JOSEPH P. NIXON is one of the leading citizens of Jefferson Township and a representative of one of its pioneer families. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 18, 1833, a son of John and Hannah (Pennock) Nixon, natives also of Ohio, his grandfather, William Nixon, being a pioneer of Columbiana County, coming from Loudoun County, Virginia. The parents of our subject came to Jay County in 1835, and settled on section 15, Jefferson Township, and commenced to make a home in the dense forest. The father still lives within 200 yards of the spot where his rude cabin was erected. The mother died in 1866, after living to rear her family. They had a family of twelve children -Joseph P.; Sarah Jane became the wife of T.M.C. Lutes, and died in 1857; Rebecca Ann, deceased, was the wife of L.M. Doddridge; William, of Jefferson Township; Ruth, wife of L.M. Doddridge, of Michigan; Emanuel; Lucette, wife of Cyrus M. Stratton, and Matilda, wife of B.F. Van Skyock, of Jefferson Township; Eliza, deceased; Charlotte, wife of George Taylor, of Michigan; Lucinda, and John, a physician at Farmland, Randolph County. Joseph P. Nixon was in his third year when his parents moved to Jay County, and with the exception of the year 1857, spent in Missouri, has since lived in the county. His education was obtained in the old log school house at Mount Pleasant. He made his home with his father until 1861, working the few years preceding in different neighborhoods at the carpenter's trade. He was married in August, 1861, to Emeline Hite, a native of Jefferson Township, where her parents, William and Sarah Hite, settled in the spring of 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon commenced housekeeping on their present homestead, and the fine building improvements have all been erected by him. The homestead contains 280 acres of sections 10, 15 and 16, about 200 acres of which are under cultivation.  Mr. and Mrs. Nixon have had eight children. Their first-born, Cyrus, died, aged a little more than two years. Those living are -James G., of Como; Millard, Anna, Walter, Elmer, Jesse and Ida May. In politics Mr. Nixon is a Democrat. In 1874 he was elected Treasurer of Jay County and served two years. He has served twelve years as trustee and one term as assessor of his township