His term as governor, 1921–1925, was unsuccessful, as severe economic hardship limited the opportunities for action by the state government, and his great enemy the Anaconda Copper company mobilized its resources to defeat reform.

Dixon was born in Snow Camp, North Carolina, to a Quaker family, the son of Flora Adaline (Murchison) and Hugh W.

[4] Dixon grew wealthy through his law practice and his investments in real estate; to further his political ambitions in 1900 he bought a Missoula newspaper, the Missoulian.

[5] He became an ardent admirer of President Theodore Roosevelt, and joined the progressive wing of the party, fighting the conservatives.

Out of office, Dixon returned to Montana to look after his newspaper properties, and to battle the Amalgamated Copper Company, the behemoth that dominated both political parties through its corrupt spending.

[6] Although Dixon had many reform proposals, he was unable to enact them because of the severe economic depression in the state, and the systematic opposition of Anaconda Copper.