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Levi Fox Sr.

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Birth	:	4 Feb 1802 Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death	:	27 Mar 1877 Lucas County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Holland Center Cemetery, Lodgepole, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.7347000, -102.7246400
Plot	:	Row 16, Lot 147
Description	:	Born on 4 February 1802, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a preponderance of evidence indicates that Levi Fox, Sr., was the son of Bonham Fox I (b. 1761, Virginia - d. 28 September 1825, Butler Co., Ohio) and Temperance Dickerson (b. about 1769, Pennsylvania - d. April 1850, St. Clair Twp., Butler Co., Ohio). Indiana. Levi had six known siblings. They were: Unknown given name (female), Christina, David, Mary, Jonathan, and Isaac P. Fox. Little is know about Levi's childhood but as an adult, he was a farmer and owned land. As early as 1826, he owned 77 acres... Read More	Born on 4 February 1802, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a preponderance of evidence indicates that Levi Fox, Sr., was the son of Bonham Fox I (b. 1761, Virginia - d. 28 September 1825, Butler Co., Ohio) and Temperance Dickerson (b. about 1769, Pennsylvania - d. April 1850, St. Clair Twp., Butler Co., Ohio). Indiana. Levi had six known siblings. They were: Unknown given name (female), Christina, David, Mary, Jonathan, and Isaac P. Fox. Little is know about Levi's childhood but as an adult, he was a farmer and owned land. As early as 1826, he owned 77 acres in Butler County, Ohio on the Miami River. The property description: Section 7, Township 1, Range 3 (the center of the south half). In the Butler County Assessor's Report for 1839, Levi Fox owned three horses and three heads of cattle. [NOTE: Butler Co. was established in 1803 from Hamilton and Ross Counties.] Levi's first marriage took place on 17 February 1831, Butler Co., Ohio, when he married Eliza Yerkes (b. 12 January 1809, Jefferson Co., Virginia/now West Virginia - d. 12 January 1850, Butler Co., Ohio). They were married by Jonathan Pierson, J.P. The known children born to their marriage were all born in St. Clair Township, Butler County, Ohio. They were: Mary; William Pierce (b. 28 July 1833 - d. 14 December 1907, St. Clair Twp., Butler Co., Ohio ); Josiah B. (b. 5 August 1836 - d. 27 July 1867, probably in Iowa; John Newton (b. 9 February 1839 - d. ; and Annie E. "Annaliza" (b. about 1844 - d. after 1860, probably in Lucas Co., Iowa). Little Annie was only about six years old when her mother died, leaving Levi a widower with five children. It was almost exactly one year before Levi would marry again. Whether he managed to care and provide for his children by himself or with help is unknown. Perhaps of significance is that he is known to have had one other child, an unidentified boy provided for in his will only as "...my illegitimate son, by Nancy Campbell...." We are left to speculate if it was the period between Eliza's death and his second marriage that there was a romance between Levi and Nancy that resulted in the birth of their son. There is oral history that the executor of Levi's will, Levi Fox, Jr. (a son born of his second marriage) kept in touch for many years with one of his half brothers. That half brother is thought to have been Nancy Campbell's son. Despite efforts, the boy's identity has not been discovered at the time of this writing. It is hoped that DNA tests will help solve this family mystery and, at long last, reunite the descendants of Levi Fox, Sr. On 4 December 1850, Levi was married to the widowed Sarah S. (Hartley) Teas Manning, by Rev. William H. Lawder of the Methodist-Episcopal Church in Butler County, Ohio. In addition to Levi's children by Eliza Yerkes, his marriage to Sarah brought two step-children into the family from her marriage to first husband, Joseph Gibson Teas. They were John and Barbara Hannah Teas. The marriage of Levi and Sarah would produce three more children: Missouri (b. 16 September 1851, Butler Co., Ohio - d. 16 January 1880, Lucas Co., Iowa); Levi, Jr. (b. 23 July 1854, OH (probably Butler Co.) - d. 2 September 1928, Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama); and Nebraska (b. 1858, Benton, Lucas Co., Iowa - d. between 1880 - 1890). The family is believed to have moved to Lucas County, Iowa about 1854. Levi bought land there that year. In the first land deed, dated February 14, 1854, Caleb Powers conveyed to Levi Fox the south half of the north-east quarter of Section 34, and the north half of the south-east quarter of Section 34 (two 80-acre tracts totaling 160 acres). In the second deed, Caleb Powers conveyed to Levi the south half of the north-west quarter of Section 35 and the north half of the south-west quarter of Section 35 (again two 80-acre tracts totaling 160 acres). This land is in the southeast corner of Benton Township near Wayne County. The stream that passes though this section is Lost Branch Creek. The New York Road passes through Sections 34 and 35. The 1860 agricultural schedule indicates that Levi owned 260 acres (of which 40 acres were improved) worth $1,600. His farm equipment was worth $30. His livestock, including two horses, two cows, two oxen, 3 other heads of cattle, and 32 swine, was worth $40. In addition the schedule shows that he had 600 bushels of Indian Corn. Before deeds to the above 320 acres were recorded in 1867, Levi sold sixty acres each to his sons, John Newton and Josiah B. The price in each case was $50 for 60 acres. On February 2, 1867, Levi sold sixty acres of his land to his oldest son, William P. Fox, by deed. The description of the tract