176 Division Street South

When Gordon Phillip Fox ran for Kingsville Town Council in 1910, he said “he had come to Kingsville with the intention of becoming a good citizen. He was proud of the town, its walks and shady streets. He was not here to criticize; did not think it took much of a man to do that. He was up for councillor and if elected would do his best in the town’s interest.” Gordon received the second most votes (222) in the election and at the end of his one-year term said he “was proud to say our town was clean and prosperous, and that there were no vacant houses.” At the time,  Gordon, his wife Nellie and their family were living in the house at 164 Division Street South. By 1919, all the Fox children had grown and moved on and Gordon and Nellie exchanged houses with George T. Hardie. It was in this home, which was built by William Fleming in 1908, that Gordon and Nellie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1936.

Mr. George Hardie, of Merlin, has purchased the brick dwelling of Mrs. Fleming, corner Division and McLean streets, and will move here in April. Mrs. Hardie is a daughter of Mrs. J.H. Smart.

The Kingsville Reporter, February 20, 1919 p.5

 W.C.T.U. HEARS KING’S LETTER

A letter received from the prime minster, Rt. Hon. W.L. MacKenzie King, was read at a meeting of the W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union], held at the home of Mrs. Gordon P. Fox, Division street south, on Friday. In this letter the prime minister stated that the representations from the W.C.T.U. as to forbidding liquor clearance would receive favorable consideration.

Favorable mention was also made in regard to the new mayor of Kingsville, George Hall, and the stand he had taken in working with Chief Philion for the best interests of the town.

The Kingsville Reporter, March 20, 1930 p.1

CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr and Mrs Gordon P. Fox celebrated their golden wedding last Monday. After being at home to their friends in the afternoon, they, with their children and grandchildren (28 in all), had supper at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Homer Arner, No. 18 highway west. Later Mrs. Fox was presented with a Gruen wrist watch, and Mr. Fox with a smoking stand. The family also gave them a basekt (sic) of Ophelia roses. A bouquet of golden narcissus and mignonette was received from Mr and Mrs W.T. Conklin. Callers in the evening were Mr Wm. Conklin, Miss Nora Conklin, Mr and Mrs Manly Miner, and Mr and Mrs Warren Hendershot.

The Kingsville Report, January 2, 1936 p.1

Gordon P. Fox Laid to Rest Here Today

Gordon Philip Fox, a well known citizen of the district passed away at his home on Division Street, on Monday July 3, at the age of 81 years. Deceased had been in failing health for some time but was confined to his bed only a few days prior to his passing. He was the son of Mr and Mrs William Fox, and was born here and spent his entire life in or near Kingsville.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, the former Nellie Clifford, one son, David, of Walkerville, and five daughters, Flossie, of Detroit, Edna, of Hagersville, and Jennie, Mary and Margaret, all of Kingsville, and one sister, Mrs. Jessie Taylor, of Toronto. Mr. Fox was very proud of the fact that he had six grandchildren in the service, Henry Arnold, overseas; Mary Arnold, Ipperwash; James Wigle, overseas; Hazen Malott, Newfoundland; Gordon Fox, Trenton; and Hadley Arner, Ottawa.

Deceased was a member of Concord Lodge, A.F. and A.M., under whose auspices the funeral services are being conducted today at 2:30 p.m., the body lying in state at the United Church, of which Mr. Fox was an esteemed member is conducting the service. The bearers are W.H. Humphreys, Roy Scratch, J.P. Golden, Del. Quick, Kenneth Rae and Edward Lucas. During the service Mr and Mrs Russell Skitch are singing a duet with Mrs Laura Allen Coatsworth at the organ. Interment will be in Greenhill Cemetery.

The Kingsville Reporter, July 6, 1944 p.1

Mrs. Nellie Fox Passes.

Mrs. Nellie Fox, aged 81, of Kingsville, widow of Gordon P. Fox, died Saturday at her residence after one week’s illness.

Mrs. Fox lived in Kingsville 40 years, going there from Union, where she was born. She was a descendant of one of the oldest families of Union and was a member of Epworth United Church, Women’s Missionary Society and Women’s Association.

The Essex Free Press, December 10, 1948 p.3

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