It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
Late 1887 through early 1889 brought weddings of grown children and a new generation to the Dixon family in Dixon Precinct. It also brought hard times. The sudden death of a son-in-law months after he was married into the family being the worst news.
In May of 1888, Joe Dixon (Sr.) suffered a severe stroke, but was reported to be improving slowly. Having a friend suffer a stroke in his early 40’s gives me a perspective on the situation. My friend never worked again, walked with a severe limp the rest of his life, and spoke with some difficulty thereafter. At least he was able to drive again after a year of rehab. Good news for the Dixon family... Joe (Sr.) lived until 1917 and was driving a team of horses at the time of the accident that did him in!
To top it off, little Mary Dixon, the youngest of Joe Dixon (Sr.) and Grace Dixon’s children was reported to be “dangerously sick”. I have to tell you that I checked earlier blog posts to make sure who’s daughter this was... Joe (Sr.) or Joe (Jr.)! I don’t have a date of birth yet, but it was Joe (Jr.)’s sister. She must have been a little older than Joe (Jr.)’s daughter Alice and they may have been playmates. Her siblings are in their 20’s at this time, so she was what we in the south call a “knee baby”. I was also worried because I had read several articles in The Albion Journal in the 1880’s about sick kids and it usually did not turn out well. Good news again. Mary recovered fully.
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