Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 146

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Illinois > Crawford County > Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical > Part 146

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The finely cultivated farm of 390 acres that Mr. Fox owns in La Motte Towuship, and upon which he has resided since he left the parental home, is one of the best in the township. His spacious brick residence is set back from the road about 200 feet, and a magnificent lawn leads up to it, in which there are a number of stately forest trees. In politics Mr. Fox is a Democrat, is a member of the Methodist Church, and he and his wife are among the most highly respected people of La Motte Township.

FOX, Frederick Mail .- While not remembering anything about pioneer life, though well ac- quainted with its every detail, his knowledge be- ing gleaned from the conversations of his father and grandfather, Frederick Mail Fox enjoys the benefits accruing from the labors of those who settled in Crawford County and brought this part of the State into its present high state of culti- vation. The Fox family is one of the oldest iu the State, having been established here in 1818 by John Fox, Jr., who settled here and took up Government land. His father. also John Fox, with whom he came, engaged in farming and also

officiated as a clergyman of the Methodist Church.

John Fox, Jr., was boru in New Jersey, Octo- ber 24, 1808, and among his children was David W. Fox, father of Frederick Mail Fox. David W. Fox remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, when he married Eliza Jane Crews, on December 30, 1869. She was a daughter of William J. and Amelia Crews, was born July 25, 1849, and died in October, 1885, having borne her husband the following named children : Frederick Mail ; Harry Neil, born July 25, 1874 ; Lucy May, born April 11, 1877 ; Martha Ellen, born March 22, 1879; William Palmer, born May 1, 1881; Mary Blanche, born February 23, 1883; Lawrence Arthur, born September 12, 1885, and Frank Coke, deceased, who was born December 14, 1872, and died on September 1, 1875. The second wife of David W. Fox was Elizabeth Kent, who was the widow of Jasper Kent and daughter of Henry and Mary (Looney) Miller. Mrs. Kent had one child, Amy. By his second marriage Mr. Fox had three children : Clara, born November 25, 1888; Roy, born June 13, 1891, and Kate, boru August 4, 1893. His third wife was Lucille McNay, but there have been no children by this marriage. Mr. Fox owns 390 acres of land in La Motte Township, is a Democrat in politics, aud a Methodist in re- ligious faith.

After a district school education, which con- tinued until he attained to his majority, Fred- erick Mail Fox worked on his father's farm until his marriage to Eva May Goodwin, which took place February 27, 1895, in Montgomery Town- ship, being solemnized by Rev. Tilroe at the resi- dence of the bride's parents, James aud Caroliue (Maddox) Goodwin. Miss Goodwin was born January 15. 1871, while her father was born in Ohio, June 7, 1846, and died in Montgomery Township. Crawford County, January 12, 1901. His widow, born in Crawford County, January 12, 1819, still survives, living on the homestead in Montgomery Township. James Goodwin was a son of John Goodwin, born in Pennsylvania, July 29. 1815, and died about 1890 in Mont- gomery Township.

Mr. aud Mrs. Frederick Mail Fox have chil- dren as follows: James Arthur, born August 7, 1896; William Frederick, born March 7, 1899; Martin Lloyd, born July 16, 1900; Mary Caroline, born October 28, 1904 ; Elmer Stoy, born Septem- ber 21, 1906, and an infant girl, born October 21, 1908, not named. All are living except Mary Caroline who died July 10, 1905. Mr. Fox is a Democrat in politics and fraternally a Masou. Mrs. Fox is a Methodist, having been a member of that church for about twenty years, and be- fore the cares of her young family began to weigh upon her heavily, was very active in Sun- day school work. Mr. Fox owns 120 acres in White County, Ind. His home is a very pleasant one, and the grounds surrounding the residence spacious and well cared for. Mrs. Fox is the eldest in a family of ten children, the others being : Mary Noty, born July 7, 1872, died

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March 11, 1879; Annie Belle, born May 28, 1874, died August 15, 1875; Alice, born January 1, 1876, died July 31, 1877; James Palmer, born December 7, 1877; Andrew J., born August 1, 1879; Roscoe, born July 1, 1881; William Ansby, born August 18, 1883; an infant, born August 1, 1885, who died at birth; and Earl, born October 7, 1886.