transferred was the E 3/4 of the S 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 35. Levi died in 17 March 1877, Benton Twp., Lucas Co., Iowa. Sarah outlived him by four years. She died on 24 August 1881, in Washington Township, Lucas County, Iowa. Both Sarah and Levi are buried at New York Cemetery, Union Township, Wayne County, Iowa -- the location being just over the county line from their home in Lucas County. Levi and Sarah share a single gravemarker with his name on one side and hers on the other. Levi's information is on the west face of the monument and Sarah's on the east face. Near the base on the south face the FOX name appears in large relief block letters. Above, also in "relief" are carved two clasped right hands within an oval. The symbolic meaning of the hands is said to sometimes indicate the unity of marriage or, alternatively, the farewell and goodbyes said at death. Between the Fox name and the image of the hands is the following inscription: There is no death, no darkness no tears, in that bright world where the rightous [sic] dwell. The north face of the monument is bare of markings. <><><> Levi's will is transcribed below. NOTE: It seems odd that Levi's children from his first marriage are not mentioned in his will. It is thought that they were provided for after their mother died and he was trying to make sure the children from his second marriage were equally provided for. As indicated above, Levi's will also included a provision for his son by Nancy Campbell. The latter son was not identified by name but was obviously known to Levi's excecutor, Levi Fox, Jr Dated 11 September 1877, from Lucas Co, Iowa Will Record 2, pp. 256-257: "Last Will and Testament of Levi Fox, dec'd "I Levi Fox of the Co. of Lucas and State of Iowa, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of Life do therefore make and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament. That is to say: First, after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my Estate real and personal, as follows: "To my wife, all of the land I now own and the appurtenances there-unto belonging, and described as follows: The South West 1/4 of the North East 1/4 and the South East 1/4 of the North East 1/4 and the East half of the North East 1/4 of the South East 1/4 of Section Thirty four (34) Twp. Seventy one (71) Range Twenty one (21), also the West half of the South West 1/4 of North West quarter and West half of North West 1/4 of South West 1/4 of Section Thirty Five (35) Twp. Seventy one (71) Range Twenty-one (21), Containing in all, One Hundred and Forty (140) acres to have and to hold during her natural life, and also all my personal property, except Forty Dollars - as hereafter specified - and after her death, the said Real Estate to be divided as follows: "To my son, Levi, Forty six and two thirds (46 2/3) off the West end of the above described land, including the house and improved land, and timber enough to make out the amount above mentioned. "My daughters Missouri and Nebraska to have each one half of the remainder that is to say each one Forty six and two thirds (46 2/3) acres, the same to be divided by disinterested persons, whom they may choose, so as to make the two parts as nearly equal in value as possible. "I also give and bequeath to my illegitimate son, by Nancy Campbell, the sum of Forty dollars to be paid at my death, out of my personal property as above stated. "Likewise I make and constitute my said son Levi, to be my executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. "In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 1st day of January Eighteen Hundred and Seventy five. Levi Fox (signed by Geo. P. Ranslow) "The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Levi Fox in our presence, and acknowledged by him to each of us, and he at the same time declared the above instrument, as signed, to be his last Will and Testament, and we at the Testator's request, and in his presence, have signed our names as witnesses hereto, and written opposite our names our respective places of residence. "George P. Ranslow, Russell, Lucas Co., Iowa, John W. Hickle, Benton Tp. Lucas Co., Iowa. "Be it remembered that at the September Term, 1877, of the Circuit Court of Iowa in and for Lucas Co., on the 11th day of Sept. 1877, the following among other proceedings were had, and ordered of Record, to-wit:--. "In the Matter of the Proof of } the Last Will and Testament of } Proof of Will Levi Fox, Dec'd. } "Now on this time comes on to be heard the Matter of proof of the last Will and Testament of Levi Fox, dec'd, and it being shown to the Court that due and legal Notice has been given to the legatees and heirs of dec'd, the Court upon the oral testimony of Geo. P. Ranslow and John W. Hickle, the subscribing witnesses, whereupon the Court finds that at the time of making said Will, said Testator was of sound mind and memory and of full age, and that said Testator signed the same in the presence of the subscribing witnesses and declared the same in their presence to be his last Will and Testament, and by the request of the Testator the same was signed by the witnesses in his presence and in the presence of each other. It is therefore ordered and adjudged by the Court that said Will be and the same is hereby admitted to probate as the Last Will and Testament of Levi Fox, dec'd, and that the same be recorded in the proper Will Record of Lucas Co., Iowa. It is further ordered by the Court that the Executor named in said Will, to wit: -- Levi Fox, upon accepting said trust give a bond in a penal sum to be fixed by the clerk with sureties to be approved by the clerk. "Signed at close of days proceedings. Robert Sloan, Judge"

