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. Fox had the executive capacity to put it into practical operation, and in 1829 he became the president of the Gas- Light Company, a position which he retained until his death, and was the master-spirit of the undertaking. During the period of his business career there were few public institutions with which he was not prominently connected. He was one of the ten governors of the House of Refuge and one of the founders of that institution. During the building of the Croton Aqueduct he was appointed one of the

water commissioners by Governor William L. Marcy and devoted his time and labor unceasingly to the promotion of that important work. It may be mentioned as an illustration of his conscientious care in the enterprise, that when the a(]ueduct was completed he traveled the entire length on foot, making a careful personal inspection of ever*' portion of the work, and of the names engraved in the lasting granite of the High Bridge there is none that deserves a more prominent place than his own.