My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. COX, one of the leading and influential citizens of Woodson county, is now serving as chairman of the board of county commissioners acquitting himself in a most creditable manner as the incumbent of that important position. He is a firm advocate of Republican principles, having always supported the party, and his opinions carry weight in its councils in this section of the state. He is likewise prominent as a representative of agricultural interests, having devoted most of his time to farming since coming to the county in November, 1885. He now owns a valuable tract of land of two hundred and forty acres in Eminence township, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of the crops best adapted to the soil and climate.

Mr. Cox was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1855, and is a son of George W. Cox, and a grandson of Joseph H. Cox, the latter a millwright by trade. His wife died young leaving a family of four sons and two daughters. One of the sons, William Cox, served his country in the war of 1812. George W. Cox, the father of our subject, was born in the Keystone state, near Chambersburg, August 14, 1812, and in 1815 his parents removed to western Pennsylvania, where he was reared. He married Elizabeth A. Cope, whose parents went from the vicinity of Philadelphia to the western part of the state. Mr. Cox followed farming in Fayette county through his active business career but he and his wife are now living retired in Green county, Pennsylvania, the former at the age of eighty-nine years, the latter seventy-seven years of age. Their children are: James F., who died at the age of three months; Joseph H., of Dickinson county, Kansas; Eli C. of Miami county, this state; Elma, wife of Finley Woodward, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania; Sarah J., who died at the age of twelve years; Mary E., wife of George Frost, of Green county, Pennsylvania, and George W.

The opportunities which George W. Cox had in his youth were such as most boys of the period enjoyed. He pursued his education in the common schools, and after putting aside his text books he became familiar with the practical work of the farm in all its departments, following that pursuit throughout his residence in the state of his nativity. He first visited this state in 1877, spending the summer at Wellsville, and being well pleased with the country and the future prospects of the state he ultimately decided to locate here, coming to Woodson County in November, 1885. He made the journey direct from Fayette county, Pennsylvania and located upon section eighteen, township twenty-six, range sixteen, on a partially improved farm. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable property. The latest improved machinery facilitates the work of cultivation, and substantial buildings add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. In 1893 Mr. Cox began merchandising at Rose, where he carried on his store for six years and then sold out to Al Troyer, resuming his work upon the farm.

On the 3d of October, 1878, Mr. Cox was united in marriage in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Agnes C. Leighty, a daughter of Stephen S. Leighty, a farmer of Fayette county, where he was born in 1814. He married Eliza Hutson, and his death occurred August 10, 1892, while his wife passed away in 1863, leaving the following children: William, of Stafford county, Kansas; Henry, of Macomb, Illinois; Kate, wife of Milton Blair, of Oklahoma; Taylor, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania; Rebecca, wife of Joseph Piersol, of Ohio; Anna, wife of Robert Rankin, of Stafford county, Kansas; Stephen S., of Reno county, Kansas; Eliza, wife of Davis D. Woodward, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Cox. After the death of his first wife Mr. Leighty married Mary Hair, and their children were: Emma, wife of Chester F. Gween, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania; worthy of their regard. His business career is alike, free from tarnish as he is always straightforward in his dealing, living in touch with the highest ethics of commercial life.