Ransom J. Bixby, merchant and druggist, Edgewood, was born in this township March 29, 1854. His parents, Elder N.W. Bixby and Ruby nee Knapp Bixby, were native os Vermont, and settled in Clayton County in 1847. His early life was spent on his farm, and in attending the district school. When seventeen years old he went to Wilton Junction, Ia., and taught school during the winter months, in order to work his way through college. In 1876 he returned to Edgewood, and was Principal of the school here six terms, then engaged as clerk in the mercantile store of H.F. Beyer. His marriage to Flora Blanchard occurred on May 22, 1879. She was born in Allegany County, N.Y., and was a daughter of Dr. L. Blanchard and Angeline nee Metcalf Blanchard, of New York. Soon after his marriage Mr. Bixby engaged in the mercantile and drug business, in company with his father-in-law, Dr. L. Blanchard, and has a prosperous and steadily increasing trade. He and wife are members of the Free- Will Baptist church, and he is Superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school. In politics he is a Republican. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 884 |
c