Tom Mix

Thomas E. Mix (January 6, 1880 – October 11, 1940) was an American film actor, the star of many early Western movies. He made a reported 336 films between 1910 and 1935, all but 9 of them silent features. In the process he became Hollywood?s first larger-than-life Western megastar, and defined the genre for all actors that followed.

Early years

Born Thomas Hezikiah Mix into a relatively poor logging family in Mix Run, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles (60 km) north of State College, Pennsylvania. When he enlisted in the Army in April 1898, he registered as Thomas E. Mix. He served in a heavy artillery unit during the Spanish-American War. He re-enlisted in 1901, but failed to return to duty after a 1902 extended furlough when he married Grace I. Allin on July 18th. His marriage was annulled a year later, yet he was never court martialed or, apparently, even discharged. In 1905, Tom Mix married Kitty Jewel Perinne but this too ended within a year and in 1907 he married Olive Stokes with whom he had a daughter.

Related Topics:
Mix Run - Pennsylvania - State College, Pennsylvania - Army - 1898 - Spanish-American War - 1901 - 1902 - Court martial

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After working a variety of odd jobs in the Oklahoma Territory, Mix went on to work at the 101 Ranch, the largest ranching outfit in the US, with 101,000 acres (409 km²), hence the name 101. He distinguished himself as a horseman and expert shot, winning the 1909 national Riding and Rodeo Championship. Mix is rumored to have served a brief and undistinguished term with the Texas Rangers.

Related Topics:
Oklahoma Territory - Texas Rangers

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