The Portland daily press., 1894-06-06
FREDERICK FOX.
Death of One of POrtIands Most Pro-
minent Citizens.
O'clock Sketch of His Life Works
Many Trusts Were Confided to Him.

Many Trusts Were Confided to Him.
| Frederick Fox, Esq, died at 7.2O o'clock
last evening at his home on State street,
! Since he was stricken down by paralysis or
| heart trouble in the public library at West
| brook, a week ago last Saturday, his condi-
| tion had been at all times critical, although
| two days after the stroke he seemed to rally
a little. He was conscious at frequent in
tervals until last Saturday night, and even
| yesterday he was able to recognize his
brother, who arrived from Philadelphia. The
end was very peaceful.
Mr.. Fox, in the years of his long and use
full life, has filed a large place in the life of
Portland. To dwell entirely upon the fact
thatsthere have been confided to him heavy
trusts, that at times he would have the
settlement of fifteen or twenty estates upon
his hands, involving hundreds of thousands,
or even a million or more of dollars, would
be to ignore the many delightful traits of
character which his friends knew and ap-
preciated SO well, and which only showed up
the stronger when contrasted with some
eccentricities.
Frederick Fox came from good old Port
| land stock. His father was John Fox, and
his mother an Oxnard. both names identified
with Portland.history. Frederick was born,
according to the Bowdoin catalogue, No
vember Sd, 1927 and he was therefore in his
sixty-seventh year. He attended the Port
land Academy, then under the charge of
Principal HasBins, and was also short
time at North Yarmouth Academy. He
entered Bowdoin College in the class of 1S4S.
Among his classmates were Dr. Charles S.
D. Fessenden of the United States hospital
service, Dexter A. Hawkins of New York,
Rev. DR.. S. j. Humphrey, Samuel f. Hum
phrey of Bangor, Prof. f. B. Sewall, Prof.
Egbert @. Smyth of Andover, Prof. Benia-
min Stanton of Union college. and Charles
Amos Washburn of Livermore Falls at one
time minister to Paraguay.
After graduation Mr.. Fox studied law with
his brother, Edward, in Portland, and
after his admittance to the Cumberland
Bar, the brothers formed partnership un-
der the style of E. & E. Fox, having their
office at the head of Union street, on Middle
street. Some years afterwards the partner
ship was dissolved owing to the necessity
that took Mr. Edward Fox away owing to
his wife's ill health, and Mr.. Fred Fox and
the late Col. Charles B. Merrill went into
partnership under the firm name of Merrill
& Fox. This partnership continued rntil
just before Mr.. Edward Fox's return; then
the others again came together under the
old firm style and continued until 1866,
when Judge Edward Fox-for he had been
appointed and filled the office of Judge of
the Supreme court of Maine-was appointed
Judge of the United States District court.
Since that time Mr.. Frederick Fox has de-
voted himself almost entirely to business
before the Probate court,land the care of
estates, having the reputation of a man of,
the highest probity and especially skilful in
the management of trustsfunds. 1t is i'm
possible to estimate the numbers Of estates
in his charge but the amount of property in
volved must amount to a very large sum.
He was the surviving trustee of the great
Walker estate and by virtue of his office
built the elegant structue in Westbrook that
was passed over to the city week ago Sat-
urday.
Mr.. Fox was high up in the counils Of the
Masonic order, having been grand treasurer
for many years. He was also member of
the Citizens Relief.
Politically, Mr.. Fox was neverssssa seeker
after office. He was a Republican more than
anything else and as Republican was a
member of the common council of 1869-70
and 1870-71, the latter years president of
that body. In 1871 he was independent can
didate for mayor, and in 1880 the Democratic
candidate against William Senter, receiving
2117 votes to Senter's 1854.
In early life he was interested in the
militia, and was a member of the staff of
Major G.. M. Smith with the rank of major.
Mr.. Fox served as trustee of Evergreen
cemetery at two different periods the last of
which terminated the present year. He took
great interest in Portlandbs beautiful burial
place, and no small portions of it's beauties
are due to his painstaking care.
Mr.. Fox was man of kindliest nature
and great hater of all sorts of shams,
whether in political or social life. His be-
nevolence was untiring. H q was one of the
firmest friends of the Gospel Mission. Few,
if any, know the extent of his benefactions.
He had keen sense of honor and was one
of the most entertaining of men.
Mr.. Fox married Caroline, daughter of the
late Manassah Smith, who survives him, as
do his two sons, John and Frederick, both
graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. '
Mr.. Fox, together with Mr.. Albert B.
Stevens, was appointed executor of the
large estate of the late Joseph Walker, of
this city, who died on June 9th, 1891, leav-
ing property valued at 100000 or $S00,OOO.
Mr. stevens u1eQ IuO next september, MT.
Fox, assuming executorship, paid the debts
of the estate and the several 1egacies pro-
vided for by the will and then had in his
hands a residue of about 1925, 200, which he
claimed was to be distributed under the
provisions of the 37th clause of the will.
This clause provided that such residue of
the estate should be used, as the trustees
saw fit, for the causes of education and
benevolence, and for the promotion of pub
lie associations for that purpose. The
trustees were not to be restricted in their
work.
The heirs contested this disposal of the
above residue of $225.00O and the case was
tried, resulting in the victory for the de-
fendant trustee and he was therefore left
in charge of the large sum of money to dis
pose of as he should see fit according to the
provisions of the Will.
1t is not known definitely what disposition
Mr.. Fox had determined upon for this large
sum, 1t has been reported that various
charities had been specified by him for
various sums, but little is definitely known
as to this by the public.
n7,. How xvi nr1dn