Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 January 1893
Mr. John Dixon
Was born in the year 1850 at the village of Grendon, which adjoins the market town of Atherstone. North Warwickshire.
He received his education at the Bentley schools, which were wholly supported by W. S. Dugdale Esq., the lord of the manor, the school fees being one penny per week. At the age of 10, he being the eldest of seven, was compelled to go to work. He obtained work at the Baddesley Collieries. He stayed at home with his parents till he attained his majority in 1871.
He then came to Mexboro’, and obtained employment at the Denaby Main Colliery. He worked as a collier at Denaby Main until January, 1879, when he was appointed checkweighman, which position he holds at the present.
At the School Board Election in March, 1884, he was requested by the working-classes to become a candidate. He consented, and was returned at the head of the poll. In 1887 there was no contest, a compromise being effected which saved the ratepayers the expense of an election. In 1890 there were 11 candidates for the 7 seats and when the poll was declared the figures showed the vicar the Rev. Henry Ellershaw, headed the poll, and that Mr. Dixon stood second on the list.
Since his first election he has taken great interest in the education of the masses, his chief contentions being that if the masses were better educated, trade disputes would be considerably reduced, and that capital and labour would more harmoniously together.
Mr. Dixon is a prominent member of Court 5348 of the Wath and Mexboro’ district of the Ancient Order of Foresters. He has rendered valuable assistance to his Court and to the district, and about 18 months ago the district presented him with a beautifully illuminated emblem of the Order, as a token of esteem for the assiduous duties he had rendered to that Court during 1889 to 90.
Mr. Dixon was elected a member of the Burial Board in December, 1991, for three years, and already we see where he is urging reforms for the benefit of the working classes, and which, ere long, will come into operation. He also took a prominent part in establishing the local Hospital, which is now so highly prized by the inhabitants of this district.
The latest question which at this moment is engaging his attention and the attention of his confederates, is the establishing of a Public Hall and Working man’s Institute for Mexboro’. We hope in this (as with the Hospital) that they will be successful, as an Institution of this kind is much needed for the use of the inhabitants of this popular district.