Archibald DIXON, M.D., physician and surgeon, of Henderson, son of Governor Archibald DIXON and Elizabeth Robertson CABELL, was born in Henderson, Kentucky, 04 Mar 1844. After attending the local schools he was sent to the Sayre Institute, Frankfort; and afterwards to the University of Toronto, Canada. Returning from school, he followed the business of farming on his place near Henderson until 1876, spending much of his leisure time in reading medical works, and was thus prepared for the study of medicine in Louisville Medical College, from which he graduated in 1877, dividing the honors with four of the brightest from which he graduated in 1877, dividing the honors with four of the brightest men in the class. In that year he lost his property and began life anew, as a physician in Henderson depending upon his profession for the support of his family.

He encountered the usual difficulties of a young physician in a field entirely occupied by older men of excellent reputation, who held their patrons against all comers, and he had to take his chances among them. It was hard struggle for a time, but these circumstances did not dampen his professional zeal. He devoted himself to the work before him with an energy and an application to his studies seldom equaled. His success was soon assured; and, while others were predicting his failure, he was even then enjoying some of the fruits of his labors. He made a manly fight against poverty and obscurity, and by his faithfulness to his calling, his genial manner and marked ability, he won the battle against unequal odds; among the many distinguished physicians of Henderson, he was soon known as one of the first in his profession.

Dr. DIXON is a member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, the second largest association of the kind in the United States. In 1885 the distinguished honor of president was conferred upon him by this society, and he served with a dignity and intelligence that made him a host of friends. He is also a member of the Kentucky State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1893; member of other societies and clubs in the medical profession, and is a frequent contributor to the leading medical journals. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is a Knight Templar and a Knight of Pythias.

Dr. DIXON was married in December 1864, to Maggie HERNDON of Frankfort, a most intelligent and accomplished lady; and they have two sons and two daughters: Wynn, Archibald, Maggie and Julia.

Dr. DIXON is a son of Governor Archibald DIXON, who was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, 02 Apr 1802, and came to Henderson with his father’s family in 1805.

Governor Archibald DIXON (father) was twice married; first in March 1834, to Elizabeth Robertson CABELL, who died in 1851, leaving six children. Five of the six children of this first marriage reached maturity; Rebecca Hart, wife of Governor John Young BROWN; Susan Bell, deceased, who was twice married — first to Cuthbert POWELL, second to major John J. REEVE; Dr. Archibald DIXON (subject of this sketch); Honorable Henry C. DIXON and Joseph C. DIXON.

Gov. DIXON’S second marriage occurred in October 1853 to Sue BULLITT of Jefferson County, by whom he had three children. Gov. DIXON died 26 Apr 1876.

Dr. William CABELL, a native of England and a graduate of Royal College of Surgeons in London, immigrated to Goochland, now Nelson County, Virginia, in 1723 or 1724. He had four sons: William CABELL; Joseph CABELL, also a physician; John CABELL and Nicholas CABELL.

Dr. Joseph CABELL married Mary HOPKINS, aunt of General Samuel HOPKINS, and the children of that marriage were: Joseph; Mary, who married John BRECKINRIDGE; Ann, who married Benjamin HARRISON; and Elizabeth. The second time he married Ann E. BOLLING, daughter of Archibald BOLLING of Red Oak, Buckingham County, Virginia, whose wife was Jane RANDOLPH. Archibald BOLLING was lineally descended from Colonel Robert BOLLING of Petersburg, Virginia, whose wife was a granddaughter of the Indian princess POCOHANTAS.

Captain Wynn DIXON (grandfather) was a native of North Carolina, who joined the army when sixteen years of age and served throughout the Revolution. He moved from North Carolina to Henderson in 1804. His father, Colonel Henry DIXON, commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary War and was killed at the battle of Eutaw Springs. Light Horse Harry LEE, in his memoirs of the Revolution, pays Colonel Henry DIXON a high compliment for his gallantry and bravery at the Battle of Camden.