FOX, Harry Neil .- The progressive spirit dis- played by the young farmers of Crawford County is such as to place them in the foremost ranks of agriculturists, and to insure their steady ad- vancement in prosperity. Harry Neil Fox, who comes of one of the oldest families of the county, is the owner of 160 acres of fine farming land in La Motte Township, in which township he was born July 25, 1874, a son of David Wood- worth and Eliza Jane (Crews) Fox, a grandson of John Fox, Jr., and great-grandson of Rev. John Fox. Rev. John Fox came to Crawford County from New Jersey, where John Fox, Jr., was born. The family located in Crawford County in 1818. the elder John Fox devoting his attention to farming and preaching as a mini- ster of the Methodist Church. His son, John Fox, Jr., entered land from the Government and became wealthy and prominent in La Motte Township.

Until he was twenty-one years old, David W. Fox went to the Montgomery Township schools and remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-five, when he married in La Motte Town- ship, on December 30, 1869, Eliza Jane Crews, daughter of William J. and Amelia Crews. Miss Crews was born July 25, 1849, and died in Octo- ber, 1885. She bore her husband the following family : Frederick Mail, born October 25, 1870; Frank Coke, born December 14, 1872, and died September 1, 1875; Harry Neil; Lucy May, born April 11, 1877; Martha Ellen, born March 27, 1879; William Palmer, born May 1, 1881; Mary Blanche, born February 23, 1883; Lawrence Arthur. born September 12, 1885. The second wife of David W. Fox was Mrs. Elizabeth Kent, widow of Jasper Kent, and daughter of Henry and Mary (Looney ) Miller. Mrs. Kent had one child, Amy. By this second marriage Mr. Fox had three children: Clara, born November 25, 1888; Roy, born June 13, 1891; and Kate, born August 4, 1893. His third wife was Lucille Mc- Nay, but there have been no children by this marriage. Mr. Fox owns 390 acres of land in La Motte Township. is a Democrat in politics, and a Methodist in religious faith.

Harry Nell Fox has been thoroughly educated, first in the district school and Palestine High School, which latter he attended two years. and from there he went to the Central Normal School at Danville, Ind. Leaving that institution he taught one term in La Motte Township, and then began farming on 40 acres of land in Mont- gomery Township, was also given 120 acres in La Motte Township by his father. In politics Mr. Fox is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, which she

joined when thirteen years of age. The Fox home is a pleasant one, standing back a quarter of a mile from the road and reached by a long lane.

On March 14, 1900, Mr. Fox married Josephine Welch, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. McClung of the United Presbyterian Church, at the residence of the bride's parents, A. M. and Nancy ( Stephenson) Welch. Mrs. Fox was born December 19, 1876, in Jackson, Jackson County, Ohio. She is the eldest in the family born to her parents, the others being : Ora Maud, Harry Wendell. Carl Maxwell, Wal- ter Ray, Anna May, Alta Blanche, Hazel, Lois Joy, Glenn and Paul Herbert, all of whom are living except Alta Blanche, who died January 2, 1901. Mr. Welch was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Jasper County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have children as follows: Eliza Helen, born May 18, 1901; Edwin Maxwell, born No- vember 25, 1902; Ruby Roselle, born August 1, 1904; Edna Olive, born January 17, 1906, and Ethel, born February 10, 190S.

FOX, John (deceased), for many years 1 farmer of Montgomery Township, Crawford County, and one of the prominent men of the county, was born in New Jersey, October 24, 1808, a son of John and Mary (Veneman) Fox, Sr., the former born in New Jersey, in October, 1775, and the latter in the same State in 1783. John Fox, Sr., was a minister of the Gospel who came to Crawford County in an early day, and bought half section of land and became a successful farmer, although he always devoted a good deal of his time to his pastoral duties. John Fox, Jr., married December 12, 1833, Eme- line L. McGahey, born December 6, 1809, and died June S, 1842, leaving three children : . Mary E., William D. and Sarah A. Mr. Fox then married Mary L. Woodworth, born August 19, 1825, and she died February 7, 1854. The third wife of Mr. Fox was Mrs. Mary B. McGahey, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Anderson) Buchanan, the former being an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fox and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He became the owner of 120 acres of land and was one of the prosperous men of his Township. In politics he was a Democrat.

FOX, William D .- So closely identified with the secular history of any community as to be part of it, is the record of the early efforts of the ministers of the several denominations that sent out their missionaries before roads were cut through the timberland, or churches erected in which to hold service. In Illinois the early services were usually held in the log cabins of the sparsely settled districts, where a few gath- ered together filled with true falth and enthu- siasm. Sometimes weeks would go by without a visit of the beloved missionary; then news would be brought that he might be expected upon a certain day, and the one who received the happy news mounted his horse, slung his gun

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from his saddle-bow and galloped far and wide in order to summon the faithful. If there were any weddings to be celebrated, any baptizing to be done, the candidates presented themselves upon the appointed day. at the selected log house, and the thirsty souls drank in the words of in- spired wisdom that fell from the lips of the be- loved clergyman. Atter service the little con- gregation would participate in a bountiful meal set forth by the housewife, the principal feature of which usually was wild game shot by the man of the house.

