Dr. Cox's Home, which burned.

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Pioneer Ladonia Doctor Is Dead ( Sept. 19, 1934 ) Dr. A. B. Cox, prominent physician and pioneer citizen of this community, passed away Monday, September 17, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. T. Chesney, in San Angelo, Texas, where he had gone to visit when taken ill about three weeks ago. The body was brought back to Ladonia Tuesday and funeral services were held from The First Christian Church here that afternoon at five o'clock, with the Rev. G. C. Minor in charge. Dr. and Mrs. Cox and their grandson, Robert Cox, who makes his home with them, had gone to San Angelo for a short vacation trip and visit with relatives, expecting to return in about two weeks, as that was as long as the doctor felt he could be away from his practice. He was taken ill soon after reaching San Angelo and grew steadily worse until his death came. Albert Bascom Cox was born about a mile west of Ladonia on August 13, 1859, making him one of the towns oldest native-born pioneers. He was educated at Tulane University, New Orleans, La., and the Saint Louis Medical College, St. Louis, and began practicing medicine in Ladonia when he was twenty-two years of age. This practice he continued actively in and near Ladonia until the illness that caused his death, a period of fifty-six years. In the same year that he began his practice he was married to Miss Mollie Hickman, who had come to Texas from Nashville, Tenn., and who survives, together with their two daughters, Mrs L. T. Chesney of San Angelo, Mrs J. A. McFarland of Ladonia; one son, Eli Cox of San Angelo, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. With the exception of one grandchild, all of the above were at his bedside when he passed away.


Mollie H. Cox & Dr. A.B. Cox
Tombstone in the Ladonia Cemetery

Dr. A.B. Cox Lot 312 P  Sect 4

From the Ladonia News March 29, 1935:
Dr. A.B. Cox Was Pioneer Physician

     Dr. A.B. Cox who passed away last September, was one of the earliest and most prominent physicians, having practiced medicine in the Ladonia community for more than 56 years.
     Dr. Cox was born near Ladonia in 1856, received his early education in the Ladonia schools, and attended college at Tulane University in New Orleans. He began the practice of medicine at Aubrey, Texas, moving later to Dial and then to the Arcadia community, as it was known then, west of Ladonia. Here he was postmaster and druggist for several years, and during this time he married Miss Mary Morgan Hickman. Later he went to St. Louis Medical College and finished his medical training, after which he and Mrs Cox lived in Bonham for about two years, and then moved to Ladonia where Dr. Cox was made vice-president of the bank and president of the city light plant.

     Later he took up the practice of medicine, and devoted himself to that profession tirelessly until his death.


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Dr. Cox , Younger Days

poem that Dr. Cox enclosed with bills to his patients-

Pause long enough to read this rhyme
While doing work for you on time
I have been forced to go in debt
And have big bills that must be met
You told me when you made the call
That you would pay me in the fall
I did the best I could for you
And now your doctors bill is due
While the cold, freezing northern blew
I heard your call and rode for you
At midnights hour in slumber deep
You woke me from a peaceful sleep
And bade me haste to see your wife
And do my best to save her life
Or in midsummers scorching sun
I followed in a hasty run
To cool the raging fever wild
That burned your dear and only child
You told me then that in the fall
You'd pay me for that hasty call
I've ridden for you night and day
Now, understand , I want my pay
My horse eats corn, my cow eats seed
All these things and more I need
My wife and children must be dressed
And I am surely sorely pressed
To find a coat and hat to wear
And set my table with slim fare
So when your cotton crop is sold
Don't leave your doctor in the cold
But pay him what you justly owe
Then when you need him he will go
But if you do not pay your bill
Tis hard for him to find the will
To answer when you bid him speed
To your relief in time of need