Dixon, Frank Dr. 1883-1941 & Catherine Ann Norris family

DIXON, NORRIS, CLARK, POLLARD

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/16/2021 at 11:06:54

Dixon, Dr. Frank 1883-1941 and Catherine ‘Ann’ Norris family

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. Story on pages 64 and 65, It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added.

Dr. Frank L. Dixon came to Rock Valley in 1905 after graduating from Northwestern University School of Dentistry in Chicago. He married Catherine Ann Norris of Rock Valley on November 15, 1905 and began his practice of dentistry here. During his years of service to the community he served on the Library Board and was secretary of the local school board for many years.

Dr. Dixon died on July 20, 1941, at age fifty-eight of a heart attack.

Mrs. Dixon (Catherine Ann Norris, or Anna as she is better known) was born April 23, 1880. She came to Rock Valley with her family and was among the first to attend the high school established in Rock Valley. Mrs. Dixon took a deep pride in her home community. She attended college in Chicago and then returned to teach at the Rock Valley Public School.

After several years of teaching she became Postmaster in 1917 and continued in the capacity until 1932.

Mrs. Dixon organized the Catholic Daughters of America of St. Mary’s Church. She helped organize the Woman’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and several other organizations. President Woodrow Wilson cited her for war work during World War I.

She married Dr. Frank L. Dixon on June 20, 1941. Her daughter, Mrs. Emmett Scanlan, resides in Rock Valley. Another daughter is Mrs. E.J. Murphy of Chicago.

Mrs. Dixon’s sisters are Mary Norris and Mrs. Frank McGill, who also reside in Rock Valley.

Mrs. Dixon died on June 11, 1964.

Above submitted to the Rock Valley Book by Lottie Thomas

RESEARCH NOTE: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
In the St. Mary’s church book a bit more on Ann Dixon was added to the above Story.
Catherine Ann Norris Dixon was born on April 23, 1880 at Cobh, Wisconsin. She came to Rock Valley with her family as a small child and was among the first to attend the High School established in Rock Valley. Mrs. Dixon took a deep pride in her home community. She attended a Dominican private school in Sinsiniwa, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Chicago. After several years of teaching, she became Postmaster during the war in 1917 and continued in that capacity until 1932. She served on the National Board of Postmasters. Anna as she was better known, organized the Court of St. Ann of the Catholic Daughters of America of St. Mary’s Church. She served on the first National Board of the Catholic Daughters of Isabella, which later became the Catholic Daughters of America. She organized many courts throughout the State of Iowa and served in many offices of this organization.
Anna and Frank were married on November 15, 1905 in St. Mary’s Church and became the parents of two daughters, Catherine and Dorothy.

