September 24, 1912 (unknown local news issue)
ROBERT J. DIXON DIES THURSDAY
Prominent Brown County Farmer Succumbs after a Lingering Illness.
Robert J. Dixon, since 1883 a prominent resident of the northeastern part of Brown county, died at his home last Thursday evening after a lingering illness, his death being remotely attributed to heart trouble. Although not coming to Brown county as early as some of the old timers, Mr. Dixon can be classified among the sturdiest and most hardy of the pioneers who forsook a life of ease and chose to cast his lot with that great vanguard of determined men and women who blazed their way into unknown lands and established a home on the barren sweeps of the northwest plains.
He was born in the township of Mentz, Cayuga county, New York, on June 6, 1869, and came with his parents to Dakota territory in the spring of 1883. They settled upon the place which was his father’s before him and upon which he spent the best part of his years. He quietly slipped off into the last great sleep in the home youthful vision had brought him to.
He was married to Miss Vera Newman, Dec. 18, 1890, and to this union two daughters and one son were born. They are Mrs. Buell Wing and Mrs. George Kohler, and Arthur, who together with his devoted wife, three brothers, one sister, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild are left to mourn his loss.
The brothers are Herbert E. Dixon, of Estell Springs, Tenn; George W. of Aberdeen, and William of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The sister is Mrs. Agnes Traphagen of Britton. The funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon and the great auditorium of that edifice was filled to overflowing by the hundreds of friends who attended to pay their last respects to a pioneer citizen and life-long member of the faith. Rev. E. W. Spence conducted the services and he was assisted by a quartet of men composed of C. K. Neil, R. W. Bradshaw, Paul E. Krueger, and Donald Hart, who furnished the singing with Kenneth Moffit presiding at the organ.
The remains were laid to rest in Groton cemetery. And thus passeth another of Brown county’s pioneer citizens and leading figures for almost a half century. If the present generation has half the determination and energy possessed by this good man and others who lie sleeping in the silent city north of town, there is nothing in the future that casts a shadow of doubt across … [last few words are missing].
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith