A Tribute To Jay Fox

Jay Fox, formerly a student in our high school, died of consumption. Oct. 26. 1903, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, aged twenty-six years. The remains were brought to Ann Arbor and the funeral service was held at the house of H. J. Brown on N. Division street, Oct. 28, 1903, and he was buried on the lot of Mr. H. J. Brown in Forest Hill cemetery in this city.

Mr. Fox came here, I think, from near Manchester in this county, in the fall of 1894, entered our high school and graduated with honors therefrom in 1897.  In his senior year he was president of his class and received upon graduation a present of a large Webster's Unabridged dictionary from his classmates, as a token of their appreciation of his high character. He earned his way through the high school by doing work out of school hours for different persons in this city. He worked at my home some during this time and we became well acquainted with him. He also did janitor work at the Episcopal church and also worked some of the time for Mr. H. J. Brown. He lived at the home of Mrs. Julia B. Seymour and her daughter, Melie Seymour on Forest avenue for about a year. Mrs. Seymour was an invalid and Mr. Fox wheeled her about out of doors every pleasant day. Mrs. Seymour and her daughter became very much interested in Mr. Fox on account of his high character and ability as a student. 

Mr. Fox intended to enter the literary department of the university, but during his last year in the high school was threatened with consumption and was advised by his doctors to go to Colorado. He remained in Colorado about a year and then returned to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and lived with his brother, Henry Fox, until his decease. 

Jay Fox was a young man of the very highest character in every respect and possessed much more than ordinary ability as a student, and if he had lived, he surely would have been a prominent among the scholars of this country. He made so many warm friends during his short stay in Ann Arbor, that, during his long illness he has received contributions from many persons here. He was a close and intimate friend of Harry Brown, son of H. J. Brown, and while in Ann Arbor spent much of his time with this family. Mrs. H. J. Brown became so interested in his welfare that she has spent much time collecting donations etc., from his friends here to alleviate in some measure the weariness of his long illness and at his request she arranged to have his remains brought here and buried on their lot in Forest Hill cemetery. Miss Melie Seymour, who is now teaching at Decatur, Ill., and others have frequently sent contributions for the same purpose.

Jay Fox did not have a single bad habit, was dignified, kind and courteous in all his relations with others, was a very industrious and successful student and although he died at this early age, his influence will be long felt for good during the coming years.

Ann Arbor, Nov. 9, 1903.

Noah M. Cheever.