Monday, July 21, 2008

Joseph Freemont Dixon Sr.

Joseph Freemont Dixon Sr. was born in 1832, and came over to Albion from Leeds with two brothers and an older cousin after his parents had already immigrated. He married Grace Shaw, a Yorkshire girl, and the sister of that cousin. Grace came to America with her mother and her other siblings after Joseph sailed with her older brother.

He lived to an old age, and was working when an accident caused his death. Joseph Sr. died as a result of injuries he suffered when thrown under his horse-drawn wagon loaded with coal and was run over. The team was frightened by the noise of an oncoming train, and Joseph tried to keep them calm and from running off by holding onto the reins, but he could not and was thrown under the wheels. It broke his hip and caused internal injuries. He died three hours later.

They are buried together in Ridge Cemetery, in Dixon Precinct. Among their children was Joseph Freemont Dixon Jr., known as "Joe" Dixon...the father of my grandfather George.

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