FRANK J. FOX Frank J. Fox. The career of Mr. Fox presents an example of industry, perseverance and good management, rewarded by substantial results, well worthy the imitation of all. He was born in Portland, Mich., a son of Samuel and Matilda (Gardner) Fox, the birth of the latter occurring August 9, 1820, near the village of Wichurch, Shropshire, England. She came with her father to America in 1830, and on the 28th of October landed at New York City. The following May they removed to a farm in Ontario County, N.Y., soon after to Yates County, and on April 1, 1835, Mrs. Fox started for Michigan in company with the family of Almeran Newman, arriving at Portland May 23, 1835. In November 1850, she mover to Grand Haven, and there was married to G. T. Woodbury, and there she continued to make her home until April 14, 1862, when she settled with her husband in Ottawa County, this State, and there continued to reside until her death. She was first married to Samuel J. Fox, August 16, 1838, at Portland, and by him became the mother of two sons: Charles D., and Frank J.; and by her second husband also had two sons: Jesse G. T. and Warren H. Mrs. Woodbury was a lady of intelligence and noble character and was a devout Christian, being a member of the Congregational Church at the time of her death, although formerly a Methodist. Frank J. Fox was born May 3, 1849, and until thirteen years of age attended the schools of Grand Haven. He then came to the farm with his mother and stepfather, and here attended the district schools. He commenced life for himself at the age of twenty-one, but remained with his mother until her death. He then turned his attention to lumbering and the sawmill business, and in the years 1881-1882 put up a mill of his own on section 31, where it still stands in the most heavily timbered section of the county. For the first few years he cut from one to one and a-half million feet of lumber annually, his marketing being done by means of Grand River at Bass River Landing, and also by rail. Mr. Fox is one of the oldest settlers of the county, and has been prominent in its affairs. He has filled many township offices, from School Director, which he held for eleven years, to Supervisor, and has also ably filled the position of Justice of the Piece. In 1880 he was elected Township Supervisor by a majority of one hundred and eighty over his opponent, and again in 1891. In 1890 he was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, but resigned this office April 27, 1891. In the spring of 1893 he was again elected to the position almost unanimously. April 25, 1891, he was married to Miss Jenett Alexander, a native of Canada, and a daughter of William and Amanda ( Miller) Alexander, who were born in Scotland and Canada respectively. Mr. Alexander was a sailor in his younger days, but in early life came to America, and is now a resident of Georgetown Township. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have eight children living: Mary, wife of Alonzo Wilcox; Hugh, of Grand Rapids; Jenett; Robert; James; Grace, wife of Delbert Christler; Samuel; and Jean, now Mrs. Chester Horton, of Jamestown, Mich. Mrs. Fox is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which she is an active worker, and she belongs to several missionary societies. Mr. Fox has always been a prominent Republican, and is one of the most thrifty and successful farmers in the county. He purchased his first farm in 1880, containing one hundred and sixty-three acres, partially improved, and now has eighty acres under a high state of cultivation, magnificently improved with splendid barns, outbuildings and residence. In 1858 or 1859 he purchased seventy-one acres adjoining, of which sixty were improved, and on this place was a large and thrifty orchard of six acres, principally of apple trees. Mr. Fox is engaged in general farming and makes a specialty of Percheron horses, having a nice herd of this breed. He is a stockholder in the creamery at Allendale, a stockholder in the County Fair Association, and also in the gravel road from Grand Haven to Grand Rapids. In all the enterprises attempted by him he has been successful, and this has been in a great measure due to honest hard work and close attention to his business interests.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 16 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index