Background
Bixby, William Herbert was born on December 27, 1849 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Clark Smith and Elizabeth (Clark) B.: brother of James Thompson Bixby.
Bixby, William Herbert was born on December 27, 1849 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Clark Smith and Elizabeth (Clark) B.: brother of James Thompson Bixby.
He graduated first in the United States Military Academy class of 1873 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. After serving with the engineer battalion at Willets Point and as Assistant Professor of Engineering at the Military Academy, Bixby graduated with honors from the French Ecole des ponts et chaussées.
Second Lieutenant engineers, June 13, 1873. Promoted through grades to brigadier general, June 12, 1910. Retired August 11, 1913.
Assistant professor engineering, West Point, 1875-1879.
Sent by United States Government to attend French Army manœuvers, 1880, to examine and report upon iron fortifications in Europe, 1881-1882, to inspect buildings Charleston, South Carolina., earthquake, 1887. Lecturer on coast defenses, United States Naval War College, 1887.
With National Waterways Commission to inspect rivers and harbors in Europe, 1909. In charge removal wreck of the Maine from Havana Harbor, 1912.
In charge, at different times, of the United States river and harbor improvements in North Carolina, South Carolina., Virginia, 1884-1891, in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, 1891-1895, in the Ohio River basin, 1897-1901, on ship channel of Great Lakes, 1902-1904, in Illinois and Indiana, 1905-1907.
Also of lighthouse construction in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland., Virginia and of the Ohio and tributaries, 1884-1905. Division engineer of Northwestern and Western United States, 1905-1908. President Mississippi River Commission, 1908-1910.
Chief of engineers
United States of America, June 10, 1910-August 11, 1913. Returned to active service May 1917-April 1919. Again president Mississippi River Commission, and division engineer Western Division River and Harbor Improvements, and inspector 15th Lighthouse District Home: Washington, Distric.
Married Lidey H. Rogers Jones, December 27, 1893.