Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Judge Henry C. Fox
Henry Clay Fox, judge of the circuit court of Wayne county, and a distinguished jurist of eastern Indiana, was born near West Elkton, Preble county, Ohio, on the 20th day of January, 1836, a son of Levi and Rebecca (Inman) Fox, the former of English and the latter of Irish lineage. On the paternal side he is descended from the celebrated Fox family of England that furnished to that nation some of its most eminent and prominent representatives. His grandfather, Thomas Fox, was a native of New Jersey and there spent his entire life, devoting his energies to farming. He was quiet and unassuming in manner, but merited and gained the high regard of his neighbors and friends. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Pitman, and was a native of New York. Levi Fox also was a native of New Jersey, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. In 1810 he removed to Preble county, Ohio, where he was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1867. He was a practical, progressive and enterprising farmer and met with very gratifying success in his undertaking. His wife passed away in 1846. In politics he was an ardent Whig, and a great admirer and a supporter of Henry Clay, whose name he bestowed upon his young son, - the future judge of the Wayne county circuit court. Both he and his wife were active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their labors largely promoted its usefulness. Mr. Fox took a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare, and was one of the prime movers of the Eaton & Hamilton Railroad, doing much good to secure its location and completion. He was public-spirited, loyal to American institutions, and by his activity in public affairs, as well as by his upright character, won the respect of all with whom he came in contact.
Judge Fox spent the days of his childhood and youth in the place of his nativity, and having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools continued his studies in Whitewater College, in Centerville, Indiana. In 1860 he removed from Preble county to Centerville, which was then the county seat of Wayne county, and began the study of law under the direction of George W. Julian, a very able attorney, who recently died in Irvington, Indiana. After pursuing a thorough course and largely familiarizing himself with the underlying principles of jurisprudence, Mr. Fox was admitted to the bar in 1861, but, instead of devoting his energies to building up a practice, he put aside all personal considerations and offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company C, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry. He was made first lieutenant and served for thirteen months, at the end of which time he was forced to resign on account of failing health. During that time, however, he participated in the hard-fought battle of Pittsburg Landing.
After his return home Lieutenant Fox began the practice of law, and for that purpose formed a partnership with Judge Nimrod H. Johnson, under the name of Johnson & Fox. Judge Johnson was the father of the Hon. Henry U. Johnson, late representative in congress from this district. In 1875 Judge Fox removed from Centerville to Richmond, and has since made his home in this city. He opened an office and successfully engaged in practicing law. In 1862 Judge Fox was elected district attorney for the common-pleas district, composed of the counties of Wayne, Union, Fayette and Franklin. In 1864 he was re-elected, serving in all four years in this office. In the year 1878 Mr. Fox was elected judge of the Wayne superior court, which office he held until the office was abolished. On the 25th day of August, 1892, he was, by Governor Chase, appointed a judge on the appellate bench of Indiana. He was nominated for this position in that year by the Republican party. At the regular fall election he was defeated with the balance of the Republican ticket. In the year 1896 Judge Fox was elected judge of the seventeenth judicial circuit of Indiana, which position he now holds. Judge Fox commands the respect and attention of the bar who practice before him, as well as of the voters who elected him.
In politics the Judge has been an ardent Republican all his life, uncompromising in his political views. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is now a member of the Richmond Lodge, Richmond, Indiana.
In May, 1861, Judge Fox was married to Helen S. Linsley, of Trumbull county, Ohio. She was of Scotch and Welsh descent. She was at the time he married her a teacher of music, and they first met in the town of Sevenmile, Butler county, Ohio, where Miss Linsley was teaching music for the celebrated Professor Hanby, who was the author of the well known song, “Nellie Gray, “ and other popular ballads.
Judge Fox and his wife now have three living children: Francis L. fox is an attorney in the city of Richmond. Frederick H. Fox was, in December, 1898, by the federal government, appointed in the postal service for Cuba, and was assigned to the city of Bayamo, military station No. 22, in the province of Santiago de Cuba, as postmaster. This position he held until May, 1899, when he was transferred to Baracoa, in the same province, at which place he now is acting as postmaster. Florence J. Fox is the third child. She is an artist of rare ability, he specialty being in oil painting of animals. She also excels as a painter of portraits. She was for some time a pupil under Professor Bell, of New York.
The Judge has also had some experience in literary matters, having a very fine library of miscellaneous books. He, as a matter of recreation, has indulged in some literary work, principally of a humorous character. He won considerable reputation by the publication of a book entitled “The Adventures of a Philosopher, a Dun Mule and Brindle Dog,” of which two editions were quickly sold. The book is now out of print and probably will never be reprinted. The Judge has never been a society man, but has all of his life been a hard worker, confining himself to his profession and to his family.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899