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Levi Fox Sr.'s memorial?
Levi Fox Sr.'s memorial is located at: Holland Center Cemetery, Lodgepole, Perkins County, USA.
When did Levi Fox Sr. death?
Levi Fox Sr. death on 27 Mar 1877 in Lucas County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Levi Fox Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 45.7347000
Longitude: -102.7246400

Family Members:

Spouse

Sarah S. Hartley Fox

(1814 - 1881)

Children

Josiah B. Fox

(1836 - 1867)

Missouri Fox Clowser

(1851 - 1880)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Holland Center Cemetery
Lodgepole, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7347000, -102.7246400

2. Fredlund Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7188988, -102.6585999

3. Duck Creek Lutheran Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7756780, -102.7772550

4. Lodgepole Cemetery
Lodgepole, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8047400, -102.6678140

5. Bethany Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8046989, -102.8199997

6. Scion Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6680984, -102.9068985

7. Pleasant Valley German Baptiste Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6974800, -102.5182000

8. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
Shadehill, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6974983, -102.5177994

9. Ellingson Zion Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8713989, -102.8375015

10. Peace Valley Cemetery
Ralph, Harding County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8375450, -102.9835650

11. Prairie City Cemetery
Prairie City, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5307190, -102.8171290

12. Golden Valley Cemetery
Ralph, Harding County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8849900, -102.9432250

13. Henry Bingaman Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5886002, -102.9499969

14. South Grand River Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6321983, -102.9997025

15. Saint Eulalia Cemetery
Harding County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7178001, -103.0635986

16. North Grand Cemetery
Bucyrus, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 45.9596900, -102.8398700

17. Ralph Lutheran Cemetery
Ralph, Harding County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7767730, -103.0658130

18. Norwegian Cemetery
Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6972008, -102.3735962

19. Rosebud Lutheran Cemetery
Shadehill, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7356500, -102.3629000

20. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Harding County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8932940, -103.0152370

21. Bison Cemetery
Bison, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5452995, -102.4563980

22. Hettinger Cemetery
Hettinger, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 46.0018997, -102.6232986

23. Haynes Cemetery
Haynes, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 45.9728012, -102.4955978

24. Slim Buttes Cemetery
Reva, Harding County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5452030, -103.0336800