My Genealogy Hound

JAMES WILLCOX, farmer; P. O. German; the subject of this memoir was born in Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1817; he is the son of James Willcox, Sr., and Elizabeth (Kester) Willcox; James Willcox, Sr., was born in the State of New York, on the Mohawk River, near the site of “Stillwater” battlefield; his father was a soldier in the great struggle for American independence and participated in the above battle; James Willcox was a shoemaker by occupation, and at one time worked in Stephen Girard’s shop, in Philadelphia; while here he made for Henry Clay the pair of boots which he wore to the “Treaty of Ghent,” the boots costing $40; he emigrated to Ohio in 1815, landing at Cincinnati with 50 cents in his pocket, and all his earthly possessions tied up in a silk handkerchief; from there he pushed his way northward, and finally came to a halt in Germantown, Montgomery County; here he engaged at his occupation for five or six years, and then moved to Preble County, where he added to his trade farming; from there he came to this county, March 18, 1839, and located in German Township, on land which he had previously purchased near the present town of Palestine; here he engaged in farming and sawmilling. He was married soon after coming to this State, to Miss Elizabeth Kester, a native of Lancaster County, Penn.; she came to Ohio with her parents when quite small. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom have deceased; the living are as follows: James (our subject), John, Charles, David, Phebe A., William, Elizabeth and Elijah; the deceased are Lavina, Memlius, Levi, Jeremiah and Mary J. Mrs. Willcox departed this life October, 1855, and Mr. Willcox the 4th of February, 1856; by their deaths the community lost useful citizens and the family affectionate parents. Our subject was raised to farm labor, assisting his father in farming till he attained his majority, attending the common schools during winter months; he emigrated to this county with his parents in 1839; at the end of one year he went to Butler County, and engaged for a time at wood-chopping; while here he accidentally discovered that he could put up a barrel about as good as an experienced cooper, and accepted a proposition from a professional cooper to engage in the business; he made 430 barrels, averaging eight barrels per day as his first work; he remained in Butler County altogether about three years, and then returned to this county, engaging in saw-milling for the next eighteen years continuously and successfully; he then purchased and moved to the place where he now resides, which consists of 160 acres, the most of which he has cleared and placed in its present highly improved condition. He has been married twice; his first marriage was consummated with Miss Sarah J. Clendenine in June, 1841; she died five months after their marriage; his second marriage was celebrated, June 8, 1848, with Miss Elizabeth Ketring, a sketch of whose parents occurs in the biographies of this township; she was born in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox are the parents of nine children, three of whom are married: Signorette L., born Feb. 28, 1849; Alice E., Jan. 8, 1851; Marquis L., Aug. 7, 1853; Mary F., April 5, 1855, deceased Feb. 25, 1856; Percival F., May 5, 1857; Isaac N., May 3, 1859; David M., June 15, 1862; Joseph S., Dec. 27, 1864; Charles Sumner, April 12, 1861; Martha E., June 16, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox take a great interest in the cause of religion, both being consistent members of the Christian Church of Palestine.