Rev. Matthew, son of William and Eleanor Fox, was born in Ireland in 1812.  He received his education from private tutors and Trinity College, Dublin.  In 1835 he was married to Elizabeth Jane Fletcher of Neury, Ireland.  In 1836 he migrated to American and settled in Indiana where he united with the Presbyterian Church.

He was ordained by the Presbytery of St. Joseph, Michigan.  In 1845 Rev. Fox brought a tract of land just north of Lakeview.  During some time previous to 1879, Rev. Fox built a small church on the upper corner of his farm in which ministers of all denominations were invited to preach.  In 1879 the church became the property of the Methodist Conference.

Rev. Fox organized the Presbyterian Church in 1845, built the first church building in 1856 and served the local congregation until 1880 when he retired.