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Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John E. Cox was born in Chattooga County, Ga., February 1, 1845, and is a son of Franklin and Mary (Rice) Cox, who were born in South Carolina in 1811 and 1813, respectively. They were married in South Carolina, and afterward removed to Georgia, thence to Alabama, where the father died October 16, 1861. The mother is still living, and resides with her children in Arkansas. They were farmers and members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in his political views the father was a Douglas Democrat. John E. Cox is their seventh child, and the youngest of four sons and six daughters (eight of whom are living). He remained with his mother until November 7, 1867, when he was married to Martha J. Cunningham, a native of Jackson County, Ala., born September 10, 1849, and by her became the father of three children: Mary M., wife of L. A. Stockton; Nancy E. and Arminda B. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Farmer’s Alliance, and in his political views is a stanch Republican, and is also strongly in favor of the prohibition of the liquor traffic. He was ordained a deacon of the Missionary Baptist Church in 1869, and began preaching the Gospel in 1887. In 1862 he was conscripted into the Confederate service, serving six weeks, and in November, 1863, enlisted in Company H, of the First Alabama Regiment, Independent Vidette Cavalry, United States Army, serving nine months, and was mustered out June 16, 1864. He continued to make this State his home until January, 1880, when he came to Franklin County, Ark., where he now owns a good farm of 160 acres. What property he has accumulated has been the result of his energy and good management, and the assistance and encouragement of his wife. He at all times supports the cause of education, and is ever ready to aid all other worthy enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 163 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Franklin County, Arkansas family biographies here: Franklin County, Arkansas

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