H U S S E Y  M A N U S C R I P T

Thomas Cox, son of Solomon Cox and Elizabeth Johnston Cox, was born in Indiana, probably in Monroe County, in 1829.  His father died when he was six years old, and his mother brought him to the Springfield, Missouri area in the fall of 1836.

Margarette Hulda Cox Howell, daughter of James Christopher Cox, reported that her father "split a lot of rails" in his youth to help provide for his brother to go to law school.  Although he became a lawyer in later years it is believed that he did not attend a law school.  John Thomas Cox suggested that he "read law" in the office of Lincoln & Herndon in Springfield, Illinois.  He expressed the opinion that Elizabeth Johnston Cox was related to Sarah Bush Johnston, step-mother of Abraham Lincoln, and that her influence enabled Thomas Cox to receive legal experience there.  Lincoln and William H. Herndon had formed the law partnership in 1845, and it continued under that name despite the fact that Lincoln spent most of his time in public office after that time.  [Sangamon County records and the 1850 federal census might reveal something of the presence of Thomas Cox in Springfield.]

It is possible that he served in the Missouri militia during the Mexican War.  In any event he was later a protege of Gen. Sterling Price, also a lawyer, who resigned from the Missouri House of Representatives in 1846 to lead the Second Missouri Cavalry in the Mexican War.

Thomas Cox apparently removed to Batesville, Arkansas about 1858 and lived in the home of James H. Patterson there.  Patterson was married April 24, 1842 to Elizabeth Hayden, according to Independence County Marriage Book A, page 104.  Two other Pattersons were married to Hayden women.  Patterson had inherited considerable wealth and owned one of the most impressive homes in Batesville which was built in 1845.  He suffered severe financial reverses there and removed to Augusta, Arkansas where he recouped his fortune.  Thomas Cox was a schoolteacher in the Batesville area while developing a law practice here.

The Patterson home in Batesville was later purchased by Thomas Cox and was referred to by local historians as the "Thomas Cox mansion."  For years it was the most commodious house in Batesville where many visiting dignitaries were entertained. During the Civil War the house was occupied at different times by both the Confederate and Union Army staffs.  Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke, a friend of Thomas Cox had his headquarters there in the early part of the war, and General Samuel R. Curtis, Union commander, headquartered there in 1862.  Colonel Robert R. Livingston had his Federal headquarters there in 1864.

Thomas Cox was married January 6, 1859 to Laura A. Erwin, daughter of Alexander K. Erwin and Elizabeth M. Erwin, according to Independence County, Arkansas Marriage Book B, Page 435.  She was born in 1836 in Maury County, Tennessee.  The Erwin family had arrived in Independence County in 1840, settling in Washington township.  Alexander K. Irwin, who was born in 1808, died in 1872. Elizabeth M. Erwin, who was born in 1814, died in Batesville in 1877.

The wedding was performed in the bride's home by Rev. Ben N. Sawtelle, Presbyterian minister of Batesville, according to "Independence County Chronicle."  Much information on Thomas Cox and Laura A. Erwin Cox appears in Volume I, No. 4; Volume 5, No. 1 and Volume 9, No. 1 of the newspaper.

Thomas Cox became a leading businessman in Batesville and was admitted to the bar there.  His advertisement as a lawyer appeared in the "Independence Balance," an early-day newspaper of Batesville, as early as 1860.  The county assessment records show that in 1860 he owned 2,650 acres of land in Independence County.  At age 31, he was the third largest landowner in the county.  He owned only one slave in 1860 which was unusual for a man of his wealth, but his Quaker ancestry may have influenced him in this matter.

Thomas Cox appeared as the head of Household 70-70 in the 1860 census of Ruddell Township, Independence County.  His family was recorded as:

 Cox,                Thomas  30, born in Indiana, lawyer,
                                               $14,000 real estate, $2,000
                                                 personal property
                         Laura    27, born in Tenneesee
 Page,             James    25, born in North Carolna,
                                              schoolteacher
 Deaton,         Henry   25, born in North Carolina,
                                             student at law
 Smitherson, James   23, born in Arkansas, student
                                            at law"

Shortly after the beginning of the Civil War Thomas Cox enlisted in the Confederate Army and was commissioned a captain in the Quartermaster Corps.  Very little is known of his service under the Confederate flag, however John Thomas Cox suggests that he served on the staff of Sterling Price, who had been elected governor of Missouri in 1853 and who had been promoted to major-general in the Confederacy in March 1862.

One military record states that Major William G. King of Tyler, Texas while Brigade Quartermaster in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1862 issued supplies to the area officers. One of the officers supplied was Captain Thomas Cox stationed at Camp Nelson, Arkansas.  He received $7,425 in supplies November 1, 1862, according to the bulletin of South Texas Genealogical  Historical Society in an article submitted by Mrs. Milton Woods.

