James Noxon (1833–1906). Born Bloomfield, Prince Edward County, Upper Canada. Moved to Ingersoll, Canada West, 1856. With his brothers and his father's financial backing, he established one of the largest manufactory of agricultural implements in the province (Noxon Company Ltd.) and the chief industry in Ingersoll. In 1878 he built a mansion which was later to become the town's Alexandra hospital (1909). Mayor of Ingersoll, 1884–85 and 1887. As president of the firm and its largest shareholder, James lived beyond his means, running up credit and draining the company's resources to pay the bank interest. To save the firm, his brothers ousted him in 1887. He removed to Woodstock to become plant manager of Patterson & Brother, an agricultural implements firm (1887–1891) and then to Toronto, to serve as provincial Inspector of Prisons and Charities (1891–1905). Meanwhile, in Ingersoll, the Noxon Company's Noxon-family ownership ended in 1898, the company lost its prominence of early years, and the company was shuttered in 1916.
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SUDDEN DEATH OF Mr. JAMES NOXON--Many friends and acquaintances in Ingersoll, and vicinity will learn with sincere regret of the death of Mr. James Noxon, formerly of this town, which occurred suddenly at Toronto yesterday. The Globe says: The death occurred rather suddenly from a stoke of apoplexy yesterday afternoon at his home, 72 Madison Ave., of Mr. James Noxon founder of the Noxon Brother Manufacturing Company, Ingersoll, and for many years inspector of prisons, in Ontario. He had been ill for the past two years, and had reached the advanced age of 74 years. The late Mr. Noxon was for many years an influential figure in the political life of Oxford County, and was also prominent in the business activity of Ingersoll, to which place he went in 1855 from Bloomfield, Prince Edward County. In 1891 he was appointed inspector of prisons for Ontario under the Mowat Government, and continued to hold that position until a year ago, when he resigned. During his tenure of office, he resided in this city. He was highly respected and well known in many parts of the province. He was a member of the Masonic and Oddfellow Orders. Three sons and two daughters survive him. They are: Messrs. William O. Noxon, and James Noxon, Jr., city; Samuel H. Noxon, St. Louis; Mrs. Canfield, Ingersoll; and Miss Nellie Noxon, city. The remains will be shipped to Ingersoll, where interment will take place on Wednesday. - Ingersoll Daily Chronicle, Dec 17, 1906