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(NOTE: On May 15, 1932, of the 992 men who had served in the 86th Illinois during the Civil War, only 21 men were still living. Only one other member of William Henry Troxell's old Co. C was still living and that was John Hamilton Sarver. When William died on May 22, 1932, only one man remained from Co. C and only 20 were left from the entire regiment.
William Troxell probably never sat for a portrait before his entering the service during the Civil War, but he spent almost 3 months with the 86th in the...
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(NOTE: On May 15, 1932, of the 992 men who had served in the 86th Illinois during the Civil War, only 21 men were still living. Only one other member of William Henry Troxell's old Co. C was still living and that was John Hamilton Sarver. When William died on May 22, 1932, only one man remained from Co. C and only 20 were left from the entire regiment.
William Troxell probably never sat for a portrait before his entering the service during the Civil War, but he spent almost 3 months with the 86th in the Nashville, Tennessee area, much of it which was spent in the hospital. He may never have felt good enough during this time period to sit for a portrait, but there is always that possibility. Most of the members of the 86th that were in Nashville took the opportunity to sit for portraits to send back home to their loved that they missed so much and most of the boys didn't stop at making just one or two copies of those pictures, which were most often printed in the from of what was called a CDV. They made a dozen copies or more, sometimes, so that they could swap pictures with the friends, tentmates and messmates within their respective companies.
Then, William Troxell survived the war and lived well into the 20th Century. During this time, William must had his picture taken many more times. I would love to see some pictures of William Troxell in uniform from his days in the 86th added to his Find A Grave Memorial, however, at this point, I would just love to see some pictures of William be added to his FAG site, even some of him as a 50, 60 or 70 year old man. Can anyone help me with this? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Baxter)
Private WILLIAM TROXEL, Co. C, 86th Illinois
William Henry Harrison Troxel was born on April 8, 1840, the son Adam M. Troxel and Leuvra (Rathbone) Troxell. Adam M. Troxel1 was born April 03, 1802 in Fayette, Pennsylvania and died March 21, 1860 in Illinois. He married Leuvra Rathbone on November 28, 1828 in Clark Co., Ohio. She was born October 18, 1808 in Connecticut and died March 29, 1888 in __________, __________.
Sometime between 1837 and 1840, Adam and Leuvra brought their family from Pennsylvania to Illinois where they settled in Peoria County. Absalom Troxell, who also was a member of Co. C, and William Troxell both claim to at have been born in Indiana at the time they enlisted. However, Absalom was almost certain born in Pennsylvania, while William was almost certainly born in Illinois.
After Adam's death, Leuvra is known to have resided some time with her son Absalom and his wife. They are found residing together at the time of the 1880 census in Pigeon Grove, Iroquois Co., IL.
Following is a list of the children born to Adam Troxel and Leuvra (Rathbone) Troxell;
1. John W. Troxel, born September 11, 1829.
2. Absalom Troxel, born June 06, 1831 in Indiana; died 1895.
3. Phoebe Troxel, born February 09, 1834 in Pennsylvania; Phoebe is believed to have married Curtis Allen Beaver, who was born between 1825 & 1835; However, a Phebe Troxel was married to Ezra Lamoree on April 18, 1853 in Peoria County.
4. Nancy Troxel, born February 01, 1837 in Pennsylvania; a Nancy Troxel was married to Henry Clawson, another member of Co. C of the 86th Illinois on March 26, 1860 in Peoria County.
5. Wesley Troxel, born October 6, 1837 in Indiana. He is found in Lincoln, Iowa in 1880. Wesley died in Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa on March 3, 1924.
