Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Fox, Henry 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 5:55 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Fox, Henry (deceased) – In the death of Henry Fox, Dwight, Ill., lost a 
substantial and well-known citizen, one who had spent thirty-two years of his 
life there.  Mr. Fox was born in Rentlingen, Germany, October 4, 1833, and 
came to America in 1854, landing in New York City October 4, and going direct 
to Milwaukee, Wis.  There he remained for a few years, after which, he went to 
St. Louis, Mo., where he was engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store.  He then 
removed to Mt. Pulaski, Ill., where he clerked for some time, later becoming 
owner of a dry goods store and continued a mercantile life until the breaking 
out of the Civil War in April, 1861.  He enlisted for three months with the 
Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  Later he re-enlisted in Company H, One 
Hundred and Sixth Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until the 
fall of 1863, when he became captain of the Fifty-ninth Colored Infantry, 
remaining until January 31, 1866, when he was honorably discharged, having met 
with the misfortune of having his horse shot under him, the fall crushing his 
ankle and making him a cripple for life.  During his years of army life he was 
wounded three times.  After his military service he located at Lincoln, Ill., 
where he was employed in a lumber office until 1874, moving from there to 
Dwight, Ill., where he took charge of the William Scully land, which embraced 
about 12,000 acres in Grundy and Livingston Counties, which position he held 
until his death, September 3, 1906.  His burial was in Oak Lawn cemetery, 
Dwight, Ill.

Mr. Fox’s first wife was Magdalene Mayer, a native of Mt. Pulaski, Ill., who 
died in 1879.  To them were born the following children:  William, who died in 
1898; Henry, of Nelson, Neb.; Anna; Mrs. Benjamin Showalter, of Davenport, 
Neb.; Lydia, who lives with Mrs. Fox; Lewis, of Kansas City, Mo.; Susan, a 
teacher of painting in Chicago; Pauline; Mrs. Alonzo Emans, of Florida; and 
Daniel, of Hall City, Fla.  Mr. Fox’s second marriage occurred October 28, 
1880, with Miss Harriet Chamberlain, who was born in Western New York, a 
daughter of William and Nancy (Jackson) Chamberlain, the former born in 
Vermont, and the latter in New York, both dying in New York State.

Mr. Fox was highly educated, having attended educational institutions in 
Stuttgart, Germany.  He was at one time a German Lutheran, but, after coming 
to Dwight, became associated with the Presbyterian Church.  In political 
views, he was a Republican and served Dwight as Mayor several terms and was 
also a member of the Town Board.  He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., of 
Dwight; Wilmington Chapter No. 513, R. A. M.; Blaney Commandery of Morris; 
Council of Streator.  He belonged to the Dwight Encampment No. 126, I. O. O. 
F., of which organization he was a member for forty-eight years.  He belonged 
also to the Grundy Army of the Republic No. 626, Dwight Post, and was a member 
of the military order of the Loyal Legion of Illinois.  Enterprising and 
progressive, he was looked upon as one of his city’s representative men, and 
was highly esteemed by all.

page 811

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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