Was laid out by C. C. Dixon
in 1872, who owned the farm on which the village is platted.
He had settled here in 1834, at a time when there was but
one house between his and Monmouth, then containing but four
or five houses.
No village was thought of until the Rockford, Rock
Island and St. Louis railroad was contemplated. The
company guaranteed the location of a depot to some ten or
twelve residents who were active in securing the right of
way through the township. Foremost among them was
C. C. Dixonand J. W. Bridenthal. These
located the station on the present site and Mr. Dixon
at once took steps to lay out the town. The village
plat and farm were afterwards purchased by Mr. Bridenthal
the present owner. Mr. T. H. Norwood opened the
first store and the post office in the dwelling of Henry
Redout. Shortly after John Hodgen and
John Young erected the present store room occupied by
Mr. Young and Graham. One or two additional
stores have been opened and a good carriage and wagon shop
is now in operation.
A large quantity of grain is shipped from this point.
For the year 1876 331 car loads of grain were shipped.
In addition to this, 70 car loads of live stock were sent to
market.
The town and post office were given the name of
Lenox. As there was a Station North of Monmouth by
that name. Until it was discontinued the village and
office was called Lenox Station.
SCHOOLS.
One of the oldest
district schools in the township is located here. As
soon as the school population of the community warranted the
erection of a house, a small structure was built. This
was used with an occasional enlargement and repair, until
1876, when the present structure, one of the best in the
township, was erected.
The attendance is now about forty scholars, which
require the service of one teacher.
CHURCHES.
For several years
past a Presbyterian church was maintained. About
twelve years since through the effort of Mr. Dixon,
who donated a lot, a comfortable house of worship was
erected, and at one time quite a congregation had grown up,
and regular preaching was sustained. Owing to re-
[Pg. 172]
movals and other causes has so diminished
the church that the organization was disbanded, the
remaining members going to Monmouth or to other churches.
The Methodists now occupy the church but as yet have no
organization.
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