Seymour W. Hix (1830-1908)

HIX, MUMFORD, MEAD, EDDY, SAUNDERS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/15/2017 at 23:15:27

From Nevada Representative October 9, 1908

OBITUARY

DEATH OF SEYMOUR HIX

Seymour Hix, long one of the best known citizens of town and county, died at his home here Wednesday afternoon after an illness which had for some time been generally understood to be hopeless. It was in effect the breaking down from old age, although the weight of his years was not excessive.

Mr. Hix was born at Medina, New York, August 20, 1830; and died as stated at Nevada, Iowa, October 7, 1908, aged 78 years, 2 months and 17 days. He grew up at the parental home in western New York and came west with his father's family in 1849, the settlement being in Dekalb county, Illinois. There he was married February 24, 1853, to Miss Louesa Mumford, who survives him; their golden wedding having been celebrated more than five years ago. Mr. Hix and family continued to live in Dekalb county until 1873, when they came to Iowa and Story county, and that summer he built upon a sightly spot on the then open prairie in Sherman township the home which for many years was the most easily identified of any home in the county, and which at a distance of nine miles could be seen from Nevada on any clear day. In this house he included a dance hall, and the place became a popular resort for young people for miles around and so continued for quite a number of years. Sometimes in the 80's, not later than the presidential election of 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Hix and the younger children moved to Nevada, the elder children having married and settled for themselves. Here they soon built and occupied the house which has been the family homestead for about twenty years, where as noted the golden wedding was celebrated, and whence the younger daughters were married and started off.

In all his years of activity Mr. Hix was a man of conviction and force. he was one of the leading Democrats of the county in times when Democrats in this part of the country were relatively and actually more numerous than they have been in recent years and he always had reasons for the faith that was in him. In later years with the general decadence of party contests and with advancing age his political activity diminished; but there was never any question concerning his alignment. In his business affairs he was successful, and in his relations with men he was frank and much esteemed. All of his children survive except one who died in infancy, and he leaves his wife and the following children: Wm. P. Hix of Deadwood, South Dakota; Walter Hix of State Center; Amy (Mrs. A. J. Mead) of Nevada township; Ad. Hix and Chas. Hix, both of Zearing; Harry J. Hix of Portland, Oregon; Susie (Mrs. Frank Eddy) of Zearing; and Sadie (Mrs. A. L. Saunders) of Creston, Montana There are also twenty-two grand-children and four great-grand-children.

The funeral will be conducted from the house Sunday at two o'clock.