Biography

1779 - 1845

One of thirteen children born to Samuel and Sarah Pemberton Pleasants Fox of Philadelphia, Joseph Mickle, born October 25, 1779, was the oldest.  Enjoying some comforts in life afforded by his father who was heir of tens of thousands of acres in what became Clarion and Venango Counties, as well as serving as Speaker of the Colonial Assembly, Joseph bought from the trustees under his father's will twelve tracts of land in what is now Clarion county, containing thirteen thousand two hundred and eighty-four acres, the consideration paid being about $1.10 per acre.  Joseph pursued a legal career practicing law in Bellefonte and later Meadville.  He married on April 6, 1820, Hannah Emlen, daughter of George and Sarah Emlen, (nee Fishburne) of Philadelphia, and the sister of state Senator George Emlen (1823-1827)  In 1827, he settled on and improved some of his land and went to Foxburg, since then the summer home of his family, and established a post office and served as postmaster. He was a member of the state Senate, elected in 1829 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Eben Smith Kelly.  He died on February 12, 1845, near Foxburg Clarion County.