Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Isaac H. Paxson
Isaac H. Paxson, one of the pioneer business men of Richmond, has long been recognized as one of her best and most patriotic citizens. From his early years he has been industrious and persevering in whatever enterprises he has undertaken, and by diligence and economy has accumulated a competence for his declining years. His straightforward, manly course in life may well be held up as an example to the young, and has proved an inspiration to many.
At an early day in the history of this country the paternal ancestors of our subject were numbered among the inhabitants of Pennsylvania. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Harlan) Paxson, were natives of Berks county, same state, and in their early married life they made their home in Lancaster county. In 1835 they determined to try their fortunes in the west, and accordingly they set out for Wayne county, Indiana. Settling on a tract of land two miles south of Richmond, they lived in a log cabin and were obliged to endure the many hardships of frontier life. The mother died not long after her arrival here, and the father survived until 1850, when he, too, entered the silent land. He had learned the butcher's business in his early manhood and followed it, in connection with farming, as long as he lived. In his political views he was a Whig, and in religious faith he was an adherent to the creed of the Society of Friends.
The birth of Isaac H. Paxson took place in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1834. He was the youngest of seven children, and was less than a year old when his mother died. He learned his father's trade in youth and has followed it until the present time. From 1863 to 1868, and again from 1870 to 1872 he lived in Iowa, but with these exceptions he has been engaged in the market business in Richmond since 1850. He is the proprietor of one of the neatest and best kept markets in the city, and has been longer engaged in this line of business than any other man here. He received the patronage of the leading families, hotels and restaurants, as he keeps the choicest cuts of meat and pays particular attention to the wants of his customers.
Since he became a voter Mr. Paxson has used his right of franchise in favor of the Republican party, but has never been a politician, in any measure. He was married in 1857 to Miss Ella C. Thomas, of Richmond, and two sons and two daughters have been born to them: William T., the elder son, is his father's assistant in the market, and is a young man of considerable business ability; George L., the younger son, is now occupying a position as stenographer to the superintendent ot the Logansport (Indiana) asylum; lona M., the elder daughter, is living in Richmond; and the youngest of the family is Mrs. Susan S. Polglose, of Chicago.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899