Major Ephraim Hix (1839-1905)

HIX, RING

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/10/2015 at 14:20:37

From Nevada Evening Journal May 16, 1905

MAJOR HIX A PIONEER OF THIS COUNTY GONE

Passes Away at His Home in This City Saturday After A Lingering Illness.

With the death of Major Hix, which occurred at his home in this city Saturday forenoon, Nevada and Story county loses a most valued citizen. His death came not unexpected, he having failed rapidly since returning from California a few weeks ago. Mr. His had been a long and patient sufferer from consumption, spending his winters in California in search of relief, but the disease at last claimed its own. Major Hix was a man who was held in the highest of esteem by all who know him and his death removed from the community a man whose place will be hard to fill. Strictly honest and upright, charitable and sympathetic, progressive and active in business affairs, his life was commendable one.

The deceased was born at Alabama, Genesee county, New York, Oct. 28, 1839. He moved with his parents to Illinois and settle on a farm near Kingston, in September, 1848. He continued to live there and on Dec. 7, 1864, was united in marriage to Miss Susan A. Ring, at Sycamoure, Ill. In October 1869, they came to Story county and settled on a farm in Johnson's Grove, about ten miles northeast of this city.

In the early '80s they left the farm and came to town, Mr. Hix associating himself with M. C. Allen, in the loan and abstract business, which partnership continued agreeably to both parties until his death, although his health has not permitted him devote himself to business to any extent for the past few years.

While Mr. Hix was a public spirited man he took no special interest in local politics and held no public office, such as might have been his for the asking. A few years ago he served the city as mayor for one term in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents.

The funeral services were held from the house yesterday afternoon at two o'clock and despite the inclemency of the weather the large residence was packed with friends and relatives, anxious to pay a last tribute of respect to one whom they had known long and held in the highest of esteem. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. W. P. Payne, Rev. Nye of the Methodist church reading the scripture lesson and Rev. Sandford of Central Presbyterian church offering prayer. The male quartette furnished the music both at the house and at the grave.

The brothers, Seymoure of this city and Eugene of Illinois, besides the wife, are left to mourn his death as immediate relatives, But they are not all. There are nephews and nieces, besides hundreds of warm personal friends who feel his loss as well.