He was born in Clark County Ohio, May 23, 1839, while his father Zephaniah Sexton Sr., was a native of Vermont.

Zephaniah Sexton accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Illinois and in 1846 came to Michigan with his mother, settling in Oakland County. Their home was in Oxford and he was reared and educated there. In early manhood he made a trip to the west in 1857, visiting Illinois and Kansas.

When seventeen years of age he and his mother removed to Canada, locating in Ontario, where he was afterward married. Subsequently he went to New York State, where he resided for a few years and then returned to Canada, settling near Berlin.

There he engaged in farming for several years and while residing there he lost his first wife and was married again, his second wife being Elvira Clemens. (It was of this marriage that the subject of this review was born. ) { There were five children of this union James, Job W., Sarah, Julia }

After the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting at Pontiac, Michigan, on the 2d of September 1861, for three years service. He was assigned to Company D, Second Michigan Infantry, and going to the south he served throughout the period of hostilities, re-enlisting and thus becoming a veteran. He was made corporal May 4, 1862, and became color guard. On the 2d of March 1863, he was promoted to sergeant and re-enlisted December 31, 1863, at Blaine's crossroads farm, being mustered in January 1, 1864. He was with the army for nearly four years and was first under fire at Munson Hill, the regiment being attached to the division under General McClellan, while later they constituted a part of Burnside's command. Mr. Sexton was also in the siege of Vicksburg and at Knoxville. The first important engagement in which he participated was at Williamsburg in the spring of 1862. He was also in the battles at Fair Oaks, Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run and Fredericksburg and afterward was transferred to the west with the army operating I Kentucky. It was subsequent to this time that he participated in the siege of Vicksburg and took part in the two battles of Jackson. He veteranized at Charles City Crossroads in Tennessee and was then granted a furlough but because he was ill in the hospital at Louisville he was only able to spend one-half of this time—fifteen days—at home. He afterward served on detached duty in a regimental hospital and was mustered out at the close of the war, July 28, 1865, being honorably discharged on the 8th of August 1865.

The following year Mr. Sexton arrived in Clinton County and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It was then a tract of timberland, on which not a tree had been cut. The following year he took up his abode on this place and began to clear and fence the property. Soon the sound of his ax awakened the echoes of the forest and he continued the arduous task of cutting down the trees, grubbing out the stumps and clearing the fields until he had his farm in an excellent state of cultivation. He has erected a large two-story residence, also a commodious basement barn and granary, a sheep pen and other necessary sheds and buildings and in fact has exerted his energy along lines of labor that have proved practical and profitable. He has not only cultivated the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate but has also raised good horses and cattle and in recent years has made a specialty of raising Shropshire sheep, these different branches of his business returning to him an excellent income.

In Oakland County on the 3d of July, 1867, Mr. Sexton was married to Miss Mary Jane Doty, who died in 1870, leaving a daughter, Carrie A.

Mr. Sexton married again in Oakland County on Christmas day of 1872, when Sarah E. Mann, of that county, became his wife. She died November 18, 1877, and the two children born of that marriage, Verna Lee and Nettie E., are also deceased.

In 1885 in Oakland county Mr. Sexton wedded Miss Anna Neal, of that county, and this wife died in December 1886.

In his political views and affiliation Mr. Sexton is a stanch republican, having supported the party since its organization.

He served on the board of supervisors of his township for one term, has been justice of the peace for a number of years, was commissioner of highways for two terms and drainage commissioner for four years and in all these offices has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity.

He is a delegate the county, judicial and state conventions and is recognized as one of the leading republicans of the community, his opinions carrying weight in councils of his party.

He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Laingsburg and also of the chapter and commandery at St. Johns and he likewise belongs to the Grand Army post at the county seat.

In every relation of life Mr. Sexton has been found true to the duties which have devolved upon him and his labors have been a co-operant and helpful factor in the substantial improvement and development of this section of the state.

He was laid to rest in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Ovid, Mich.(NEW 03/09/05)