My Genealogy Hound

JOHN IRWN COX, a retired farmer of Shippensburg, was born Feb. 20, 1824, in Southampton township, Franklin Co., Pa., a son of John and Martha (Paden) Cox, and grandson of Samuel and Mary (McComb) Cox.

Samuel Cox was born in 1755, at Shippensburg, Pa., and married (first) Mary McComb and (second) Annie Peebles; he was her third husband. Col. Hugh Paden, the maternal grandfather of John I. Cox, was born near Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa., married a Miss Boggs, and reared a family of seven daughters and two sons. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction.

John Cox, father of John Irwin Cox, was born June 17, 1781, in Franklin county. He carried on in connection with his farm, the manufacture of woolen goods at Middle Spring, using water-power, and the same site is now the location of the Shippensburg electric light plant. Mr. Cox died March 6, 1854, in his seventy-third year, survived by his widow until Aug. 25, 1858; she was born Feb. 17, 1807, in Mount Joy, Lancaster Co., Pa. They were buried at Middle Spring in what is known as the lower graveyard. Their family consisted of the following children: Mary L., wife of Charles McClay; Sarah Jane, wife of Francis McClay, of another family; Martha Ann, wife of John J. Young; Samuel P., unmarried; William A., who married Jane A. Young and is deceased; John I., of this sketch; and Hugh Paden, who died at San Francisco.

John I. Cox spent his youth on the farm and attended the district school. At that time the sessions were held in an old log structure which has given way to a handsome brick one. Mr. Cox recalls Robert Hunter as his first teacher. Later he attended the Shippensburg Academy, where he was prepared for entrance to Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Pa., where he was graduated in 1848. After graduation he began the study of medicine, but on account of failing health engaged in farming in Southampton township, Franklin county. He then formed a partnership with Hugh Paden, and they engaged in the manufacture of lumber at Lyons City, Iowa, for some time. Tiring of this business, Mr. Cox disposed of his interests in that locality. The next eight years were spent in farming in Whiteside county, Ill., and he then returned to Shippensburg, where he has been connected with several business enterprises, conducting a store for the sale of agricultural implements, and later a boot and shoe store. Since 1881 he has lived retired.

Mr. Cox was married, April 13, 1858, to Keziah M. McCune, of Middle Spring, who was born Oct. 11, 1832, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Colwell) McCune. There have been no children by this marriage.

In political sentiment Mr. Cox is a Democrat, but in late years has cast his vote with the Prohibition party. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Middle Spring, of which he has been a trustee many years. Although in the evening of life he is in command of all his faculties and not only enjoys good health, but the respect and affection of his fellow citizens.