Arriving in 1872 , shortly after the Great Chicago Fire , Nixon became associated with the '' Chicago Inter Ocean '' . The paper had just been founded in March , and Nixon was appointed its manager that May . He held this position for four years , until he became general manager and editor-in-chief . He held this positions until his death in 1912 . Although his position as leader of a Republican paper made him one of the most prominent party members in the city , Nixon declined to run for elected office . Nixon was president of the Associated Press for several years . He was a delegate to the 1896 Republican National Convention . President William McKinley appointed Nixon Collector of the port of Chicago
1896 Republican National Convention
1896 Republican National Convention
William Penn Nixon