BIOGRAPHY: Samuel TROXELL, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 623.

  SAMUEL TROXELL, deceased, McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born in Snyder 
county, Pa., April 12, 1806, and was of Swiss descent.  He received a limited 
education in subscription schools, remaining under the parental roof until he 
reached early manhood, and then left home and made his way to Ohio on foot, with 
all his worldly goods in a knapsack.  After remaining in the west for some time, 
he returned to his native county and learned tanning with Mr. Moyer.  Having 
worked a short time at this trade as a journeyman, he came to McVeytown in 1831 
and built a tannery, opposite the present residence of John Meyers.  Here he was 
engaged until 1850, when he disposed of his business and bought a farm in Ogle 
county, Ill., which he cultivated for a short time.  Again he returned to 
McVeytown with his family and opened a meat market, which he carried on until 
1856.   He then entered into a partnership with John McKee, of Lewistown, under 
the firm name of McKee & Troxell, and conducted a successful business for five 
years.  Then, the connection being dissolved, Mr. Troxell returned to McVeytown 
and built a new tannery, where he did a profitable business until 1882, at which 
time he retired from active business.  Mr. Troxell did not reserve all his 
energy and enterprise for his own affairs, but was public-spirited, and gave 
substantial aid to all projects promising to benefit the community.  He was an 
ardent Republican;  while he did not seek public preferment, his services were 
in demand for the borough, and he filled many local offices.  His death occurred 
April 16, 1884.  He married Elizabeth Reiser, who was born February 20, 1806, 
and died May 6, 1877.  Their children are:  Mary Swartz, deceased;  Sarah Jane;  
Samuel U. and Elizabeth, twins;  and William Reiser, an invalid from early 
childhood..  Sarah J. finished her education at the Lawrenceville Female 
Seminary near Princeton, N. J., and Elizabeth was graduated from the Wesleyan 
Female Seminary at Wilmington, Del.  Samuel U. Troxell received his education in 
the public schools, and when nineteen years of age entered the Freehold 
Institute at Monmouth, N. J., from which he was graduated in 1860.  He was in 
business with his father until the retirement of the latter, after which he 
engaged in farming and butchering at McVeytown, where he also deals extensively 
in tanners' suppliers.  He is interested in all local enterprises which he deems 
of public benefit.  He shares his father's political views, has served in 
various local offices, and is at present a member of the town council.  He is a 
member of Lodge No. 376, F. and A. M., and of the Bright Star Lodge 205, I. O. 
O. F. at McVeytown.
  On December 25, 1877, Mr. Troxell was married to Anna Eliza Bratton, and their 
children are:  Estella;  William Bratton;  Edgar Marcellus;  Catharine 
Elizabeth;  and Walter Earle.  The family reside in Philadelphia on account of 
educational advantages.  Mr. Troxell is a member of the Presbyterian church at 
McVeytown, of which he has for fifteen years served as trustee.