William R. Cox, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Bedford Co., Virginia, Feb. 25, 1832; when he was 16 years of age, his parents, Joel and Margaret Cox, moved to Ross Co., Ohio, living there eight years; they came to Coles Co. in 1856, and, three years afterward moved to Independence, Warren Co., where they died, his mother in 1874, and his father in March, 1876. While living in Ohio, Mr. Cox married Miss Hannah C. Thompson, April 28, 1853; she was a daughter of Nathan Thompson, who was a native of Virginia, and moved to Ross Co., Ohio, at an early day; he remained there three years; engaged in farming and milling, and in the year 1856, moved to Coles Co., Hutton Tp., and in September, 1870, purchased and moved upon his present farm on Secs. 22 and 23, containing 129 acres. For twelve years, before coming to his present home, he carried on the “Blakeman Flouring-Mill,” three and one-half miles southeast of Charleston in this county. Soon after the organization of the townships, he was elected Commissioner of Highways, serving three years; he was elected Supervisor in 1877,-for two terms. His wife was born Oct. 19, 1834; they had six children, five living – Emza H. (now Mrs. Fred. Cottingham), born June 28, 1854; Mary C. (now Mrs. Daniel Pipher), born March 9, 1856; Joel F., born Feb. 25, 1858; Elizabeth T. (now Mrs. Flavius Boyd), born April 26, 1860, William A., born Aug. 14, 1872, and one deceased, Emma H., born July 14, 1862, died April 17, 1868.
