In his avocation he has gained a well-merited reputation and success, and there is no one who has had a more extensive experience in sub-dividing and bringing into market real estate in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards and the adjacent parts of Westchester Count}', or who has a more thorough knowledge of property value in these sections, and he is frequently called upon as an appraiser in apportionment of estates and in the acquisition of lands for public purposes. He is not indebted for his success to inherited wealth, but to his own activity, jierseverance and enterprise.

WILLIAM "W. FOX.

Mr. Fox, who was prominent as a business man of New York during the past generation, was born September 26, 1783. His grandfather, Jonathan Fox, was descended from a family whose name was prom-

WEST FARMS.

inent iu the history of the Society of Friends. With his wife, Deborah, he settled in New Jersey, where his son George was born. The latter married Lydia I Woolly, and after her decease married Esther Shotwell. The children of these marriages were William W., George S. and Deborah, wife of Joseph Shotwell.

William W. began business on his own account at a very early age, his first ventures being to meet incoming vessels in a small sail-boat and purchase goods, which he sold in the city before the vessels were unloaded. He next entered into a partnership with John K. Townsendand established a dry -goods store, under the firm-name of Townseud & Fox. After the death of Mr. Townsend he became a partner with his father-in-law, Thomas Leggett, under the name of Leggett, Fox & Co., a firm well known in business circles in New York. The idea of lighting the city with gas was said to have originated with Samuel Leggett, but Mr.