Cox - Ira - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

It is indeed a rare pleasure and privilege to be able to spend our old age in the house where we spent our childhood. There is, as all will agree, a certain "atmosphere" prevading the old home which is very noticeably absent from any place else, no matter how much finer and costlier may be our residence in later life, and no matter how very humble may have been the home in which we first opened our eyes to the light of day. Ira Cox, one of the well known farmer, now retired, of Franklin Township, oCounty is one of the fortunate ones in this respect. He has lived to see wonderful changes in this locality since he first sent his infant cry out on the air in this old homestead nearly 73 years ago, and he has not by any means, been an idle spectator to these changes with advancing civilization, but has been a very potent factor in them, having always stood ready to put his shoulder to the wheel of local pogress. He has led a life for which no one can upbraid him now that it is drawing toward the silent twilight. Mr. Cox was born Oct 1, 1840 in this township and county as above staed. He is a son of William and Hannah PICKETT Cox, the father was born on July 23, 1814 in Richmond, IN and he moved to Montgomery County when a boy when this section was a wilderness and inhabitants were few, and here he devoted his life successfully to general farming and reached an advanced age, passing away June 29, 1903. The mother of Ira Cox was born Sept 18, 1813 in NC and when a young girl she moved with her parents to Montgomery County, Indiana and here spent the rest of her life dying Sept 10, 1893. To these parents six children were born, 3 of whom are still living: Catherine; Jeremiah are both deceased; Ira of this sketch; Emily, Elwood is deceased and Albert, the youngest. Ira Cox grew up on the farm and there did his full share of the work when a boy, and he received his education in the local districdt schools. He has remained unmarried, and has always farme don the home place, keeping it well improved and so skilfully cultivated that it has retained its original fertility. Mr. Cox is owner of 320 acres, 260 of which is tillable, fairly well ditched an dotherwise in good condition. He raises a good grade of livestock. Politically, Mr. Cox is a Republican, but he has never sought office, desiring to lead a quiet home life, like his honest, hard working father before him. He is a member of the Friends Church and trustee in the same. -- kbz