Harry Francis Fox^[1]

1849 - 1932  (82 years)

• Name	Harry Francis Fox  [2, 3]
  Born	15 April 1849	Lydlinch, Dorset, England   [4, 5]
  	Donahoo says “Dorchester” Month and day confirmed by Agnes
  Gender	Male
  Alias/AKA	Harry Fox; Francis Harry Fox
  Immigration	1872	England   [6]
  Occupation	1861 (age 11) Agricultural Laborer; >1872: Oil producer  [7]
  Residence	1851-61: Lydlinch, Dorset, England; Bradford, Pa.  [8]
  Died	1 March 1932	Fort Lauderdale, Broward Co., Florida, USA   [9]
  Person ID	I70841	Clan Moffat Genealogy
  Last Modified	23 June 2007

  
  

  Family/Spouse	Jane Anne Tait,   b. 17 February 1857, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. 29 September 1899, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA  (Age 42 years)
  Married	10 July 1877	possibly, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA   [4]
  	Donahoo says July 7
  Children	+ 1. Thomas Tate Fox,   b. 17 January 1879, Babcock’s Mill, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. 1932, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA  (Age 52 years) + 2. Dr. Francis Harry Fox,   b. 22 August 1881, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. about 30 March 1958, Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada, USA  (Age 76 years) + 3. Estella Clara Fox,   b. November 1882, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. about 30 April 1949, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California, USA  (Age ~ 66 years) + 4. Alice Ethel Fox,   b. 6 April 1883, Derrick City, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. 1 June 1972, Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire, USA  (Age 89 years) + 5. Howard Edward Fox,   b. 3 June 1884, Foster Brook, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. about 24 April 1956, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA  (Age 71 years) + 6. Agnes Vivian Fox,   b. 22 April 1886, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. 22 April 1975, Bakersfield, Kern Co., California, USA  (Age 89 years) + 7. Earl Maurice Fox,   b. 7 May 1891, Babcock’s Mill, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. about 2 April 1971, Bradford, McKean Co., Pennsylvania, USA  (Age 79 years)
  Family ID	F49458	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  The patriarch of the Foxes, Francis Harry Fox came from England. He settled in Bradford, Pa. where he became a pioneer oil producer and owned a productive orchard. Bradford, located in the northwestern part of the state on the border with New York, ultimately became home to Tidewater Oil (Tydol), Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Kendall Oil. The story related by granddaughter Helen Fox Sarr is that he came from England alone as a young boy, with no money and one pair of shoes, and was troubled by foot problems for the rest of his life. He had a brother, Thomas, in England with whom he corresponded and who died a painful death, but beyond that nothing is known of the family. Lived in his old age with the family of his son, Thomas Tait Fox, whom he outlived by one year. Information below provided by Agnes Margaret Colegrove Fraser in 1989 and also an obituary for Harry. Francis Harry Fox immigrated to America in 1870 [1872] as the only member of his family to immigrate. He applied for Naturalization on February 27, 1883 which was granted on February 28,1885. He settled in Babcock Mills near Bradford, McKean Co., PA and lived there the rest of his life. He may have died in FT. Lauderdale, FL while wintering there. He sold the farm after all the children had married. He was a farmer all his life. Physical description: Blue eyes, Heavy white hair, ruddy fair/med complexion, average build, approximately 5'8" tall. He married the girl next door, Jane Ann Tait, age 15/16 years of age. She was a housewife with 7 children. Jane offered all the children the choice of a college education or an oil lease. Frank and all the girls chose a college education. [Majer Colegrove Family.FTW] Harry Fox was born April 15, 1849 in England. He came to America in 1870 [1872] . He applied for Naturalization Papers - Feb. 27, 1883. It was granted Feb. 28, 1885. Donald Fox, son of Earl Fox has the papers now. After Jane died, her sister, Lizzie Gallaher, and Lizzie’s daughter Annie Gallaher kept house for Harry. From “Pennsylvania —a History...” by George P Donahue: FRANCIS HARRY FOX [Harry Francis Fox] was among the first of the successful oil producers to settle at Bradford, and to discover for himself the value of the section to those who would cast in their lot with the practical workers. From 1879 and onwards, he has continued to be an oil worker and an oil producer, and today he is one of the best known men in this region, and indeed is one of the older men in the business, having been a practical witness of the advance of the oil well interests almost from the time they had begun to