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William Claxton
Springs
Valley Herald
March
6, 1919
William A. Claxton, son of Jeremiah
and Eliza Walker Claxton, was born in Paoli,
Indiana August 24, 1845. Died at Long
Beach, California
February 22, 1919,
aged 73 years, 5 months and 28 days. He spent his boyhood days of the farm, and
when but sixteen years of age he heard the call of his country for the
preservation of the union and being to young to volunteer he slipped away from
home and walked to New Albany and enlisted in Company K, 53rd Indiana Infantry.
His regiment was soon moved to Indianapolis
and then to Tennessee
and in a few months was on the battle front. He took part in every battle in
which his company was engaged and served with honor until discharge at the
close of the war. Shortly after his return from the was he was united in
marriage to Sallie McPherson. To this union was born one child, Sadie Etta, the
mother dying at the her birth. Sadie grew to young womanhood and was a
beautiful christian character, but her life only budded here and the blossoming
remained for heaven.
He was again married to Emily
Caroline Wells and soon afterwards came to French Lick to reside. To this union
were born two sons, James, dying at the age of two years and Edward L., who
survives him. After a few years his home was again broken by the loss of his
companion. He later married Jennie Wininger, who survived him. To this union
one child was born, which died at birth.
He was for many years engaged in
mercantile and hotel business At the age of 21 years he was converted and
joined the United Brethren
Church at Union
Chapel. On Christmas day he and his wife were baptized. Here began a christian
life which grew and ripened as the years went by and proved to be of far
greater value to him than the wealth of this world. It gave to him a peace
which the world can not give nor neither take away. When the Methodist
Episcopal Church was built in French Lick in 1889 he was one of the untiring
workers for its erection and when completed he affiliated himself with this
denomination and was chosen the first S.S. Superintendent. In the activities of
the church he filled almost every position of leadership outside the pulpit. He
set an example that is worthy of imitation. He was ever ready to witness for
the master and to obey the command. We ought always to pray and not to faint.
he met everything in life with christian fortitude and resignation, never
complaining, always looking for the bright side. He had a smile and kind
greeting for everyone. It can truthfully be said of him, he was universally
loved. but now that Jesus has said "It is enough come up higher," his
example and works will still live on; and while his body rests in the peaceful
tomb to await the time when the Lord shall decend from heaven with a shout and
with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in
Christ shall rise to be forever with the Lord, his spirit has gone to the place
that Jesus has prepared for all that love him.
He leaves to mourn his loss a wife,
one son, three brothers, one sister, five grandchildren and many relatives and
friends.
