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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Enoch Beal Bixler, successful man of affairs and popular citizen of Cynthiana, was born on his father’s farm in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, Indiana, April 21, 1853, the son of John and Caroline (Lechner) Bixler, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, John Bixler having been born in Lebanon county on July 8, 1802, and his wife in Lewistown on September 1, 1815. They were married in Lewistown on March 27, 1834. Four years later, in 1838, John Bixler decided to seek his fortune in the West and, with a covered wagon, drawn by one horse, he set out for Indiana and eventually located in Vanderburg county, where he purchased land from the government, paying $1.25 per acre. In his new home he underwent the hardships common to the pioneer of that time, did his due share toward the development of his section and accumulated a competence. He was a man of some influence in his township, was held in esteem by his fellow citizens, and reared his children with a view to their becoming useful men and women. The original Bixler homestead, when purchased from the government was a wilderness, through his efforts made a highly productive farm property and is still owned by one of his children. John and Caroline Bixler were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living at this writing (1913) and are as follows: Benedict, Nancy J., the widow of Moses Wilkinson, who was a resident of Smith township, and in which she resides; Cornelia; Jonas T.; Enoch B., the subject of this review; Edson M. and Ella F. The deceased children are Mary C., Virginia, John H. and Elias W. Enoch Beal Bixler was reared on the home farm in Vanderburg county and acquired his education in its district schools and in Cynthiana, being a pupil in the first school house erected in that town. Subsequently he engaged in teaching. He was engaged in this profession for eight years, six in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, and two in Smith township, Posey county. He next engaged in farming and stock raising, an occupation in which he has been signally successful. His eight years as a teacher has had much to do with his desire to keep in touch with the advancement in agricultural methods, and the result of his studies along this line is seen in the results obtained in the management of his farm properties. As a stock raiser he ranks among the first in his section. His farm of 200 acres in Vanderburg county is one of the most valuable in that section of the State, its improvements are modern, it is well stocked, and under his management is a profitable enterprise. He is president of the Mutual Telephone Company of Cynthiana and a director in the Evansville, Mt. Carmel & Olney Railroad Company, an organization chartered to build an electric line from Olney, Ill., through Mt. Carmel to Evansville, a distance of about sixty miles. A portion of the road has been completed and it is the expectation that it will be in operation from terminal to terminal within two years. It traverses a highly productive country, having an average population of 700 per square mile, and will stimulate development of the territory through which it runs. Mr. Bixler has been an active factor in the enterprise, not only in the organization of the company, but in the affairs of the company since incorporation. He has other investments of importance. His political affiliation has been with the Republican party and he is a consistent supporter of its principles and policies. Political office has never appealed to him. He is a member of the town council of Cynthiana, however, a case of the office seeking the man. He became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1883 and has been an active worker in his lodge. He is a member of the Christian church and served as moderator of the congregation at New Liberty for five years. In 1907 he built one of the most beautiful residences in Cynthiana, having seven acres of grounds, and the family have since resided in that city. Mr. Bixler married on September 26, 1885, Miss Nettie Newman, a daughter of William and Jane (Rutter) Newman, personal mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Schuyler C. Newman. Mrs. Bixler was born on the Newman farm in Armstrong township, Vanderburg county, and was educated in the schools of her home township and in Cynthiana. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bixler: Ivey Florence, deceased, and Edna E., born May 12, 1888. She is the wife of Ransom Ewing, a farmer of Cynthiana. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are the parents of two children: Arvin K., born July 5, 1909, and Millage W., born February 13, 1913.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

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