The "Independence Chronicle" printed a letter written by Laura A. Erwin Cox to her husband dated September 14, 1863.  In an edition printed in October 1963 the newspaper expressed appreciation to Miss Elenor Gray of Batesville who was a grand-niece of Laura A. Erwin Cox.  The newspaper terms the letter one of the most graphic accounts of the Battle of Little Rock and the retreat of the Confederate army.  The writer of the letter was in Little Rock when the evacuation began and accompanied the soldiers at least as far as Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  It is believed that she had left the Cox home in Batesville when northern Arkansas fell into Union hands.  The letter reads:

"My Dear Tom:

Here I am, right side up with care, but quite a wonder considering what I have gone through with in the last 5 days.  You will have heard of the evacuation of Little Rock by our troops  that the Enemy now holds our Capitol etc.  This was done on the 10th.  I closed a long letter to you on the morning of the 10th, and at that time it was thought we could hold the place, but a few hours soon told a different tale.  The Enemy advanced below town, crossed in force, but did not come up on our fortifications as was expected by Gen. Price, but shunned them as all sensible people would do when they could effect their aim without it.

Gen. Price estimated their strength at 30,000  some more (Cavalry  Infantry under Steel, Davidson  Curtis).  On the morning of the 10th it was found that they were crossing some 4 to 6 miles below the Rock.  Marmaduke's Cavalry was immediately crossed on this side  sent down to keep them in check til the Infantry could come over, which they did  immediately commenced the retreat, which was about 10 o'clock. The Cavalry was fighting all the time in the most daring and gallant manner ever witnessed  they, thinking all the time that the Infantry was to support them, gave a general fight which every man was anxious for.  There was no Infantry engaged, only the entire Cavalry force (including Newton's  Dobbins' Regiments which were under Marmaduke also.)  The Artillery was partly engaged.

Pratt's Battery did good work, also Woodruff's which was made up of volunteers. At 1 o'clock it was generally known that a general retreat was ordered.  The Cavalry stood up to the last minute disputing every inch as they fell back.  Never did men fight better  never more hurt at the giving up a place, for they felt it would be a long retreat.  The men all would have felt better satisfied if they would have given them a trial.  Many blame Gen. Price  think the force not so great, but it is bound to be large.  They move with entire confidence.  I suppose Gen. P. knows best, but it does look like it was rather badly managed.  Had his fortifications been extended down the river and up--instead of putting the entire works in front of the town, the time might have been prolonged, if not successful entirely.  I will not criticise 'old Pap's' generalship for he has plenty of that.  He may be all right in his notions. The Retreat did not take him by surprise for to my certain knowledge there has been more arrangements to evacuate the place than to hold it.

It's all gone up now  all North Ark.  where thier lines will be in 4 weeks no one knows.  I left at 4:30 that evening, came out with Brother as our Cavalry retreated. When I left Dr. K. our Cavalry was in line across the lower end of Town below the PO fighting.  I helped Dr. K. bind up some of our wounded.  You have no idea what a cram there was.  Marmaduke through Price was influenced by some of the Citizens not to fight so close to town, and he was very much enraged.  He sent me and Em Ewing to get out of town.  Mrs. Peyton  a few others said he was going to raise H--- before he left Town.  He fought them all the way through the town, but lost only a few men.  He killed a Federal with his pistol in the street by Dr. Peyton's near the middle of the town.  He acted in a reckless manner all day  his men all followed him.  They captured three pieces of Artillery and brought them off.  The men were dismounted all save the General  his Escort when they charged the Battery.

The General told them the first man that lagged or faltered he would shoot them down. They killed 3 men off of the Battery after they took it--they would not give up.  It was their intention to destroy the main portion of the Town  would have done it, but were hurried too much.  There is not much love for Little Rock in the soldiers.

We followed the Trains and Infantry on, travelling all in a cram, the Cavalry fighting in the Rear.  We all stopped about 3 o'clock in the night and took a rest until daylight.  I slept under a tree with brother Bill and slept as sound as if I were a thousand miles from the enenmy.

Daylight found us all on the stir, the enemy were crowing the rear, the Cavalry still fighting them.  Brother and I came on, stopped about 12 and got dinner, the first eating done for several meals.  We managed to get to stay in a house the next night. The Trains, passing all night, put us behind again.  The Feds followed on to Benton in Saline County where Marmaduke gave them a little fight and repulsed their Cavalry force that had been following them.  They were soon reinforced by their Infantry, and Marmaduke had to fall back.  The Infantry of Gen. Price was halted at Salmi River  a portion of the train.  If the force had not been too large they could have fought them there, but owing to their attempting to flank our forces they had to go to Rock Port 35 miles from here where we left them yesterday morning.

We got here to cousin Ann McFadden's last night, tired and hungry, for something to eat had played out on the road from Little Rock here.  I brought George and Fanny [horses] with me.  I have given you a faint idea of the Retreat  hope soon to be able to give you a more minute description by word of mouth.  This is my first big Retreat I hope my last for, I assure you, it was not pleasant.  The dust was so thick for your life you could not see a man five steps from you.  I passed more broken down wagons, buggies, etc than you could imagine could be in same distance.  I saw everybody but you on the Retreat.

