The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-06
ALI ST. PAUL MEN

Dec. II, 1885, in Stanton, Va. A year
later he came to Minnesota with his
parents, who at first settled at Still
water. Then, after a short residence
in st. Paul and Hastings, the family
removed to Red Wing, where Mr.. Blk
by received all the schooling he ever
had, attending the parish school until
twelve years of age, after which he at
tended the public schools for one year
Since July 18, 1863, at which time. he
first took up his residence at Red Wing,
that city has always been his place of
residence, although much of his time
is spet officially at the state capital.
In 1873 Mr.. Bixby began life on his
own account, engaging in the hotel
business for one year. The following
year he followed the baker business,
which he maintained Until 1883. In 1884
he established the Red Wing Sun, a
weekly paper He obtained a taste and
liking for TIE journalistic profession by
years active service as editor of the
North Star, an amateur publication.
This he followed up with more earnest
professional work as editor of the
Grange Advance, the official organ Of
the Patrons of Husbandry,' the pro-
genitor of the famous Farmers Ali
ance. This was In the days when Meth
er of these organizations had as yet
{ taken on q political character.
/ After running his paper awhile he con-
solidated with the Goodhue County Re
publican and the Red Wing Advance,
and formed the now strong journal now
known under the lame of the Red
Wing Republican, which is published
both daily and weekly. He then retired
from active business life for time, and
his political activity and successes be-
gan.
In 1886 Mr. Bixby was elected secre-
tary of the Young Mems Republican
Club of Minnesota, and in February
1887, secretary of the Republican league
of the state. In the campaign of 1895
he was made chairman of the speakers
bureau of the state central committee,
and from that time on he has always
been member Of the committee. In
the campaigns of 1889 and 1892 he was
elected secretary of the state central
committee, and in 1893 he was chosen
to fill the vacancy made in the chair
nsanship of the committee by the res
ignation of Mr.. Jamison. In 1894 he.
was formally elected to the chairman.
ship. During all these years Mr. Blk
+ by has demonstrated his ability in
political work. Possessed of wonderful
executive ability and clear insight
into political requirements,an and endowed
with an immense knowledge of the
state at large, as well as the resources
: i
for political work, 1t was, hard for the
state central committee to find another
man to whom it could intrust the man
agement of its affairs. But, as a matter.
+, of pure political prudence he declined.
Z. in 1896 to become chairman of the
, committee again. But his services were
indispensable, and he was made chair
man of the executive committee and
also treasurer of the state central conf
mittee, in which double capacity, he
entered with his colleagues into one
: Of the greatest of political contests of
which the state of Minnesota has ever
known
The first remuneratiye Office which
Mr.. Bixby held in the state was the
secretaryship Of the state railroad and
warehouse commission, which was ten
dered him in 1885, On Nov H. $780,
he was appointed by Gov. Merriam to
be the governors secretary. He was
reappointed In January. 1891, and
when Gov. Nelson took Office in 1893,
he was retained in the post. In 1885,
when Gov. Nelson succeeded himself
for a second term, he once more APP
pointed Mr.. Bixby. When, in April
1895, Gov. Clough succeeded Mr.. Mel
son, who had been chosen to the
United States. senate, the governor
continued Mr. Bixby In the position
Of which he. was master in every de-
tail. Mr.. Bixby has been on the mill
tary staff of the state for years. He
was a captain under Gov. Hubbard,
lieutenant colonel under Gov McGin,
and colonel under Gov ClOugh