Bio of John Sexton (b.1827)Wabasha Co., MN USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Martha J. Berryman Note: This Biography is taken from the book "History of Wabasha County" copyrighted 1920. Sexton - John Sexton, one of the pioneer settlers of Hyde Park Township, now deceased, was born in County Limerick, Ireland, May 12, 1827, son of John and Nora Flynn Sexton. In the early fifties, leaving his parents in the old country, he came to the United States, finding employment in Pittsburg, where he remained for five years. In 1858 he came to Wabasha County, Minn.; and bought a homestead of 160 acres in section 1, Hyde Park Township, the land being all wild. After taking possession he returned to Pittsburg, where he married Catherine Flannigan, and in the spring of 1860 he brought his wife to Wabasha County, coming up the river by boat to Read's Landing, and from there with an ox team to Hyde Park Township. Beginning the work of improvement, he broke the land and erected buildings which were good for that period. About 1868 his wife died, leaving six children, among whom were two pairs of twins. All these children are now deceased. Mr. Sexton remained unmarried for several years, or until November 8, 1873, when he took for his second wife Mary Elizabeth Becker, daughter of Joseph and Wilhelmina Fox Becker of Wabasha. She was of German ancestry but was born in West Virginia, July 5, 1853. Her mother subsequently dying in Maryland, the father remarried, and with him and her stepmother she came to Wabasha, Minn., where she was reared to womanhood. Mr. Sexton was a sturdy type of man, made of the right material for a pioneer. He had attended common school in Ireland when a lad, but was a worker rather than scholar, and in time he developed a good farm. In addition to his original farm of 160 acres he bought 16 acres of woodland in Oakwood. He was a Catholic in religious faith, while politically he voted for the man rather than with any particular party. By his second wife Mr. Sexton had 12 children: Wilhelmina, born December 19, 1875; Honora, March 9, 1877; John, January 19, 1879; Johanna, August 7, 1880; Sarah, July 11, 1883; Thomas P., April 25, 1885; Edmund W., January 9, 1887; Rose, November 19, 1888; Josephine, December 19, 1890; Walter M., April 25, 1893; Clara, August 2, 1895, and Francis Leo, July 13, 1898. Wilhelmina is now Mrs. Leonard Voyer of St. Paul, Minn., and Honora, the wife of John Thornton of Gillford Township. John died October 23, 1890, in his tenth year. Johanna is now Mrs. Frank Hall of Hyde Park Township. Thomas P. resides in Gillford Township. Edmund W. is one of the younger successful farmers of Oakwood Township, owning a farm of 160 acres. He was married, September 19, 1916, to Agnes Laqua, and has two children: Richard, born November 11, 1917, and Rose, born June 20, 1919. Rose Sexton (daughter of john and Mary Sexton) is now Sister Venetia in a convent at Jamestown, N.D., (O.S.B.). Sarah, Josephine, Clara, Walter M. and Francis Leo are on the home farm. Walter served in the world war, being inducted into the United States' service, August 27, 1918. He trained at Camp Grant, Ill., and was a member of the 20th Company, 161st Depot Brigade. Later he was transferred to the U.S. Base Hospital at Camp Grant, being attached to the Medical Department. While in the service he suffered from influenza. He was discharged June 13, 1919. Thomas P. was married February 10, 1915, to Helen Meisen, of Minneapolis, who was born at that city March 16, 1892, daughter of Nicholas and Gertrude Meisen. He owns a good farm of 160 acres in Gillford Township, and is enjoying a successful career, raising grade stock in addition to the usual crops. He and his wife are the parents of a son, John N., who was born November 8, 1917. The Sextons are all members of the Catholic church, and stand well in the community for their industrious habits and good neighborly qualities. Note: This biography was taken from the book "History of Wabasha County" copyrighted 1920. -----