WIXON, Lincoln - 1914

WIXON, VANBOSKIRK, LEONARD, LICKISS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 09:50:56

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

LINCOLN WIXON.

Lincoln Wixon, mayor of Meriden and connected with important business interests of the city as a partner with his brother in the conduct of a large implement and harness store, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 21, 1861. He is a son of Ward and Euphemia (Van Boskirk) Wixon, the former a native of Putnam county, New York, and the latter of Licking county, Ohio. The father moved to Davenport, Iowa, in his early years and after a short time went across the river to Rock Island county, Illinois, settling there when Chicago was still a small town. He farmed in that locality until 1879 and then came to Cherokee county, buying and improving a farm in Cherokee township. This he operated until 1893 and then retired from active life, moving to Meriden, where he has since resided.

Lincoln Wixon acquired his education in Scott, Johnson and Cherokee counties and he remained with his parents until he was of age, after which he rented a farm which he operated for a few years. When he abandoned this he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company and he held this for seven years. At the end of that time he formed a partnership with his brother, Rush C., and they opened a harness and implement store in Meriden which they have since conducted. This is the only enterprise of its kind in the town and the brothers control a large patronage, for their business methods are at all times practical and straightforward and their goods well selected, of excellent quality and reasonable in price. The brothers are also associated with W. H. Runnings as shippers and buyers of stock.

In January, 1906, Mr. Wixon married Miss Leona Leonard, a daughter of Charles and Carolyn (Lickiss) Leonard, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Iowa. The father came to Cherokee county when he was a young man and bought land in Silver township for five dollars per acre. He operated this for many years and finally disposed of it at a large profit. He now lives retired in Quimby. Mr. and Mrs. Wixon have three children: Miriam, aged six; Mildred, aged four; and Ethel, who is a year old.

Fraternally Mr. Wixon is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge in Meriden and the canton in Cherokee. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is the present mayor of Meriden. He also served on the city council for six years and has proven himself an energetic, conscientious and capable official. He enjoys in large measure the friendship of those with whom he has come in contact and a life of well directed activity has gained for him a creditable place in business and political circles.