Samuel J. Finley

Samuel J. Fox, son of Julius W. and Mary E. (Johnston) Fox, was born in Richland county, O., January 28, 1835. His father was a native of New York, where he was born in 1796. His mother, a native of Pennsylvania, was born 1804. They removed to Ohio from New York at an early day, and again in 1848 to Wisconsin, settled in Richland county, thus passing through the pioneer period of two States. There, in 1860, Mr. Fox., Sr., passed way, being preceded to the grave two years by his wife. Samuel J. Fox assisted his parents on the farm, or attending the pioneer district school in his early years. In his twenty-second year he married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Rhoda Myers, who was born in Ohio, December 31, 1840. Her parents removed to Indiana, where her father died. Her mother remarried, and in a short time was again a widow. She removed with her family to Wisconsin, and settled in Richland county, Wis., in 1850, and there Mary met Mr. Fox, to whom she was married April 2,1857. Mr. Fox followed farming one year after this event, then joined a prospecting party, and went to Colorado; engaged in mining for one year, when he returned to his home at Richland Centre, Wis., and the same fall moved to Princeville, Ill., and engaged in the mercantile business. Remaining there a short time, he moved to Wyoming, Ill., where he remained about two years. He then purchased a store at West Jersey, where he is now proprietor of a general store in the village and of a stock farm close by. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are the parents of seven children, namely: William W., Charles L., Frank A., Rollin S., Gilbert T., Ernest A., and Effie M., all at home. They are members of the Presbyterian church, and are interested in all movements of a charitable or progressive nature. Mr. Fox is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Republican. He served as postmaster at West Jersey twelve years; has also been elected and reflected township clerk, and has been vice-president of the Agricultural Society of Stark county.