Obits added by Beth DeLeeuw
OBITUARY OF FRANK DIXON
DR. F. L. DIXON OF ROCK VALLEY DIES
Veteran Dentist Practiced 40 Years at R. V. Died Suddenly At Age of 58 Years
Dr. Frank L. Dixon, practicing dentist at Rock Valley for nearly 40 years, died suddenly at his home from a heart attack which he suffered Sunday morning, passing away at about 12 noon.
Dr. Dixon had not been in rugged health for some years and had been spending the winters in the South, but he had appeared in the best of condition the past week and was in fine spirits, anticipating the visit of Maximo Rodriguez, famous aerialist, and his wife, who were arriving Sunday for a visit before the artist's appearance for a week at the Sioux City Summer Circus. The Dixons and Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez became warm friends while both couples were spending their winters at Sarasota, Florida. The visitors arrived at the moment when Dr. Dixon was breathing his last, and remained to assist in the Dixon home.
Born April 5, 1883, near Sheldon, Iowa, Dr. Dixon was a native son of Sioux County, his parents living west of Sheldon in this county. He died July 20, 1941, at about noon, only 58 years of age. On November 15, 1905, at Rock Valley, he married Miss Catherine Ann Norris, who survives. Two children came to bless their home--Catherine (Mrs. E. R. Scanlan) of Rock Valley and Dorothy (Mrs. E. J. Murphy) of Minneapolis, Minn.
He is also survived by a brother, Dr. George E. Dixon, Chicago, Ill., and by a sister, Mrs. Dorothy Williams, Cleveland, Ohio. Two grandchildren also survive--Michael and Daniel, sons of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Murphy of Minneapolis.
He attended Sheldon High school, the University of Iowa, and obtained his DDS degree at Northwestern University. Dr. Dixon was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the Elks and K. of C. [Knights of Columbus]. He was one of the most widely known dentists in Northwestern Iowa. Many trophies he secured fishing in southern waters, which he had mounted, have attracted wide-spread attention for years. Prominent in Republican politics in this district for years, he had taken little part in such activities in recent years.
Funeral services for the beloved Rock Valley citizen were held at St. Mary's church here at 9:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, July 23, and interment took place at St. Mary's cemetery. Pallbearers were old friends--Walter Hymes, John H. Kearns, Dr. A. L. Lock, George Shipley, Clad Miller and Dr. H. D. Scanlan, the last three of Sheldon.
His brother and sister, Dr. George E. Dixon, Chicago dentist, and Mrs. Dorothy Williams of Cleveland, and the latter's two daughters, the Misses Lois and Joan Williams, arrived in time for the funeral.
An incomplete list of others from out of town who were here for the last rites includes the following: Mr. and Mrs. George Shipley, Mr. and Mrs. Clad Miller, Dr. and Mrs. H. D. Scanlan, Miss Alice Dixon, all of Sheldon; Ed Hayes, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Maximo Rodriguez, Sarasota, Florida; Dr. and Mrs. L. L. Norris, Marcus; Dr. and Mrs. F. C. Scanlan, Algona; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Warren, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pollard, Spring Green, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pollard, Dodgeville, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Norris, St. Louis, Mo.; James Walpole, Sioux City; O. J. Ditto, Sibley.
Source: Rock Valley Bee, July 25, 1941.
The obituary includes a photograph.
The same obituary, minus the photo, was published in the Alton Democrat, July 25, 1941.
Subsequent announcements regarding his estate give his full name as Frank Leslie Dixon.
In a family report on ancestry.com his parents were listed as Charles Dixon 1860-1917 and Dora Clark 1860-1928.
Catherine Ann Norris parents were listed as Michael Norria 1845-1924 and Julia Ann Pollard 1857-1937.

