Waldo B. Pixley

WALDO B. PIXLEY, a general merchant of Scammon, was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1842. At an early age he removed with his parents to Iowa, where he lived until he was 18 years of age, when he entered the Union Army. He first enlisted as a musician in Company K, 1st Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf. During his service, he was in the battle of Wilson's Creek. He was discharged August 20, 1861, in St. Louis. He reenlisted in Company E, 10th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., as a private, and was detailed to do duty as a musician in the regimental band. Later he was transferred to Company A, 60th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., under Captain Rhodes. He continued in the service as a musician until the close of the war. During that time his regiment saw active service in 21 battles, having gone through the entire campaign from Nashville to Atlanta, and to the sea. He was also in the Carolinas and participated in the Grand Review in 1865. His discharge came by General Order, No. 55, in 1865.

After the war, Mr. Pixley returned to his home in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he was engaged in the manufacture of wagons and buggies for two years. Then he purchased a farm in that State, and pursued the occupation of farming for a few years. But there were other occupations more suited to him, and he sold his farm, purchased a stock of merchandise, and settled down as a merchant in Vernon, Van Buren County, Iowa. After being engaged in mercantile business there until 1880, he sold out, came to Kansas, and locating at Winfield was engaged in the same business for eight years.

At this time stock-raising and the real estate business seemed to be the greatest sources of money making in Kansas, and Mr. Pixley invested his money in stock and went into the stock-raising business, and at the same time dealt in real estate. He remained at Winfield until 1895, when he removed to Scammon, Cherokee County, and again became a merchant. By hard work and untiring energy, he has built up a very successful business, and has firmly established himself as a leading merchant of Scammon. In 19O1 he erected a large two-story building, so to be in better shape to attend to his ever increasing business.

Mr. Pixley is a mernber of the I. O. O. F., and is also affiliated with the Masons. His war record naturally drew him into the G. A. R., of which he has been a member for some time. Though not an active politician, he is a good, all-around Republican.

In 1865, Mr. Pixley married Augusta B. Lucrode, a native of Jackson, Missouri. To them have been born eight children, six of whom are living. The record follows: Josie, born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, now the wife of F. W. McKinney, of Columbus, Kansas; Lucinda, born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, who married F. W. Conrad, and has one child,—Frank; Minnie, born in Vernon, Iowa; Estelle, born in Vernon, Iowa, who is the wife of J. E. Darby, and has two children, Earl and Glen; Frank, deceased at the age of 21 years; Marguerite, and Robert, both born in Winfield, Kansas; and Ralph, who died in infancy.

Mr. Pixley is a son of Benjamin Franklin and Lydia B. (Bennett) Pixley, who were natives of Ohio. The father died at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, February 12, 1882, at the advanced age of 84 years. The mother died six years later, at the same age. The father was a wagon-maker, having learned the trade in Ohio, and followed it all his life, always doing honest, conscientious work for his customers.

Mr. Pixley s grandfather was a native of Massachusetts; and his great-great-grandfather was a native of Scotland, who upon coming to America first settled in Massachusetts and later moved to Ohio.

Mr. Pixley is a man of wide knowledge of affairs, owing to the diversified character of his business career. He is courteous and agreeable in his dealings and these characteristics together with his strict integrity, are qualities that have brought to him a most flattering trade. He holds a secure place in the hearts of the citizens of Scammon and Cherokee County.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.