My Genealogy Hound

CAPTAIN B. T. NIX
Comparatively few of the veterans of the Civil war remain. A large majority have answered the last roll call, but while memory remains to the American people they will feel grateful to those who fought to preserve the Union intact. Captain Nix, one of the survivors of the Union army and a prominent and prosperous business man of Iowa, has resided in this state since 1868, when he took up his abode in Des Moines county. In 1870 he removed to Clarke county and in 1875 came to Union county, where he has since made his home.

Captain Nix was born and reared in Kentucky, his natal day being September 15, 1840. His early educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools and he completed his education in Funk’s Seminary, at LaGrange, Kentucky. He was not yet twenty-two years of age when he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union cause, enlisting on the 18th of August, 1862, as a member of the Thirty-second Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. He went to the front as captain of Company B and served for one year, after which the regiment was discharged. He then re-enlisted and joined the Fifty-third Mounted Infantry, being again elected captain of his company. He participated in a number of engagements, including the Saltville raid in southern Kentucky and the battle of Mills Springs. With his command he was doing scouting duty for two years and protecting government property. He served until the close of the war and was the eldest of three brothers who defended the stars and stripes, each remaining at the front until victory crowned the Union arms. When the war was over Captain Nix was mustered out and honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in September, 1865. One of his brothers was wounded in the service.

When his military aid was no longer needed. Captain Nix returned to his home and for three years thereafter engaged in farming. Thinking to find better business opportunities west of the Mississippi, in the fall of 1868 he made his way to Iowa, settling first in Des Moines county, where he lived for two years. He then spent about five years in Clarke county and in 1875 reached Union county, where he has since made his home. He purchased land and located in Platte township, where he opened up a new farm. He was elected county clerk in 1880 and was re-elected, serving for four terms in that position in an able manner. Later he took up his abode on a farm in Highland township and continued its cultivation for two years. He afterward removed to Afton and was identified with financial interests there as assistant cashier of the Citizens bank for three years. Again, however, he resumed agricultural pursuits, purchasing his present farm, adjoining Afton on the east. Taking up his abode thereon, he has since given some time and attention to agricultural pursuits and is numbered among the leading farmers of the community, having displayed an orderly progression in all of his work. He is likewise engaged in the real-estate business, handling land in Union county and also in the Dakotas and Texas.

That his fellow citizens recognize his worth and ability is indicated by the fact that various political honors have been conferred upon Captain Nix. He was nominated and elected to represent his district in the state legislature, where he is now serving, and is a member of a number of important committees, being chairman of the committee on police regulations and a member of the appropriations, insurance, agriculture, labor, municipal corporations, claims, agricultural college and military committees. Each question which comes up for consideration claims his careful thought and attention and his endorsement is proof that he believes the measure will be one of benefit to the state at large.

Captain Nix was married in Williamstown, Kentucky, July 9, 1863, to Miss Virginia E. Rhodes, a sister of Frank Rhodes, of Creston, and of Mrs. C. C. Culver, who is now a member of the Nix household. Mrs. Nix was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but was reared in Kentucky. By this marriage there was born a daughter, Elizabeth, now the wife of C. W. Pinkerton, of Afton, who was agent and operator on the Burlington at Afton for a quarter of a century. Captain and Mrs. Nix have lost their first-born, a daughter, Alberta, who died at the age of five years.

The captain and his family are consistent members of the Afton Methodist Episcopal church and he is well known in fraternal circles, belonging to the lodge and chapter in Masonry, while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star Chapter. He is also a valued representative of the Odd Fellows lodge at Afton, has filled all of its chairs and is a past grand. Since coming to Union county he has been closely associated with the development of Afton and of this part of the state and has a wide acquaintance here while favorably known as one of its progressive and public-spirited citizens. His military record, his official service and his business career alike entitle him to the respect of his fellowmen and gain for him a place among the representative residents of the county.