James Lawton Dix was born on September 19, 1816, the son of Samuel and Mersilvia (Lawton) Dix in Glen Falls, New York. Samuel and Mersilvia had two sons and a daughter; James Lawton (1816), Samuel Billings (1819), and Harriet (1821-1826).

In the 1850 Federal Census, James is 33 years old and a single man. He still lives at home with his parents, Samuel and Mersilvia. He states that he owns real estate valved at $2500.00. I assume that this is likely a general store that he is running since he lists his occupation as merchant.

After the death of both of his parents, James married Laura Stevens in 1857. James and Laura had four children; Walter Lewis (1858) , Anna Mersilvia (1859), John Alden (1860), Charles Billings (1863).

I do not find James and his family in the 1860 federal Census. In the 1870 Federal Census, James occupation is listed as farmer. His brother Samuel is living with him and is also a farmer. Also listed in the census, is his wife Laura, and children, Walter, Annie, John and Charles. They also have some young woman from Scotland, Maggie Bennett living with them. She is listed as a Domestic Servant.

In the New York 1875 State census, James now owns a foundry and his wife, Laura states that she is running a boarding house. They have a domestic servant, Mary Sweeney, and a boarder, Margaret Bennett, living with them. Margaret is a dressmaker by trade now and was their domestic servant five years before.

In the 1880 federal Census, James and his family are listed in Queensbury, New York at 585 Marra Street.  James and Samuel started an iron works foundry called JL & SB DIX. They specialized in plows, blades and iron pieces used primarily in the farming and the logging industries. Samuel Dix remains living with his brother’s family. Charles is a draftsman and Walter is the bookkeeper for the foundry. Walter, Anna, John and Charles all remain at home. They have two servants listed as well, Martha Newton and Walter Lockhart.

In the Glens Falls City Directory for 1891, a listing for the JL Dix Foundry states that Charles B Dix and Henry W Coffin are now the owners. Henry W. Coffin was the husband of Anna Dix. Laura Dix is listed as the widow of James Lawton Dix.

One hundred and thirty-four years ago on May 17, 1888, James Lawton Dix died. He is buried in Glens Falls Cemetery in Glens Falls, New York.

Rest in peace, James Lawton Dix

Love Jan

James Lawton Dix is fifth cousin three times removed.