6. William Henry Harrison Troxel, born April 08, 1840 in Illinois; died March 23, 1932 in Laurens, Iowa.
7. Sarah Troxel, born June 26, 1842 in Illinois.
8. Cynthia A. Troxel, born December 06, 1844 in Illinois.
9. Thomas Troxel, born 1849 in Illinois.
10. Horace M. Troxel, born January 29, 1850 in Illinois; died April 19, 1939 in Calhoun Co., Iowa.
At the time of the 1850 census, the family is found in Peoria County;
Traxel Adam 48 M Farmer 600 Pa
Traxel Lucy 42 F Pa
Traxel Absalom 19 M Farmer Pa
Traxel Phebe 16 F Pa
Traxel Nancy 14 F Pa
Traxel Westley 13 M Pa
Traxel Wm. H. H.10 M Ill
Traxel Sarah 8 F Ill
Traxel Cynthia A.6 F Ill
Traxel Thomas 1 M Ill
This is the Troxel family as is existed in Hallock Township of Peoria County in 1860;
657 Trosel Absolom 28 M Farmer 2,000 800 IA
657 Trosel Laura 23 F IL
657 Trosel William 1 M IL
665 Trosel Laura 51 F 1,500 200 CT
665 Trosel Wesley 22 M farmer IA
665 Trosel William 20 M IA
665 Trosel Cintha 15 F IA
665 Trosel Horace 10 M IL
I believe the family came from Pennsylvania and that the Iowa references in the 1860 census were just misread.
On August 11, 1862, William Troxell and his older brother, Absalom Troxell, volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Chillicothe, Illinois, and in the townships immediately north and west of Chillicothe, including Halleck Township in Peoria County and LaPrairie and Saratoga Townships in Marshall County. This company was being raised by John H. Batchelder, who operated the Ferry at Chillicothe, and Dr. Joseph Thomas, a Chillicothe area Physician. When he volunteered, William gave his residence as Halleck Township in Peoria County.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name TROXELL, WILLIAM
Rank PVT Company C Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence HALLECK, PEORIA CO, IL Age 22 Height 5' 10 3/4 Hair DARK
Eyes GRAY Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity PIKE, WARREN CO, IN
Service Record
Joined When AUG 11, 1862 Joined Where CHILLICOTHE, IL
Joined By Whom J H BATCHELDER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FEB 18, 1863 AT NASHVILLE TENN
When Batchelder and Thomas had almost 100 volunteers, they led the Chillicothe area company into Peoria where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Batchelder, Thomas and 87 of their volunteers, including now Privates Absalom and William H. Troxel, were mustered into service as Co. C of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Dr. Thomas was elected by the men of Co. C to serve as their Captain, while Batchelder was elected to serve as their 1st Lieutenant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been assembled and mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. By early October, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they would go into winter camp.
However, even before the men of McCook's Brigade had left Camp Joe Holt, many of the green troops were having health issues, problems with the new diet and life style, problems with all sorts of diseases. By early October, as stated above, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. However, when the men of McCook's Brigade left the Louisville area, many troops were left behind in the Amy Hospitals in Louisville.
In an article written for Memorial Day of 1976 that was published in the LAURENS REPORTER, in Laurens, Iowa, that was published on May 26, 1976, it was stated that, "He (William) was in the ranks with his brother, 'Ab,' in Sherman's 'March to the Sea." When Ab had a sun stroke and fell down, William tried to get to him but he was made to keep marching and was severely reprimanded by his sergeant."
Though there is a major error in this statement, as neither of these men were still in the service or with the 86th when "Sherman marched to the sea" in 1864, there may be some truth in this statement as well, as it is known that in their march from Louisville, Kentucky to Perryville, Kentucky, where the Battle of Perryville was fought in early October of 1862, the men were having difficulty with the new lifestyle and the heat. Private Absalom Troxel appears to have been one of these suffering heat stroke.
Private Absalom Troxel was one of these who is believed to have been left behind or to possibly to have been sent back after suffering heat stroke. Whatever his ailment, as time passed, his condition failed to improve and on October 8, 1862, the same day that the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, army doctors made the decision that Private Absalom Troxel was not cut out for life in the army at this time and he was discharged from the service in hopes that he could return home and with the help of family and some home cooking, could regain his health. Within the first month of his return, Laura was pregnant and on July 22, 1863, their 2nd son, John Russell Troxel was born. In time, with the help of family and that home cooking, Private Absalom Troxel did regain his health and survive his ailment.
On October 15, 1862, a week after the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky one of Co. C's musicians, Benjamin Swiger, deserted, or at least disappeared. It now appears that Private William Troxel may have been appointed Musician for Co. C, or at least unofficially began serving as a Musician. Musicians were needed to give the boys something to listen to in the camp and, especially, on the long tiresome, seeming endless, marches.
McCook's Brigade arrived in the Nashville, Tennessee are about the 7th of November of 1862. That first winter in the field wasn't easy on the green troops who were plagued with all sorts of illness. The living conditions and diet there were not conducive to good health either and the hospitals were full to overflowing in Nashville during the winter of 1862/63. Today the Nashville National Cemetery is full of thousands of Union soldiers who died in Nashville of all sort of illnesses.
