Johannes Balthas (Fuchs) Fox (1785 - 1871)

Born 21 Feb 1785 in Reutlingen, Württemberg, Germany

Husband of Mary Magdalene Eisenlohr — married 1810 in Reutlingen, Württemberg, Germany

Descendants

Died 30 Oct 1871 at age 86 in Richland County, Ohio, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Leland McCleary [send private message]

Biography

Johannes Balthas was born in Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in 1785, the son of Johannes Balthas Fuchs (1736-1826) and Elizabeth Gailer (1755-1788). In 1810, he married Mary Magdalene Eisenlohr, in Reutlingen. Four of their children reached adulthood.^[1]

1. Philip Jacob Fuchs (1821-1903)
2. Maria Luise (Fuchs) Weckler (1823-1869)
3. Augustus Gottlieb Fox (1826-1894)
4. Herman Fox (1833-1927)

According to Rush McCleary (1993, p. 363):

John Balthas Fox studied English, Latin, and Greek in addition to his native German. He was trained as a whitesmith and became very skilled at his trade. He was conscripted by Napoleon and served as a gunsmith during the Austrian Campaign of 1808-1809.

In America he worked as a blacksmith and repaired farm machinery, made hinges for gates and barn doors, and made many tools such as vises, augers, and planes. He designed and made his own crest which he used to seal his letters.

The J. B. Fox family were members of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church which was near their home. John Balthas died in 1871 and is buried with his wife at Mount Zion Cemetery, Lucas, Richland County, Ohio.

Research Notes

1. ↑ "Family tradition has it that there were twelve other children born in Germany, and that those born alive died at an early age. It is said that one child, Frederick, lived about two years." (McCleary, 1993, p. 363)

Sources

• Find A Grave: Memorial #132461448 for John Balthas Fox (1785-1871).
• McCleary, Rush Fox. My Family History: McCleary, Snider, Fox, Brown. Houston, TX: D. Armstrong Co., 1993.
• US Census, Ohio. FamilySearch database with images.
  • 1850, Richland County, Monroe Twp, p. 335 B (image 34), family 227, lines 18-22. (NARA M432 roll 724). Household members: John B. Fox (66 Germany, farmer), Magdalena (60 Germany), Harmon (17 OH, farmer), Augustus G. (24 Germany), Louisa (22 OH), Louisa E. (0:9 OH).
  • 1860, Richland County, Monroe Twp, p. 285 A (image 1), family 34, lines 34-37. (NARA M653 roll 1029). Household members: John B Fox [transcr. "Fore"] (75 Germany, white smith), Madadane (72 Germany), Harmon (27 OH, farmer), Regina (14 OH).