square, and a hall the whole length of. the house on the second floor. This was used as a ballroom and young people from all over the county were entertained there at many delightful social affairs. On one night there were a hundred couples attending a 'dance there and Mrs. Hix cooked supper for all. Mr. and Mrs. Hix followed a progressive and liberal policy with their children. They recognized the fact that young people demand and must have amusement and they did not place the ban upon many sources of entertainment which were largely condemned at an earlier day. They allowed their children to play cards and dance at home, knowing that such amusements in themselves are innocent and that it is only environment which can bring harm. That their policy was wise is indicated in the fact that their eight grown children are now good and substantial citizens--a credit to the communities in which they live.
Mr. Hix carried on farming on a very extensive scale for a number of years but at length sold out and erected the residence which his widow now occupies, making his home in Nevada from 1886 until the time of his death.
It was on the 24th of February, 1853, at Mayfield, Illinois, that Mr. Hix was married to Miss Laura Mumford, who was born in Nova Scotia, July 17, 1833, and when eight years of age went to Mayfield, Illinois, with her parents, Thomas and Sarah (Sillibeer) Mumford, who were natives of England and on crossing the Atlantic to America settled in Nova Scotia. Later they became residents of Illinois, where their last days were spent. They had a family of five daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Hix lived to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They had nine children : William, now living in Deadwood, South Dakota; Walter W., a resident of Rhodes, Iowa; Amy, who is the wife of Asa Mead and resides two miles south of Nevada; Albert D., living in Zearing Story county; Charles E., a resident of Mitchell, South Dakota; Harry J., of Portland, Oregon; Susan, the wife of Frank Eddy, of Sherman township; Major E., who 'died at the age of six months; and Sarah, the wife of Arthur Saunders, of Montana.
In politics Mr. Hix was a stanch democrat and held a number of local offices, yet never sought nor desired political preferment. The Hix home was known far and wide for its generous and lavish hospitality. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Hix ever refused any one a meal or a night's lodging. They, indeed, kept open house and always had extra plates on the table to be ready for any guests that might come in. In addition a large force of workmen were employed on the farm in the operation of the hay presses and at times they were kept busy all winter. The threshers, too, were employed for a long period, for Mr. Hix carried on farming extensively.
In religious faith Mr. Hix was a Universalist and his wife still belongs to the same church. He was a man of very generous and kindly spirit, who gave liberally to the poor and needy and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who needed assistance. His warm heart reached out in sympathy to all and was evidenced in tangible and ready aid. Some one