Biography of Zaphaniah Sexton, Olive Township, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1998 by Jan Sedore. 
This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  



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SEXTON FAMILY
CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN

PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY
Page 234
ZAPHANIAH SEXTON
	Zaphaniah Sexton, thrifty and successful in his farming operations, 
towns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 13, Olive 
Township, and has devoted his energies to the cultivation and development of 
this place since 1867. He was born in Clark County Ohio, May 23, 1839, while 
his father Zephaniah Sexton Sr., was a native of Vermont. When seventeen 
years of age he and his mother removed to Canada, locating in Ontario, where 
he was afterward married. Subsequently he went to New York State, where he 
resided for a few years and then returned to Canada, settling near Berlin. 
There he engaged in farming for several years and while residing there he 
lost his first wife and was married again, his second wife being Elvira 
Clemens. It was of this marriage that the subject of this review was born. 
On again leaving Canada the father took up his abode in Ohio, where he lived 
upon a farm until 1843, when he left the Buckeye state for Illinois, 
establishing his home in Hancock county, where he bought a tract of land and 
spent his remaining days. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, 
however, for his death occurred the following year, 1844. His wife survived 
him for many years and died at the home of her son, Mr. Sexton of this 
review, in 1895, at the age of eighty-nine years. There were five children 
in the family, of whom four are yet living; James, a resident of Grayville, 
Illinois; Mr. Sexton, of this history; Job W., of Clinton County; and Sarah, 
the wife of Samuel Barrett of Victor township. A daughter, Julia, became Mrs.
Stocker and died about 1902.

	Zephaniah Sexton accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to 
Illinois and in 1846 came to Michigan with his mother, settling in Oakland 
County. Their home was in Oxford and he was reared and educated there. In 
early manhood he made a trip to the west in 1857, visiting Illinois and 
Kansas. After the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country's 
call for troops, enlisting at Pontiac, Michigan, on the 2d of September 1861,
for three years service. He was assigned to Company D, Second Michigan 
Infantry, and going to the south he served throughout the period of 
hostilities, re-enlisting and thus becoming a veteran. He was made corporal 
May 4, 1862, and became color guard. On the 2d of March 1863, he was promoted
to sergeant and re-enlisted December 31, 1863, at Blaine's crossroads farm, 
being mustered in January 1, 1864. He was with the army for nearly four years
and was first under fire at Munson Hill, the regiment being attached to the 
division under General McClellan, while later they constituted a part of 
Burnside's command. Mr. Sexton was also in the siege of Vicksburg and at 
Knoxville. The first important engagement in which he participated was at 
Williamsburg in the spring of 1862. He was also in the battles at Fair Oaks, 
Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run and 
Fredericksburg and afterward was transferred to the west with the army 
operating I Kentucky. It was subsequent to this time that he participated in 
the siege of Vicksburg and took part in the two battles of Jackson. He 
veteranized at Charles City Crossroads in Tennessee and was then granted a 
furlough but because he was ill in the hospital at Louisville he was only 
able to spend one-half of this time—fifteen days—at home. He afterward served
on detached duty in a regimental hospital and was mustered out at the close 
of the war, July 28, 1865, being honorably discharged on the 8th of August 
1865.

	The following year Mr. Sexton arrived in Clinton County and purchased 
the farm upon which he now resides. It was then a tract of timberland, on 
which not a tree had been cut. The following year he took up his abode on 
this place and began to clear and fence the property. Soon the sound of his 
ax awakened the echoes of the forest and he continued the arduous task of 
cutting down the trees, grubbing out the stumps and clearing the fields until
he had his farm in an excellent state of cultivation. He has erected a large 
two-story residence, also a commodious basement barn and granary, a sheep pen
and other necessary sheds and buildings and in fact has exerted his energy 
along lines of labor that have proved practical and profitable. He has not 
only cultivated the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate but has also 
raised good horses and cattle and in recent years has made a specialty of 
raising Shropshire sheep, these different branches of his business returning 
to him an excellent income.

	In Oakland County on the 3d of July, 1867, Mr. Sexton was married to 
Miss Mary Jane Doty, who died in 1870, leaving a daughter, Carrie A., now the 
wife of John H. Chaffee, who is carrying on her fathers farm. Their children 
are Erma Irene, Russell Andrew, Minaor Joyce and Julia Adelia. Mr. Sexton 
married again in Oakland County on Christmas day of 1872, when Sarah E. Mann,
of that county, became his wife. She died November 18, 1877, and the two 
children born of that marriage, Verna Lee and Nettie E., are also deceased. 
In 1885 in Oakland county Mr. Sexton wedded Miss Anna Neal, of that county, 
and this wife died in December 1886.

	In his political views and affiliation Mr. Sexton is a stanch 
republican, having supported the party since its organization. He served on 
the board of supervisors of his township for one term, has been justice of 
the peace for a number of years, was commissioner of highways for two terms 
and drainage commissioner for four years and in all these offices has 
discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. He is a delegate the 
county, judicial and state conventions and is recognized as one of the 
leading republicans of the community, his opinions carrying weight in 
councils of his party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of 
Laingsburg and also of the chapter and commandery at St. Johns and he 
likewise belongs to the Grand Army post at the county seat. In every 
relation of life Mr. Sexton has been found true to the duties which have 
devolved upon him and his labors have been a co-operant and helpful factor 
in the substantial improvement and development of this section of the state.





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