Mrs. Hull was along, seemed cheerful as a bird--could not tell whether she was white or black hardly.  Col. Hull is in Missouri.  I left Dr. Peyton's wife 2 miles back of Arkadelphia with a host of ladies (campted.)  Every house in Arkadelphia and around is full.  Poor Em Ewing, I left her just crying to kill nearly, in the streets.  Maj. just got to say goodbye as he galloped by, the balls flying after them.  Em had no way of coming out.  I hated to leave her.  Since I have been with Em of late I find her quite a different girl from what Nannie has always represented her to be.  She has one of the best husbands except mine.  He is a noble fellow.  Although Nan says Em has picked up a stranger, she tried to pick him up and failed as she has in a few other cases.

Dr. Kirkwood went down the morning of the fight and tendered his services as a Sergeant or as a man for the ranks.  He thought he would be successful that morning. John Kirkwood was a volunteer gunner of Maj. Woodruff's Battery and will make a good soldier, but Dr. tried to keep him out as long as possible.  Dr. was very uneasy when he found we were going to evacuate the place.  The people accused the Dr. then of being Fed, but I don't think he would wish us anything but success, but his confidence in our cause is light.  He really wishes it different, but can't feel it will be  speaks it out while others think as he does and say nothing.  But he will play his hand as to get along with them, I know.  He wanted me to stay, but really I felt as if I could not stand to hear them exulting over their success.

And to be there and not hear a word from you--I could not think of it.  Yet it looks just now like to keep out of the war lines will be next to impossible.  Whether our army will make a stand here or not I can't tell, but I think if the enemy still come on, they will fall back as far as Washington where they are sending all the Government stores now.  Gen. Cabel's Command got to Arkadelphia yesterday.  Gen. Price  Staff got there this morning.  I have just learned that it is thought the enemy will not move on here immediately.  They could put this outfit through rapidly if they were to push them now for they need rest, and they are somewhat demoralized. Quite a number deserted on the Retreat,  mostly Ark. men, Reg. and the Infantry.  The Negroes dropped off by the dozens the first night we left Little Rock.

I do hope the Feds will put the last white man that sneaked in home in the Ranks  pray they may all be killed the first battle.

Many of the desertions are not aiming to quit the service, but are opposed to being sent so far from home.  It looks like we are losing ground here, but I hope things will change--tis a long lane that has no turn to it.  The Rebels are having a hard time.  There is said to be 2,000 Cavalry from the Missisippi River to be at Arkadelphia tomorrow.  The Militia is all encampted at Town  all the old men have volunteered for 12 months in this county.  Uncle James Wilson is orderly Sergeant of A Company  left this morning for Camp.  McFadden is also out in a Pioneer Company. The entire Country is deserted by the men around here, but they are too late going out I fear.  The Federals now have the best part of the State.  I would not give North Arkansas for 50 times the extent of this country.  From here to Little Rock there is not enough corn to feed a Regiment of Cavalry for three months, and the people are living on half rations, Little Rock not excepted.  I positively nearly starved since I left home for something I was used to eating.

How often I have thought of the poor soldiers  as I came along the road I was reminded of the hardships my poor brothers have undergone while on those marches east of the Mississippi River.  I shall feel more for the poor soldiers now than ever. One poor fellow I saw dying by the roadside.  How much I wanted to get out and do something for him.  I asked Col. Newton's wagonmaster to see to him, but he was hurried so I doubt but that he was left to die alone and maybe unburied.

I find this whole country filled with sick.  The Citizens--McFaddens all sick and their neighbors.  I hope I will not get sick.  I had my spell in Little Rock, had only been up 4 days when I left.  I feel quite well now since I got enough to eat again.  This country does not look like it did when I was here before.  I feel a lonesome or blue spell coming on me.  It is so quiet here  still I have been in such a crowd for so long, I know I will be lonesome here.  Lou Ross heard I was here last night, and she came calling on me this morning has just [illegible] Lou was very glad to see me.  She is about all of my old friends left around here that is not married  2,3 children.  Lou wanted to know where mine were.  I told her I hung them up in my wardrobe before I left home.

Brother Bill has gone down to Aunt Rutha's, three miles from here.  He will go to his command in the morning.  I am half crazy to hear from you.  If you wrote me at Little Rock I have never gotten a letter since you got my letter written you at Little Rock. I was there 4 weeks, and during that time I wrote you from 3 to 4 times a week.  I hope you got them.  I suppose Capt. Price will find your letters to me in the mail destined for Little Rock which will be opened at Arkadelphia now.  He told me he would attend to it for me.  He came on yesterday with us, is quite unwell, has been on the decline since the Helena fight.  I hope he will get better for he is an excellent young man and a good friend of mine.  He has been very kind  attentive since I left home.

Col. Shaver came during the skedaddle out of Little Rock to assist me in getting out. He said his ambulance tent and his servant with himself was at my service.  He was most the most excited man I saw during the day.

Head, John Smith  about 20 others came after me as they feared I had no way of getting out, knowing I was there.  I will never forget such friends for they are true friends.  Head is a great soldier.  John Smith is highly complimented by the Reg. for his bravery.  He makes a good soldier with a Reg. of Henry Smiths who, bye the bye, I hear has gone to Mexico, family and all.  I guess 'tis so he would rather go to Africa than fight.  I don't know where Freas is now, but is out of danger, I guess. Can't hear from up there now.  You need not be surprised to hear of me being homesick.  I would give a great deal to see Pa, Ma  little Matt now, and if I don't get to see a big six footer down here pretty soon I don't know what I will do.  I've not got the patience of Job.  It seems an age since I saw you.  I hope I will see you soon, but I see but little hope of it now.  May paper is out.  I must close.

