W. STALEY TROXELL. - At the age of sixteen years W. Staley Troxell entered upon his business career in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from which position he was destined to rise to a creditable position in business circles, his unflagging industry, fidelity to duty and business force gaining for him well merited success. He is now one of the foremost fire insurance writers in this part of the country, and his business interests also include the negotiation of loans and real estate transfers.

A native of Springfield, Mr. Troxell was born February 7, 1863, a son of William and Louisa C. (Staley) Troxell. The father, who was born in Maryland in 1833, died in 1877, and the mother, whose birth occurred in 1836, passed away in 1874. Her father was Warfield Staley, also a native of Maryland, and his death occurred in Springfield in 1896. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Horn, and was a lady of many womanly qualities.

W. Staley Troxell began his education in the schools of Springfield and continued his studies in the Springfield Business College, completing a commercial course at the age of sixteen, so that he was well prepared for the practical and responsible duties of a business career which began in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, with which he remained for two years. He then obtained a position in the Illinois Watch Factory, where he spent six years, winning promotion from time to time as he demonstrated his efficiency and ability. On leaving that place he embarked in business on his own account as a member of the firm of Culp & Troxell, dealers in general merchandise, at Rochester, Illinois, where they conducted business for two years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Troxell removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he established a grocery store, which he also carried on for two years. Returning to Springfield in 1889, he here opened an office for the conduct of an insurance, real estate and loan business, and has been exceedingly successful in securing an extensive fire insurance clientage. He also handles farm and city property, and has negotiated some important real estate transfers. He also makes loans, mostly on Springfield property. In various departments of business he has shown much ability, which, coupled with sound judgment and extensive force, has enabled him to conduct a large, growing and prosperous enterprise.

In 1882 Mr. Troxell was united in marriage to Miss Sadie K. Culp, of Springfield, a daughter of Levi and Mary Culp, and their home has been blessed with four children: Roy Glidden, Robert W., Allynn S. and Gladys Fay Dorothy. They have a comfortable home at No. 512 South Dougas avenue, which is the visible evidence of his life of industry. In politics Mr. Troxell is a Republican, and is a most genial, social gentleman, always approachable and winning friends from among the young and the old, the rich and the poor. He has never allowed the accumulation of a very gratifying competence to affect in any way his treatment of those less fortunate, but is numbered among the valued class of individuals who have a hearty handshake for all, and who in consequence, throw around them so much of the sunshine of life.