BIO: John O. Saxton, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER XXXIX. 

                        BOROUGH OF MECHANICSBURG.

432  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JOHN O. SAXTON, retired farmer, of Silver Spring Township, 
Mechanicsburg, is a representative of one of the oldest families in 
Cumberland County, born July 3, 1833, on the old homestead farm, in 
Silver Spring Township, near the town of New Kingston, son of John and 
Nancy (Saxton) Saxton.  John Saxton was born in Silver Spring Township, 
this county, and in early life engaged in farming, which he continued 
until his death; he died in 1843, aged thirty-six years; his widow is 
still living in Mechanicsburg, with her daughter, Miss Mary E. Saxton.  
Mr. and Mrs. John Saxton had three children.  John O., the eldest in 
the family and only son, worked on his father's farm, attending the 
common schools until he entered Dickinson College, where he remained 
three years; then taught school four years in Harrisburg, Penn.; then 
engaged in farming in Silver Spring Township.  November 15, 1866, he 
married Miss Ellen Dunlap, born in Lower Allen Township, this county, 
daughter of James and Margaret (Mateer) Dunlap one of the oldest 
families of Cumberland County.  After this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Saxton 
moved to Mechanicsburg.  To this union were born six children, one son 
and two daughters living:  Carrie S., born October 3, 1872; Lynn M., 
born December 4, 1874, and Maggie D., born October 13, 1878.  John O. 
Saxton is president of school board of directors, was in town council 
several terms, and has held various local offices of trust.  In 1880 he 
was a Democratic elector for president from the Nineteenth 
Congressional District of Pennsylvania.  He is one of the board of 
managers for the Cumberland County Agricultural Society; is past high 
priest of Mechanicsburg Chapter R. A. M. past officer of the I. O. O. 
F. Lodge and Encampment, and has been district deputy grand master for 
Cumberland County two terms.  Has been treasurer of the Mechanicsburg 
Bible and Tract Society since its organization in 1871.  He owns a farm 
in Silver Spring Township, this county, of 145 acres; and Mrs. Saxton 
is owner of a farm in Lower Allen Township, this county, of over 200 
acres, besides a fine residence on corner Main and York Streets, 
Mechanicsburg.  Mr. and Mrs. Saxton are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he has served as secretary of the board of trustees.  
Mr. Saxton's family is of English and his wife's people are of Scotch-
Irish lineage, and they are among the oldest families in the county.  
Gov. Pattison appointed him a delegate from the Nineteenth 
Congressional District to the Farmers' National Congress held at St. 
Paul, Minn., in August, 1886.