DAVID FOX.

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         An extensive landowner and agriculturist of Louisa county is David Fox, who is now living retired in Columbus Junction, enjoying in the latter years of his life the ease and comfort attained through the industry and application of his early manhood. His birth occurred in southern Canada, on the 22d of December, 1846, his parents being Charles and Hannah (Lefler) Fox, who removed to Illinois with their family in 1857, locating in Rock Island county, where he passed away in 1866. The mother, however, survived until 1879. Of their union there were born eleven children, in the following order: Mary; John, who was a member of the Ninety-third Illinois Infantry and was killed at the Battle of Champion’s Hill; Simon E., who is deceased; Sophie and William, who died in infancy; Samuel B., a resident of Illinois; Frank, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in Texas; Charles, who lives in Iowa; George and Fannie, both deceased; and David.

         The last named, who was eleven years of age when his parents came to the United States, began his education in the schools of Canada. This was later supplemented by a course in the public schools of Illinois. After the completion of his education he remained at home assisting his father in operating the farm until the latter passed away. He then began working for himself by farming as a renter for sixteen years. In 1882 he came to Louisa county, where he bought one hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivated for five years. At the expiration of that period he rented two hundred and forty acres for two years and then purchased four hundred and fifty-two and a half acres in Union township. After operating this for ten years he disposed of it and purchased two . . .

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. . . hundred and ninety acres elsewhere in the same township. He also sold out again after ten years and retired to Columbus Junction, where he owns a fine residence and four building lots. While residing in the country, although engaging in general farming, he devoted much attention to the raising of stock.

         Mr. Fox’s plans for a home had their culmination in his marriage on the 1st of January, 1867, to Miss Martha Hahn, a daughter of John and Serena (Meadows) Hahn. Her father was a native of Germany and the mother of Missouri, but both are now deceased. Unto them were born thirteen children: Jerry, who is a resident of Davenport; Thomas, who is deceased; Anna, the wife of Colman Brayton, of Illinois City; Martha, now Mrs. Fox; Peter, who is deceased; John and William, residents of Illinois City; Robert, a resident of Polk county, Iowa; Hiram, who lives in Columbus Junction; Rebecca; Adam; and two others who died in infancy. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Fox was blessed with seven children: Belle and Serena, both of whom are deceased; James, who is living in Canada; Leonard, of Columbus Junction; Della, the wife of Frank Duncan, of Columbus Junction; Elmer, who is living in Canada; and Virgie, who is at home.

         Mr. and Mrs. Fox are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he votes with the republican party. While residing in the country he always took an active interest in township affairs and held some of the minor offices. Mr. Fox is one of the highly regarded citizens of Columbus Junction who well merits the success which has rewarded his well directed efforts, as he started out in life at the age of twenty practically empty-handed.