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FRANCIS MELVIN FOX. In the death of the late Francis M. Fox, Cotton Hill Township lost a worthy citizen and excellent farmer. The estate upon which he had been living for several years consists of two hundred and forty acres and bears a full line of improvements with which persons of good taste surround themselves. The land was carefully and thoroughly tilled, made to produce abundantly, and in the quality of the crops raised compared favorably with others in the township.
Mr. Fox was born in Frederick County, Md., March 16, 1837. He was living in this State when the Civil War began and on July 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. He served only until February 17, 1863, when by reason of physical disability, he was compelled to accept his discharge. June 11 of that year he married and set up his home near Riverton. He afterward rented land in different parts of the county until the spring of 1883, when he purchased the estate now occupied by his widow. He operated it until stricken by a fatal illness which caused his demise, May 31, 1890. He belonged to the Christian Church, and in every department of life endeavored to walk in the light of percepts of the Gospel. He therefore won the respect of his acquaintances, gained the esteem of those who knew him best, and left behind him an example which will not be without its effect in the years to come.
The wife of Mr. Fox bore the maiden name of Mary F. Lanham. She was born in DeWitt County July 23, 1845, and remained with her parents until her marriage to our subject. Her father, the late Hudson Lanham, was born either in Kentucky or Indiana, and her mother, formerly Sarah King, was a native of Kentucky. Both came to this county with their parents, the one when sixteen and the other when ten years old. Their marriage was solemnized in this county and they lived in different parts of it and the State. Mr. Lanham was a farmer, but during the last four years of his life was employed as ticket agent at Riverton on the Wabash Railroad. There he died in January 1862, Mrs. Lanham died at the same place in the fall of 1869. They had ten children, four sons and six daughters, Mrs. Fox being the eldest.
To our subject and his wife six children were born, four of whom are now living. These are Abraham M., Jenny, Edward and Lulu. Jenny is the wife of Christopher Ginther. The deceased children died in infancy. Mrs. Fox is a member of the Christian Church and, like her deceased husband, has made it her constant endeavor to live in accordance with the principles in which she believes. She has won many friends by her earnest efforts in behalf of the comfort and welfare of her family and her interest in every movement which promises to better the condition of society and increase the material prosperity of the citizens.