fox

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.