                                                Truly yours,
                                                Laura

P.S.  I am going to write Mr. Ruse [Ross?] tomorrow.  Maybe he can get a letter to you or has heard from you.  If our army has to fall back from here, I will go as far as Judge Rose's  if our army can make a stand there I think I'll go no further unless I get with you.  I will keep George [horse] with me as long as I stay within our lines, but in case I have to remain in the enemy's lines I will leave him with Brother or some Officer for you.  Fanny [horse] I will keep with me and take the chances.

                                                Truly yours,
                                                Laura"

In the spring of 1864 General Sterling Price made cavalry invasions into Missouri, penetrating as far as Jefferson City and the the outskirts of St. Louis.  "War Department Series" reports mention that "Quartermaster Cox of Gen. Price's command was captured April 7, 1864 at Jefferson City, Missouri by Capt. N. H. McClean."  The papers of General Price in 1983 were retained by his great-great-great-granddaughter Linnea Breeze whose husband was a teacher at University of Cincinatti in 1983, according to John Thomas Cox (C2/12.3).

At the conclusion of the Civil War Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) returned to Batesville to resume his law practice.  He was listed in the vestry [governing board] of Batesville Episcopal Church March 3, 1866.  Shortly afterwards he was shown as secretary of the Batesville Institute, holding $1,000 of stock in the corporation.  On January 29, 1868 he purchased an office building on Broad Street for $112.50, according to Independence County deed records.

Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) and Col. J. A. Schnabel, a German engineer who served in the Confederacy, were successful bidders on a contract to build a courthouse in adjoining Jackson County, Arkansas January 3, 1869.  Total cost of the building erected at Jacksonport, Arkansas was $75,000.  A photograph of the three-story building appeared in "Pictorial History of Arkansas" by Fay Hampstead.

Col. Schnabel owned a brick kiln in Jacksonport, and used the brick extensively in the building.  The foundation was made of his brick, extending four feet below ground and four feet above ground as a precaution against the frequent floods that came to Jacksonport.  The building was described by a newspaperman:

"It is altogether one of the most pleasing structures to behold, the measurements being in that perfect proportion so essential to an harmonious symmetry, nothing to jar the eye, nothing superfluous, producing only the effect of dignity and a restful permanence.  The first floor of the rectangular building is ventilated and enhanced by two wide hallways crossing in the center and ending in four identical outside double doorways.  The intersection of the halls is finished by four equal arches, and the doorways are surmounted by semicircular, fanlight windows."

The courthouse was finally completed and accepted by the county December 24, 1872. The main entrance of the building was the doorway which faced the river and the business section of the town.  Over the doorway was a wrought iron balcony overlooking the town square from which many stirring speeches were made during election years and times of public celebrations.

The second-story courtroom was used for Christmas festivities, and a Mardi Gras Ball was held there in 1874.  The courthouse was also used as a haven for the community during the frequent overflows of the White River.  Each office had its own pot-bellied stove.  Since the courthouse was the only safe place in the town during floods, fires and disasters the townspeople commented that "Sometimes here everybody in town runs for a public office at the same time."

Jacksonport lost out as the county seat in 1892, and the courthouse was converted to a school.  In 1905 the building was used to house a cotton gin.  In 1909 it became the County Poor House.  Later it was used as a rice granary.  In 1962 it was purchased by the Jackson County Historical Society, just before demolition to salvage Col. Schnabel's brick, which began to restore the building.  At that time it was the oldest building in the county.

Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) purchased the steamboat "Argos" in June 1869 and operated the steamer on regular runs in the upper White River trade.  About two years later the "Argos" ended its career when its hull settled to the bottom at the mouth of Poke Bayou at Batesville.

In 1868 the Federal government in an attempt to pacify the wild and lawless conditions that existed on the Texas frontier following the Civil War.  Sterling Price promulgated a plan whereby the more stable citizens in each community would exercise control to maintain peace and order through the Grange.  He called upon Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) to come to Texas in a "peace corps" effort to establish the Grange in central Texas communities.  Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) accepted the appointment and arrived in Lampasas County in the fall of 1869, living there with his brothers who quickly accepted the organization.  Pleasant C. Cox (C4/2.2) became its first master.

An article describing the efforts of Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) to establish the Grange in Lampasas County appeared in the August 1, 1983 edition of the "Lampasas Dispatch." The writer, Bob Howard, then in his 87th year, had gathered material for the article in the Texas State Archives and in interviews with members of the Cox family in the early 1930's under a federal Artist  Writers grant.  Texas Grange Masters published some of the information in a booklet in 1960.  The article stated:

"The year 1868 found support of the Grange spreading out all over America bringing the purposes and ideals of the Grange to farm families everywhere.

No place in America needed help more than Lampasas County which was oin the main route of the cattle drives to the northern markets.  This was fertile ground for horse and cattle thieves as well as army deserters, renegade soldiers, yankee carpetbaggers, U.S. police and other types of undesirables.

