My Genealogy Hound

HENRY F. FOX is one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers in Sheridan township, and was born in Polk county, Mo., Sept 26, 1841. He is the son of Elijah and Sarah Fox, who were natives of Tennessee. They had four children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. He had a limited education, and worked on the farm in Polk county until 1860. He then went to Texas, and was there when Bulah went through that state. He was in Dallas when the village of Benton was burned. It was supposed that the negroes burned the towns of Benton and Dallas, and there was a committee appointed to investigate. They found three of the ringleaders guilty, and Mr. Fox was in Dallas at the time they were executed. On Aug. 9th, 1860, he returned to Polk county, Mo., went to school that winter, farmed the following summer, and then enlisted for six months in the Home Guards. After the regiment disbanded he returned to his home. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company D, went to Lynn Creek, Mo., and Harrisonville; was in a fight at the latter place, and the next battle was at Jefferson City. He raided all through Missouri, and was skirmishing almost every day. He was mustered out March 1, 1863, and returned to Polk county and engaged for three years in farming. In August, 1862, he was married to S. C. Mitchell, daughter of J. W. and Estra Mitchell, natives of Tennessee. Mr. Fox moved and located on his present farm of 200 acres in Jan., 1869, which he has well improved and has 110 acres under cultivation, with a good orchard and good buildings. Mr. Fox handles about 100 head of hogs and the same number of cattle, and has as fine a farm as there is in the county. He has seven children: Leonidas L., Lillie L., Jerome C., Nora M., Josephine, Clay, and Frederick. Mr. Fox, in politics, is a Republican. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Fox is a member of the Masonic order. His reputation for fair and honorable dealing has won him his large and successful business.