William D. Fox, of Section 27, Montgomery Township, Crawford County, comes of a family whose name is associated with the religious his- tory of this part of the State, the Rev. John Fox, his grandfather, having been one of the early Methodist ministers of that county. For thirty years he labored as a clergyman. Fifteen years prior to his coming to the county, the first missionary, Benjamin Young, inaugurated the great work, he being succeeded by Joseph Oglesby, and the latter in turn by Rev. Jesse Walker, Mr. Fox being the fourth. The sap- lings blazed by the Rev. Walker were still young trees when the Rev. Fox took charge of the wide territory assigned him. He was a very ener- getic worker, and never spared himself. The first Sunday school in this locality was organ- ized by John Fox. father of William D. Fox, at his own home, where services were held. He and a few others established the church known as Wesley Chapel, which has gained in strength as the years have gone by. For sixty-five years he was an earnest member of the church, and his home was the resting place for ministers of the gospel as long as he lived.

The first wife of John Fox, Jr., was Emeline Lucinda McGahey, who was born December 6, 1809, and died June 8, 1842. He later married as his second wife, Mary L. Woodworth, who died, and December 28, 1865. took as his third wife, Mary B. McGahey. By his first marriage there were three children: Mary E., William D. and Sarah A., of whom the first named died November 5, 1908, aged seventy-three years. By the marriage with Mary B. McGahey there were five children who with his widow survived him. John Fox. Jr., was born in Gloucester County, N. J., October 24, 1808, and in 1819 was brought to Crawford County, by his parents, and after his marriage settled on a farm in Montgomery Township. where his death oc- curred June 25, 1891.

William D. Fox was born in Montgomery Township, August 8, 1837, and was educated in the primitive log schoolhouses, first attending what was called the Camp Spring School. This was held in a log house, with a huge fireplace at one end, in which the blazing back log was a notable feature. These were subscription schools, each family paying a stipulated amount for every child. As soon as he was old enough, young William helped his father on the farm, assisted in clearing off the land, and had all the experiences incident to pioneer life.

On September 1, 1863, he married Angeline Crews, a daughter of William J. and Amelia Crews. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have had children as follows: Emeline who married H. M. Farrell ; Mary Belle, who is unmarried and at home with her parents; Carrie Mabel, who married J. P. Goodwin, and Edith C., who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Crews had children as follows: Amanda, Mary Elizabeth, Martha Ann (deceased), William Johnson (deceased), Margarette (deceased), John Hooper, Angeline (Mrs. Fox), Sarah Ade- line, and Eliza Jane (deceased), all of those now living being residents of La Motte Township, with the exception of Mrs. Fox. William J. Crews came from Tennessee to Crawford County, Ill., with his parents. John and Elizabeth Crews, in 1818, and the family settled in Montgomery Township, where John Crews died in 1863 and his wife about 1843. June 18, 1829, William J. Crews married Amelia Spraggins, and they moved on the land in La Motte Township joining that of John Crews on the north.

When he married, Mr. Fox owned 120 acres, 20 of which he had cleared. He built a small frame house for his bride, clearing off the tim- ber to make a place for it. Settling down he planted corn on his 20 acres of cleared land, and this was his first crop. From time to time he added to his holdings until he owned 440 acres, of which he now retains 360 acres. His farm is a very valuable one, and he has cleared off every acre himself, putting on each improvement and is proud of what he has accomplished by his in- dustry. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are members of the Methodist Church, of which Mr. Fox has been a trustee for a number of years. In politics he is a Democrat.

FRITZ, David E .- The city of Robinson con- veniently located as it is in the great oil dis- trict of Crawford County. is naturally a thriving center of industry and its present prosperity is largely due to the enterprise and progressive spirit of its business men, many of whom have become exceedingly wealthy since the discovery of oil in its vicinity in recent years. David E. Fritz, born in Pittsburg, February 7, 1858, is. well known throughout Crawford County. He is a son of Christian Fritz, born at Stuttgart, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, a distiller by trade, who came to America and settled at Pittsburg. The boyhood of David E. Fritz was passed in this city, where he was carefully edu- cated and learned to speak German, French and English at a private school. He then learned the tailor's trade and, after a thorough ap- prenticeship, embarked in the tailoring business, becoming well known in Bradford, Pa., and Rich- burg. N. Y. While thus engaged, he became in- terested in the oil industry, having his offices in Philadelphia, where he became prominent in civic affairs and served as a member of the school board. About two years and a half ago, he came to Robinson, Ill., after an unfortunate experience in his oil business in the East, and practically began his business career all over

ISRAEL MILLER

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again. Possessed as he was of so many natural abilities, and being a good business man, it was not long before he recouped his fortune and is now one of the wealthiest citizens of Robin- son. Among other properties he now owns the Grand Opera House building, his beautiful home on North Cross Street, and some valuable oil bearing lands in the county.

