JAMES F. FOX
James
F. Fox, a successful agriculturist of Castor Township, is a native of
County Cork, Ireland, born February 9, 1843, and is the son of Michael
and Johanna (Finn) Fox. Michael
Fox was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1810, and was a farmer by
occupation. He immigrated
to the United States in 1850 and settled in Madison County, Mo., on the
farm now owned by his son, James F.
Michael Fox rented land for five years and in 1855 purchased the
farm, which contained 135 acres, and called the “Old Spiva farm.”
Here he passed the remainder of his life.
He was an excellent farmer and had one of the neatest farms in
Madison County. He died November 22, 1865.
His wife was also a native of County Limerick, Ireland, born in
1814, and is yet living, residing in Fredericktown with her two
daughters, Mary and Emma (the latter being a teacher by profession). Mrs. Fox is the mother of eleven children, five of whom are
living: Johannah (wife of Joseph Tessreau), Mary Ellen (wife of Bernard
O’Conner), Emma and James F. The
latter was eight years old when his parents came to America. He was reared on a farm and educated in Madison County.
In 1869 he engaged in teaching and followed that profession for
three years. IN 1872 he
taught the first Catholic parochial school in Fredericktown established
after the Plenary Council at Baltimore, ordering each parish priest to
try and maintain a school in their various parishes.
The school was under the supervision of the late Rev. Louis
Tucker. Mr. Fox owns 285
acres of land and has control of the old home farm of 135 acres, paying
his mother rent for the interest of the same. September 9, 1884, he
married Miss Delia B. Flynn, a native of Washington County, Mo., born in
1856, and the daughter of Thomas Flynn.
Three children have been born to this union: Michael, Margaret
Gertrude and Mary Ellen. Mr.
Fox is one of the enterprising farmers of Madison County, and is highly
esteemed by all. He is a Democrat in politics and his first presidential vote
was cast for George B. McClellan in 1864.
He and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
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