“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


J.S. PIXLEY,  farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Fort Atkinson; born in Berkshire 
Co., Mass., Feb. 10, 1812; born and raised on a farm; when 9 years of 
age, went with his parents to Oneida Co., N.Y., where they engaged at 
farming.  J.S. received a limited schooling, but he was always energetic 
in assisting his worthy parents at farming; at the age of 21, he began life 
for himself.  Married, in Madison Co., N.Y., in November, 1836, Miss 
Clarissa Ward, who was born in Oneida Co., in 1813; four children are 
living – Oscar, Elizabeth, Cordelia and Emma.  In the spring of 1843, he 
came with his family to Wisconsin; located in Oakland Township, 
Jefferson Co., where he made a claim of eighty acres, which he disposed 
of in the spring of 1844; then went to Waukesha Co., where he worked 
at different farms on shares till the spring of 1847; he then returned to 
Oakland Township, where he took up eighty acres.  When Mr. Pixley 
came to Wisconsin, he had nothing to commence on except his energy 
and industry; in the early days, he worked for 25 cents and 50 cents a 
day; could not even get that amount in cash; they were compelled to 
accept their wages in provisions; at one time he was paid in portions of 
hogs, which he carried on his back to the farm where he is now living, a 
distance of over ten miles.  Mr. Pixley has been a very industrious man; 
he believes in doing work up to the handle.  He now owns 160 acres of 
land, which is finely improved.  His only son, Oscar, energetically 
helped his father in working the farm until he enlisted, in August, 1864, 
in Co. I, 3d Colo. V.I.; served gallantly; was mustered out Jan. 15, 1865; 
returned to his home in Oakland, where he engaged at farming; married, 
in June, 1873, Miss Melissa Roberts, who was born in Azatlan 
Township; they have three children – Mary, Josie and Clarence.  Mr. 
Pixley, Jr., owns eighty acres of land adjoining his father.  Mr. Pixley, 
Sr., is a Greenbacker.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel