John F. Wilcox was born on July 4, 1851 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Wilcox family had been established in Pittsburgh for many years. He studied mechanical engineering at the Worchester Polytechnical Institute and the Philadelphia Polytechnical Institute. He was considered an expert at blast furnace and steel works construction. Wilcox was given credit with "having first introduced the now well known by-product process of coking-coal and built by-product plants at Glassport, Johnstown, Boston, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and elsewhere", according to his obituary. In addition to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, Wilcox was also a member of the Duquesne Club during the time he lived in Pittsburgh. Wilcox was a one time business partner with the brother of fellow club member Marvin F. Scaife. His sister married South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club member Frank Semple. Wilcox died in North Carolina on March 18, 1918, where he had been living for several years. |
Last updated: February 8, 2022