One of the many soldiers who was having great difficulty with his health during this time period was Private William Troxell, of Co. C of the 86th. By February of 1863, whatever his ailment, his condition did not improve with time and the army doctors decided that it would be best to also discharge William and send him home in the hopes that with the help of family and some home cooking he could regain his health. So on February 18, 1863, after having served his country in uniform for just over 5 months, William Henry Troxel was officially discharged from the service at an army hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.
William, however, was too sick to travel at this time and it was several more weeks before he felt good enough to travel and before arraignments could be made for transportation home. On March 9, 1863, Frederick L. Saxton, another member of Co. C, wrote a letter to his sister. In this letter, Frederick wrote, "Hiram Damon (another member of Co. C who had been discharged from the service for health reasons on February 27, 1863), Bill Troxell and one of the other boys on the Prairie got their discharges and started home this morning. Jo (Joseph Hamlin) sent a letter and a little cup by Damon and I sent a knife by him that I found the 5th of October."
By the end of March of 1863, William Troxell was most likely back home in Peoria County and with the help of family and that home cooking, he, too, survived his ailment.
William Troxel is known to have married a Lepha Frazee Terry on March 14, 1872 in Peoria County. Lepha was born on March 31, 1852 in New Jersey, the daughter of Frazee/Frazer Terry and Margaret __________.
William and Lepha may have resided in Peoria County, Illinois for a short time before moving on to Audubon County, Iowa, where the William Troxel who served in the 86th is believed to have been living in 1897. Ten children are known to have been born to William and Lepha Troxel, four dying in infancy. They include;
1. Cynthia Ann Troxel, born September 24, 1872 in Illinois. Cynthia Troxel was married on August 12, 1891 in Dover, Pocahontas County, Iowa to Oscar Andrew Parks, who was born on May 15, 1869 in Keswick, Keokuk County, Iowa, the son of Philip Parks and Elizabeth Mcguire, while Cynthia's were listed as Wm. Troxel and Lepeka Terry. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 144639115 for more information about her and her family.
2. William Henry "Willie" Troxel, born November 9, 1879 in Walnut, Iowa. William was married to Myrtle Ione "Mertie" Stanley on March 8, 1905 in Sutherland, Iowa. Their children include;
A. Herbert S. Troxel, born May 25, 1906 in Booth Township, Palo Alto County, Iowa. Herbert was married to Hazel ___________. At the time of the 1940 census, Herbert and his family are found in Spring Township, Cherokee County, Iowa;
Herbert Troxel Head M 33 Iowa
Hazel Troxel Wife F 34 Iowa
William Troxel Son M 9 Iowa
Glenda Troxel Daughter F 7 Iowa
Judith Troxel Daughter F 1 Iowa
B. Nellie Elizabeth Troxel, born February 2, 1908 in Peterson Township, Clay County, Iowa. Nellie was married to Edwin Edward Orthmann on February 9 1927 in Primghar, O'Brien County, Iowa. Edwin was born on ___________ __, 19__ in Paullina, Iowa, the son of Henry Orthmann and Wilhemina Dorothea Appeldorn. At the time of the 1940 census, the Orthmanns are found in Grant Township, O'Brien County, Iowa;
Edwin Orthmann Head M 33 Iowa
Nellie Orthmann Wife F 32 Iowa
Kenneth Orthmann Son M 12 Iowa
Robert Orthmann Son M 11 Iowa
Barbara Orthmann Daughter F 9 Iowa
Patricia Orthmann Daughter F 6 Iowa
Gary Orthmann Son M 4 Iowa
Margie Orthmann Daughter F 2 Iowa
Burdette Menke Hired hand M 22 Iowa
Nellie died on October __, 2000
C. Lepha Annetta Troxel, born c. 1909/10 in Iowa.
D. Margery May "Margie" Troxel, born June 19, 1911 in Peterson Township, Clay County, Iowa.
E. Eugene Wilton Troxel, born March 24, 1917 in Sutherland Township, O'Brien County, Iowa.
F. Adam Troxel, born October 10, 1920 in Waterman Township, O'Brien County, Iowa. Adam died on ____________ __, 19__ and his mortal remains were laid in the Oakland Cemetery in Peterson, Clay County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 120962507.
