The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-11-02

Mr.. James W, Paxton, one of Wheel
tns's best known citizens, died at 1915
o'clock this morning, after an Illness OF
Just a week. al his beautiful suburban
hon, "Uplands," east OF Pleasant Val
/. ley. He has not enjoyed good health for
the last twelve months, and last Monday
morning he was attacked by a serious
ailment OF the bowels, which the physl.
clans, Or. L. D. Wilson and others, call
ed iin2for, consultation, could not battle
with successfully. The end came With
out pain, as the patient became uncon-
sdous yesterday morning and did not
rally. The borrowing family, including
Mrs. Paxton and the three children, and
relatives In this city, were at the bed
side. The news OF Mr.. Paxton's death
will not DO received with surprise, as the
( public was aware OF his critical condi-
ton.
Early in life Mr.. Paxton was one OF
Wheel!ng's active business men. When
the war OF the rebellion broke out In 1861
he took an active part In holding west
Gu Y u SitlIh kut billui anu lIlt
formation OF the provisional govern
ment and helping to carry It through,
he was one OF Governor Pierpont's
council and in that capacity his good
Judgment was much deferred to and
was OF great value In those critical days
when Il was uncertain whether the
union sentiment would prevail or sue
cumb 10 the wave OF secession feeling
that swept like q fash over the south.
Mr.. Paxton. the late Daniel Lamb and
Mr.. A. W. Campbell, went east TO raise
funds for the provisional government OF,
Vlrginia-this was before West Virginia
had been admitted to the unlon-and It
largely due TO the zeal and :. In
fluence OF Mr.. Paxton that
the money was secured. 1t was
due to him, perhaps more than TO any
other, that the new state succeeded in
getting from the Federal government
Virginia's share OF the distribution Of
proceeds from sales OF public lands,
which the old state declined 20 accept On
the ground that the national government
had no right SO to apply these funds.
There was no more ardent Union man in
West Virginia than Mr.. Paxton. To
that cause he gave strong intellect ard
remarkable zeal and was one OF the
recognized leaders OF the cause.
. IN TSCENI
business and took no active part In busi=
Z ness or public affairs. He was one OF
Wheeling's wealthiest citizens, and Is
said TO have been a millionaire. To Z
comfortable Inheritance he added large
ly by tudtcious Investments.
He formerly resided at the Paxton
home on Chaplinc street. which was
purchased two years ago by the Carroll
Z Club and Is now used by that organize
ton asa club house. He had 4 winter
house In Thomnsriile. Georgia. where
he was accustomed 10 spending the
colder months. About two years ago he
purchased the old Reid home on the ma
tlonal pike. Just east OF Pleasant Valley.
He remodeled the house in colonial style
and made extensive additions. The
grounds were beautlfied, and. altogether.
Cplands became one of the finest homes
in WhsetiHg's suburbs.
Mr. Paxton was public spirited clti
zen. Wheelings citizens will remember
; him for the beautiful Gift he made the
city OF Wheeling number OF years ago.
the costly Paxton fountain In the city
building square.
Mr.. Paxton was born In Wheeling In
is2l and dies seventy-fiye years OF age.
He was the son of William Paxton one
OF the best known wholesale srncers In
liz CDuElry. anu dlSHouEHf tuuShLtu az
civil engineer, he preferred to ass1-
ciate himself with his father In the
wholesale grocery. The firm was known
as William Paxton & Son. until the
senior Paxton retired. after which IL
was known as J. W. Paxton & Co. The
firm was known throughout the coun-
try as one G. the highest standing.
In 1860 Mr.. Paxton was elected presi-
dent OF the Northwestern bank of Vir-
sinia, with capital OF $4,000. This
bank had branches In Wellsburg. Par
kersburg and JefferSonville. Va. The
bank was later reorganizcd ms the Ma
tional Bank OF West Virginia. each OF
the branches being made separate in
etItutIons. Mr.. Paxton remained pres
!dent OF the National bank until failing
health compelled him TO resign.
His wealth has been estimated At
various figures. few being below a mil
lion. His wealth had for It's foundation
the success OF his earlier business life
and his successful investments In real
estate. much being located in the heart
OF Chicago and Wheeling.
(, /. Mr.. Paxton was married twice, his first
wife being Miss Catherine PAUL, who
died twenty-six years ago. He Inter
married Miss Frances J. Logan, OF Phil
adelphia, and has three children living.
The chIIlren's names are Charles ",
aged twenty-one. Eliza, aged seventeen,
and Gertrude, aged twelve.
~ gfE4f
r