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Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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W. N. C. C. A. Fox, one who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Polk County, Mo., and who resides two miles southeast from Fair Play, was born in Polk County, Mo., October 15, 1844, and is the son of Silas and Martha A. (Akard) Fox. The maternal grandfather, who was a native of Germany, emigrated to the United States in childhood, and settled in South Carolina, moving from there to Tennessee. In 1831 he moved to Gasconade County, Mo., in 1832, to Polk County (then Greene County), and died soon after arriving here. The maternal grandmother was a native of South Carolina, and was married in that State. She was the mother of eleven children, four of whom survive. She died October 13, 1869. Silas Fox was born in Williamson County, Tenn., February 4, 1818, and grew to manhood in that county. He removed to Polk County, Mo., with his parents in 1834, and was married to Miss Akard in 1841. He was in the Seminole War a few months, and was also in the Enrolled Missouri Militia during the late unpleasantness. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died April 4, 1877, at the old homestead, two miles south west of Fair Play. His wife, Martha A. (Akard) Fox, born March 22, 1822, was a native of Tennessee, and was the daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Akard. She came with her parents to Polk County, Mo., when twelve years of age. She was the mother of six children, four now living: William N. C., C. A., Henry C, John A. and James A. The mother of these children died at the old homestead in Polk County, Mo., July 19, 1864. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. N. C. C. A. Fox grew to manhood in Polk County, Mo., and received a fair education in the common schools. He entered the Missouri State Militia, Company D, Eighth Regiment, March 1, 1862, and served four months and eighteen days, and was in the battle of Humansville; afterwards he served in the Twenty-sixth Enrolled Missouri Militia. After the war he returned home, and entered Bolivar Academy, where he remained one term. He was married July 18, 1868, to Miss Amanda Appleby, and removed to Cedar County, Mo., December 15, 1868, where he remained five years. He then returned to Polk County, Mo., February 13, 1876, and has been a resident of this county ever since. After leaving Bolivar Academy he taught school for three years. He is a Mason, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Union League, also belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Fox was born in Polk County, Mo., November 28, 1845, and is the daughter of James and Nancy (Lane) Appleby. She taught school five years, from 1863 to 1868, and was very successful. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox five children, of whom two, Ida A., born July 13, 1869, died February 9, 1886; Amy J., born January 10, 1871, died July 12, 1887. An infant daughter, born July 13, 1872, died the same day. James E., born September 8, 1874, and Robert S., born November 20, 1880, survive. Mrs. Fox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as were Ida A. and Amy J.

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This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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