James Dixon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Dixon
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| United States Senator from Connecticut |
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| In office March 4, 1857 – March 4, 1869 |
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| Preceded by | Isaac Toucey |
| Succeeded by | William A. Buckingham |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 1st district |
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| In office March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1849 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas H. Seymour |
| Succeeded by | Loren P. Waldo |
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives | |
| In office 1837-1838 1844 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1814 Enfield, Connecticut, US |
| Died | March 27, 1873 (aged 58) Hartford, Connecticut, US |
| Political party | Whig, Republican, Democrat |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Lord Cogswell Dixon (1820 - 1871) |
| Children | James Wyllys Dixon (1846 - 1917) Henry Whitfield Dixon (1850 - 1932) |
| Alma mater | Williams College |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
James Dixon (born August 5, 1814 – died March 27, 1873) was an important politician from Connecticut. He served as both a U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Dixon was born in Enfield, Connecticut, on August 5, 1814. He went to Williams College in Massachusetts. He graduated from college in 1834. After college, he decided to study law. He became a lawyer in 1834 and started his law practice in Enfield.
Family Life
Dixon married Elizabeth Lord Cogswell on October 1, 1840. They had two sons, James Wyllys Dixon and Henry Whitfield Dixon. They also had two daughters, Elizabeth L. Dixon and Clementine Lydia Dixon. In 1839, Dixon moved his family to Hartford, Connecticut.
Political Career
Dixon began his political career in Connecticut. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1837 and 1838. He also served again in 1844. In 1837, he was chosen to be the speaker of the House.
Serving in the U.S. House
Dixon was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Connecticut's 1st District. He served two terms, from March 4, 1845, to March 4, 1849. At that time, he was a member of the Whig Party. In 1854, he was again a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He was asked to run for Governor of Connecticut in 1854 but said no.
Becoming a U.S. Senator
In 1856, Dixon was elected to the United States Senate. He was a member of the Republican Party then. He was reelected in 1863. He served as a U.S. Senator from March 4, 1857, to March 4, 1869.
While in the Senate, he worked on different committees. He was the chairman of the Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses. He was also a member of committees for the District of Columbia and the Post Office.
Later Political Views
In 1868, Dixon ran for the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives again. This time, he ran as a Democrat. He was not successful in these elections. One reason was that he was the first Republican Senator to disagree with the plan to remove President Andrew Johnson from office.
Later Life and Death
In 1869, James Dixon was offered a job as a diplomat to Russia. However, he decided not to take the position. Instead, he spent his time writing and traveling a lot. James Dixon passed away in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 27, 1873. He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
