Weld County, History of Colorado, BIOS: NIXON, John C. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 280, 282
photo p. 281


JUDGE JOHN C. NIXON.

	Representative among the lawyers of Greeley and this section of 
the state is Hon. John C. Nixon, who has not only attained a 
conspicuous position in the private practice of the profession but has 
received wide recognition for his fair, strictly logical and learned 
decisions coming from the bench. He was born in Charlotte, Clinton 
county, Iowa, September 14, 1868, his parents being Azor M. and Sarah 
J. (Crouch) Nixon, both of whom were natives of Indiana. At an early 
day the father removed to Clinton county, becoming one of the pioneers 
of that section of Iowa. This was shortly after the Civil war. During 
that conflict he served for two years with Company B, Eighth Indiana 
Infantry, rendering gallant service in order to preserve the Union.

	In Iowa he took up farming, which he followed for some time in 
Clinton county; afterwards he was established in the implement business 
at Oilman from which place he removed to Denison, where he likewise was 
engaged in the implement business. After closing out his interests 
there, the family removed to western Kansas, where he homesteaded and 
remained for three years. It was in the year 1881 that he came to Weld 
county, Colorado, here engaging in the implement business for one year, 
after which he sold out, entering upon a general merchandise business 
and continuing in that line for a period of several years. Once more he 
took up agricultural pursuits, actively tilling the soil for five 
years, and then retired in the enjoyment of a competence which had come 
to him as the result of his former labor. He now makes his home in 
Greeley, his wife having passed away February 22, 1914.

	John C. Nixon began his education in the public schools of Oilman 
and Denison, Iowa, continuing the same in Greeley, Colorado. After 
thorough preliminary preparation he took a college course at the State 
University of Colorado, matriculating for the longer six year course, 
and upon graduating received the degree of Bachelor of Science. In 1902 
he also graduated from the law department with the degree LL. B. Mr. 
Nixon was thirteen years of age when his parents came to this state and 
after completing his common school education he was employed as head 
clerk for three years in the postoffice at Greeley. He also engaged in 
farming for five years in this county and is still interested to a 
considerable extent along agricultural lines in Weld county. After 
graduating from the law department in 1902 he accepted an important 
position with The Mills Publishing Company of Denver, publishers of 
Mills Annotated Statutes and other law books, acting for two years as 
the manager of this concern. He then returned to Weld county and opened 
an office in Greeley and has ever since practiced law. In 1907 Mr. 
Nixon was appointed county judge and with distinction served in that 
office until January, 1909. Judge Nixon has a mind well trained in the 
severe school of logic and close reasoning is to him habitual and 
natural. He is deliberate before court and jury, yet there is force to 
his eloquence and he has carried many Important causes to a successful 
completion. He is thoroughly grounded in the law, and being a deep 
student of human nature, seems always to grasp the vital point in any 
case and upon that point centers his argument and he generally succeeds 
in convincing judge or jury. His opinions are always based strictly 
upon the law and he observes the closest adherence to professional 
ethics.

	Mr. Nixon has important interests outside of his professional 
work, being president of the Prosperity Investment Company of Greeley, 
holding valuable farm properties. There is much credit due Judge Nixon 
for what he has achieved, for he earned the means which enabled him to 
obtain his education. While attending the State University he worked 
during the summer months in the mines in order to earn the money to pay 
his tuition. Politically he is a republican and he was one of the 
organizers of the progressive party and in 1912 was a candidate for 
lieutenant governor on that ticket succeeding in getting more votes 
than the republican candidate. He holds membership in the Episcopal 
church and gives laudable support to that organization. Fraternally Mr. 
Nixon is quite prominent, having served as exalted ruler of Greeley 
Lodge, No. 809, B. P. 0. E. He also is a member of the Masonic order 
and the Eastern Star, being a past patron of the latter. Athletic 
sports have always been of great interest to Judge Nixon, he being 
actively Interested in helping to establish and in playing with the 
University of Colorado's first ball team, and he still maintains an 
enthusiastic attitude toward any form of manly sport. In his community 
and county he is exceedingly popular, not only on account of what he 
has achieved, but because of the underlying qualities of his character, 
which have made possible his achievements.