NIXON, John T. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Source: Covington Republican 11-12-1920

John T. Nixon was born in the county of Racine, Wisconsin on the 19th day of October 1850 and died at his home in Attica Thursday morning, Nov 4 at 6 o’clock. He was one of nine children born to John and Mary Veeder Nixon who had emigrated from Ohio to Wisconsin. In 1866 the pioneer spirit still dominated John Nixon , the father, again penetrated the west and took up temporary abode in the state of Idaho and only a short time after arriving was shot and killed by the Indians in the door of his own cabin. Less than a year later, at the age of 16, John T. Nixon came east to Attica and immediately entered the employ of Peter S. Veeder, his uncle, who was then operating an elevator there. This uncle was the founder of the city bearing his name, Veedersburg and in connection with this enterprise such as the laying out, founding and development of the town, Mr. Nixon took active and enthusiastic interest. His first position with his uncle was at the very bottom of the ladder, an orphan boy without resources save that priceless spirit of the pioneer instilled in him so firmly, that step by step he rapidly advanced to comfortable circumstances and to a position of responsibility. So that in a few years he firmly established himself as the leading lumber and grain dealer of Attica and by thrift and honest dealing he accumulated one of the largest fortunes in this part of the state. To the community he was an able, energetic and resourceful workers, never found wanting in the advancement - kbz