Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 727 - 728

HON. THOMAS L. DIXON, Judge of the Police Court, of Wichita, is a prominent and highly respected citizen of this metropolis. He is a native of Jackson County, Ala., where he was born March 10, 1830. Robert Dixon, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, his ancestors having been among the original settlers of that State. He served in the Revolutionary War.

             Thomas J. Dixon, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Little York, Pa. His early life was spent in the Keystone State, but he went from there to Knoxville, Tenn., when a young man, where he married Sarah Green, who was born in Virginia, near the city of Richmond. Her father was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving under Gen. Lee. Both of her parents lived to an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon remained in Knoxville several years, but after the birth of their third child removed to Park Springs, Ala, remaining there some time, and, in the meantime, three more little ones had been added to the home circle. In 1831 they moved to Morgan County,  where they settled on a farm near Jacksonville.

             Mr. Dixon carried on farming successfully for awhile, but finally sold his farm, and in connection with Dr. Gillette, of Jacksonville, established the first steam distillery of Morgan County. Not satisfied with that business, however, he removed, in 1836, to Hancock County, in the same State, where he bought a farm, and for a few years engaged in tilling the soil, being one of the pioneers of that county. Disposing of his farm he became engaged in the hotel business in Dallas City, the same county, where he successfully satisfied the wants of the traveling public until his death in May, 1861. He was a genial, kind-hearted man, and a popular host; he readily won friends wherever he lived; nor was he lacking in the sterner stuff which made his progenitors stanch and patriotic citizens, as he fought valiantly in the War of 1812, and also in the Black Hawk War. His wife survived him, dying at the age of eighty-four years, and they are now sleeping peacefully side by side in their quiet graves in the cemetery at Dallas City. To them had been born nine children, all of whom grew up and married. The following is their record: Samuel, who is engaged in mining in California; James M., who died in Hancock County, Ill., leaving three children; Nancy, wife of Thomas Noland, of Hancock County, Ill.; Mary A., wife of Benjamin Lionberger, of LaCrosse, Ill.; Hattie, wife of R. G. Gitting, of Gitting's Mound, Hancock Co., Ill.; Thomas L.; Lucretia, wife of Joseph Creighton, a contractor and builder, of Creston, Iowa; M. B., a farmer at Grand Island, Cal.; Susanna, wife of W. E. Snyder, a railroad man of Dakota.

             The subject of this biographical notice was only one year old when his parents removed to the Prairie State. He received his early education in the customary log school-house of pioneer days in Hancock County, and in the fall of 1857 entered the Business College of Burlington, Iowa, where he took a part of a course in the commercial department. After leaving college he traveled for three years, selling patent rights in the Southern States. Subsequently our subject was appointed Deputy Sheriff, the first one in Hancock County, which office he filled twelve years, serving as Justice of the Peace for four of those years, and afterward he served as Police Justice for four years in Dallas City. In October, 1883, Judge Dixon moved to Bates County, Mo., where he was engaged for a year as an auctioneer. From there he removed to the thriving city of Wichita, and being poor in purse, secured work in a brickyard for one season. He then engaged with Hyde & Strong, taking charge of their real estate, grading their streets, setting out vineyards, trees, and making other improvements. In April, 1887, our subject was elected to his present office, which he is creditably filling; his decisions are marked by fairness and impartiality, being well calculated to serve the ends of justice.

             The union of Judge Dixon with Miss Alline A. Hendee took place in November, 1861. She was born near Waterbury, Conn., and is of French ancestry, being a daughter of H. H. and Sophronia (Snow) Hendee. To them have been born nine children, five of whom died in infancy, and one son, Harry, was killed in a cyclone at Dallas City, Ill., in July, 1883. The children living are: Charles; Sarah Frances, the wife of John Sharp, of Wichita; and Chauncey A.

            Our subject was a resident of Hancock County, during the Mormon troubles, when he served as a member of Capt. Logan's company, and saw Joseph Smith fall after receiving two shots, as he attempted to leap from the window of the cell in which he was confined. Politically, the Judge affiliated with the Democratic party until 1884, when he became connected with the Union Labor party, and has since been actively engaged in organizing the labor element. In February, 1887, he was appointed as a delegate to represent Sedgwick County at a convention of the Union Laborers, when the platform of that party was drafted and adopted. Judge Dixon was also Chairman of the Central Committee of his Congressional district until he was elected to his present office, when he resigned, not having time to attend to its duties.

             Socially, our subject is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and of the Knights of Labor, holding the most important offices in each order. After this honorable record it is scarcely necessary to add that Judge Dixon holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, whose confidence he enjoys to a marked degree.

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