The subject of this sketch was born in Clay County, Kentucky, April 9, 1833. His parents are Jonathan and Elizabeth Spurlock Oxford, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. His father was one of the first settlers of Daviess County, and was taken out and shot during the war, April 4, 1863; his mother still resides upon the farm where they first settled upon their arrival in this County- Young Oxford was about three years old when his father migrated from Kentucky to this County, and here he was reared upon the home farm, attended and received his education in the common schools.
On June 16th, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Lockridge, daughter of Andrew Lockridge, of this County. By this union they have eight children; namely, William L., Mary E., Flora B. (now Mrs. James H. Parberry), Charles T., Martha A., James C., Elmer B. and Howard L. Mr. Oxford was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife and companion, December 25, 1880, when her spirit took its flight to the other world. Both himself and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the A. O.U. W. Lodge No. 39.
Mr. Oxford owns a valuable farm of 265 acres, all under fence, 150 acres under cultivation, and 115 acres in timber. The land is well watered and adapted to stock-raising, to which he devotes considerable attention. He has a fine orchard of two hundred each of peach acid apple trees, and smaller numbers of cherry, plum, etc. Mr. Oxford is one of the most prominent citizens of the township, and has served in various honorable capacities, having been township collector for three years and school trustee for nearly twelve years.