Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-04-30
HoaA DIXON JR


that the same feverish age which has
quickened their perception, and open
ed q thousand new avenues to knowl-
edge, is also Fastening them fast away,
and leaves no time to wait for power
from the laying on of hands of years.
II OF the young men who have come
to the front within the last few years,
in our own State, both because of their
fitness and because of a disposition in
the public mind to recognize that
merit, there is nowhere more illus
trious example than the subject of this
sketch.
Mr.. Thomas Dixon, Jr.. whose pho
tograph appears in this issue, is ma
tive of the State, having been born in
Cleveland county, near the close OF
the late war, and is now in his twenty
second year. He comes of good par
entage on both sides and inherits
large share of his character and intel
lect. His family, / believe, is of
Scotch-Irish blood, and belongs to
that class Of our population which has
been potent factor in determining
the tone of our civilization. On his
mothers side, there is a vein of poetry
and eloquenee, while his father is
man of sterling character and extra
ordinary good sense. The latter is a
| Baptist minister, and no man in that
part OF the State is more highly re-
spected for his integrity and great
wisdom. He is man of plain habits,
and under him young Dixon was ear
ly taught the lessons of practical life
| by the requirements of country
home. The young mans training be-
gan on the farm, with such elementary
instruction from time to time, as the
country schools would afford. No eff.
fort or money was ever spared by the
parents to render complete the educa-
ton of their sons, of whom they have
| three, the eldest, we'll known in North
! Carolina, is now in Baltimore, one of
the ablest young preachers in the
whole South. The subject of this
sketch is the second. When the prop
er time arrived, he was placed in the
best school in the town of Shelby, to
receive the elements of an education,
preparatory to high order Of schol-
arship. While at the village academy,
he showed marks of extraordinary
promise by carrying away all the hon
ors over the heads of his competitors.
/ In the 1all of 1879, Mr.. Dixon en-
tered Wake Forest College, where he
spent four years and took the Masters
degree in '83, going away after no.
BILE, hard fought battle with his
books with the most brilliant
4 reputation that any student had ever
won at that institution. His college
record was suggestive of the coming
man in every wary. There was the
same bold, fearless, independent, ag-
gressive mind which has subsequently
become more conspicuous. He
was favorite with the en-.
tire institution, winning the affections
a of many and compelling the respect OF
all. The occasional sting Of his sar-
easm was soon healed by the influence
3 of magnetic personality.
Leaving college in '83, after sum
mer's vacation, Mr.. Dixon entered
John Hopkins University, Balti
more, where he spent one term il
post-gradnate work, that did much t.
broaden his views and develop his in
tellectual powers. He pursued a spe
cial course, preliminary to the study
of law, embracing most thorough
training in history and political sci
ence. These branches pursued in ,
scientific way with the facilities of tina
!; great American University, laid tn.
foundation for broad work in the fut
ure, either as a great lawyer or ;