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					      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. Dixon and 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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