JOHN L. LORD
At the West edge of Dixon on the Palmyra Road is a hill known by
many area residents as "Lord's Hill." This is named after the Lord
Family who were among the area's early settlers which moved into and
settled in Palmyra Township.
John L. Lord came to Dixon in 1838 as a young boy of nine years
of age along with his family from New Hampshire. He was born on June
10, 1829 at Hopkinton, New Hampshire. His father was a blacksmith by
trade and continued in that form of business after arriving in this
area.
During 1841 the family moved to a farm located in Palmyra. His
mother died shortly after arriving to this locale. Young John Lord
would walk to and from the town of Dixon to attend school. After
finishing his education in the schools in our area, he went to work
in his father's blacksmith shop, quickly learning the trade.
His father's business had been expanded into a wagon factory due
to the large demand for quality wagons and carriages. The manufacture
of the Lord carriages soon became known near and far for their
excellent workmanship and good quality. In 1850, John purchased the
business from his father. The elder Lord passed away in 1873. John
continued making wagons and carriages for a number of years.
On June 17, 1851 John Lord married Mary (Smith) Warner who had
also settled in Lee County during 1838. They had six children; four
sons; August, Paul, John and Fred and two daughters; Mary and Grace.
He was also engaged in farming, beginning with seven acres of
land. Mr. Lord increased his acreage to include over 200 acres. It
was noted in 1878 in the Dixon City Directory that Mr. Lord owned
some 216 acres along with the buildings associated with his carriage
business, which covered four to five acres.
John Lord was quite active in the local government, serving
several terms on the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Lord was also one of
the founders and president of the Palmyra Mutual Fire Insurance
Company. For many years Mr. Lord was president of the Lee County Old
Settler's Association and spent his later years in assisting farmers
throughout the county.
As president of the group during 1893-94, it was he who first
suggested that a permanent and lasting memorial to the early settlers
and pioneers of the area be built. This memorial would be in the form
of a log cabin. It was built from logs which were taken from farms
throughout the county and was constructed in Lloyd's Park on high
ground overlooking the Rock River and in the shadow of the famed
Chatauqua Auditorium and grounds of the Rock River Assembly.
The cabin, later being moved during 1969 from its original site
is now located along the North bank of the Rock River along Lincoln
statue Drive in Dixon. It not only serves as a memorial in these
days, but as a constant reminder of our early heritage.
Upon his retirement from the carriage factory, his son, Paul
continued with the business which later would include auto repairing
and painting at a location on Hennepin Avenue and Commercial Alley in
Dixon.
John L. Lord, died in March of 1901 and is buried at Sugar Grove
Cemetery as is his wife Mary, who passed away in 1930 at the age of
100 years.
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