LAWRENCE
J. NIXON
LAWRENCE J. NIXON is
one of the leading dealers in live stock in the county, having
long been identified with this important line of industry, while he is a native
of Eaton County and a representative of one of its honored pioneer families. He
was born on the homestead farm, in Oneida Township, November 10, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Isabel
(Huddleston) Nixon, the former of whom was born in Monroe County, New York, in
1815, while the latter was born in Ireland, her marriage to Mr. Nixon having
been solemnized in London, Ontario, Canada, whither he had removed with his
parents when young. Robert Nixon came to Michigan in 1836, about a year
prior to the admission of the state to the Union, and he was among the first to
take up government land in what is now Oneida Township, Eaton County, securing
tracts of eighty acres each for himself and his brother James. He established
his home in the midst of the forest wilds of this township, erecting a log cabin
of the primitive type and then grappling bravely with the conditions and
problems which presented. His was the lot of the average pioneer in locality and
period; arduous toil, practical isolation and many hardships and deprivations,
but both he and his wife were of the sturdy sort-valiant souls to whom success
is a natural prerogative. He reclaimed his original farm to cultivation, and
there continued to reside during the remainder of his long and useful life, save
for one year spent in the state of California. He accumulated a fine landed
estate of three hundred and sixty-five acres and was one of the influential
citizens of the county, commanding the unqualified esteem of all who knew him.
He was summoned to his final reward in 1893, having been at the time one of the
oldest pioneers of the county to whose development and progress he had
contributed in a most liberal degree. His devoted wife died in 1891. Robert
Nixon merits recognition as having been one of the organizers of the Republican
party, since he was present at the historic assembly "under the oaks"
in Jackson, this state, when the party had its birth according to the most
authentic data available. He ever continued a stanch and able exponent of the
principles of the "grand old party," and was specially prominent in
public affairs in Eaton County, having held at various times practically all of
the township offices, while in 1864-5 he represented the county in the state
legislature. He was one of the principal promoters and supporters of the Eaton
County Agricultural Society, and all legitimate enterprises and measures tending
to conserve the general welfare and the advancement of local interests never
lacked his aid and influence. Seven children survive the honored parents,
namely: Edwin, who is a resident of Grand Ledge and who was a soldier in a
Michigan regiment during the war of the Rebellion; Mrs. Nancy Hamilton, who is a
resident of Oneida township; Mrs. S. B. Granger, who resides in Grand Ledge, as
does also Mrs. G. H. Earl. Lawrence J., who is the subject of this review;
Francis, who is a resident of Grand Ledge; and Mrs. Mary Anderson, who resides
in the state of Ohio. Lawrence J. Nixon passed his childhood and youth on the
home farm, early being initiated into the mysteries and labors of the great
basic art of agriculture, while his educational advantages were those afforded
in the schools of the locality and period. He remained at the parental home
until he had attained the age of twenty-two years, when he located in the
village of Grand Ledge, this county, where he engaged in the buying and shipping
of live stock, with which branch of enterprise he has been prominently concerned
for more than a quarter of a century, having gained a reputation as being one of
the leading stock men of his native county, and being a recognized authority as
to grades and values. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Nixon was elected register of
deeds of the county, assuming the duties of the office on the 1st of January,
1899, and thereupon taking up his residence in Charlotte. He gave a most able
and satisfactory administration of the office of register, and the records made
during his incumbency indicate his executive ability and scrupulous regard to
system and details. He continued in tenure of the office of register of deeds
until January 1, 1903, since which time he has given practically his entire
attention to the live stock business, while he is also associated with John M.
Burch in the buying of wool at Grand Ledge, they having become known as the most
extensive buyers in any one town in the state. Mr. Nixon has bought and shipped
more sheep than has any other dealer in the state and is considered the best
judge of this stock to be found in this section. He buys many head of cattle
each spring and grazes the same during the summer, placing them upon the market
in the following autumn. He is the owner of a splendid farm in Oneida Township,
where he also owns a portion of the old homestead upon which he was born and
reared. He is progressive and public-spirited, taking much concern in all that
makes for the benefit of the county which has ever been his home, and rendering
an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party. He is affiliated with the
Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, in which last he is a popular member of the lodge in
Lansing, the capital city. In 1886 Mr. Nixon was united in marriage to Miss
Fannie E. Chipman, who was born and reared in Calhoun County, Michigan, and they
have one child, Mabel Louise, born February 8, 1888. Miss Mabel is a graduate of
the Charlotte high school and is still under the paternal roof.