BAILEY, the daughter of Thomas J. and Rachel (LIGHT) Bailey. She was born about 1886 near Steelville, and died 22 July 1955 in Sacred Heart Hospital, Norristown. [Obituary found by Cindy Grossholtz in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; I am indebted to her for sending it to me 3m/26/2003.]

William and Florence lived in Atglen until 1954 when they moved to their daughter's home in Conshohocken. Florence was a member of Market Square Presbyterian Church of Germantown. [Obituary found by Cindy Grossholtz in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; the clipping was not dated nor marked with the name of the newspaper. My thanks to Cindy for sending me the information, 3m/26/2003.]

Children of William H. and Florence (Bailey) Paxson:

i.       Joseph B. Paxson⁹, b. ca. 1907 in West Fallowfield Twp.; d. of a cerebral embolism on 16 May 1954 at his home in Atglen. Member of Parkesburg First Presbyterian Church, and served on the election board of West Sadsbury Twp. and Atglen for many years. When he was very young Joseph had infantile paralysis (polio) which left him totally paralyzed from the waist down; he was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

ii.     William H. Paxson, b. ca. 1917; d. 2 Oct. 1927 at his home on South Valley Road. From the Local Daily News, 3 Oct. 1927: "The first case of infantile paralysis to appear here in several years terminated in the death early yesterday afternoon of William H. Paxson, Jr., ten year old son of William H. and Florence Paxson, at their farm home on the South Valley Road at the western edge of the borough. The child, a pupil of Lenover School, became ill last Sunday and remained out of school on Monday. He returned to school, attending Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, becoming ill again that night. His condition became serious on Saturday night. Several physicians were called in, and the case took definite form, the paralysis of one side of his body and head developed steadily. State Health Office Granville R. Boyd, of Westwood, visited the house yesterday afternoon, placed the family under modified quarantine and informed the stricken family that strictly private burial of the little boy must be made within thirty-six hours, . . . The malady, which has puzzled scientists and physicians, has dealt a double blow to the family, their eldest son, Joseph, now a young man, having remained entirely paralysed from the waist down since attacked by the disease during his infant years, and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since." [Obituary found by Cindy Grossholtz in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; my thanks to her for sending me the information, 3m/26/2003.]

iii.  Rachel Paxson, b. ca. 1911 in Steelville, Chester Co. ; d. 16 Nov. 1991 in Orville Mennonite Home where she had been a patient for 2 years; m. 4 Aug. 1945 Thomas P. COSGROVE, at the home of the Rev. Burtis HALLOCK, former pastor of the Parkesburg Presbyterian Church, West Chester. Rachel attended Parkesburg High School, and Coatesville Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a nurse until she retired in 1970. She was a member of Christian Fellowship Church of Lancaster County, in New Holland. Thomas attended the University of Pennsylvania and worked with the Philadelphia United Insurance Company.Thomas preceded Rachel in death. No issue. [Data gleaned from several obituaries and a marriage notice, found by Cindy Grossholtz in the Newspaper Clipping File at the Chester Co. Hist. Soc.; my thanks to her for sending me the information, 3m/26/2003.]

William Jefferson Paxson, the son of Isaac Paxson⁷ (John Jefferson⁶, Jonathan #221, Joseph⁴ #91, Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Louisa (HESTON) was born 27 October 1859 in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. He died 20 December 1924. On 7 May 1884 he married Lucy M. KREMER in South Mannheim Township. In the 1880 census he was listed as a carpenter; for many years he worked with his father in the Car Shops of the Reading Company.

The 1880 federal census in Schuylkill County found William living in his parents' home in South Mannheim. He was 21, employed as a carpenter. Lucy Kramer [sic] was a 19-year old servant living in the house. [1880 federal census for South Mannheim Twp., Schuylkill Co., Penna., NA Film no. T9-1193, p. 153D; seen 9/24/2008 on FamilySearch.]

William J's pocket watch was eventually given to his great nephew.

My thanks to Elaine Paxson for sending me the photograph, e mail 6/20/2008; she got it on ebay from California.

See the alphabetical list of Paxsons included on this web site.

This page has quite obviously barely begun to be constructed.

This page was first posted on April 12, 2007, and updated 7m/30/2009.