J W Hixson

Photographer: J W Hixson
Traveling Artist

John Wesley Hixson worked at several trades. He was a mailman, blacksmith, bicycle repairman, photographer and possibly some other professions.
Since the cabinet card example here does not give a location, dating is a bit speculative.

Following is the revised timeline for John Wesley Hixson.

1869 Jul 15
West Point, IN, Iowa death certificate, John Wesley Hixson is born to Israel Hixson and Mary Ann White
1874 Jan 08
Iowa, US census, Iowa state census, John W Hixson’s brother Benjamin E Hixson is born
1880 Jun 06
Cedar Iowa, US census, John Hixson at age 11
1890
Speculated date J W Hixson was married to first wife Malinda Nellie Scheibeler
1895 May 04
Oklahoma, 1910 US census, California Death Index, son Byrdie Earl born in Oklahoma (1900 US census lists Nellie M Scheibeler-Hixson as Byrdie’s mother) (California Death Index shows mother’s maiden name as Schibler
1898 Dec 16
Newkirk, OK, 1910 US census, J W Hixson, age 21; marriage to Pearl E. Hood, age 19

Also according to the Find-A-Grave site, Pearl Hood was his second wife, married 16 Dec 1898)

1898 Dec 16 continued
Newkirk (OK) Kay County Republican of 30 Dec 1898, news item confirms J W Hixson and Pearl Hood were married 16 Dec 1898
1901 Jun 07
Kansas City, KS, 1910 US census daughter Ethel E is born in Kansas
1903 Nov 30
Newkirk (OK) Kay County Republican item advertises “views” of Newkirk from water tower taken by Hixson
1905 Mar 25
Kansas, 1910 US census daughter Laura is born in Kansas
1907 Sep 27
Newkirk (OK) Democrat Herald item advertises picture post cards from Hixson
1908 Jul 23
Cottonwood Falls (KS) News Courant item says Hixson and wife are moving to Elmdale, KS, and setting up business
1909 Feb 26 Newkirk (OK) Democrat Herald item says Hixson has returned from Elmdale, KS
1910 Mar 19
Oklahoma City, OK, 1910 US census, daughter Thelma H Hixson is born
1910 Apr 16
Newkirk, OK, US census, John W. Hixson as photographer; Wife: Pearl
1915
Des Moines, IA, city directory John W. Hixson, Des Moines, IA, photographer; wife not listed (Note: City Directories in that era often had a policy of not listing women unless they were business owners or widows.)

1918 Jun 03
Newkirk Democrat Herald ad says J W Hixson is doing photo finish work at 417 W 9th St, Des Moines, IA
1920 Feb 24
Center Grove, IA, US census, J W Hixson as bicycle repairman
1921 Jan 28
Newkirk (OK) News Journal item says Ruth Hixson has return home to Des Moines, IA, after a visit to Newkirk, OK
1925 Jan 01
Des Moines, IA, Iowa state census, J W Hixson, wife Pearl E. and daughter Thelma; no occupation shown
1926 Feb 17
Callaway, Missouri death certificate, brother Benjamin E Hixson dies at age 52
1930 Apr 17
Center Grove, IA, US Census J W Hixson as mail carrier
1931 Sep 30
Center Grove, IA, Iowa death registry; J W Hixson dies at age 62; 1931 Iowa death certificate lists John W Hixson as retired blacksmith


Although Hixson may have kept photography as a sideline while working as a bicycle repairman or mail carrier, it can only be documented he was mainly a photographer from 1903 to 1918.

Newkirk (OK) Kay County Republican -
30 Dec 1898 Newkirk (OK) Kay County Republican -
30 Nov 1903

Newkirk (OK) Dempcrat Herald -
27 Sep 1907 Ark City (OK) Daily Traveler -
07 Feb 1908

Cottonwood Falls (KS) News Courant-
23 Jul 1908 Cottonwood Falls (KS) News Courant -
25 Feb 1909

Newkirk (OK) Democrat Herald -
26 Feb 1909 Newkirk (OK) Democrat Herald -
13 Jun 1918

Newkirk (OK) News Journal - 28 Jan 1921

Newkirk, OK
example from pinterest

The Hixson photo of 1903 Newkirk, OK, taken from the top of the water tower. See news item above.

example from auction site on reverse: J. W. Hickson, photographer, view work a specialty. Newkirk. O. T.

The following from contributor C Fooks

Example from Kansas Memory

Example from Kansas Memory

Example from Kansas Memory

Example from pinterest, no source given
(see timeline 30 Nov 1903 for mention of water tower)

Example from auction site

Example from auction site

Example from Court House History

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.

New examples and additional information are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

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Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

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