Fox, Alanson J.

Alanson J. Fox
1837-1896


    Alanson J. Fox, one of the most notable examples of success furnished by the history of Niles mercantile enterprises, passed away at his home on north Fourth street at 1:55 this morning.  He sustained a severe stroke of paralysis Thursday evening, while on his way home, from which he never regained consciousness.  Mr. Fox was born in Jackson, Mich.,  Jan. 31, 1837.  He left home at the age of 12 years to begin his battle with life.  He was married to Salina A. Drewett, Dec. 22, 1859, and came to Niles to live October, 1862.  After working for some of the leading firms of Niles, he started in business for himself in 1870, which has been continued until the present. Mr. Fox leaves a wife and two sons; also, two sisters, Mrs. H.J. Howe, of Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Carrie B. Sharpe, and two brothers, W.C. and L.B. Hildreth, to mourn his loss.  Funeral will be from his late residence at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, Oct. 5.  Rev. J.G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, will officiate, and interment will be had at Silver Brook cemetery.
(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library; reprinted in Niles Mirror, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1896)

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    Alanson J. Fox, one of the most prominent merchants of Niles, and well known in Buchanan, died at his home in Niles at 1:55 on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 3, 1896.  On Thursday afternoon he sustained a stroke of paralysis, from which he never regained consciousness.
    Mr. Fox was born in Jackson, Mich., Jan. 31, 1837, and when twelve years of age he began working for himself.  Dec. 22, 1859, he was married to Salina A. Dewitt[sic], and moved to Niles where he has since resided.  In 1870 he embarked in the dry goods business for himself, and continued in that business up to the time of his death.
    Mr. Fox leaves, besides his wife and two sons, Carl J. and Harry L. Fox, two sisters, Mrs. H.J. Howe, of Berrien Springs and Mrs. Carrie B. Sharp, and two brothers, W.G. and Luther B. Hildreth. The funeral was from Mr. Fox 's late residence on Monday afternoon, Rev. J.G. Lowrie of the Niles Presbyterian church officiating, the interment being in Silver Brook cemetery in the city of Niles.
    Among relatives from abroad who attended the funeral were Dr. A.O. Howe, Eugene Howe, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Howe, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Berrien Springs; W.O. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Plimpton, Mr. and Mrs. Clifton O. Hamilton, of Buchanan.
(Source: Buchanan Record, Thursday, Oct. 8, 1896, pare 2, col. 3, microfilm Buchanan District Library)