have their first popularity and place in American industry. A son of Thomas D. Fox, who lived and died in England, Francis Harry Fox was born April 15, 1849, in Dorchester [Dorsetshire], England, and he removed to Quebec, Canada, May 10, 1872, whence he came to New York City, and to Belvidere, New York [Near Belmont. Olean and Cuba, Western NY, near PA border]. On December 2, 1872, he removed to Foster Brook, and then to Bradford Township, that is now Foster Township, McKean County, where he engaged in the lumber business two years. He then removed successively to the states of Kansas and Michigan, where he spent six months in each as a lumberman. After two years of farming in Illinois, he returned to McKean County, and joined the oil-working interests. He began producing oil in this section in 1876, and has so continued to the present. He is well known and highly respected, having served as a school director of Foster Township, three years. Francis Harry Fox married, July 7, 1877, Jane A. Tait, daughter of Thomas Tait, a native of Scotland, and a blacksmith by trade, and Elizabeth (Moffett) [Moffat] Tait, also born in Scotland. Mr. Tait came to the United States in 1851, and first settled in McKean County, and later at Foster Brook, where he at first engaged in farming, and then drilled the first two oil wells at Foster Brook, Foster Township. His family were pioneers in this section, and they sold lumber and honey, and in order to dispose of their goods, they went down the Allegheny River to Oil City on a raft. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tait are: 1. Joseph, deceased. 2. Elizabeth, widow of Thompson Gallagher [Gallaher], and the only member of the family now residing at Bradford. 3. Agnes Snyder, who died at Marion. 4. Jeannette. 5. George, deceased, born at sea. 6. Thomas, Jr., deceased. 7. Jane Ann, died September 29, 1899, who married Francis H. Fox. The children of Francis H. and Jane A. Fox are: Thomas T., whose sketch follows; Dr. Francis, a practicing physician, at Hammond, Indiana; Estella, who married Frank Beam; Alice, who married Arthur Appleton; Howard E., who resides at Bradford; Agnes, who married Albert Colegrove; Earl M., of Bradford. Donahoo, George P., “Pennsylvania — a History...” [Biographical Sketches] Lewis Historical Publishing Co, New York & Chicago, 1926, p. 349. The following comes from the notes of Stella Fox Beam after interviewing Harry Harry Fox born April 15, 1849 at Lydlanch [Lydlinch], Dorsetshire. Harry came to America 1872--through Canada to lumbering in Foster Valley. Parents Thomas Fox and Sarah Poole --eight children. Jane, Ellen, Harry, Fanny, Thomas, Charles, Phoebe (Job died in infancy). {For some reason George Edward Fox b. 1861 is not listed. He lived at least until he was 9 years old!] Remembers seeing his maternal grandfather [Poole] coming to the house to see them (he only three years old)--walking with two canes --planting each before him with each step. His grandfather was a sailor and often told tales of pirates. Had been robbed of all aboard himself once--hated to see some new high-topped boots taken by pirates. Went to buy a cheese once and the man selling said he usually received four pence a pound but would sell it to him for "thri-pence." Grandfather walked away saying he would take favors from no man. Died around 75 or so. The maternal grandmother [Poole] lived to be 96 years old. Harry remembers a much-prepared-for the visit by the grandmother when she was in her eighties [1860s]. A great bustle getting ready for her to come. She walked the 30 mi. from Lydlinch [Dorset] to Christchurch [Hampshire] where Harry's father had moved. Remembered she had a ride in a wagon for a short part of the way--walked in "patent wooden shoes." Flat piece of wood about 1/4 inch thick--strap buckled over the toe-–wooden ring at heel --to keep shoes clean and feet dry. Another Biography from the web: http://www.rootsweb.com/~pamckean/mckeangenealogy.html: History of FOSTER Township from History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron, and Potter, Pennsylvania J.H. Beers, Chicago, 1890 HARRY FOX, farmer and oil producer, Bradford, was born in England, April 15, 1849, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Pool) Fox. Our subject immigrated to America in 1872, first locating in Allegany county, N.Y., and eight months later came to McKean county, where he engaged with the lumbering firm of Clark & Babcock, and remained two and one-half years. He then went to Ellsworth county, Kas., where he was in the hotel business, thence moved to and resided in Michigan and Illinois for two years. In 1876 he returned to McKean county, and in 1877 began to operate for oil. He now has nineteen wells, and a farm of thirty-five acres under cultivation. In July, 1877, he married Miss Jane A., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Tate, of Foster township, McKean county, and they