Thomas Cox, a Missouri lawyer and Convederate veteran who had recently chosen Arkansas as his new home, found the folks in Lucy Creek and Lampasas River area of Lampasas County eager to listen and quick to organize a local Grange.  These people felt the Grange could serve as a united force for the community.  Others view it as a form of local government since no real form of government existed in the county. Still others wanted to use it as a "Regulator" organization to keep the peace and punish the lawbreakers.  So, for whatever reason, 16 men and boys, ages 19-67, voted to establish the Lucy Creek-Lampasas River Grange October 12, 1869 with the meeting place on the Pleasant Cox farm at the "old Brown house" located near the east bank of Lucy Creek about eight miles noreheast of Lampasas Springs.  News of the Grange spread rapidly, and men from all over the area sought to be admitted to the organization.  In less than two months the Grange had doubled in size.

Much good was accomplished, but not quickly enough to suit the purpose of many people.  The Klu Klux Klan tried to take over the Grange; others sought to make it an organization for vengeance, but law and order prevailed among the cooler and wiser heads.

Thomas Cox and other organizers founded many Granges throughout the central Texas counties, including Travis, Bell, Milam, Williamson, Falls and McClennan.  Many Grange meetings wer disturbed by Union soldiers, or U.S. police as they were called. Others were attacked by outlaw groups.  Yet the Grange grew rapidly.  By 1872 there were some 500 Granges in Texas, and they decided to meet and establish a state Grange.  By 1876 more than 1,500 Granges were operating in Texas.  The Grange fairs led to the establishment of the State Fair of Texas."

Thomas Cox (C4/2.5) appeared as the head of Household 96-103 in the 1870 census of Independence County, Batesville, township, page 145.  The family was rendered as:

 "Cox,    Thomas     47, born in Indiana, lawyer,
                                         $20,000 real estate, $8,000
                                         personal property.
                Laura A.  32, born in Tennessee, wife
 Griffin,  Arilla        11, born in Mississippi
 Sherill,  James       50,born in Arkansas, negro
              Amelia      15, born in Arkansas, negro,
                                      daughter of James
             Samuel     24, born in Tennessee, negro,
                                      son of James, teamster"

About the first of February 1871 a severe ice storm struck Batesville, and the accumulation began to weigh down the roofs of the buildings there.  Thomas Cox (C4/2.5), concerned about the safety of the roof on his office building when it began to leak, climbed to the roof in an effort to dislodge the ice.  This exposure brought on an attack of pneumonia which caused his death February 3, 1871.  He was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, and his will was probated at Batesville.  Laura A. Erwin Cox (E4/1.1) had become acquainted with his brother James Christopher Cox (C4/2.4) while he was in Confederate service in Arkansas.  She invited him to come to Batesville to claim a portion of the estate since the couple had no children, but he declined.

The Batesville Bar Association in its meeting February 18, 1871 prepared a resolution concerning his death and had it entered in Independence County court records:

"Whereas: It has pleased the giver of all life to remove from our midst our friend and brother, Thomas Cox, who entered into rest on the third day of February 1871, therefore resolved that with deep and unrestrained sorrow we bow to this affliction which has deprived our profession of a member whose ability raised him to an enviable position of the bar and whose virtues endeared him to all who knew him.

Resolved: That in respect to his memory we bear the usual badge of mourning for 30 days.

Resolved: That a copy of the proceedings be presented to the Independence Circuit Court now in session with the request that the same be spread upon the record and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the family of our late brother.  You will notice that there is a request to have the resolution entered upon the records of this court.  The life of our brother was in many respects remarkable.  In it there was much to command admiration.  An incessant worker, without noise, affable yet uncompromising, energetic, aspiring, having a 'sound head and stout heart,' he acquired a reputation.  He was a man of many virtues."

Laura A. Erwin Cox was remarried July 2, 1874 to Dr. David Ewing, believed to be the former husband of Em Ewing mentioned in her letter reproduced above.  In 1882 he was elected president of Arkansas Medical Association.  On July 2, 1898, on their twenty-fourth wedding anniversary, Dr. David Ewing was standing in front of his office building during a severe windstorm.  Suddenly the front portion of the building collapsed in the wind and fell upon him, crushing him to death.  Thus the office building and the weather was instrumental in the deaths of two husbands.

Laura A. Erwin Cox Ewing survived until 1901.  She was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Batesville, near her two husbands.  No children were born to either marriage, and the property was inherited a neice, Mrs. W. D. Gray.  The Thomas Cox mansion was later sold to the First Methodist Church in 1956.  It was later determined that it was impractical to try to preserve it for its historic importance, and the 111-year old residence was razed for a parking lot.

Much of the research on the life of Thomas Cox was done by Mary Alnora "Nora" Cox Drennan, a grand-niece.  Sources she researched included "Independence County Chronicle" editions of July 1962, October 1963 and January 1964.

