James Lenox
The Lenox family traces back in a direct line to Scotland, although the date of immigration of the American branch of the family cannot be clearly ascertained. Still that immigration was at least prior to the Revolutionary period, for it is known that John Lenox served in the continental army throughout the war for independence. He came, then, during the colonial period, and passing through the Revolutionary war, married Rachel York and settled in Virginia at the dawn of the national period. After his death, which occurred in Virginia, his widow and family came to Ohio in search of a new home. This was in the year 1796, or seven years prior to the admission of Ohio as a State. The family on coming to the Northwest Territory, settled near that old territorial town, Marietta, which had witnessed the solemn inauguration of the first court held in “the territory northwest of the Ohio River.” Here the Lenox family remained until 1811, when they sought the valley of the Great Miami and settled within the present limits of Turtle Creek Township, this date being eight years prior to the organization of Shelby County. Of this family James Lenox became one of the leading spirits in the new community, and one of the principal citizens of the new county. He was born in Virginia on the 14th of February, 1793, and was one of the children who, with his widowed mother, came to the county in 1811. He was thus here just in time, although yet young, to breathe the spirit of war, for the air was then filled with that war germ which developed the second war for independence. His father had served in the first, and he entered the second, serving throughout the campaigns of 1813 and 14 in the operations in Ohio, Michigan, and Canada.
Returning at the close of that war, he resumed the vocations of peace, and assisted in the development of that community which was yet to erect itself into a new county. On the 12th of February, 1818, he married Sally, daughter of John and Anna (Webb) Wilson. The Wilson family had come from Virginia to Ohio at an early date, even settling in this county’s limits as early as 1807.
Before coming here they had settled for a time in Warren County, and it was at this place their daughter Sally was born, Jan. 1, 1803. After his marriage Mr. Lenox settled in Turtle Creek Township, on land which the family had entered in 1811. Here he lived until 1845, when he moved to Washington Township, having purchased the old John Wilson farm, which had been entered by Wilson in 1807. From a date prior to the organization of Shelby County Mr. Lenox held a commission as justice of the peace, an office be retained for many terms in succession. At the erection of the county he became the first treasurer, having been appointed to this office by the Board of Commissioners on the 7th of June, 1819. He also held the various township oflices, including the appraisership. He is said to have been a man of reserved manners and domestic tastes, who was greatly devoted to literature, and as such a man is still highly revered by those who knew him best. Having exceeded his "threescore years and ten,” he laid down the burdens of life December 9, 1865, having closely approached his seventy-third year. Though greatly enfeebled by age, and wearied by the burdens of a toiling life, Mrs. Lenox still survives at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. The family consisted of twelve children, viz.: Emeline M., born May 19, 1819; died, 1822. Napoleon B., born June 9, 1821; died Nov. 28, 1862. Anna W, born Aug. 4, 1823; died Oct. 5, 1823. John W., born Sept. 21, 1824; died Sept. 12, 1851. William F., born May 25, 1827; died Oct. 17, 1865. Hamilton C., born Nov. 5, 1829; lives on homestead. Jesse W., born Jan. 22, 1832; died Aug. 26, 1864. Julia A., born April 12, 1834; resides in county. Abraham, born Aug. 5, 1837; died March 12, 1863. Hiram, born July 24, 1839; resides in Illinois. Laura L., born Dec. 23, 1841; resides at old home. Virgil C., born April 5, 1844; resides in Illinois. Of these, four sons were in the war of the Rebellion, one of whom died from the effects of a wound; one from disease while in service; one after the war, from disease contracted in the service; while one only of the four survives, viz., Virgil C., who resides in Illinois. Hamilton C. now, together with his sister, Laura L., resides on the old homestead.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883