Martin Troxel for many years occupied a prominent place in the agricultural and civic affairs of Madison Township. While he recently sold his fine farm and removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, his influence and interest will not be lost to Williams County, where he was born and reared and has spent the most productive part of his life.
Mr. Troxel was born three miles south of Pioneer on March 1, 1866, son of Henry and Amanda (Grindle) Troxel. His parents were both born in Wayne County, Ohio, were married there and after their marriage moved to Williams County, settling in Madison Township, where they spent the rest of their years. They were active members of the Church of God. Henry Troxel was an elder in that church. He was the only member of his family to vote as a republican. Of ten children six are still living: Leora, widow of Howard Dean; Harvey, of Mill Creek Township: Irvin, of Montpelier, Ohio; Martin, of Pioneer, Ohio; Jacob, of Toledo, Ohio; and Catherine, wife of Willis Crum, of Alvordton, Ohio.
Martin Troxel grew up on the home farm in Madison Township and had a common school education. At the age of fourteen he began working for himself and had accumulated some small savings by the time he was twenty-one, only to see this modest capital swept away by misfortune. He therefore began life all over again. On September 23, 1896, he married Miss Mamie Haviland, also a native of Madison Township, and educated in the common schools there. After his marriage Mr. Troxel made a living hauling logs and at other work, and finally bought a small property and in 1911 moved to his farm in Madison Township. He acquired seventy-four acres there and while he bought it for less than $75 an acre, the farm was well worth the $165 an acre for which he recently sold it. Mr. and Mrs. Troxel have three children: Claire, a successful truck driver in Government employ during the war; Darwin R., a graduate of the Pioneer High School; and Wilma, in the first year of her high school work. Mr. Troxel is a member of the Pioneer Grange, is a republican, and was trustee of Madison Township during 1918 and 1919.
Source: Bowersox, Charles A. ed. A standard history of Williams County, Ohio: an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development , 2 vols. Publisher Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1920.