Rexford, Eben Eugene

Other Events:

• 1900 Census: 1900, Bovina, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• 1905 State Census: 1905, Shiocton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Biography: 1911; History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin Page 1068

Notes:

1900 Census:
Eben E Rexford58
Hattie Rexford42

1905 State Census:
Eben E Rexford54
Hattie Rexford42
Lydia Kattke20

Biography:
EBEN EUGENE REXFORD, whose gifts as poet and author have made him widely known, and whose songs possess that tender something that appeals to every heart, has been a valued and admired citizen of Shiocton, Wisconsin, since 1883, when he erected here his attractive residence. He is a native of New York, born at Johnsburg, in Warren county, July 16, 1848, and is a son of Jabez B. and Rebecca (Wilcox) Rexford. The Rexfords came to New England from England at an early day, and although military prowess has never been associated with the name, the solid, substantial qualities which make for good citizenship have alway belonged to the family. From Rhode Island the Rexfords moved into adjacent states and the grandfather of the distinguished subject of this sketch settled in Hartford township, Washington county, New York. He was the father of twelve children and one of these, Jabez B. Rexford, moved from Washington to Warren county, there married Rebecca Wilcox, and they reared a family of three children, the youngest of whom they named Eben Eugene. The eldest son, Jacob Rexford, moved to the far west, locating in the State of Washington, where he resides with his family. The second son, Sanford, died a few years before his father and is survived by children. In 1855 the parents of Mr. Rexford disposed of their property in Warren county and came as pioneers to Wisconsin, settling on a farm of ninety-five acres in Ellington township. In the clearing, improving and developing of his land, Jabez B. Rexford spent the remaining active years of his life. In many ways conditions of living were extremely hard, and during the earlier years on the pioneer farm much had to be endured, many hardships to which the family had never been accustomed.Eben Eugene was a boy of seven years when the family reached Wisconsin and easily recalls many of the adventures of the trip from New York and the subsequent settling in Ellington township, Outagamie county. The nearest market at that time was Appleton and journeys to and from were made with oxen. He remembers as a great occasion the time when the first team of horses was brought into this section, there being relatively as much excitement as when the first steam railway train went through. The father of Mr. Rexford survived the mother, his death occurring in 1888. Their burial was in the Ellington township cemetery. They were members of the Baptist Church, in which the father was a deacon. In the rather indifferent district schools of' Ellington township, as they were at that time, Eben Eugene Rexford secured his preliminary educational training, which was supplemented by attendance at Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wisconsin, an institution which, in 1908, conferred on him the degree of Litt. D. By inheritance Mr. Rexford undoubtedly should have been a farmer, his forefathers, as far back as can be traced, having lived by the products of the soil. To this youth, however, came the love of growing things in a different fashion. From boyhood he has loved the ground and its products, not in a material way but as contributory to that inner sense of beauty which has made him a poet. The growing of flowers has been an enthusiasm with him for years and it is now his chief recreation. It has provided him with interesting subjects for books for many years, and an article on floriculture signed with his name in any periodical, commands the immediate attention of every intelligent reader. Between 1888 and 1901 he published "Home Floriculture"; in 1890, "Grandmother's Garden"; in 1897, "The Swamp Secret"; in 1898, "Flowers--How to Grow Them"; in 1907, "Four Seasons in a Garden"; in 1908, "The Home Garden"; and in 1910, "Indoor Gardening." Beginning to publish his writings when but fourteen years of age, Mr. Rexford has contributed to almost all of the leading journals of America, and attentive readers for more than forty years have been permitted to enjoy his productions. He has contributed stories and poems to the New York Independent, Outlook Magazine, Youth's Companion, Lippincott's, the Harper publications, St. Nicholas, Adcvance, Forward, Golden Rule and many journals of less note, all of these being permeated with the same vein of tender sentiment which makes them universally admired. He is the author of several romances and of numerous songs. His fame would be lasting were it founded alone upon two tender melodies which are included in the repertory of every American songstress and are included in every choice collection for the home vocalist, "Silver Threads Among the Gold" and "Only a Pansy Blossom." Mr. Rexford is a member of the Boston Authors' Club. He is identified also with the fraternal orders of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In his earlier political life he was a Democrat, and during the first administration of the late President Cleveland was appointed postmaster at Shiocton. He has subsequently served several terms as town clerk. At present he holds an independent attitude, having a liberal mind and no political ambitions, and casts his vote as his judgment dictates. On December 22, 1890, Mr. Rexford was married to Mrs. Harriet (Bauman) Harsh, whose lamented death occurred February 15, 1910. Her burial was in the Bovina township cemetery. For many years she had been active in the Congregational Church and was the center of a wide circle of appreciative friends.

Eben married Bauman, Hattie 22 Dec 1890. Hattie was born 9 Feb 1857; died 15 Feb 1910, Shiocton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , Bovina Cemetery, Shiocton, Outagamie, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet]