Leroy Franklin Box ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

  General Notes:

At the time of the 1860 census, Leroy was teaching at a common school in St Clair County, Alabama. He was listed in the household of John Vanagrift (Van de Grift).

He served as superintendent of education of St Clair County until the outbreak of war in 1861, then resigned to enter the Confederate States Army. He was commissioned lieutenant of Co. A, Tenth Alabama regiment, Wilcox's brigade, and acted as major general at times. He remained with the army of northern Virginia until the surrender at Appomatox Court House. He had law books with him and studied during the war. After the war was over, he continued the study of law in Jacksonville, Calhoun County, Alabama, teaching school at the same time. After he obtained his license to practice law, he returned to his home town, Ashville, St Clair County, Alabama.

By the time of the 1870 census, Leroy had become a lawyer. His real estate in St Clair County, Alabama, was valued at $1665 and he had personal assets of $650.

He was elected to the legislature, 1870-1871. He was elected state superintendent of education of Alabama and served two terms.

Leroy was listed as an attorney on the 1880 census at Ashville and Old Town, St Clair County, Alabama. His widowed mother was living with him.

He was elected circuit judge of the seventh district and was serving his third term at the time of his death. He was a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church, south and a member of the board of trustees.

Memorial at FindAGrave.com:

Judge Box was attacked with a stroke of paralysis from which he never rallied. His wife, daughter and brother were in attendance at his death bed. Judge Box was known throughout the state, having held several offices at the hands of the people, and at the time of his death was serving the third term as Judge of this Judicial Circuit. He leaves a wife and two daughters to mourn.
He was elected Circuit Judge of the Seventh District Court 3 times. He defeated Judge Whitlock by a large majority of two to one. Leroy Box first studied medicine, of which he was fascinated with. Then he began the study of Law and became an attorney in Ashville. One day while he was presiding in his courtroom he received some alarming news about his son Albert E. Box. In a handwritten memoranda from his wife Sarah V. Box, it stated that their son was seriously ill. Judge Box rushed to the bedside of his son in their upscale mansion home immediately after hearing the news. Albert, a college student at the University of Alabama in St. Clair County, died several days later of malaria. Less than 8 years later, Judge Box died of a stroke while in office while presiding in his Courtroom in Edwardsville, Alabama on March 26, 1895.
The remains of Judge Box were brought to his home on Tuesday evening. The church was crowded with relatives and friends, besides there were many colored people at the church to take a last look at the man who had always been their friend.Leroy was the Grandson of the founder of St. Clair County, Alabama and first Judge Henry Robert Box 1765-1835.Tombstone Inscription:A JUST JUDGE; ALWAYS DARED TO DO THE RIGHT THING; A BRAVE SOLDIER, A TRUE MASON, A CONSCIENTIOUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTED TO HIS CHURCH AND EVERY WORTHY CAUSE.

Leroy married Sarah Isabella Van de Grift on 22 Apr 1866 in , St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. (Sarah Isabella Van de Grift was born on 1 Nov 1839 in Odenville, St. Clair County, Alabama, United States,⁷ died on 19 Nov 1915 in Ashville, St. Clair County, Alabama, United States ⁷ and was buried in Ashville Cemetery, Ashville, St. Clair County, Alabama, United States ⁸.)