have six children: Thomas, Francis, Estella, Alice, Howard and Agnes. Mr. Fox is a member of the Royal Templars of Temperance; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1851 England Census Name: Harry Fox Age: 1 Estimated birth year: abt 1850 Relation: Son Gender: Male Where born: Lydlinch, Dorset, England Civil parish: Lydlinch County/Island: Dorset Country: England Source information: HO107/1852 Registration district: Sturminster Sub-registration district: Stalbridge ED, institution, or vessel: 9 Folio: 137 Household schedule number: 13 GSU Number: 220999 1851 England Census Name: Thomas Fox Age: 29 Estimated birth year: abt 1822 Relation: Head Gender: Male Where born: Compton Abbas, Dorset, England Civil parish: Lydlinch County/Island: Dorset Country: England Street address: Haydon Common Occupation: Ag labourer Condition as to marriage: Married Registration district: Sturminster Sub-registration district: Stalbridge Household schedule number: 13 Household Members: Name Age Thomas Fox 29 head, ag labourer, b. Compton Abbas Sarah Fox 27 wife, glover, b. Lydlinch Jane Fox 6 dau, b. Lydlinch Ellen Fox 4 dau, b. Lydlinch Harry Fox 1 son, b. Lydlinch 1861 England Census Name: Thomas Fox Age: 41 Estimated birth year: abt 1820 Relation: Head Spouse's name: Sarah Gender: Male Where born: Compton Abbas, Dorset, England Civil parish: Lydlinch County/Island: Dorset Country: England Street address: Haydon Occupation: Agricultural Labourer Condition as to marriage: Married Registration district: Sturminster Sub-registration district: Stalbridge Household schedule number: 9 Household Members: Name Age Thomas Fox 41, head, Ag. Lab., b. Dorset, Compton Abbas Sarah Fox 37, wife, glover, b. Dorset, Lydlinch Ellen Fox 14, dau, glover, b. Dorset, Lydlinch Harry Fox 11, son, Ag. Lab, b. Dorset, Lydlinch Fanny Fox 5, dau, b. Hants, Christchurch Tom Fox 2, son, b. Hants, Christchurch George Fox 2 Mo., son, b. Dorset, Lydlinch The Federal census of 1880 lists Harry and Jane [Tait] Fox and their son Thomas living next door to the Thomas Tait family in Bradford/Foster, PA. The Foxes are: Harry Fox (30, Laborer) born in England of English parents, wife Jane (23, keeping house) b. in PA of Scottish parents, and son Thomas (2, at home) b. in PA. The Taits are: Thomas “Tate” (64. farmer) suffering from “Rheumatism” b. in Scotland, living in Bradford, PA. With him are his wife Elizabeth (64, Housekeeper) b. in Scotland, daughter “Jeanette” (30, at home) b. in Scotland, son George (28, Laborer) born in England [on the boat actually] and daughter “Mary” [Marian] (32, at home) b. iin Scotland. Also living with them are August Nelson (18, Servant) who was a laborer, Oslyn (Odyn?) Tate (2, adopted daughter) b. Penn (no info on parents birthplace. The 1900 Census lists Harry Fox (51, Oil Producer) born Apr. 1849 and living in Foster Township, McKean Co. PA. He immigrated in 1872, has lived 28 years in the country, and is a naturalized citizen. Living with him are son Francis H. (19, at school) b. Aug. 1881, Estella (17, at school) born Nov 1882), daughter Alice (17, at school) b. Apr. 1883, Howard (16, at school) born June 1883 [sic] daughter Agnes (14, at school) born Apr. 1886, and son Earl (9, at school) born May 1891. The 1910 Census lists Harry Fox (61) as a farmer working on the home farm in Foster Township. Living with him are Howard E (25) and Earl M. (18). Listed as a servant (occupation cook) is Annie J. Milne (44) This may be Annie Gallaher, daughter of Aunt Lizzie Gallaher, who was a practical nurse and tended Harry. But her married name was supposedly Johnson. Also residing with them is a boarder, Paul Hindling (40) The 1920 Census lists Harry F. Fox (70, oil producer) as living with one Anncastle (??) Hughes (73, housekeeper), and next to son Thomas T. Fox on Derrick City Road in Foster Brook, PA. The census of 1930 indicates his name was Francis Harry Fox, not “Harry Francis Fox” as I (Alaric Faulkner) had thought (and still do). He was at this time living alone in a rented apartment on 16 Tibbits Avenue in Bradford, PA in a house owned by James P. Braccaccini. The rent was $64. His year of immigration is clearly given as 1872. He was a retired widower, and so no occupation is given. Harry apparently came over on the Sarmation from Liverpool, although the microfilm image of the passenger list is Very faint, and the age given is too young. Passenger Lists, 1865-1922 Ship: SARMATIAN Shipping Line: Montreal Ocean Steamship Company Departure Port and Date (yyyy/mm/dd): Liverpool, England - [1872-05-16] Londonderry, Ireland - [1872-05-17] Port and Date of Arrival: Quebec, Que. - 1872-05-26 Remarks: List Number: 22 Reference: RG 76 Microfilm: C-4527 Sarmation, arrived at Quebec on May 26, 1872. Harry Fox, Single male age 18 Laborer, English, embarking at Liverpool, destination Quebec., , , , , , , , , , , , , , , [2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]

