Page:One of a thousand.djvu/245

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

FOX. FOX. 231 several occasions, his oratorical abilities were conspicuously manifest, especially in one oration, entitled "The Two Civiliza- tions," which has been published, and a nut her given upon the ever memorable field of Gettysburg. [n 1864 and '65 he was the commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, and was one of the delegation of that historic organiza- tion at the three hundred and fiftieth anni- versary of the parent corps — the Honour- able Artillery Company of London — held in London during tTte jubilee period of Queen Victoria, in 1887. JAMES A. FOX. In civil life Mr. Fox has had a somewhat extended experience, having been a mem- ber "!' the school committee of Boston for three years, and a member of the Legisla- ture in both its branches — in the Mouse of Representatives in 1867 am! '68, and in the Senate in 1S70 and '71. While in the last named branch he delivered a merited and eloquent eulogy upon the life and military services of Major-General George H. Thomas, then recently deceased. After lus removal to the university-city of Cambridge, in i8;j. he served for two years in the aldermanic board, and subse- quently as mayor for four consecutive terms. He is identified as an active officer or member with several of the prominent beneficiary orders of the country, such as the Independent ( >rder of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of Pythias ; in the latter named body he has been grand chancellor of Massachusetts, supreme representative to the national branch, and judge-advocate- general of the uniform rank, upon the staff of Commander-in-chief Major-General Carnahan, of Indiana. In the world-wide institution of Free Masonry, he has attained the very highest grade. Commencing with the " blue lodge " he has advanced through all the series of degrees of York and Scottish rites — the chapter, cryptic masonry, the commandery (K. 'I'.), the consistory, unto the sovereign grand inspector-generalship of the thirty-third and last degree, and in most of these he has served as the presid- ing officer. As a legislator, municipal chief-magis- trate, soldier, orator, or officer of fraternal beneficiary societies, he has ever discharged his varied duties with ability and faithful- ness. FOX, Willi am Henry, son of Henry Hodges and Sarah Ann (Burt) Fox, was born in Taunton, Bristol county, August -9. '- s 37- His early educational training was re- ceived in the public schools of his native place, where he was prepared for col- lege, lie was graduated from Harvard in the class of 1858. Choosing the pro- fession of law, ami having pursued the requisite preparatory reading, he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1861. He at once entered active practice, and has remained in the same to the present time. In January, 1805, he was appointed jus- tice of the municipal court of Taunton. He was appointed justice of the first dis- trict court of Bristol in 1875, which posi- tion he still holds. Judge Fox was married in Taunton, October 6, 1864, to Anna M., daughter of James II. and Harriet M. (Yale) Anthony. ( M 1 Ins union were three children : William Yale, Marion and Francis bird Fox. Wil- liam Yale Fox is a practicing physician in Taunton. Judge Fox has been mayor of the city of Taunton ; one of the trustees of the pub- lic library for seventeen years; is vice- president of the Bristol County Sav- ings Bank ; member of the board of trustees of Wheaton Female Seminary, and is interested in, and an active mem-