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
-transcribed by Cathy Joynt-Labath