Nathan Cox, son of Thomas Isaac Cox and Rachel Carr Cox, was born in Knox County, Kentucky in November 1800.  About 1809 his parents removed to Ross County, Ohio settling near Chillicothe.  In 1818 his family relocated in Indiana, probably Jackson County.  In 1820 they moved to a farm on Salt Creek, a tributary of the Wabash River, 12 miles east of Bloomington, Indiana, according to "Our Pioneer Ancestors."

Nathan Cox was married June 7, 1822 to Dorcas King, according to Monroe County marriage records.  She was born in Kentucky in 1801 and was perhaps his second wife since two children had been born to her before their marriage.  Delilah Cox, a cousin to Nathan Cox, was married to John King, according to Mildred King Jonasson, King family researcher.  John King settled in Denton County, Texas in 1844.  Rhoda Cox, another cousin, was married to a King and also lived in Denton County.  The King family was prominent among the Quakers in Ross County, Ohio in the early days of that area.

In 1823 Nathan Cox continued to live in Monroe County.  It is believed that they lived in Arkansas in 1837 and in 1839.

Nathan Cox appeared in the 1840 census of Taney County, Missouri.  The family was composed of:

 "Cox, Nathan white male 30-40
                           white female 30-40
                             [Dorcas King Cox]
                          white male 15-20
                          white male 10-15
                         white male 10-15
                        white female 5-10
                        white male 5-10
                       white male 5-10
                       white male 0-5"

They continued to lived in Taney County in 1844, and they lived in Greene County, Missouri in 1850 and 1860.  Nathan Cox was enumerated there as the head of a household in Campbell township in the 1850 census:

 "Cox, Nathan            50, born in Kentucky, farmer,        $400 real estate
             Dorcas            49, born in Kentucky
             William R.      18, born in Indiana
             Mary A.          16, born in Indiana
            John [Jehu]    13, born in Arkansas
            Gaston            11, born in Arkansas
            Rachel               9, born in Missouri
 Cox,   Rachel             88, born in North Carolina
 King, Gaston             71, born in North Carolina"

In a consecutive entry was the enumeration of Household 264-264:

 "Cox, John            23, born in Indiana
            Louisa M.   24, born in Tennessee
           Nathan          1, born in Missouri"

In the 1860 census Nathan Cox reappeared in Greene County, Taylor township:

 "Cox, Nathan     58, born in Kentucky
             Dorcas     59, born in Kentucky
             John           7, born in Missouri"

In the will of Nathan Cox, he mentioned children, "Joseph, John, Jeremiah, William R, Polly Ann Williams, Jehu, Jestine Potter [married to Elisha Potter November 10, 1857 and Rachel Wilkerson."
 

Children born to Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox include:
 
 John Cox       born in 1819
 Nathan Cox   born about 1821

Joyce Dowell wrote August 3, 1993 that these two men were not children of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox
 
 Joseph King Cox       born April 24, 1823
 Jeremiah Cox            born in 1829
 William Riley Cox     born in 1832
 Mary Ann Cox           born in 1834
 Dorcas Cox                born in 1835
 Jehu Cox                    born about 1838
 Gaston A. Cox          born in 1839
 Rachel Cox               born in 1841

 
John Cox, reportedly the son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1819, according to his tombstone in French Prairie Cemetery, Logan County, Arkansas [three years before the marriage of his parents.]  Mildred King Jonasson in a letter dated December 29, 1966 wrote, "Nathan Cox's oldest son, John Cox, was born in 1819 in Ross County, Ohio.  He lived in Bell County, Texas in 1860 and was later in Logan and Stone Counties, Arkansas."

By 1837 the family of John Cox had removed to Arkansas.  He was married March 18, 1855 to Mary Popejoy, according to Greene County, Arkansas Marriage Book B, page 26.  Apparently they removed to Bell County, Texas shortly afterward.

He was remarried in 1884 in Stone County, Arkansas to Sara Malinda Truett. She was born May 6, 1864 in Crawford County, Arkansas.  In 1892 they lived in Oklahoma.

Children born to John Cox and Mary Popejoy Cox include:

 John Russell Cox   born about 1852
 Nathan Cox            born about 1853
 William Cox            born in 1854

Children born to John Cox and Sara Malinda Truett Cox include:

 Elnora Cox                 born October 19, 1888
 Jahue Edward Cox   born March 17, 1890
 Charles H. Cox          born March 15, 1892
 Dorcas Cox                 born July 16, 1895

John Russell Cox, son of John Cox and Mary Popejoy Cox, was born about 1852 probably in Greene County, Missouri.  John R. Cox, probably, was married January 16, 1876 to Mary E. Pierce, according to Greene County Marriage Book 3, page 150.  Children born to John Russell Cox and Mary E. Pierce Cox are unknown.

Nathan Cox, son of John Cox and Mary Popejoy Cox and namesake of his grandfather, was born about 1853 in Missouri, probably in Greene County.  Of this individual nothing more is known.

William Cox, son of John Cox, and Mary Popejoy Cox was born in 1854 in Missouri, probably Greene County.  He is reported to have died in Binger, Oklahoma in January 1949 at the age of 95.

Elnora Cox, daughter of John Cox and Sarah Malinda Truett Cox, was born October 19, 1888 in Missouri.  She was married about 1905, husband's name Witherspoon.

