Born in Preble county, Ohio, September 20, 1832, and remained in that county until 1856, having by that time become fully initiated into the intricacies of farm life. In that year he came west to Iowa and located in Lee county, where he pursued his current vocation for the period of six and a half years. In 1863 he removed to Appanoose county and settled on the place north of Mystic on which they now reside. Here he early became identified with the public interests of the county, and his fitness for places of trust was recognized in 1879 by his election on the Greenback ticket to a seat in the Iowa legislature, where, during the session of 1880, he performed his due share in the actions of that body. For one term he held the office of justice of the peace and was a member of the Walnut township board. In religion he is connected with the Christian church. In the fall of 1855 Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Elizabeth Miles, who was born in Preble County, Ohio.