B. F. Maddox

B. F. Maddox, one of the business men of Nordhoff, is a native of Kentucky, born in Pendleton County, January 12, 1844. He is a son of William Maddox, a native of Ohio, who for many years resided in Kentucky, was married to Miss Brandenburgh, and lived on a plantation. Mrs. Maddox died of cholera in 1857. His father was afterward married to a second wife, and was the father of eighteen children, ten by his first wife, and eight by the second, all except two living to adult age.

When the subject of this sketch was ten years of age the family moved to Illinois. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private soldier, and participated in all the engagements of the West from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson, the battle of Shiloh, the advance on Corinth, and the battle of Corinth in 1862. He was with General Sherman on his memorable march from Atlanta to the sea, and was at Washington during the grand review, when the magnificent victorious army made its triumphant march through the great capital of the country their deeds had saved. Mr. Maddox received no wound, but suffered much from diarrhoea, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. Four of his brothers were also in the Union army, one of whom lost his life and another came near dying in prison.

At the close of the war Mr. Maddox was mustered out, and went to Kansas, where he took a Government claim which he improved and on which he lived until 1874. In that year he came to Ventura County, California. Mr. Maddox was a carpenter, and worked at his trade five years in Ventura, where he met with a very slight accident which resulted in the loss of the use of his right hand. He received a wound from a scratch-awl, and went to a physician to have something applied to remove the soreness. The doctor injected carbolic acid, full strength, and blood poisoning did the rest, causing Mr. Maddox to be a cripple for life. He then took up a small piece of land in the Matilija Canon on Ventura River, and kept an apiary. He was there elected road commissioner, and held the office eight years. In 1886 he came to Nordhoff, purchased a lot, and erected a very pleasant home. He also bought another lot and built a livery stable, and dealt some in real estate, being very successful in his transactions. His livery stable is now the only one in the town. It is well equipped throughout, Mr. Maddox keeping sixteen horses and ten conveyances. He has one team composed of fine grays, Richmond stock, that being considered the best stock in the country.

In 1872 Mr. Maddox was narrued to Miss Jennie R. Whaley, who was born in Canada, and is a daughter of William Whaley, a native of Ireland. Their union has been blessed with two sons and two daughters - Lela, Eugenia, Harry E. and Foster F. In political matters Mr. Maddox is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

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