1868-1941
HARRY L. FOX, 72, CIVIC, POLITICAL LEADER, IS DEAD
Justice of the Peace Passes After Two-Weeks' Illness
Justice of the Peace Passes After Two-Weeks' Illness
Niles lost a life-long resident and a leader in business, lodge and political circles Sunday afternoon in the death of Harry Leroy Fox.
Mr. Fox failed to rally from a coma that followed a stroke of apoplexy he suffered March 16 in his home at 215 Broadway. He died at 3:15 in Pawating Hospital.
In earlier days a dry goods merchant and insurance salesman, Mr. Fox was serving as one of Niles' twoo justices of the peace at the time of his death. He was elected on the Republican ticket on April 4, 1938, and took the oath of office July 4 to succeed Charles E. Warner.
Third in 2 Months
His death was the third to strike the ranks of NIles City officials within two months. Henry Henkel, a member of the cemetery board, died Feb. 1 and Leo Fisher, Fourth Ward alderman, was killed Feb. 3.
A colorful career that included participation in many civic projects was begun in 1891 when Mr. Fox went into the dry goods business with his father. With his father and later with his brother, the late Carl Fox, he operated the store for more than 41 years.
Prominent in Masons
The Masonic lodge, with which he was identified for many years, was one of his chief interests. He was a life member of the St. Jospeh Valley lodge No. 4, F. and A.M. and was a member of the Royal Arch Masons chapter No. 2; Niles Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 12; Saladin Temple Shrine of Grand Rapids and the DeWitt Clinton Consistory, Grand Rapids. He was also a member of the Niles Lodge of Elks and Trinity Episcopal church.
Mr. Fox was born in Niles June 29, 1868. He was married June 12, 1894 to the former Frances Gould, who survives him.
Services Wednesday
Surviving with Mrs. Fox are a niece, Mrs. Floyd Wood, Niles, and two grand nephews, Roger Wood, Niles, and Lucian Wood, San Francisco, Calif. His brother Carl, died in 1924.
Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home before the service Wednesday afternoon at 2 in Trinity church. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson with[sic] officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 31, 1941, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)