David Nixon Retires

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MR. D. NIXON RETIRES

I.R. Aug. 13, 1908

The 31st of July, 1908 is a memorable day in the business annals of Ironton as it marks the retirement from active store-keeping of the man who has been in business longer than any one living here. This is Mr. D. Nixon for so many years, the furniture man. Mr. Nixon packing up his furniture and wall-paper which he has still in stock and removing it to his home and other places for storage.

Mr. Nixon came to Hanging Rock from Pennsylvania in 1848. Hanging Rock was even then a good sized village. When Mr. Nixon was back at Beaver, Pa., on business he saw the soldiers of the Mexican war returning one day when he was on the wharfboat at Rochester, Pa. Mr. Nixon was in the office of the Ohio Iron and Coal Company when the conclusion was reached to purchase the ground on which Ironton now stands and lay out a town. In the party were John Campbell, Hiram Campbell, Samuel Dempsey, Dr. Scott and Dr. Briggs. The company desired to purchase the land about Hanging Rock instead of this but gave it up as Robert Hamilton refused to sell the Hanging Rock railroad. They then purchased the present site of Ironton which, was owned chiefly by W. D. Kelly, Mr. Bumgardner, John K. Smith and Mr. Heplar. They then proceeded to lay out the new town and construct the Iron Railroad, now the D. T. & I. line to Center Furnace. Ironton Kelly was born the day the town was laid out.

The engineer who laid out the railroad was Mr. McNeil, who is in the safe business at Cincinnati, with factory at Hamilton. The contract for the construction of the road was taken by Mr. Daniels.

As Mr. Nixon rode his horse back and forth from the Rock he watched the construction of the old Buckeye House which was built by David Cochrane, from Burlington, in 1849. The iron weeds along the road were then so high that he could hardly see the building.

In 1850 Mr. Nixon removed to Ironton and built the brick building on Second street now occupied by Hugger the jeweler. Here he started a notion store, that being 58 years ago. The first house built in Ironton was on the site of the present Ricker house but was a frame built by a man named Gillen. The first preaching in town was in the old frame school house now Cooper & Stewart's office. Mr. Nixon was a charter member of the Presbyterian church, the old part of the structure being built shortly after the town was laid out, under the pastorate of Rev. Chester.

It was Mr. Nixon who carried the message signed by John Campbell to the county auditor at Burlington informing him that by vote of the people the county seat should be moved to Ironton. Ironton at that time was growing rapidly.

In 1859 or 1850 shortly before the war times were hard here and being compelled to borrow gold at 10 per cent interest Mr. Nixon traded his building for a store-boat and made a trip down the river, finally selling out at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. From there he returned up the river going to Parkersburg just as the war broke out. During the war, Mr. Nixon conducted a feed business in the building where the Western Union office is now located. He also did a teaming business at about this time. In 1865 he erected the frame and the brick buildings at the corner of Third and Railroad streets and embarked in the furniture business which he followed until now, making 43 years in this particular business. He then purchased the building on Second street which was built in 1872 by Henry Wilson. Here his furniture store was found for thirty odd years until he sold the building to Dr. Lowry last year.

In all these years Mr. Nixon never failed in business, the firm name being D. Nixon. He has seen every business house in Ironton start, and hundreds come and go. The next oldest business man in Ironton is Mr. R. Mather and the late E. Bixby, stood second in time of continuance in business.

The many friends of Mr. Nixon regret to see him retire but cherish the recollection of his uprightness and steadfastness in his long activity. May his days as a private citizen be many and happy even after his days as merchant are ended.