Jahue Edward Cox, son of John Cox and Sarah Malinda Truett Cox, was born March 17, 1890, according to Mary Halford Wilson.  He was married about 1910, wife's name Lillie.  Children born to Jahue Edward Cox and Lillie Cox are unknown.

Charles H. Cox, son of John Cox and Sarah Malinda Truett Cox, was born March 15, 1892 in Indian Territory.  Of this individual nothing more is known.

Dorcas Cox, daughter of John Cox and Sarah Malinda Truett Cox, was born July 16, 1895, probably in Indian Territory.  She was married about 1913, husband's name Joplin.

Nathan Cox, reportedly the son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1821 in Ross County, Ohio, according to Mildred King Jonasson [a year before the marriage of his parents.]  Mildred King Jonasson wrote that he "pioneered in Texas and Missouri."  Of this individual nothing more is known.
 

Joseph King Cox, son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born April 24, 1823 in Monroe County, Indiana.  He was married September 23, 1844 in Taney County, Missouri to Elizabeth Caroline Elam, who was born October 1, 1822 in Tennessee to Reuben Elam and Leah Elam, according to Mildred King Jonasson.

In 1849 they continued to live in Missouri.  In 1850 they lived in Stone County, Missouri, and in 1852 they lived in Bell County, Texas.

Joseph King Cox appeared as the head of a household in the 1860 census of Bell County.  The household, No. 219-199, was enumerated consecutively with that of his brother Jeremiah Cox.  The family was rendered as:

 "Cox,     Joseph               37, born in Indiana, farmer,          $200 real estate,
                                                  $130 personal property
                Elizabeth           38, born in Tennessee
                 Mary                 13, born in Missouri
                Houston             12, born in Missouri
               Francis (twin)    10, born in Missouri
               William (twin)    10, born in Missouri
               Columbus              8, born in Missouri
              John [Jehu]           6, born in Missouri
              Josephine               4, born in Texas
              George                   2, born in Texas"

Joseph King Cox continued in Bell County in 1865.  It is believed that they removed to Arkansas about 1874.  In 1877 they lived in Logan County, Arkansas. Joseph King Cox died December 18, 1899 at Ione, Arkansas in Logan County. Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox died there May 31, 1900 and was buried in French Prairie Cemetery beside her husband.

Children born to Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox include:

 Mary Jane Cox                    born Oct. 2, 1847
 Houston Lafayette Cox      born Jan. 5, 1849
 Francis M. Cox (twin)        born May 20, 1850
 William J. Cox (twin)         born May 20, 1850
 Nathan Columbus Cox      born Mar 28, 1852
 Jehu Tilman Cox                born Oct. 10, 1853
 Martha Josephine Cox      born Dec. 1, 1855
 Saraptha Isaphene Cox     born Mar 23, 1857
 George Riley Cox               born Jan. 18, 1859
 Winfield Scott Cox             born Feb 24, 1861
 Trifinia Itaska Cox             born Mar 4, 1863
 Joseph Grant Cox              born Mar 22, 1865

These birthdates were taken from the family bible which in 1964 was in the possession of Mary L. Moorehead, a descendant.

Mary Jane Cox, daughter of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born October 2, 1847 in Missouri, probably Taney County.  She was married about 1867 in Arkansas to Louis Jefferson Whittington.  Later she was remarried to Jasper Powell.  She died September 6, 1927 in Logan County and was buried in Hopewell Cemetery there, according to Mary Halford Wilson of El Portal, California.

Houston Lafayette Cox, son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born January 5, 1849 in Missouri.  He was married February 27, 1875 in Scott County, Arkansas to Nancy Ann Walker.  He died June 6, 1919 in Logan County, Arkansas and was buried in French Prairie Cemetery. Children born to Houston Lafayette Cox and Nancy Ann Walker Cox are unknown.

Francis Marion Cox, twin son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born May 20, 1850 in Stone County, Missouri.  He was married August 28, 1878 in Logan County, Arkansas to Nancy Jane Harp.  He died September 9, 1931 at Ione, Arkansas and was buried in French Prairie Cemetery.  Children born to Francis Marion Cox and Nancy Jane Harp Cox are unknown.

William Jasper Cox, twin son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born May 20, 1850 in Stone County, Missouri.  He was married in Arkansas to Ethel Lucinda Smith.  He died November 16, 1930 in McLennan County, Texas and was buried in Cold Springs Cemetery.  Children born to William Jasper Cox and Ethel Lucinda Smith Cox are unknown.

Nathan Columbus Cox, son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born March 28, 1852 in Bell County, Texas.  He died about 1864.

Jehu Tilman Cox, son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Cox Elam, was born October 10, 1853 in Bell County.  He was married about 1877 in Logan County, Arkansas to Mary Jane Wells.  He was remarried December 23, 1887 in Scott County, Arkansas to Sara Ann Scroggins.  Jehu Tilman Cox died July 12, 1926 at Ione, Arkansas and was buried in French Prairie Cemetery.  Children born to Jehu Tilman Cox, Mary Jane Wells Cox and Sara Ann Scroggins Cox are unknown.