G. Robert Charles "Bob" Troxel, born October 20, 1922 in Iowa. Robert C. Troxel was married to Lillian M. ___________ on November 22, 1947. Robert died on June 12, 1999 and his mortal remains were laid in the Marsing-Homedale Cemetery in Marsing, Owyhee County, Idaho. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 13472854.
At the time of the 1910 census, William and his family are found in Peterson, Clay County, Iowa;
William H Troxel Head M 30 Iowa
Myrtie I Troxel Wife F 24 Iowa
Herbert S Troxel Son M 3 Iowa
Nellie E Troxel Daughter F 2 Iowa
Lepha A Troxel Daughter F 0 Iowa
Wesley Troxel Uncle M 70 Indiana
At the time of the 1920 census, William and his family are found in Waterman, O'Brien County, Iowa;
William Troxel Head M 40 Iowa
Myrtie Troxel Wife F 34 Iowa
Herbert Troxel Son M 14 Iowa
Nellie Troxel Daughter F 12 Iowa
Anettia Troxel Daughter F 10 Iowa
Margie Troxel Daughter F 9 Iowa
Wilton Troxel Son M 3 Iowa
At the time of the 1930 census, William and his family are residing with a brother-in-law and his family in Liberty, O'Brien County, Iowa;
Charles C Martin Head M 46 Iowa
Helen A Martin Wife F 42 Iowa
Charles W Martin Son M 19 Iowa
Helen J Martin Daughter F 14 Iowa
William H Troxel Brother-in-law M 50 Iowa
Myrtie I Troxel Sister-in-law F 44 Iowa
Eugene W Troxel Nephew M 13 Iowa
Robert C Troxel Nephew M 7 Iowa
At the time of the 1940 census, William, Myrtie and their youngest son are found residing in Grant Township, O'Brien County, Iowa;
William Troxel Head M 60 Iowa
Myrtie Troxel Wife F 54 Iowa
Robert C Troxel Son M 17 Iowa
William died on January 18, 1963 in Weratehee, Washington, while Mertle died on ___________ __, 1971. Their mortal remains were laid in the Wenatchee City Cemetery in Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 58645383.
3. Ida M. Troxel, born c. January 15, 1882 in Iowa. Ida M. Troxel died on January 15, 1902 and her mortal remains were laid in the Laurens Cemetery in Swan Lake Township in Pocahontas County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial # Find A Grave Memorial# 37917676.
4. Mary E. "Martha" Troxel, born February 16, 1888 in Iowa, possibly in Audobon County, Iowa. Mary E. Terry was married to Walter Burwell on October 1, 1913 in Webb, Clay County, Iowa. Mary's parents are listed as William Troxel and Lepha Terry, while Walter's parents are listed as Thomas Burwell and Luella Huff. Walter Stuart Burwell was born on March 30, 1887 in Marion Township, Plymouth County, Iowa, the son of Thomas Lambert Burwell and Luella Jane Huff. Walter had been married and widowed previously and had a daughter, Bernice, from this first marriage. The children born to Mary and Walter include;
A. Cecil Burwell born c. 1914/15 in Iowa.
B. Lee Burwell, born c. 1915/16 in Iowa.
C. Harold Burwell, born ____________ __, 1919 in Iowa. Harold died on ____________ __, 1958 in __________ County, ___________ and his mortal remains were laid in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 123998248.
D. Leonard Burwell, born c. 1920/21 in Iowa.
At the time of the 1920 census, the Burwells are found in Poland, Buena Vista County, Iowa;
Walter Burwell Head M 33 Iowa
Mary Burwell Wife F 32 Iowa
Bernice Burwell Daughter F 12 Iowa
Cecil Burwell Son M 5 Iowa
Lee Burwell Son M 4 Iowa
Harold Burwell Son M 0 Iowa
At the time of the 1930 census, the Burwells are found in Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa;
Walter S Burwell Head M 43 Iowa
Mary Burwell Wife F 42 Iowa
Cecil Burwell Son M 15 Iowa
Herold Burwell Son M 11 Iowa
Lenard Burwell Son M 9 Iowa
At the time of the 1940 census, Walter and Mary are found living alone in Ward 2 of Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa. Walter S. Burwell died on ____________ __, 1956, while Mary died on March 28, 1965. Their mortal remains were laid in the Poland Cemetery in Marathon, Buena Vista County, Iowa.
