This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: FOX, SMITH, CLARK Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Cl.2ADI/908 Message Board Post: John C. Fox, of Walnut Township, one of the pioneers of Wayne County, Iowa, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, November 20, 1834. His parents, Abraham and Actious (Winfrey) Fox, were natives of east Tennessee, and for several generations of Tennessee ancestry, although originally of English descent. Soon after their marriage they moved to Lawrence County, Indiana, and there their twelve children were born. Nine of their children lived to maturity. Abraham Fox was a well-to-do, intelligent farmer, whose educational advantages were limited, but realizing the importance of mental culture he determined that his children should have the benefit of the best schools. Accordingly, when his eldest son, Calvin R. Fox, reached sufficient age he resolved to educate him for a physician, and sent him to Greencastle, Putnam County, where he remained as a student three years. When the Mexican war broke out he enlisted and served a year, participating in the battle at Buena Vista. On his return from the war he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and attended medical lectures, receiving the degree of M. D. He located in his native town, but after practicing about three years was attacked with a pulmonary trouble, caused! by exposure while attending to his professional duties. He took a trip to Texas for the benefit of his health, but it was of no avail, and he died in the Lone Star State and was buried on the banks of the Brazos River. The second son, Wiley J. Fox, went to California in the great immigration to the land of gold in 1849, and is now in Idaho. He and the subject of this sketch are the only surviving members of their father’s family. John C. Fox was offered by his father the opportunity of getting a liberal and professional education. But a professional life had no charms for him, and instead of pursuing the course suggested by his father, he resolved, though but a boy, to take to himself a young wife, and accordingly, March 9, 1854, he was married to Mary Browning, a daughter of William Browning. They were ambitious to make for themselves a home, and in September following their marriage started westward, accompanied by his brother-in-law, J. M. Ramsey, and wife, and several other families. Their objective point was Madison County, Iowa. On reaching the house of Henry Thomas, in Appanoose County, Mr. Fox and Mr. Ramsey left their wives and on horse-back started out on a tour of exploration. The first day out they took dinner at the tavern of Joel Phillips, in Corydon. They explored Madison County and selected their land, but on going to Des Moines found that the land they wished had already been entered. Before they could arrange for another entry a courier, who had followed them for the purpose, informed them that Mrs. Ramsey was seriously ill. They immediately retraced their steps to the house of Mr. Thomas, when, to their dismay, they found that Mrs. Ramsey was already dead and buried.! Mr. Fox determined to winter in this vicinity, and accordingly pre-empted 160 acres of land and got the logs for a house during the winter. The following season he rented a farm, and in the fall built his log house, into which he moved his family. In this house he lived from 1855 until 1870, having increased his farm 400 acres. When the survey of the Rock Island Railroad was made in 1870, he determined to increase his real estate and bought 640 acres, making a total of 1,040 acres. Forty acres of this last purchase is included in the village plat of Seymour. With this village and its interest Mr. Fox has been prominently identified, no one having done more to advance its growth and make it the thriving town it now is than he. The investment he made in real-estate proved a successful one. He has sold 480 acres, including the homestead, and since 1870 has lived a half a mile west of the village, where he has a beautiful home. He has led an active business life, having since 1871 given considerable attention to dealing in stock. To show the extent of the business conducted by the firm of which he is a member, it may be stated that during four months of the year 1876 they paid out $277,000 for stock. This industry is one of the most important of Southern Iowa, and Seymour is one of the best shipping points in Wayne County. Mr. Fox can attribute his success in life mainly to his own exertions, as he started in the Western country with little money, but with a strong determined will to make the best of his surroundings. Promptness in meeting all obligations has been one of his mottoes through life, and by adhering strictly to this he has won the confidence of all with whom he has had any business dealings. In coming years when the memory of the pioneer exists in name, none will be remembered more gratefully or with more affection than John C. Fox. Mr. And Mrs. Fox have had a family of ten children. Before h! e was thirty-six years old he had nine children, the eldest of whom was married. Six of their ten children are living -- Mattie E. is the wife of G. W. Smith, of Seymour; William A. resides in Harper County, Kansas; Clara, Otto and Gertrude are at home. Their eldest daughter, Mrs. Eliza Clark, died in 1884. Three children died in infancy. In politics Mr. Fox has until recently been an advocate of the principals of the Democratic party, but of late has given his suffrage in favor of the Greenback party. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Biographical And Historical Record Of Wayne And Appanoose Counties Iowa 1886 Inter-State Publishing Co. 113 Adams Street Chicago Page 443 - 444