  
  

• Sources

  [S1398] GEDCOM file from file “AdamMoffatDesends”, submitted by Alaric Faulkner. [S1362] Reminiscences of Elizabeth Tait Gallaher -- Notes of Estella Fox Beam, Harry Fox Notes, pp. 47-48. [S1330] US Federal Census, 1930. [S1363] Donahoo, George P., (Lewis Historical Publishing Co, New York & Chicago, 1926). [S1364] England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index: 1837-1983, 1849 Q2 Apr-May-Jun, Sturminster, Dorset. [S1330] US Federal Census, 1900. [S1365] England Census, 1861: Lydlinch, Dorset, England. [S1365] England Census, 1851, 1861: Lydlinch, Dorset, England. [S1350] Family Trees search, Ancestry.com, Michelle Robinson, “Fox Papers”. [S1363] Donahoo, George P., (Lewis Historical Publishing Co, New York & Chicago, 1926), P 349. [S1366] (J. H. Beers, Chicago, 1890), p. 47 1. [S1350] Family Trees search, Ancestry.com, County history repeated by Michelle Robinson. [S1365] England Census, 1851: Lydlinch, Dorset, England. [S1365] England Census, 1851: Haydon Common, Lydlinch, Dorset, England. [S1330] US Federal Census, June 1, 1880, Bradford and Foster, PA. [S1330] US Federal Census, 1910. [S1330] US Federal Census, 1920. [S1367] Canada Passenger Lists, 1865-1922, Canada Archives and Library, Passenger Lists, 1865-1922, SARMATIAN.