“Four letters sum up my idea of how to make a success in life; they are W-O-R-K (work).” These are the sentiments of Lewis Nixon, who starting life as a poor boy, has by sheer determination won social position, fame, wealth and political honor before he was forty. His story is a simple one, but none the less helpful. Born in Leesburg, Virginia, April 7, 1861, he was the son of Joel Lewis and Mary Frances (Turner) Nixon. His parents were in poor circumstances. His diligence in the public schools interested General Eppa Hunton (then representative from Virginia), who secured for him an appointment to the United States Naval academy at Annapolis as midshipman, and in 1882 he graduated at the head of his class. Going to England, he took a course in naval architecture and marine engineering. Upon returning to this country, he was appointed to the staff of the chief constructor of the navy and served as superintendent of construction at the Cramp yards and the New York navy yard. In 1890 he designed, in ninety days, the battleships Indiana, the Massachusetts and the Oregon. After resigning from the navy department, he became superintending constructor of the Cramps’ yard, Philadelphia, but soon after resigned that position and opened a shipyard of his own at Elizabeth, New Jersey. He has built the gunboats Annapolis, Josephine, Mangro and others, besides the submarine torpedo boat Holland. He was married in Washington, January 29, 1891, to Sallie Lewis Wood. Mr. Nixon is a member of the New England organization of architects and marine engineers, the chamber of commerce, and is a member of the Democratic club, Press club, Army and Navy club of Washington and others. He takes an active part in Democratic politics. JOHN H. PATTERSON.