Joseph Dixon Sr

 Joseph Freemont Dixon, later known as Joseph Sr, was the fourth surviving child of John Dixon Sr and Anne Dixon. Much has been written about him and there are articles about his wife and children already in the blog.

He was born 15 September 1832 near Leeds and was baptized on 14 October 1832.

He traveled with two brothers and an older relative, John Hodgson, to America, landing in New York on August 16, 1841.

One of his children, known in the family as “Joe” Dixon, actually Joseph Freemont Dixon Jr, was my grandfather’s father.

Another child was Eliza Hannah Dixon, an ancestor of Gary Whisenhut, who is writing a book which will includes sections on many of our common ancestors.

Joseph Sr handled his father’s estate, took care of his mother, and helped many of his children throughout their lives, including having them live with he and wife Grace Shaw Dixon. His youngest child, Mary Elizabeth Dixon, was blind. He and Grace moved to be near her at the Illinois School for the Deaf and Blind, the only time that he lived anywhere other than in Dixon Precinct of Edwards County, Illinois.

He died on 8 November 1917.