Mr. Fritz was married in Bradford, Pa., April 13, 1882, to Miss Annie Frances Habbernigg, born in Austria, in March, 1859. Her father was head tailor of the Austrian army and, after he came to America, became well known through- out the oil country, where he carried on a large tailoring business. Mrs. Fritz's mother's first name was Hannah, and was also a native of Aus- tria. Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have the following children : Charlotte H., born in Bolivar, N. Y., January 9, 1886, and is a teacher in the High School there; David, who died when one year old; Grace E., born on June 1S, 1890, and has graduated from the High School of Robinson ; George H., is thirteen years of age and in the eighth grade in school,

In his youth Mr. Fritz was an enthusiastic athlete and was especially fond of aquatic sports. In the Centennial Regatta of 1876 he was one of the winning crew. In religious matters Mr. Fritz is a member of the German Lutheran Church and is very liberal in his donations to it. Mr. Fritz has never prominently identified him- self with any political party, preferring to cast his vote for the man he deems best fitted for the office in question. Socially. he is extremely popular, and the hospitable Fritz home is always open to the many friends he and Mrs. Fritz have made and all are

accorded a free-handed, genial hospitality.

FRYE, D. E .- Since the discovery of oil in Crawford County there has been a remarkable advance in values in that locality. Property, which, before it was known that the earth held such wealth within its grasp, was valued at a nominal sum, now can scarcely by purchased at any price, for the owners are fully aware that they possess what is better than a gold mine, and they do not propose to let slip out of their hands. , Some of these property holders are op- erating the land themselves, but others find it more profitable to lease the ground to large com- panies which possess better facilities than indi- . viduals for drilling and handling the product. Either way, the oil industry has revolutionized the complexion of commercial activity in this section, and trebled the wealth of many. How- ever, while these men are engaged in the oil busi- ness, they are not neglecting their farming in- terests, but carry on about the same operations, and their fertile acres yield them a handsome profit as a reward of their labors,

Among those who have attained very satis- factory results. is D. E. Frye, on Section 3, Mont- gomery Township. Mr. Frye was born in New Hebron, Crawford County, January. 5, 1865. a son of Hamilton Frye, who was himself a native

of Virginia, who came to New Hebron when a young man. He was married in Crawford County to Sarah C. Buzzard, a daughter of Sam- uel Buzzard, a prosperous farmer of the county. Hamilton Frye and wife were parents of the following children : Louis, Palmer, Ella, Charles, Edward, Allen ( deceased), Clinton (de- ceased), John (deceased). and D. E., all of whom were born in the county. When Hamil- ton Frye first located at New Hebron, he en- tered the employ of a merchant as clerk in a gen- eral store, eventually bought a home and died in New Hebron. In national affairs he was a Republican, but frequently voted for the best man according to his judgment in county and township affairs.

D. E. Frye was reared and educated in Craw- ford County, and when his mother, who was early left a widow, married John Senor Wesley, the family moved three miles west to Flat Rock, locating on a farm. Here the lad went to school and learned to farm properly, remaining with his step-father until he attained his majority. At that time he married Emma L. Ford, a daugh- ter of Joseph Ford, and after marriage moved to Flat Rock, bought property on which he built a home, where he and his wife lived. although for three years working on the Joseph Ford farm, At the expiration of that time. he sold his Flat Rock property to Dr. Ford, and bought liis present home of SO acres in Montgomery Township. He is a general farmer and stock- man, and has made a success of his agricultural operations.

Mr. and Mrs. Frye have two children : Raleigh C. and Evaline, both of whom are at- tending school and are bright lively young peo- ple. Mr. Frye has long been prominent in the Baptist Church, of which he and his wife are consistent members, and he is now superintend- ent of the Sunday school, making one of the best officials they have ever had. Mr. Frye has not limited his expressions of faith to words alone, for he was one of the most active promo- ters of enterprise for the erection of a new church, and the completed edifice is a testimonial of his generosity and energy, for he not only gave more than his full share, but worked unceas- ingly until it was completed, and it is an edifice of which the congregation is justly proud. In politics Mr. Frye is a Republican, and is justly regarded as one of the sound, progressive young men of his township, who can be depended upon in any emergency in the affairs of the commun- ity. or in private life.