5. Nora Troxel, born July 5, 1890 in Audobon, County, Iowa. Nora was married to Howard C. Mills ( 1887 - 1953) on December 1, 1909 in Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa. Howard was born c. 1886 in Alta, Iowa, the son of Abel Mills and Camilla Maggs, while Nora is listed as the daughter of William Troxel and Lapaha Terry. Three children are known to have been born to Nora and Howard, including;
A. Verley C. Mills, born c. 1910/11 in Kansas.
B. Wilda D. Mills, born c. 1917/18 in Iowa.
C. James Howard Mills, born ___________ __, 1923. James died on ___________ __, 1994.
At the time of the 1920 census, Nora and her family are found in Swan Lake, Pocahontas County, Iowa;
Howard C Mills Head M 32 Iowa
Nora Mills Wife F 29 Iowa
Verley C Mills Daughter F 9 Kansas
Wilda D Mills Daughter F 2 Iowa
At the time of the 1930 census, Nora and her family are found in Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa;
Howard C Mills Head M 42 Iowa
Nora Mills Wife F 39 Iowa
Wilda Mills Daughter F 12 Iowa
James Mills Son M 6 Iowa
Nora (Troxel) Mills died on December 23, 1955 and her mortal remains were laid in the Storm Lake Cemetery in Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 90288693.
6. James Troxel; born June 16, 1894; died June 20, 1894 while the family still lived in Palo Alto County, Iowa. He may be buried there or his body may lie in the Laurens Cemetery in Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa.
7. Jennie Troxel, born March 12, 1897 in Iowa. As a young child in the early 1900's, on Decoration Day, Jennie was found among the girls who carried wreaths of flowers to the Laurens Cemetery, where the graves of the veterans were decorated.
Jennie was 1st married to ___________ Johnson. Jennie was married 2nd to Merle B. Sears, the son of C. G. Sears and May (__________) Sears. No children are believed to have been born to Jennie and Merle. At the time of the 1930 census, Jennie and Merle are found in Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa;
Charley Bellmann Head M 45 Illinois
Merle B Sears Head M 28 Iowa
Jennie Sears Wife F 31 Iowa
Jennie (Troxel) Sears died on February 20, 1982 at the age of 85 in Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa. Her mortal remains are believed to have been laid in the Laurens Cemetery in Swan Lake Township in Pocahontas County, Iowa.
8. Wesley Troxel, born and died as an infant on dates unknown.
9. Ella Troxell, born and died as an infant on dates unknown.
10. Lily Troxel, born and died as an infant on dates unknown.
Now to continue with the biography of William Henry Troxel;
In 1878, the Troxels moved to Iowa, first settling in Pottawattamie County. At the time of the 1880 census, William and Lepha are found residing in Lincoln, Iowa in Pottawattamie County;
William Troxell, born c. 1840 in Ohio; Martial status: Married, age 40 years; occupation: Farmer
Lepha Troxell, born c. 1852 in New Jersey
Cintha Troxell, born c. 1873 in Illinois
William Troxell, born c. 1880 in Iowa
They later moved to Audobon County, Iowa. In 1887, some of the surviving members of the 86th Illinois organized and held a reunion on August 27, 1887 in Peoria, Illinois. This was the 25th Anniversary of the mustering in of the 86th Illinois back in 1862. More than 125 surviving members of the 86th attended this first reunion, including 20 members of William Troxell's old Co. C. William Troxel never was able to attend any of these reunions, which continued to be held every year, on or as close to that August 27th anniversary date as time allowed, through 1923. Though he resided only 350 to 400 miles from Peoria, Illinois, the distance to be traveled and the difficulty and cost of making that trip in the late 1800's and early 1900's undoubtedly playing a part. After he couldn't jump in his car and make that trip in 5 to 6 hours like we can today.
