Springfield-Greene
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ELY PAXSON. From the days of the Egyptian mummies, when the old Pharaohs were elaborately embalmed, to the present time this science--enbalming--has gone through various stages of development, but it is doubtful if it is any better today than when the body of the great Rameses was prepared for the tomb, for the student of history finds that the ancients knew many things which we do not know, the "lost arts" being a theme which has engaged much thought by moderns. In various museums, notably the British, mummies are to be seen which have withstood the ravages of many thousands of years. The manner of laying away the dead has differed widely in different ages and with different nations. The ancients preferred sepulchers hewn from solid rock, some were buried in upright positions, some with their heads to the east, others to the west. We read of the Hindus casting their dead into the Ganges river, of bodies being deposited in trees by the Indians of North America and the natives of Africa. It was once the desire to so prepare the body that it would retain its material form forever; now many desire that this house of clay shall be dissolved as quickly as possible after it has been cast aside by the inscrutable something we call spirit or soul, hence cremation is now a well-established business. The universal civilized manner of burial demands skill of a high nature, and so in every city and town in Christendom we find undertakers and embalmers. One of the most adroit, learned and successful, as well as best known and popular, of those who are engaged in this line of endeavor in Springfield is Ely Paxson, whose experience of half a century entitles him to a position in the front rank of undertakers in Missouri.
Mr. Paxson was born near Findlay, Ohio, January 17, 1847. He is a son of Morris and Mariah (Shipman) Paxson, and a descendant of an old English family of Colonial stock. Ely Paxson, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and received his Christian name from the old Ely family. He grew to manhood in the old Keystone state and there became a successful farmer and useful citizen, remaining there until 1833, when he removed with his family to near Findlay, Ohio, where he continued farming until his death, which occurred about 1876. His son, Morris Paxson, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Burks county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1825, and he was eight years of age when the family removed to Ohio. He grew to manhood in Hancock county and assisted his father with the work on the farm, and he received his education in the pioneer schools there. When a boy he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he became quite expert. He remained in the Buckeye state until 1867, when he came to Missouri, arriving in Springfield in May of that year, and here he spent the rest of his life, becoming well known to the business world here in that early period of the city's development. His death occurred January 17, 1893, in his sixty-eighth year. He was an honest, hard working man whom everybody respected. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and religiously he belonged to the Methodist church. He and Mariah Shipman were married at Findlay, Ohio, where- she had spent her girlhood and was educated. To this union seven children were born.
Ely Paxson, the immediate subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood at Findlay, Ohio, and there received his education in the common schools, and later learned the cabinetmaker's trade, also the undertaking business, for which he seemed to possess from the outset decided natural ability, such as, industry, tact, steady nerves, kindness, promptness and integrity, and these qualities with others have resulted in great success in later years. In 1868, he came to Springfield, Missouri, and for two years worked as a journeyman cabinetmaker in the establishment of Julius Kassler on College street, then entered into partnership with his employer, and in March, 1880, bought him out and has continued in the undertaking business ever since alone, his business growing with advancing years until it has long since reached very extensive proportions and Mr. Paxson's name is. known over all southwestern. Missouri, and in his dealings with the people here for a period of over forty-five years he has maintained a reputation for honesty, courtesy and good citizenship enjoying all the while the good will and esteem of his fellow men. His establishment was destroyed by fire in 1875 and again in 1885. In1888 he erected the substantial two-story brick structure which he still occupies, and which is modernly equipped in every respect for the successful and prompt carrying on of his business, and here he employs assistants of the highest skill.
Mr. Paxson was married on March 20, 1873, to Anna Belle Keet, daughter of James Keet, a prominent business man of southern Missouri, the Keets having been among the leading families of Springfield for many years, and here Mrs. Paxson grew to womanhood and received an excellent education. She is a lady of culture and is prominent socially.
Politically, Mr. Paxson is Republican and has been more or less active affairs. He was coroner of Greene county for two terms, the duties of which office he discharged with ability and satisfaction. Fraternally, he is a well-known Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in that order. For a number of years he was, recorder of' St. John's Commandery No. 20, Knights Templars, of which he is past eminent commander. He is treasurer of the latter body and Solomon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and treasurer of Springfield Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also past master of the Blue Lodge. He and his wife are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is treasurer.
Mr. Paxson has always had the welfare of Springfield at heart, and his aid in furthering the best interests of the same has never been withheld in all laudable movements, and he is not only one of the best known men in this city and county, but is one of the most highly respected for his industry, public spirit and exemplary record as a man and citizen.
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