Obituary: James Cox 1909

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WAR VETERAN SUCCUMBS
James Cox Answers last Roll Call on New Year's Morning
Honorable War Record

The dawn of 1909 ushered the soul of James Cox into the spirit world,
and the home times of over a half century that had become cemented
through love and tender associations were ruthlessly broken.  
        Mr. Cox's demise was not unexpected, He had been ailing for over three
years from the effects of a fall down a fight of steps at his home.  
The result of the shock to his system incapacitated him although it did
not render him entirely helpless until several weeks ago.  The faithful
and tender ministrations of his wife and children were beautiful and
fitting tributes to the aged Veteran during the weeks of his suffering.
        The deceased was a son of the late Samuel and Hannah Podmore Cox and
was born Nov. 15, 1833, at Abersychan, Monmouthshere, England.  Four
years later he emigrated to America with his parents, settling at
Minersville.  The family subsequently removed to York Tunnel and later
to New Mines and Swatara, respectively.  June 25, fifty-six years ago he
united in marriage with Miss Ann Jones. 
        The dec'd. Had a splendid military record, such as any soldier might be
proud of.  In August 1861, inspired by love for his adopted country, he
being a resident of Schuylkill County at the time, enlisted in Captain
J. Claude White's company which eventually became attached to the 3rd
Penn. Cavalry whose Colonel was W.H. Averill, a West Point graduate and
an officer of commanding ability.  The company originally enrolled
numbered 108, all residents of Schuylkill County and numbered, amongst
others, many who after the war became residents of Williamstown amongst
them David Challenger, Holden Chester, Daniel Jones and others.  The
company "L", under its brilliant and dashing commander, J. Claude White,
a native of England and a son of an Episcopalian minister, soon made
itself conspicuous for its dash and daring and soon was recognized at
Headquarters as the "Old Reliable." No man in the company shone more
resplendent than the dec'd and whether on scout, skirmish, or the charge
of battle, he was always prominent, his actions winning the plaudits of
his comrades and the enconiums of his officers.  His services throughout
his term of enlistment, his hair breath escapes from desperate
situations, his horse on one occasion having been shot dead from under
him, his coolness under fire , his various soldiery escapes some of them
ludicrous in the extreme, would, if collected together fill a volume of
no mean proportion, but now he is gone, and, like a knight of old his
body is entoombed, his sword is rust, and his soul has gone to the God
who gave it.
        Upon his return from active service he became outside foreman of the
Swatara Schuylkill County colliery and later had charge of the inside
workings.
        In July, 1875, he removed with his family to Williamstown where he
secured employment at the colliery.  His knowledge and experience in
mining brought him to the notice of the Summit Branch mine officials and
upon the resignation of the late William Thomas who left at that time for
Colorado, Mr Cox was made inside foreman.  For twelve years he served the
company most efficiently and would no doubt have remained in its employ
for a much longer period had he not resigned in order to devote his
entire attention to the general store business which he had established
several years prior to this.

        His business career like that of his war an mine record was
honorable.  Hones and reasonable in his dealings with his fellow men he
held the confidence and esteem of all.  As a husband and father, those
who know him best, love him most.  Mr. Cox, in his palmy days was a
skilled marksman and for a number of years was acknowledged as the
champion wing shot of Schuylkill and Dauphin Counties.  Always active in
all that pertained to the welfare of his home and town, Mr. Cox made no
pretentions toward a religious live until three years ago, when, in the
presence of a large congregation in the M.E, Church one Sunday morning
he deliberately walked to the alter and affiliated himself with that
denomination.  The writer well remembers the incident and the effect it
had upon the audience as the gray haired veteran gave the responses in a
clear soldiery manner.  From that time on he became an earnest seeker
after the truth and rarely absented himslf from the services.  He was a
close friend of the pastor's. Rev. A. M. Witwer, and the able and
masterly sermon preached by the latter at the obsequies bore evidence of
the love he felt for the aged father in Israel. 
        His deep religious faith, his manly principles, his liberal and
broad-minded policies, his natural gentleness, his lack of
vindictiveness, his moral strength, his domestic virtues and his
upright,. Sturdy qualities caused him to be respected and admired by all
who know him.
        Funeral services were conducted by Re. A. M. Witwer on Monday
afternoon.  His body, clothed in his Grand Army suit, in his richly
arrayed couch casket surrounded by floral tributes was viewed by
hundreds of friends who had assembled in the lecture room of the M.E.
Church to pay the last sad rites.  The choir sang most effectively, the
following favorite hymms of the deceased: "By Cool Silome's Shady Rill,"
Close to Thee," and Precious Name" after which the cortege proceeded to
the Evangelical cemetery.  The pall bearers were selected from Chester
Post as follows: William Martz, Rober Pennel, James Baird, Adam Row, Wm.
Young, Jacob Clonser. Following is the order procession" A riderless
black steed from the saddle of which hung a pair of cavalry boots and a
sword.  Thos McCord bearing craped colors and bugler, Wm. Raudenbush:
the Citizen's Band: a firing squad of twelve members of the Sons of
Veterans: members of the Chester Post and other Veterans, Ladies Relief
Corps: mourners, followed by a large array of persons of both sexes.  At
the gfrave the rituals of the G. A. R. ans the Ladies aid the rendering
of "Nearer my God to Thee' by the band, the firing over the grave by the
firing squad and the mournful taps, closed the impressive service.
        Mr. Cox is survived by one son, Sam'l Cox of Lykens and the following
daughters: Mrs. Hannah Jones, Annie Mrs. (Aaron) Ralph, Evelyn Mrs.
(Edgar) Moss, Mercy Mrs. (Chas) Nash, Phoebe Mrs. (Henry) Stinner of
town: Mollie Mrs (Chas.) Allen of Tower City. Eighteen grandchildren and
one gre grand child also survive.  Mrs. Cox and the members of the family
desire to thank Thos Bond and other friends who rendered valuable
assistance during their bereavement. 
        Floral offerings were presented by the following persons: Pillow, by
Sam'l Cox and Mrs. Chas. Allen; Pillow, Mrs. Benj. Cox, children and
Uriah Wenrich casket boquet, Sam' Cox , Mrs. A. Ralph, Mrs. Edgar Moss,
Mrs. Chas. Nash, Mrs. Henry Stinner, Jas Cox Thompson and Mrs. Geo.
Hawk: casket bouquet, Engineer Corps, Lykens: Casket boquet, Mrs. Peter
Smith" Sheath of wheat Relief Corps; Bouquet, Mrs. David Law: Slumber
Robe, Mrs. Hannah Jones: The following persons were in attendance from a
distan: Miss Jenet Weir, Mrs. Geo. Hawk, Philadelphia; Mrs. Hohn Weir,
Mt. Carmel; Mr. And Mrs. Wm Kuehn, Minersville; Sam' Cox, Uriah Wenrich,
Jennie Cox, J C Thompson, Mrs Jane Cox, Harrisburg: Mr and Mrs. Sam'l
Cox, Mrs Ellen Motter, Mr. And Mrs. Wm. Evans, Mrs. and Mrs. VanHorn,
Mrs. Fred Kniley, Mrs. Wm. Trout, Mr. And Mrs. Wentxler, Morgan Edwards,
Wm Harper, Robert Swab, Mrs. Sarah Fotheringall, Lykens: John Murphy, Job
White, of Wiconiso: Mrs. Geo Hancock, Northumberland,: Miss Eva Hancock,
Dan'l Harris and wife, Shamokin; Chas, Allen and wife, Isaac Thompson,
Herbert and Bessie Stephens, Mrs. Balckmand and Mrs Luther Kaufman of
Tower City.