Rewind:  November 1, 2024

John Alden Dix

This column continues our look at some of the ‘Stars of Yesteryear,’ looking at some of the prominent people who are part of the “Heritage Hall of Fame.”

Plaques honoring outstanding citizens, once in the Civic Center, were moved to the basement of the Charles R. Wood Theater, where they remains today.  We have been made aware that there are many ‘locals’ who do not know or realize that such a collection of “Special People” even (still) exists.  Since the subjects of the honor plaques is certainly history, we will use this column to occasionally share some of the ‘Heritage Hall’ information with the public in hopes that they will make it a point to visit the Charles R. Wood Theater and see the collection housed there.

This column’s “Star of Yesteryear” enters the world of politics.

John Alden Dix

(1860-1928)

John Alden Dix was a native son.  His family was prominent in real estate sales, and his father had a foundry and machine shop at the foot of Glen Street Hill.

He attended Ridge Street school, Glens Falls Academy, and then graduated from Cornell in 1883.

As a young man, Dix did farm work, worked in area machine shops, and eventually in the lumber industry.  He developed wallpaper mills and acquired forest tracts for his interests.  He was on the board of several paper and lumber companies.

In 1904, he was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.  He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1906 and for Lieutenant Governor in 1908, but in 1910 Dix was elected Governor of New York State.  He served a full term and made it a practice of taking automobile tours around the State to consult with voters.

While Governor, Dix advocated for tariff revision, paring down government spending, and abolition of protection for big industry.

He was a Man for All Seasons.