Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-12-02
HOXIE'S DEATH,
The Great Railroad Manager Passes
Away in New York.
Wonderful Career OF an Iowa BOY
Sketch Given by Judge Casady,
OF Des Moines.

II. NJ Hoxie, first vice-President and gener
eral manager Of the Missouri Pacific system OF
railroads, commonly known as the Gould sys-
TEN, died In New York at $50 on the morning
of Nov. Esd. The deceased spent the greater
portion Of his life in Iowa, and was for many
years citizen of Des Moines. Judge Simon
Cassidy, of that city to Leader reporter gave
the following sketch of Mr. Hoxie:
According to the old settlers record now
In possession OF Mr.. Bush, II. NJ. Hoxie was
born December 80, 1880. first knew him as
a boy in 1916. The family comprised the
father, Benjamin T. Hoxie, then engaged in
In the mercantile business in Des Moines,
the mother, three boys, the de.
ceased, II. NJ, Neville ami VIM. H. Hoxle,
and two daughters. II. NJ. Hoxie was the old.
est Of the children. Three or four years after
ward, think about 1850, the father disposed
Of his stock and removed with his family to
Van Buren, county do not now recall what
length of time elapsed between the removal to
Van Buren, county and the temperance of
young Hoxie In Des Moines, but do recollect
that short time following he came to a stage
station called Apple Grove and entered the en-
ploy Of Thomas Mitchell, then the proprietor
Of an eating houss and hotel at that place. ]
have heard it stated to-day that young Hoxe
was at one time hostler about Mr.. Mitchell's
barns, but this, think, is erroneous, and proba-
bly, had its origin In the fact that in the dis.
charge Of his various duties at that time he
might have tai occasion to do few chores
about the stables. l remember him well al
that time. He was employed in the capacity
~ oil ND ha n,{In anl
rare business talent and excellent executive
capacity. He usually occupied position at
the Office desk but when meal time
arrived he would station himself at tire
lining room door, aud when guests
entered, courteously attended them to
seat. On making their exit he would
collect the money. have known three or
tour stage loads Of passengers to arrive at the
house at one time, aud the wants of every one
Of them were promptly attended 10 by the al
fable clerk, who became very popular both
with the travelling public and the old settlers.
He remained with Mr.. Mitchell until 1876,
when he received the nomination for district
,lerk. ] think 1t was about this time lie mar
-ied, Joining his destinies with a nIeco of Tn s.
Mitchell. He was successful In h s canvass
and elected. He served in this official position
tour years, being reelected in 1853, his second
Term expiring in 1852. About this time he
was selected as chairman Of the Republican
State Central committee. He was a young
man of genial nature, affable, always agree
able, but very firm when he oncr assumed a
position or esI oused cause. He made few
snem es and many friends, his methods being
extremely Diplomatic. Happily endowed with
faculty for making friends, he was held In
the highest regard by many who opposed him
politically, and guess the fact is that in his
candidacy for clerk he received large support
from Democrats, who, while they detested his
political views admired, respected him e"sonal-
". He held the chairmansilpi in $50 at the time
Kirkwood was elected governor the first tima.
Following the Inauguration Of President Lin
,oln, Mr.. Hoxie received the appointment OF
q. g. marshal for Iowa. This position be held,
think, about four years. At the expiration
If his official tenure he withdrew from active
oarticIration in politics aud gravitated into
the railway service. He rapidly acquired
prominence in his chosen vocation, and soon
became up as superintendent of the Union Pa
.igc, then In process of construction across
The plains. The Central Pacific company had
also began to build its line from the coast
and each Of the companies was bending all its
energies toward extending as far out as posi-
Die. recollect remark Mr.. Hoxie made at
,ne time when the work was IN progress. The
ron and ties for the road were shipped up the
Missouri river on steamboats,. This involved
an Immense expenditure Speaking Of this
one day the superintendent cody remarked
'Give me money and men and will build the
-oad, no difference what 1t costs" The North
western road had been completed in the mean
line and soon all supplies were brought over
is line. The Central Pacific was anxious to
extend Its line as far east as possible and to
attain this end had an immense force of work
men employed. Mr.. Hoxie realized the i'm
oortance of reaching out as far as possible
westward and by an exhibition Of unparalleled
energy crossed the plains aud met the Compel
ng line at Ogden. Several years latsr be re-
moved to Texas, where he acce ted the posi-
ion of sup rntendent of the International s.
Northern railway lines. He had not been there
great while when Gould gained control Of
the southwestern lines in Texas, and recogniz
ing in Mr.. Hoxie an official Of phenomenal
worth and splendid executive ability, retained
his services. The trust re posed in him proved
TO have been IN every way merited, and in a
few years the obscure boy employed In selling
calico in 1916 had climbed the ladder OF rail-
way fame, and from his Office IN St
Louis directed the operations Of one of
he most colossal railway systems in the
world.
In 1889 Mr. Hoxie attended the old settlers
meeting held at Mitchelville, accompanied by
ais family He came and departed in his spec
al car. Though holding an exalted po-
'ition and famous in railway circles
he was destitute of osientation and
IS common as any of us. One Of his
brothers, Melville Hoxie, is now holding a
government position at Grand Island, Ne
oraska, while the other brother is, I think, en-
ragged In the newspaper business at Corning,
Iowa. The elder sister married DR.. Fagin
and removed to Caifernia, where she died
Few years ago. The younger sister married
Capt. Howl and is now living with her hus