My Genealogy Hound

DAVID EDWARDS HOXIE, a well-to-do farmer of Northampton, Mass., was born February 25, 1840, in the house in which he still resides. Nearly one hundred and fifty years have elapsed since Nathaniel Edwards, third, the first occupant of the farm, took possession of it.

Nathaniel was a descendant of Alexander Edwards, who came to this country from Wales. This progenitor was a tanner by trade, and also engaged in sheep and cattle raising at the start. He afterward combined these avocations with that of tavern-keeper. His inn was close by the first toll-gate west of Northampton, on the Boston and Albany turnpike, over which the stage lines ran. With the advent of steam railways to take the place of the old coach lines, this wayside hostelry, like others of the same description, was abandoned some forty-five years ago. Mr. Floxie’s maternal grandfather, Captain David Edwards, was born in Northampton; and his wife, Penninah Judd, was a daughter of Sylvester Judd, of Westhampton. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, all of whom, except one son, married. The youngest, who was the last survivor, died in 1895, aged seventy-eight years. His first wife having died. Captain Edwards married again, but had no children by the second wife. His sister Esther married Leander Moody, and in commemoration of the event there was planted the elm-tree which now overshades Mr. Hoxie’s home.

Grandfather James Hoxie, who had lost one limb, was a tailor by trade, and originally lived in Rhode Island, whence he came on horseback accompanied by his wife, who rode behind him on a pillion.

Benjamin B. Hoxie, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Greenfield in 1809. He afterward removed to Charlemont, where his youth was spent. At the age of eighteen years he came to the farm on which his son resides and learned the tanner’s business of Nathaniel Edwards, third. About 1834 he went to that part of New York State on which the city of Buffalo has since arisen, then covered with timber, and spent the succeeding two years in the woods there. At the end of that time he returned to Northampton, and, with the exception of a brief visit to California, there spent the remainder of his life. He engaged in the tanning business in partnership with his brother-in-law, Horace Wright, and also carried on his farm, which contained between four and five hundred acres of land. He was married in 1833, to Miss Hannah Burt Edwards, a grand-daughter of Nathaniel Edwards, third. They reared two of the five children born of their union, namely: David Edwards; and Esther Moody, wife of Alphonso Witherell, residing in Northampton Centre, and mother of one son, Philip Witherell.

David Edwards Hoxie was reared on the farm in Northampton, and after completing the course in the district school entered Williston Seminary. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company C of the Tenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was the first which went to the front from Western Massachusetts. This was in the spring of 1861. In the spring of 1863 he was discharged on account of disability. Five years later, in 1868, he entered the employ of the Davison Watch Company, jewellers of Northampton Centre, with whom he remained until 1875, after which he conducted the business on his own account. In 1884 he closed out his store and returned home to care for his aged mother and recuperate his health. This proved profitable in a pecuniary way as well as salutary to his health and consoling to his mother.

In September, 1868, he was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Perkins, of Lyme, Conn., a daughter of Charles and Temperance (Chapman) Perkins. Her parents had ten children. She now has three brothers living, namely: Elisha and George, who are well-to-do farmers in Oskaloosa, Ia.; and William, who lives in Chesterfield, Conn. These, with their brother James, served in the Civil War. James (a twin brother of Andrew J., who died aged five years) was wounded and did not live to reach his home. Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie’s home has been blessed by the birth of three promising sons, namely: James Benjamin, a young man of twenty-four years, residing at home, who was a student at the Connecticut Literary Institute; George Perkins, who is eighteen years of age, and is attending the Northampton High School; and Sylvester Edwards, a youth of thirteen years.

Mr. Hoxie has always voted the Republican ticket. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has served as Secretary of his Chapter. He is a charter member of the William L. Baker Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic. He has served on the Common Council two years, as an Alderman one year, and for three years as a member of the Board of Health. Mr. Hoxie is a man of superior intelligence, and by his business ability and integrity has won respect and esteem in both business and social intercourse.