Rebecca Hart DIXON, Governor DIXON’s mother, was a daughter of David HART of North Carolina, who, with his brothers, Nathaniel and Thomas, were three of nine members of the Henderson Grant Company, who, in 1775, through their agent, Daniel BOONE, purchased from the Indians all of the land lying between the Kentucky and Cumberland rivers; and established at Booneville the first government in Kentucky, called Transylvania.

Kentucky Biographies, John W. Gresham, 1896.

DR. ARCHIBALD DIXON REFERENCES

(Gov) Archibold Dixon age 48, Elizabeth age 41; Rebeca age 11; Susan B. age 9; Archibald age 7; Henry age 4; Joseph C. age 2; Nna B. Pollet age 22; Susan A. Smith age 24; Susan B. Smith age 4

(Gov) Arch Dixon age 58, Susan age 31; Rebecca age 20; Arch age 17; Henry age 15; Joseph age 13; William age 10; Evilin age 4; Kate age 2

1870 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY, PAGE 187, LISTING #141

(Gov) Archibald Dixon age 86 <think this should be 68, numbers transposed>, Susan age 45; Henry C. age 23; Joseph age 21; Katy age 11; Willie age 9; James age 4; Susan Powell age 27; Susan Powell age 9; ALSO LISTED WITH THIS FAMILY: John Turbeville (B) age 40; Parthena Tubeville (B) age 40; John Sisk (B) age 40; Sarah Sisk (B) age 40; Rose Bullett (B) age 45; Sebra Bullett (B) age 11; Chiriva Ford (B) age 12; Frank Cannon (B) age 10.

Archie Dixon age 26, Page 422, House No. 134; Maggy age 24; Maggy H. age 4; Wynn age 3; Archiebald age 1; ALSO LISTED WITH THIS FAMILY: Julia Herdon age 23; Leonard Herdon age 3; Susan Baker (B) age 30; Katy Coleman (B) age 15; Willie Coleman (B) age 1; Abraham Lincoln (B) age 5; Emily Bell (B) age 30; Charles York (B) age 19; Mary Bell (B) age 1; David Dixon (B) age 21.

1880 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

Arch Dixon age 36, Page 49, House No. 28; Maggie age 33; Maggie age 14; W. G. (m) age 13; Arch age 10; Julia age 8.

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1806 – 1858

Susan B. Dixon – Cuthbert Powell, 16 Dec 1857, Book 003, Page 435

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1858 – 1900

Rebecca Dixon – John Y. Brown, 03 Sep 1860, Book 5, Page 59

Sue D. Powell – John H. Reeve, 16 Aug 1871, Book 11, Page 212

INTERMENT RECORDS, FERNWOOD CEMETERY, SECTION #7, LOT #352

Capt. Wynn Dixon, 1829, Space #2

Rebecca Dixon, 1833, Space #3

Elizabeth R. Dixon, 23 Sep 1852, Space #5

1st w/o Gov. Archibald Dixon

FERNWOOD CEMETERY, SECTION #7, LOT #406

Susan B. Dixon, 27 Jul 1907, Space #1

2nd w/o Gov. Archibald Dixon

Governor Archibald Dixon, 23 Apr 1876, Space #6

Theresa Dixon, 02 Jul 1859, Space #7

Joseph C. Dixon, 06 Nov 1920, Space #7

Evelyn J. Dixon, 29 Dec 1862, Space #8

Wynn Dixon, 05 Jan 1863, Space #10

Helen Dixon, 24 Feb 1864, Space #11

FERNWOOD CEMETERY, SECTION #23, LOT ##1353 1/2

Arch Dixon, Jr., 03 Nov 1913, Space unknown

Wayne G. Dixon, 03 Mar 1914, Space unknown

Dr. Archiebald Dixon, 10 Jun 1924, Space unknown

Margaret Dixon, 19 Nov 1932, Space #2