Until at least 1897, the surviving members of the 86th Illinois were in contact with William Troxel. His address in 1897 is still listed as Audobon County, Iowa. However, the Troxels are known to have moved for a short time to Palo Alto County, Iowa in the 1890's and may have actually been living there in 1897/98. At the time of the 1900 census, the Troxels are found in Booth & Rushlake Townships, Mallard town, Palo Alto County, Iowa. Lepha is listed as being the mother of 10 children, all of whom are listed as living at this time, but this is incorrect. She and William have been married 22 years;
William Troxel Head M 60 Indiana
Leafy Troxel Wife F 48 New Jersey
Willie Troxel Son M 20 Illinois
Ida Troxel Daughter F 18 Iowa
Mary Troxel Daughter F 12 Iowa
Nora Troxel Daughter F 10 Iowa
Jennie Troxel Daughter F 3 Iowa
In the early 1900's, possibly about 1906, the Troxels moved to Pocahontas County, Iowa, where they would remain the rest of their lives. At the time of the 1910 census, the Troxels are found in Swan Lake, Pocahontas County, Iowa;
William Troxel Head M 70 Indiana
Lafrha Troxel Wife F 58 New Jersey
Marthy Troxel Daughter F 22 Iowa
Jennie Troxel Daughter F 13 Iowa
William Troxel was an active member of the local G.A.R. William was also a member of the National Association of Civil War musicians, again, making it appear he served for a short time as a musician in his old Co. C. William, also appears to have continuing using his musical talents in the local community. It appears, thanks to the photograph provided by Ms. Dorothy Lamberti, of the Pocahontas County, Iowa Historical Society Museum, that William Henry Troxel also was highly involved with a local youth band, passing on his talents to future generations.
When Private William Henry Harrison Troxell died on May 22, 1932 in Laurens, Iowa, as can be seen in his obituary, he was the last living local veteran of the G.A.R. The May 26, 1932 edition of the LAURENS SUN newspaper carried the following notice;
"LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN HERE BURIED TUESDAY
William Troxell the last living soldier of the Civil War living in Laurens was buried Tuesday with full military honors conducted by members of the American Legion. A catafalque, covered with black and drawn by four black horses, with military escort, carried the body to the Christian church and then to the cemetery. Rev. W. H. Knotts, pastor, preached the sermon and old time songs were sung by a mixed quartet composed of Harry Lund, Milo Johnson, Clare Larson and Pearl Hinn. Mayor F. C. Gilchrist, Jr., read the ritualistic service at the grave. When the last echos of taps had died away, the last member of the local G. A. R. post, which at one time numbered, was laid to rest. All business places in town were closed during the funeral hour.
William Henry Troxell was born in Warren county, Indiana, April 8, 1840 and died at his home in Laurens, May 22, 1932, aged 92 years, 1 month and 12 days. He was married to Lepha Terry at Peoria, Illinois, March 14, 1872. To this union were born ten children, five of whom with the widow survive. They are Mrs. O. A. Parks and Mrs. M. B. Sears, of Laurens; Mrs. W. S. Burwell and Mrs. H. C. Mills, of Storm Lake; and Mr. William H. Troxell, of Sutherland. There are also 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren living. One brother, Horace Troxell, of Lohrville, also survives and was present at the funeral.
Mr. Troxell enlisted in Co. C, 86th Illinois volunteer infantry at Peoria, Illinois, August 1, 1862 and was honorably discharged in March 1863. In 1878 the Troxell family moved to Pottawattomie county, Iowa and engaged in farming, later moving to Audubon county. In the autumn of 1890, they moved to Pocahontas county coming in a covered wagon, and continued farming until 1906 when they moved to Laurens where he resided until his death."
Lepha (Terry) Troxell died March 18, 1939 in Laurens, Iowa. Their mortal remains were laid in the Laurens Cemetery in Swan Lake Township in Pocahontas County, Iowa.
At it's peak, it appears that there were at 30 G.A.R. members in the local post in Laurens, Iowa.
by Baxter B. Fite III, Sandra & Gary Nielsen. Sandra (Osier) Nielsen is a great great granddaughter of William Troxel and the daughter of Eugene and Ardyce Osier. Their mailing address is 1012 3rd Avenue NW, Pocahontas, Iowa 50574. Their cell phone # and email address are (712) 358-4874 and [email protected]
Also thanks must go out to Dorothy Lamberti, of the Pocahontas County, Iowa Historical Society Museum in Laurens, Iowa, who provided 4 photographs of William Henry Troxell on this site. Her email address is
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Troxel family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on William Troxel and the Troxel family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any photographs of William Troxel that have survived the years added to his Find A Grave Memorial for all to see.) |
