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Below is a family biography included in The History of Texas 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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James C. Fox. Prominent among the farming and stock raising representatives of Texas County, Mo., stands the name of James C. Fox, who was born in Haywood County, Tenn., March 9, 1833, and is one of twelve children, four now living, born to William and Susan (Campbell) Fox. The parents were, respectively, of Tennessee and Alabama, and after marriage they lived for some time in Haywood County, Tenn. About 1840 they came to Texas County, Mo., in an ox-wagon, drawn by three yoke of oxen, and there made their home. He was a small farmer, but was a great lover of the chase, and died in the prime of manhood. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Methodist Church, South. The mother is also a member of that church, and is still living, being eighty-five years of age. Their son, James C. Fox, was reared on the farm, and had very limited educational advantages. He was but a lad when his father died, and he was obliged to hire out. His father had bought a farm on credit, and it being taken he had to help support his mother and the younger children. In 1856 he married Miss Martha E. Martin, a native of Tennessee, and to them were born nine children, six now living: Nancy C., William B., Susan E., James M., Mary M. and Thomas O. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fox are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After marriage they settled in Sherrill Township, and with the exception of about two years have lived there ever since 1840. He owns 200 acres of land, with about 100 under cultivation, and although he started a poor boy, he now is ready to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He is a Democrat in his political views.

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This family biography is one of 110 biographies included in The History of Texas County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Texas County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Texas County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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