Jacob Dixon's mother could trace her ancestry to a family who settled the Province of Pennsylvania alongside William Penn.
Dixon moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1855, where he started practicing law.
The following year, he married Sarah Ann Vernon, who was also descended from Quaker settlers of the province of Pennsylvania.
He took office on January 12, 1874, and, supported by the same coalition, faced legislative colleague John H. Gear for the speakership, to whom he lost.
Dixon was reelected to the state house during the following election cycle on the Democratic Party ticket, serving until January 13, 1878.