Charles F. Boxell
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Boxell and Family
No life if fuller than that of buys and prosperous farming communities, such as those of our Middle West and Mississippi Valley States, where good roads and rapid transit have brought the farmers into close communication with the outer world, and yet here we find the very busiest men with time for public affairs, taking a keen interest not only in matters of local interest but also in national affairs. Such a man is Charles F. Boxell, one of the prominent farmers of Franklin Township, Grant County, Indiana. Owner of a large farm and a successful stock raiser, he is also one of the most public spirited men in the community, and has always taken an active part in political and fraternal affairs.
Charles F. Boxell is a son of Joseph H. Boxell and Virginia (Bradberry) Boxell. His father was born in Van Buren Township, Grant County, Indiana, and is the son of William Boxell, who was born in 1801 in the State of Virginia. He married Catherine Parson in 1827 in Virginia, and during the following year they came to Ohio, locating in Guernsey County. There they remained until 1836, when they migrated to Grant County. Here they entered land in Van Buren Township, on Section 30, where they spent the remainder of their lives. William and Catherine Boxell were the parents of eight children, two of whom are now living, namely, Joseph H., of Washington Township, and Robert B. of Van Buren Township. Among those dead are Margaret, Nancy J., Thomas, Elizabeth and John A.
Joseph H. Boxell was reared on his father's farm in Van Buren Township, and he has spent all of his life as a farmer. He and his wife now make their home in Washington Township. They have had five children born to them, four of whom are living as follows: Charles F.; Minnie, who is the wife of Herman Klage, of Huntington, Indiana; Willie, who is a graduate of the county schools and a former teacher in Pleasant Township, is now a farmer in that township; and Della, who after having finished the course of the Marion High School, married Thomas Bilbee of Washington Township.
Charles F. Boxell was born on the 18th of October, 1866, in Van Buren Township. He grew up on his father's farm, attending the district school until he was sixteen years of age. He then began to work for this father on the farm, and until he was nineteen this was his occupation. At this time he became a school teacher in Washington Township, and for eight terms taught in Grant County, and for one term he was a teacher in Illinois. During this time his father's house was his home and not until he was twenty-one did he really start out for himself. He then went to Marion and became a mail carrier in that city. After eight years in this occupation he bought a farm in Pleasant Township, and settled down to the life that his father and grandfather had led before him.
After four years on this place he sold out and bought another farm, this being eh one where he now resides. He began with no financial aid, and saved the money to buy his first farm out of his own earnings, and he is now the owner of one hundred and fifty-two acres, part of this being valuable woodland.
Mr. Boxell and his family are all members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Herbst. He is an enthusiastic member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 96, and to the encampment and being Past Nobel Grand and Past Chief Patriarch, as well as a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In political matters, Mr. Boxell is a staunch member of the Democratic party. He takes an active interest in county politics and in 1908 was nominated for county recorder of Grant County.
Mr. Boxell was married on the 28th of June, 1893, to Miss Ida M. Christman, of Washington Township. She was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in January, 1875, the daughter of George W. and Margaret Barbara (Slocum) Christman. At the age of seven years she accompanied her parents Indiana, where they located in grant County. She received her education in the schools of Washington Township and there grew to womanhood. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boxell, Earl, who was born December, 1894, is a graduate of the common schools and of Marion High School, and is teaching school in Pleasant Township, and Kenneth, who was born on the 30th of March, 1905.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.