FULLING, Henry, for many years connected with the agricultural interests of La Motte Township. Crawford County, was born May 18, 1824, in Essen, Province Hanover. Germany, a son of Climar Fulling. born in Germany in 1802. who' was a soldier of Germany. He married Ellen Roea, who bore him four children. Henry Fulling attended school in his native land, and came to Palestine when fifteen years old. His first twelve years in America were spent in the

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employ of F. Paull, when he began farming on his own account, finally becoming the owner of 353 acres of land. Mr. Fulling married in Craw- ford County, Samina McColpin, born August 24, 1826, a danghter of Abraham and Jemima (Hig- gins) McColpin. Mr. and Mrs. Fnlling became the parents of six children, four of whom grew to maturity : John T., Mary E., Sarah E. and Henry A. Mr. Fnlling has always been a Dem- ocrat, while he and his wife early joined the Presbyterian Church.

FURMAN, Thomas Joshua .- Having devoted all of his time to agricultural pursuits, Thomas Joshna Fnrman is well fitted to successfully operate his fine farm of 108 acres of rich Illi- nois land in Robinson Township, where he has resided since 1865, becoming closely identified with the county and gaining the confidence and respect of his neighbors. Mr. Furman was born near Cincinnati, in Hamilton County, Ohio, April 10, 1838, a son of John and Eliza (Parmer) Furman, the former of whom was born in New York State, but went to Cincinnati in 1829, and worked at his trade of carpenter for many years. His death occurred in 1882, in Warren County, Ohio, and he is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, at Mason. Warren County. His wife was born near White Plains, in New York State, and died, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery shortly after her husband.

Thomas Joshna Furman went to the subscrip- tion schools of Hamilton County until he was fourteen, and then worked on the farm until he was twenty-three. At that time, October 30, 1862, he married Mary Ann Quick, danghter of Rignier and Elizabeth Quick, farmers of Ham- ilton County, Ohio. For two years after his mar- riage, Mr. Furman rented property in Hamilton County, Ohio, but in 1865, came to Crawford County, and bonght 50 acres of land in Robin- son Township, to which he has added nntil he now owns 108 acres in excellent condition, while fonr oil wells have been opened on the property, all of which are producing. He and his wife had two children: Ida, born October 9, 1863, married Charles A. Snyder, December 4, 1895, and lives on the home farm ; John C., born Jan- nary 22, 1869, married Laura Emeline Dean.

In politics Mr. Furman is a Democrat, anti while not especially active, he takes an interest in local affairs.

Mrs. Furman was born in Butler County. Ohio, April 19, 1842, and died April 12, 1892; and is buried in Kirk Cemetery, Robinson Township. Her last sickness was of seventeen months' du- ration, but she bore her suffering with a noble, Christian spirit, and her example was one not soon to be forgotten by her husband and rela- tives. She was a devoted wife and mother, and to her neighbors she was always kind and con- siderate, and her funeral was largely attended by those who had known and loved her.

Mrs. Quick, the mother of Mrs. Furman died May 15. 1890, her funeral services being con- ducted by Rev. Mr. Little, of Oblong. She was

born at Trenton, N. J., in July, 1820, and moved with her parents to Hamilton County, Ohio, where she married Rignier Quick in 1839. They moved to Illinois in 1865, and locat-d in Craw- ford County. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom survived her. A devont member of the Methodist Church, she was deeply mourned by the whole congregation, and her remains were interred in Kirk Cemetery.

John Cyrus Furman, son of Thomas Furman, was born in Robinson Township, Jannary 22, 1869, and attended Wilson's School in the same township. In the fall of 1894 he purchased 30 acres of land, and his wife having 60 acres left from her mother's estate, he now has a nice farm of 90 acres, all well improved. On March 18, 1894, Mr. Fnrman married, at the home of J. P. Dean, Lanra Emeline Dean, daughter of J. P. and Sabrina (Parker) Dean. The cere- mony was performed by the Rev. Tohill of the United Brethren Church. They have one daugh- ter, Stella Maud, born August 4, 1895. In poli- tics Mr. Furman is a Democrat, but like his father he does not take an active part in politi- cal matters. He is numbered among the enter- prising farmers of his locality, and his success is well merited.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 146

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058