JOHN G. PAXTON, an enterprising and successful citizen of Chartiers township, is extensively engaged in the dairy business, together with farming and stock raising. He represents an early pioneer family, being a son of Thomas Paxton, whose father, John Paxton, was born in York county, Penn. John Paxton came to Washington county in 1782, and was married to Martha Paxton, a native of York county, who crossed the mountains on horseback, coming to this county when but a child. She afterward returned to York county, and carried salt from there to Washington county on horseback. After their marriage the young couple settled in Chartiers township, where both died, leaving several children to perpetuate their memory, viz.: Eliza, Thomas, John and Samuel , all dead but Samuel. Thomas Paxton was born in 1804, on the home place in Chartiers township, and in 1833 was united in marriage with Jane Mills, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, where the wedding took place. Her parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Ohio, the pioneers of the family having settled in that State in an early day, and there their descendants are yet living. They made a permanent home in Chartiers township, this county, and reared the following children: John G., George Mills (deceased at the age of twenty-six years), Samuel (married, and a farmer of Boone county, Iowa), Mattie (deceased in 1884, second wife of H. O. McKnight), Isaac N. (married and living in Chartiers township), Nancy (Mrs. Thomas McEwen, of Chartiers township), Mary (deceased in her twenty-third year), Thomas (married and living on the old homestead) and Minnie (wife of William Zeh, living near Monongahela City). Of these children, George Mills was educated at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, and afterward took a theological course at the United Presbyterian College, Allegheny City. He then filled part of an appointment at Rochester, N. Y., and under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery, but soon after his return home was taken ill and died. Mr. Paxton followed farming in this county, and in politics was a Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He was a member and trustee of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church. He died in 1887, on the old homestead. John G. Paxton was born August 18, 1836, on the home farm in Chartiers township, where he was reared and educated. On January 1, 1863, he was united in marriage with Ann Knox Miller, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, and daughter of John and Margaret Miller. They were natives of this county, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the grandparents of Mrs. Paxton having emigrated from Ireland and patented a claim which is yet in the possession of the family. John Miller was a farmer, and in religious faith was first a member of the Seceder Church at Hickory, this county, then united with the United Presbyterian Church at Cross Roads. He died many years ago, and was followed by his wife in 1872, both being very old at the time of their death. In April, 1853, Mr. And Mrs. Paxton settled on the farm where they are now living, which he has improved with a good residence and barns. The farm contains 128 acres of well-cultivated land. In 1876 he began dealing in stock, having been the first to introduce Holstein cattle into Washington county, Penn. He also dealt in Merino sheep, breeding some fine Black-Top. He milks an average of twenty cows, shipping forty gallons of milk per day, and has been in the dairy business since 1873. He has raised registered Yorkshire swine, having taken premiums at Detroit (Mich.) and other places. Mrs. Paxton died February 22, 1872, leaving four children, viz.: George Grant (living in Chartiers township, and married to Mary McNary, daughter of J. C. McNary, of Chartiers township), James, Lillie and John Graham (editor of the Kent Courier, at Kent, Ohio, employing five or six men). In 1873 Mr. Paxton was married to Ellen, daughter of William and Martha (Mitchell) Cameron, natives of South Strabane township, this county. The father was a farmer and died in 1874, having been preceded by the mother to the grave. Four children have been born to Mr. And Mrs. Paxton, viz.: William, Jennie A., Emma and Eva (deceased in infancy); the last two were twins. In politics Mr. Paxton votes the Republican ticket, and has frequently held township offices. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Houstonville, and he has been president of the board of trustees until quite recently. He ranks among the progressive men and farmers of his county.

Text taken from page 734 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1998 by Al Roberts of Grass Valley, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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