Oliver A. Dixon
As superintendent of
the Allamakee county farm Oliver A. Dixon has gained the
commendation of his fellow citizens, for his efforts in behalf of
those who have come under his care during his incumbency in
office have been of a character to awaken public appreciation and
regard. He was born in Winneshiek county, May 15, 1865, and is a
son of William J. Dixon, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. As a
young man the father crossed the Atlantic and located in
Massachuesetts, working at anything which would bring him income.
He married in that state Miss Celia Curran, also a native of
Ireland, and they moved west to Iowa, settling in Winneshiek
county, where Mr. Dixon purchased land and opened up a farm.
Three of their children were born in that section, but they later
sold their property there and in 1869 moved to Allamakee county,
buying two hundred and forty acres in Hanover township. They
continued to make their home upon that farm for several years,
the
mother dying in 1877. The father later made his home with his
daughter, with whom he now resides, having reached the advanced
age of ninety-six.
Oliver A. Dixon was reared upon his father's farm and accompanied
his parents to Allamakee county. From his early childhood he
assisted with the work of the homestead and after reaching
maturity took entire charge,
remaining as manager until 1903. In that year he moved to
California and located in San Bernardino, where for one year he
was employed by a gas company, remaining a resident of that city
for four years. Returning to Iowa
in 1907, he made his home in Waukon and soon after ward was
appointed superintendent of the county farm, assuming his duties
in the same year. In that institution Allamakee county cares for
both its poor and its insane and the home now has thirty-five
inmates, all of whom are under Mr. Dixon's care. With the help of
his wife and another married couple he operates the farm, the
products of which in 1911 netted the county over twenty-two
hundred dollars. The property comprises two hundred and
forty-nine acres and under Mr. Dixon's management has been
greatly improved, the home having been remodeled and repaired, a
number of the water towers and a hose house erected, a silo built
and cement walks laid wherever needed. Mr. Dixon is proving
himself competent in the performance of the duties that have
devolved upon him in connection with this position and the
institution under his direction is being conducted in a manner
which wins him the commendation of all concerned. He is carrying
on its affairs in a most businesslike way, following the methods
most approved in the conduct of public institutions of this
character, and at all times he has an eye for the comfort and
well-being of the inmates, a fact which makes him a popular
official.
Mr. Dixon married in Hanover township Miss Kathryn Sullivan, a
native of Layfayette township, Allamakee county. She acquired her
education in the public schools of her native section, in the
Lansing high school and later in a commercial college at Waukon.
After her graduation she taught in the public schools of
Allamakee county for several years. Since her husband has has
charge of the county farm she has proven an able, energetic and
efficient assistant and much credit for the good management and
excellent condition of the institution is due her. Mr. and Mrs.
Dixon have three children: May and Kathryn, who were born in San
Bernardino, California; and Frances, a native of LaCrosse,
Wisconsin. The family are members of the Catholic church of
Lycurgus and Mr. Dixon is affiliated with the Catholic Order of
Foresters. His political allegiance is given to the democratic
party but he has never sought office and aside from his present
position has never been connected with public life. In private
relations he has been actuated by the principles which govern
honorable and upright manhood and the same high ideals have ever
been manifest in his dealings with those with whom he has been
connected in an official capacity.
-source: Past
& Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S.
J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-submitted by Cathy Joynt-Labath
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Past & Present
in Allamakee County
