-->
Pasted in
one of Hogan’s little scrapbooks, in the archives of the Diocese of Kansas City
– St. Joseph, a yellowed newspaper clipping has Father Fox’s obituary. He died February 14, 1879. Unfortunately,
Hogan did not note the publication name.
Shared
characteristics of the two Irish prelates come through in this accounting –
fiscal responsibility and near-abhorrence of debt; dedication; plain spoken
clarity of thought and word. Hogan and Fox were both frontier priests, ordained
by Archbishop Kenrick, dedicated to the promise of America for the poor, the
hopeful and the ambitious. They built churches, established schools and cleared
debt
A brief
biography was included in Father Fox’s obituary:
Obituary: The Rev. James Fox
Sketch of his life and
labors – His last sickness – the funeral arrangements – services tomorrow.
The death of another well-known Catholic priest, in the
person of Rev. James Fox of St. Patrick’s parish, which occurred yesterday,
will occasion emotions of no ordinary depth among many persons who enjoyed no
intimate acquaintance with the deceased, but had heard of his labors. The loss
of him will be especially felt in the parish to which he had devoted the last
years of his life, and for which he had done so much, and there will be
abundant manifestations of the profound sorrow, which his decease has caused
amongst his parishioners.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Father
Fox was born in the county of Wicklow, Ireland, in 1820, and his college days
were spent at the Carlow institution, which is one of the highest in that
country and to which no one who is not very proficient in his studies is
admitted. He had as a fellow student Bishop Ryan, and both made great progress
at the college. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States and on St. Peter and
Paul’s day—the 29th of June of that year—was ordained a priest by
the Most Rev. Peter Richard Kenrick in this city. After his ordination he
remained six month here in various capacities and was then transferred to
Potosi, Washington County to take charge of the church there. He remained there
one year and was next appointed successor of Father Cotter of Old Mines, in the
same county.
At
that time the country was in the condition of all newly opened territory, and
the labors which devolved upon him were unusually arduous. His mission extended
through Washington and into Jefferson, Iron, St. Francois and Crawford
counties, he giving personal supervision to other churches than his own. He
lived, or had his residence, at Old Mines eighteen years. It has been said that
he lived on horseback, so large a portion of his time was he away from his
home. He built the Old Mines, Irondale, Potosi and DeSoto churches, and was
largely assisted in his work by Bishop Hogan of St. Joseph and Father Hays of
this city, who had charge of the churches established by him. While at Old
Mines, in 1868, he was appointed successor of Father Cavanaugh as pastor of
Assumption church, St. Louis. He was eighteen or nineteen months at the
Assumption and then in May,
…
Father Wheeler, at Munich. While at the Assumption his zeal had found fitting
employment in clearing off the debt of the church and in bringing the Sisters
of St. Joseph from Carondelet to a convent in the parish. He was especially
attached to children, and finding on his accession to the pastorate of St.
Patrick’s that there were 2,500 or 3,000 of them in the parish without the
opportunities for Catholic education, he at once actively interested himself in
procuring the needed facilities and the result was the erection of St. Patrick’s
school, which is considered the finest school in the city, public or private,
and the finest parochial school in the United States. The school and ground
cost upwards of $90,000. He looked upon it as his crowning effort, and sickness
alone prevented him from witnessing the school in operation. His last words
from the altar, the last time he officiated at the church, nearly six weeks
ago, were that the school would be open for the children on the morrow. The
morrow came, but it found him on a sick bed.
In
connection with his labors at St. Patrick’s parish, it may be stated that he
was successful in paying off a debt of $24,000, which there was on the church
CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE DECEASED
Father
Fox was not an orator, and in the pulpit he devoted less attention to doctrinal
points than to practical every day advice. He was a plain but forcible speaker
and what he said acquired additional force from the zeal with which he was
filled and which made itself manifest in all that he did. He was a very earnest
worker; years ago he was the embodiment of the pioneer spirit; disregarded
fatigue, and bore up under circumstances which would have overwhelmed many
stronger men. In St. Patrick's parish he gave his whole energies to his work,
and went from door to door urging his parishioners to a more faithful
performance of their duties. His charities were uncircumscribed.
His
health had always been frail, and it was kept so by his forgetting himself in
his work. Some six weeks ago he was attacked with typhoid pleurisy, and his
system, as it were, collapsed. It is thought that there were some evidences of
consumption, which had been induced by exposure in all kinds of weather. The
best of medical advice was obtained for him, and two of the Alexian brothers
waited constantly upon him during the past month. He died with perfect
resignation shortly after six o'clock yesterday morning. His confessor was
Father Tschieter, S.J., of St. Joseph's church and the blessed sacrament was
administered by Father Hays.