Martha Josephine Cox, daughter of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born December 1, 1855 in Bell County.  She was married October 17, 1877 in Scott County to Archie Jackson.  Later she was remarried to Millard Fillmore Halford.  She died April 2, 1930 in Knox County, Texas and was buried in Vera Cemetery there.

Saraptha Isaphene Cox, daughter of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born March 23, 1857 in Bell County.  She died there during the 1860s.

George Riley Cox, son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born January 18, 1859 in Bell County.  He was married October 8, 1882 in Scott County to Martha Ann Thompson.  He was remarried January 12, 1896 to Rebecca W. Warren in Scott County.  He was married for the third time to Balzora Green in Logan County in 1913.  Children born to George Riley Cox, Martha Ann Thompson Cox, Rebecca W. Warren Cox and Balzora Green Cox are unknown.

Winfield Scott Cox, son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born February 24, 1861 in Bell County.  He was married August 16, 1883 and again July 15, 1897 in Scott County, wives names unknown.  He died September 24, 1900 in Logan County and was buried in French Prairie Cemetery.

Trifinia Itaska Cox, daughter of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born March 4, 1863 in Bell County.  She was married November 3, 1883 in Scott County.  She died January 10, 1938 in Grapeland, Texas in Anderson County.

Joseph Grant Cox, son of Joseph King Cox and Elizabeth Caroline Elam Cox, was born March 22, 1865 in Bell County.  He died there as an infant.

Jeremiah Cox, son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1829 in Indiana, probably Monroe County.  In 1839 his family lived in Arkansas.  They were enumerated in Taney County, Missouri in the 1840 census.  They continued to live in Missouri in 1848.  He was married about that time, wife's name Sarah.  Jeremiah Cox lived in Missouri in 1854 and moved to Bell County, Texas about 1855.  They appeared in the 1860 census of Bell County as Household 218-197 in an adacent location to the household of his brother Joseph King Cox.  The family was rendered as:

 "Cox, Jeremiah 31, born in Indiana, farmer, $150 real estate,
                                     $100 personal property
             Sarah      28, born in Tennessee
             Henry     11, born in Missouri
            Angeline   9, born in Missouri
           Caroline    6, born in Missouri"

Children born to Jeremiah Cox and Sarah Cox include:

 Henry Cox         born in 1849
 Angeline Cox    born in 1851
 Caroline Cox    born in 1854

Henry Cox, son of Jeremiah Cox and Sarah Cox, was born in 1849 in Missouri.  He appeared in the 1860 census of Bell County as an 11-year-old in his father's household.

Angeline Cox, daughter of Jeremiah Cox and Sarah Cox, was born in 1851 in Missouri.  She appeared in the 1860 census of Bell County as a nine-year-old in her father's household.

Caroline Cox, daughter of Jeremiah Cox and Sarah Cox, was born in 1854 in Missouri.  She appeared in the 1860 census of Bell County as a six-year-old in her father's household.

William Riley Cox, son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1832 in Indiana.  His family continued in Indiana in 1834 and appeared in Arkansas in 1837 and 1839.  He appeared in his father's household in the 1840 census of Greene County, Missouri as a "white male, 10-15."

He reappeared in the 1850 census of Greene County as an 18-year-old in his father's household.  He was married there December 15, 1853 to Bernetta Potter, according to Greene County Marriage Book A, page 278.  Children born to William Riley Cox and Bernetta Potter Cox are unknown.

Mary Ann Cox, daughter of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1834 in Indiana.  Her family appeared in Arkansas in 1837 and 1839.  She was enumerated in the 1840 census of Greene County, Missouri as a "white female, 5-10," in her father's household.  She was enumerated again in the 1850 census of Greene County as a 16-year-old living with her parents.  She was married October 13, 1853 to Allen Painter, according to Greene County Marriage Book A, page 273.

Dorcas Cox, daughter of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1835, probably in Indiana, according to Mildred King Jonasson.  Of this individual nothing more is known.

Jehu Cox, son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1837, probably in Arkansas, according to Mildred King Jonasson.  He appeared in the 1850 census of his father's household in Greene County, Missouri as "John Cox, age 13", an enumeration error, suggested Mildred King Jonasson.

Jeslin A. Cox, son of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1839 in Arkansas.  He appeard as "Gaston Cox," an 11-year-old in the 1850 census of his father's household in the 1850 census of Greene County.  However, the enumerator may have confused his name with that of Gaston King who also appeared in the census.  Jeslin A. Cox was married November 10, 1857 to Elisha Potter, according to Greene County Marriage Book B, page 125.  She is believed to be a sister to Bernetta Potter who was married to William Riley Cox.  Children born to Jeslin A. Cox and Elisha Potter Cox are unknown.

Rachel Cox, daughter of Nathan Cox and Dorcas King Cox, was born in 1841 in Greene County.  She was apparently a namesake of the unidentified Rachel Cox, age 88, who appeared in the 1850 enumeration of the household of Nathan Cox in Greene County.  Rachel Cox appeared as a nine-year-old in that census report.  She was married April 12, 1860 to Thomas C. Wilkerson, according to Greene County Marriage Book B, page 211.