Скачать или смотреть John Nixon - Newspaperman

This interview with John Nixon, conducted at the Peru Tribune in 1974, offers a personal and detailed account of his early life, family background, and career in journalism. Nixon was born in Wabash, Indiana, in 1928 and raised primarily by his mother and grandmother after his father’s death. His mother, a determined and hardworking woman, took over the family business despite having no prior experience, a decision Nixon deeply admired. He described his grandmother, Mrs. Hubbard, as a loving and doting presence during his youth.

Nixon attended Wabash High School after a brief time at a prep school in North Carolina and later studied at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Following graduation, he served in the Air Force during the Korean War, where he met his future wife, Jane, in California.

In the latter part of the interview, Nixon reflected on his stepfather, Mark Honeywell, and his mother’s legacy. He spoke warmly of Honeywell’s influence, describing him as disciplined, perfectionistic, and deeply committed to excellence in both business and philanthropy. Nixon recalled Honeywell’s humor and strong belief in hard work, as well as his mother’s continuing contributions to the community and the family’s newspaper operations. He noted her intelligence, generosity, and humility—despite her many achievements, she carried a lingering insecurity about not finishing college.

The conversation closed with anecdotes highlighting the close, affectionate bond between mother and son, her playful sense of humor even after her death, and Nixon’s appreciation for the values of perseverance and service that shaped his family’s legacy in Wabash and beyond.

This audio interview was recorded by George Dingledy as part of the Wabash Carnegie Public Library Oral History Project.

From 1970 to 1987 Wabash Carnegie Public Library and members of the community worked on an Oral History Project that interviewed multiple people in Wabash. These were recorded on cassette tapes, which were later converted to digital.

Subscribe to keep up with our local history!

For any questions or inquiries regarding this video please reach out to [email protected].

Follow us on our other platforms: • Facebook - Wabash County Museum • Instagram - @wabashmuseum • TikTok - @wabashmuseum