My Genealogy Hound

JOHN C. COX. Prominent among the old and respected citizens of Joplin, is the subject of this sketch. Judge Cox was born in Burke county, North Carolina, Sept. 6, 1811. His parents, David and Lucy (Branch) Cox, were also natives of North Carolina. His father was born Aug. 14, 1782, and died Oct. 16, 1836. His mother was born Oct. 20, 1784, died Dec. 27, 1854. When about eight years of age he moved with his parents to Tennessee, locating on a farm in Jackson county. Subject was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. About the year 1829 his father was elected sheriff of Jackson county, and being re-elected, held that position six years. During that time subject served as deputy. In 1886 he came west and after traveling over the state entered land in Ray county, Mo. Soon after he disposed of his interests there and returned to Tennessee. In June, 1838, he came to this county, entered land, and settled on Turkey Creek, near where he now resides. At that time the present site of the prosperous city of Joplin was but a waste of prairie, covered with tall grass, interrupted here and there with a clump of bushes and occasionally by a ledge of rock, which cropped out on the hillsides. During the war our subject suffered great loss from depredations of both armies. In June, 1863, the bushwhackers burned him out, and he went to Neosho, Newton county, where he remained until the cessation of hostilities. In the fall of 1866 he returned and erected his present residence. Judge Cox was married in Jackson county, Tenn., Aug. 23, 1837, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Edward and Jane Mercer, of Jackson county, Tenn. Her father was born in that state Oct. 14, 1782, and died in the fall of 1860, and her mother was born Oct. 22, 1787, and is now living in Tennessee, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Mrs. Cox was born Sept. 25, 1816. This union has been blessed with eleven children; Lucy Jane, born June 18, 1838, died Dec. 26, 1863; David S., born March 23, 1840, died Nov. 30, 1857; Edward M., born May 30, 1842; John C. Jr., born Sept. 27, 1844; Menerva J., born April 11, 1846; Cassius E., born Dec. 24, 1847: William T., born Dec. 20, 1849; Sarah A,, born Sept. 11, 1852; Samuel B., born Dec. 24, 1854; James J., born April 7, 1857; and Benjamin F., born April 27, 1860. In 1840 he was elected justice of the peace for what was then Center Creek township. He was chosen county surveyor in 1852, and in the fall of 1873 was elected associate justice of the county court. Judge and Mrs. Cox are now quite pleasantly located on the original site of Joplin, surrounded by a large circle of friends, and are so situated as to enjoy the comforts of life during their declining years.