My Genealogy Hound

ALANSON J. FOX. One of the most notable examples of success furnished by the history of Niles’ mercantile enterprises is that of the firm of A. J. Fox & Son, which has enjoyed a steady expansion of its trade and increase in its facilities from its original establishment in 1870 to the present time. The store is a substantial building, 22x80 feet in dimensions, two stories being utilized for the stock, which consists of a full line of dry goods, carpets, oil-cloth, curtains, etc.

The senior member of the firm, Alanson J. Fox, was born in the city of Jackson, Mich., January 31, 1837. His father, Alanson Fox, was a native of New York State, and was born thirty miles south of Buffalo. He followed the trade of a ship-carpenter and wheelwright, and erected the first flouring-mill in Jackson, this State. He had removed with his family to this city in 1836, and died eight years afterward. His wife was Caroline J., daughter of Gilbert L. Harrison, and a native of New York. After the death of Mr. Fox, she married again and died in Michigan, in 1880, The youngest in order of birth of four children, our subject passed his boyhood days in Jackson until the age of twelve years. Being a stepson, matters became very unpleasant at home, and accordingly at that age he started out among strangers and commenced the battle of life for himself. His entire possessions consisted of an ordinary suit of clothes and seventy-five cents in money, with which, and a considerable amount of determination and courage, he started on foot to the home of his married sister, Mrs. Howe, who then resided in Berrien County. He had not gone very far when it commenced to rain, and his clothes were soon drenched. He traveled along until late in the evening, when he stopped at a house and asked if he could stay all night. Supposing him to be a runaway boy, the man refused to keep him and advised him to go home.

With this rebuff, the weary lad once more faced the elements. The road along which he traveled was skirted on both sides by timber, and, being wet, hungry and tired, he sat down on a log and meditated upon how to pass the night. He soon regained his usual courage and resumed his journey. At the next house he was met at the door by a lady who invited him in, placed before him an appetizing supper and gave him dry clothes, putting his suit before the fire to dry. The next morning after breakfast she had him tell his story, and in sympathy with him offered him $2 to aid him in reaching his sister’s. At the same time, with tears in her eyes, she gave him some good advice, for which he has always held her in the highest esteem.

Arriving at his sister’s house, our subject attended school in that vicinity the following winter, and then returned to Jackson and spent the summer. He then joined his sister and brother-in-law at Buchanan, this county, where he attended the schools for one winter. Later he secured employment on the Rock Island Railroad, near Geneseo, Ill., and did carpenter work and was variously engaged until he reached his twentieth year. At that age he entered the employ of Samuel Griffin, of Niles, Mich., and occupied a clerical position in his store for three years. Later he purchased fifty-three acres near Buchanan, where he engaged in farming for three years, and then, returning to Niles, engaged as clerk for H. Eastman for five years. He then embarked in the dry-goods business. Sixteen months afterward he sold the stock and became a traveling salesman, his route including the States of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

In 1873 Mr. Fox formed a partnership with George W. Dougan under the firm name of Fox & Dougan, and they conducted a large trade in dry goods for five years, after which they divided the stock. Our subject continued merchandising alone until 1885, when he took into partnership his son, Carl J., the title of the firm being changed to A. J. Fox & Son. Subsequently another son, Harry L., was taken into the firm, the title remaining the same as before. These two sons are the only children of Mr. and Mrs. Fox. The latter was Miss Salina A. Diewett, and prior to her marriage followed the profession of a teacher in Rochester, N. Y., and Michigan. The religious home of the family is in the Presbyterian Church, in which they are active workers and liberal contributors. In politics, Mr. Fox is a Republican, but is not a partisan in his preferences. Socially, he is a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M.