Cox, John H.

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers

1889
JOHN H. COX is a native of Morgan County, where he was born March 1, 1838. He is in the possession of a good common-school education, supplemented by a good fund of common sense. His father, Harris Cox, was born in Mercer County, Ky., Oct. 20, 1807. He lived in his native State until he attained his majority. He married Nancy McClellan, who was a distant relative of Gen. George B. McClellan. She was born July 12, 1809. After his marriage Harris Cox removed to Boone County, Ind., and lived there four years, but becoming dissatisfied with that country, he made up his mind to better himself, and consequently, in 1834, came to Morgan County and located on a piece of land, which he afterward developed into a splendid homestead. He died in 1864, his wife preceding him. They had six children, three of whom died in infancy, and three are living, a record of whom follows: Ailsie married Melchi Hart (deceased). She was married again to Helms Roberts, of Sangamon County. He is now a farmer of this county. Julia Ann married James Hill, of Morgan County, who died in Franklin, leaving one son, Robert. John H., of whom this sketch is written, married Mary F. Boyer. Her father came from Kentucky, while her mother was a native of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: William H., George, Charles, David N., Nancy, and John E. George married Susan Edwards, daughter of Marion and Rachel Edwards, of Morgan County. He is farming. The rest of the children are living at home with their parents.

The father of the subject of this sketch was married twice, his second wife being Mrs. Mary Sims, and to this union there were born eleven children, eight of whom are living: William H., Jane, Lucinda and Er (twins), James L., Sarah, Miriam and Mary M. Jane married Luther Cline, of Ohio, who is now a farmer in Morgan County. They have six children. Lucinda married David Chambers, of Morgan County, and they are the parents of two children. Er married Emeline Rees, and is a farmer of Morgan County, they have six children. James L. married a lady in Jackson County, Mo., to whom was born two children; he is engaged in railroading. Sarah married George Smith, of Athensville, Greene Co., Ill.; he is engaged in the lumbering business, and they have four children. Miriam married Marion Smith, a farmer of Greene County; they have five children. Mary M. married Ransom Chambers, a farmer of this county. The result of this union was three children.

John H. Cox, in common with most of the people who go to a new country to seek a home and to better themselves, had little upon which to build his present fortune. Seven years after his marriage he had but eighty acres of land, partially improved, but by industry, intelligence, and economy he has increased his holdings, so that now his farm contains 167 acres of unsurpassed land, every spot of which is improved, and which brings large returns to the owner. Besides raising grain, he takes great pride in good stock, and finds that it pays.

The members of Mr. Cox's family are consistent members of the Baptist church, of which he has been Clerk for a long time. Politically, Mr. Cox is a sound Prohibitionist, leaning toward Democracy. He has held the office of Constable and School Director, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is also a Patron of Husbandry. Mr. Cox is reckoned by his neighbors and acquaintances as being a solid, substantial farmer - a reputation well earned.

1889 Index
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