My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

John Oscar Dixon, a popular and influential citizen of Posey county and one of its most successful farmers, was born on the Dixon farm in Point township, July 21, 1870, the son of John and Angeline (Welborn) Dixon. The founder of the family in Indiana was John Dixon, a native of Kentucky, who came to Posey county previous to the year 1820 and entered upon land in Point township. He was the great-grandfather of the subject of this article, who is descended from him as follows: John Dixon, Junior, the son of John, and his son, John Dixon, who married Angeline Welborn, and they were the parents of John Oscar Dixon. The family have been prominent in the affairs of Point township since its organization. In the first township election, held on May 30, 1835, John, David and James Dixon were among the registered voters. The members of the family were extensive land owners, which when purchased by them was virgin forest, and the township owes much to their pluck and energy in clearing the large acreage which they owned and in bringing their lands up to a high state of cultivation. John Dixon, the father of our subject, was one of the successful men of his time, influential in the civil and religious life of his district, and well and favorably known throughout the county. He was a Republican and active in the work of that organization, but without inclination for public office. He was born in Point township on January 28, 1840, and died on April 7, 1888. His wife, who survives him, was the daughter of John Welborn, a native of North Carolina, and one of the successful farmers of Black township, of which he was a pioneer settler. They were the parents of one child, the subject of this sketch. John Oscar Dixon was reared on the Dixon farm in Point township and educated in its public schools. His father died when he was aged eighteen and his large farming interests were placed under the management of his widow. He was called upon to take the active management, under his mother’s guidance, and his success in the working of the property was such as to persuade his mother to give him full charge upon reaching his majority. He is an untiring worker, progressive in his methods, and is recognized as one of the foremost agriculturists in the county. The Dixon farms comprise over 500 acres, are well improved and stocked. Mr. Dixon has always been found among the supporters of those measures which have had for their object the development and betterment of his township, while the schools have received from him liberal support. He has been an earnest advocate of better school buildings and an extended school term, and has served as school director for several years. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, but, like his father, has no inclination for public office. He is a member of the Masonic order, Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Posey Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dixon married on August 8, 1898, Miss Mary Elizabeth Winston, the daughter of Allen Winston, of Tennessee. They are the parents of three children: Douglas Dixon, born May 31, 1901; James Grover Dixon, born January 6, 1906; and Ola Elizabeth Dixon, born May 31, 1913.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.