Paxton, William M
lawyer, genealogist, poet, was born March 2, 1819, in Washington, Ky. In 1835 he entered Centre college, Kentucky, and remained four years. After studying law, he settled at Platte City, Mo., which is still his home. In 1874, in the midst of a successful practice, he became hard of hearing, and had to retire from the bar.
From this time he gave his attention to poesy. In 1880 he issued a small volume of poetry, entitled A Century Hence, and Other Poems. In 1887 he published a volume of four hundred and fifty-four pages entitled Poems. He has since published in pamphlet form, A Story of the Flood; and The Vision of Narva, a Legend of Parkville.