1881 personal census, Gosfield Twp, Essex Co., ON, LDS 1881
census household record:
Fox William J., M, Married, 41, born Ont, origin: German, Wesleyan Methodist, Farmer;
Tabitha, F, Married, 39, born Ont, origin: Scottish, Wesleyan Methodist;
Prian, M, 21, born Ont, origin: German, Weslayan Methodist;
Carrie, F, 16, born Ont, origin: German, Weslayan Methodist;
Cora, F, 12, born Ont, origin: German, Weslayan Methodist;
Arthur, M, 9, born Ont, origin: German, Weslayan Methodist;
Ethel, F, 3, born Ont, origin: German, Weslayan Methodist.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 422-423:
William J. Fox, a prosperous farmer and dealer in moulding sand in the township of Gosfield South, County of Essex, is a son of Henry Fox and grandson of Jonas Fox.
Henry Fox was born in Gosfield April 1, 1807, and there grew to manhood, during his boyhood attending the Master McMurry school, one mile west of his home. In time he came into possession of 100 acres of Lot 9, where he occupied the large frame house, carrying on farming, clearing off the land as rapidly as possible. He died June 22, 1852, worn out with his labors. For many years he was a prominent figure in the Methodist Church, and served as a class-leader for a long time.
Henry Fox married Margaret Willian, who as a child came from England with her parents, and they located in Tilbury East, County of Kent. She died in 1847, and was buried in the cemetery on the home farm. By this marriage Henry Fox had children as follows: Susan (deceased) married N. J. Sears, and lived at Essex. Elizabeth, the widow of Joseph Wigle, resides at Ruthven, Ont. Thomas is a farmer in Gosfield North. Henry, a farmer of Gosfield, married Linnie Stewart, and has one daughter, Maud. William J. is mentioned below. Hugh (deceased) lived in Leamington, where he married Jane Hyatt, and carried on a livery and butchering business. John (deceased) married Demarius Stewart, and died at Windsor in April, 1903. Henry Fox married for his second wife Rebecca Wigle, and they had one son, Sylvester, who died in Leamington, unmarried.
William J. Fox was born in Gosfield South, on the farm where he now resides, March 13, 1840. He attended as a visitor, one day, the Master McMurry school. Later he went to the Jasper Golden school, and at the age of twelve years he began farm work, receiving five dollars per month. In time he became engaged in buying cattle for the Walkers, a business he carried on for sixteen years. In 1867 Mr. Fox began developing the business of handling moulding sand, cobble stones and building sand, and found it so profitable that he has since continued in this line, with almost uniform success. He has seventy-four acres of Lot 9, the homestead farm, and in addition to carrying on his sand business has completed the clearing up of his property, where he carries on general farming, and is recognized as one of the representative farmers of his neighbourhood. In religious affairs he and his family are identified with the Methodist Church of Ruthven. Politically he is a Conservative.
On March 30, 1859, William J. Fox married Tabitha, daughter of Abel Stewart, and to them have been born children as follows: Orian married Elizabeth Chase, and their children are Percy and Lottie; he is a farmer on Lot 9, in the township of Gosfield South. Carrie married Leonard Wigle, a farmer on Lot 8, Gosfield South. Cora is the wife of L. A. Bossey, of Harrow, Ont. Arthur married Ella Shanks, and their children are Marvel and Gerald; he is a farmer on a portion of Lot 9, Gosfield South. Ethel is the wife of Charles E. Baker, a druggist of Cheboygan, Michigan. William J. Fox and his children are very important members of society wherever they are located, and they are worthy representatives of the good old name handed down to them. Mr. Fox himself is an excellent and honorable business man, and one who stands high, not only in Gosfield South, but throughout the county. His success has come to him through hard work and honest dealings, and is well merited. Fraternally he unites with the I.O.O.F. at Essex.
Ethel
Fox
Orlan Fox 1859-
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