The Boxwell Family of Linn County, Iowa

With the farming interests of Linn township William Boxwell has been actively identified for many years and is now the owner of a well improved and valuable property, consisting of one hundred and eighty-five acres on section 14. He was born in Virginia on the 23d of January, 1830. his parents being Robert and Rhueda (Young) Boxwell. who were also natives of the Old Dominion and in 1845 brought their family to Linn county. Iowa, locating on a farm where they spent the remainder of their lives. Here the father died in 1868 and the mother's death occurred in 1874. In their family were eight children, of whom three are still living.

Reared to agricultural pursuits William Boxwell remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, giving his father the benefit of his labor. Having acquired an excellent knowledge of farming, he then rented land, which he operated for some years, and in 1865 purchased the farm on which he now resides, and to its cultivation and improvement he has since devoted his energies with good success. He received a good common-school education and has always made the best use of his advantages in life.

It was on the 23d of January, 1865, that Mr. Boxwell was united in marriage to Miss Julia E. McCrary, who was born in New York state. March 7. 1845, a daughter of William and Almira (Mann) McCrary. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania but her mother was born in Massachusetts. Tn 1850 the family removed to Illinois and two years later became residents of Iowa, where Mr. Mc- Crary passed away in 186(3. His wife long survived him, dying in 1890. They were the parents of eight children and Mr. and Mrs. Boxwell have a family of four, namely: Frank L.. now a resident of Jones county, Iowa; Moses A., who lives on the home farm; Clarence L.. who resides in Davenport. Iowa; and Clara

E., the wife of Clarence E. Lee, of Cedar Rapids. They also have seven grandchildren.

The republican party has always found in Mr. Boxwell a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never taken an active part in public affairs as an office seeker, his time being fully occupied by his business interests. Both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian church of Linn township and they have the respect and esteem of all who know them.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Prominent among the early settlers and honored veterans of the Civil war now residing in Linn township is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. H was born on the 25th of May, 1837, '''' Fayette county, Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, Robert and Rhoda (Young) Boxwell, were also natives. In 1845 they removed with their family to Iowa, and settled in Linn township, Linn county, where the father took up eighty acres of government land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he gave his time and attention throughout the remainder of his life, farming being the occupation which he always followed. He died at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife, who survived him about five years, passed away at the age of seventy-six, the remains of both being interred in Linn township. They had eight children, of whom four died when quite young. The (others are William and Robert, both farmers of Linn township; Alary Ann, who is the widow of David Clark, and resides on the home farm in Linn township with her children; and Moses, the subject of this sketch.

Moses Boxwell was educated in the district schools of Linn township and early acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits on the home farm. After his marriage he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 24, Linn township, which at that time was only partially improved, and upon that place he has since made his home. As a farmer and stock raiser he has met with well-deserved success, and now has one of the most desirable farms of its size in the township.

On the 2d of July, 1868, -Mr. Boxwell was united in marriage with Miss Irene Corbly, who was born in this county, a daughter of 'william and Elizabeth (Inghram) Corbly. Her father was a native of Wirginia, and in pioneer days located in Linn county, Iowa. He engaged in farming in Linn township, where he died at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Boxwell lost her mother when a small child. She has two brothers and two sisters living, besides a half-sister.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boxwell have been born eight children, namely; (1) Robert, a farmer of Marion township, married Sophia Frazer, and they have two children, Ralph and Merl. (2) Frances is the wife of Charles Parker, a farmer of the same township, and they have four daughters, Edith, Nellie, Hazel and Ruth. (3) Jennie

36o is the wife of Harry Lacock, a farmer of Linn township. (4) Earl, born September 13, 1879, assists his father in the operation of the home farm. (5) Alaude and (6) Ray are also at hume. (7) Hazel died at the age of four months. (8) One died in infancy unnamed.

[Mr. Boxwell was among the boys in blue during the war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He took part in all of the important engagements in which his regiment participated, including the battle of Champion Hills, and was taken prisoner near New Orleans, being held a captive for nine weeks before being exchanged. W'lien his term of enlistment expired he was honorably discharged at Savannah, Georgia. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has filled the office of school director in a most creditable manner. Fraternally he is a member of John Buck Post, G. A. R. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a man of the highest respectalDility.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.