OBITUARY OF CATHERINE DIXON
MRS. ANNA DIXON, PIONEER WOMAN LEADER, TEACHER, POSTMASTER DIES AT 84
Mrs. Catherine Ann Norris Dixon, pioneer settler of Rock Valley, who came to Iowa with her parents as a child, died Thursday, June 11, at St. Joseph's Mercy hospital, Sioux City, at the age of 84.
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Norris, Mrs. Dixon was born in Cobb, Wis., April 23, 1880. The Norris family, looking to the bountiful land of Iowa to the West, determined to establish their home in this area, and joining with others who portrayed the hardy, pioneer stock of that era, came to Rock Valley to establish what is now a thriving, modern community.
Mrs. Dixon was among the first to attend the high school established in Rock Valley. She attended Saint Clara college upon graduation from high school. Mrs. Dixon also attended Iowa State Teachers college and later the University of Chicago where she was graduated with a bachelor of science degree and associate title.
Taking a deep pride in her home community in which she had received her early education and in which she fostered many lasting friendships, Mrs. Dixon returned to become a teacher in the Rock Valley public school. Mrs. Dixon served with distinction for many years, and those who benefitted from her wise counsel and guidance as a teacher, have attested many times to the inspiration she was in guiding them to successful careers and employment.
Following the work as teacher, Mrs. Dixon became postmaster at Rock Valley. The position not only opened up new friendships, but for the community brought Mrs. Dixon's unswerving desire to serve the public into a new avenue of service. In addition to providing excellent service in operation of the local post office, Mrs. Dixon gained many honors in her years of public service. She was named Iowa state vice-president in the National Association of Postmasters, and was the first woman to represent Iowa when she was elected National director of the National Association of Postmasters.
Perhaps her greatest honor and a tribute for her unstinting efforts and loyalty, came when President Woodrow Wilson presented her with a citation for war work during World War I.
Other important activities of Mrs. Dixon included serving as president for many years of the A.L.A. She organized the Rock Valley WA-TAN-YE Service club and also served as national president and national director. Her community interests continued in many other directions such as the important role she played in organizing the Court of St. Anne, Catholic Daughters of America, and in serving as an Iowa State Regent and National Director of C.D.A. Mrs. Dixon was a charter member of the Rock Valley Woman's club and also served as its president at one time.
Mrs. Dixon was married to Dr. Frank L. Dixon, a local dentist, who died July 20, 1941. To this union were born two daughters, Mrs. Emmett R. Scanlan, Rock Valley and Mrs. E. J. Murphy, Chicago.
Also surviving are two brothers, Dr. R. M. Norris, Jacksonville, Ill. and Dr. L. L. Norris, Marcus and two sisters, Miss Mary Norris and Mrs. Frank McGill, both residents of Rock Valley.
Mrs. Dixon will be long remembered by her friends and the entire community of Rock Valley for her many contributions and her generosity in supporting and originating numerous beneficial groups and societies, and for her good counsel and kind disposition in devoting her life to her fellow man.
Funeral services for Mrs. F. L. Dixon were held at 10:00 a.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic church with the Rev. R. W. Reinhart officiating. She was the third member of her family who died within the past six weeks. Her brothers, Frank A. Norris and Gerald Norris, died in May.
Pallbearers at the services were Dr. F. C. Scanlan, Dr. C. J. Schroeder, Francis McNamara, Joseph Hevern, Stanley McKeegan and Hein Kosters. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Buckley, Dr. H. D. Scanlan, James Walpole, Ed De Smet, Cloy McKeegan, Harold J. Long, N. W. Gasper, L. J. McGivren, Dr. R. M. Schutz and O. J. Ditto. Interment was at St. Mary's cemetery in Rock Valley.
Source: Rock Valley Bee, June 18, 1964.
The obituary includes a photograph.
* * * * * * * * * *
Although shorter, this obituary in the Sioux Center News, June 18, 1964 gives some additional information:
Mrs. F. L. Dixon, 84, of Rock Valley, died at the St. Joseph's Mercy hospital at Sioux City Thursday morning, June 11,, after a short serious illness. She had been in poor health for several years.
Catherine Ann Norris was born April 23, 1880, at Cobb, Wis., and came to Rock Valley as a young girl. She graduated from the first graduating class of Rock Valley high school. She attended Mount St. Clara College at Sinsinawa, Wis., and graduated from the University of Chicago.
She married Dr. Frank L. Dixon at Rock Valley November 15, 1905, and lived in Rock Valley all of her married life. She taught school before and after her marriage. She was postmistress in Rock Valley for about 20 years and was active in the Catholic Daughters of America, St. Mary's Guild and the Woman's Federated club, and was also active in politics.
Funeral services were held Monday morning at 10 o'clock in St. Mary's Catholic church at Rock Valley with Father R. W. Reinhart officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's cemetery.
She is survived by two daughters, Catherine (Mrs. Emmet R. Scanlan) of Rock Valley and Dorothy (Mrs. E. J. Murphy) of Melrose Park, Ill.; two sisters, Miss Mary Norris and Lona (Mrs. F. T. McGill) of Rock Valley; two brothers, Dr. Luke Norris of Marcus and Dr. Reginald M. Morris of Jacksonville, Ill.; two grandsons and four great grandchildren.

This picture accompanied the story in the Rock Valley Book.

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