ALEXANDER COX

UNCLE ALEX. COX

Passed Away at 2:30 Saturday Morning.

     Uncle Alex Cox passed away at his home in Metz at 2:30 o'clock Saturday morning.

     For a number of years he had been in feeble health, and finally complicated diseases got a firm hold and they, coupled with his age, were too much for medical skill to combat and only temporary relief could be given.  His wife and family, who had long rendered every available assistance, were at his bedside during his last hours.

     Funeral services were held at the M. E. church, South, Sunday at 1 o'clock.  Rev. G. W. McClanahan preached the sermon and he was assisted during the service by Rev. W. S. Bayne and Rev. J. W. Owen.  A large crowd was in attendance.

     The honorary pall bearers were members of Mt. McGregor Post No. 252, G. A. R., of which deceased had long been a member.

     The body was laid away in the Lawrence cemetery, north of Stotesbury.

     Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were:  Joseph H. Cox and Eugene Cox and wife of Mena, Ark.; Charley Cox and two daughters, Nevada; Marion Cox, wife and four children, Foster; Clarence Cox and wife, George Cox, wife and two daughters and Charley McNamer, wife and daughter, Hume.

     Alexander Cox was born at Marion, Williamson county, Illinois, June (sic)11, 1839, and at his death was aged 76 years, 5 months and 1 day.  He was the youngest and last surviving member of a family of eleven children.  He often spoke of being so lonesome after all of them were gone.

     In 1855 he removed to Mound City, Kans.  Returning to Marion, Ill., the following year he was married February 7 to Elizabeth Sanders.  To this union five children were born--Joseph H., Braxton, Marion F., Ollie and Wiley R.  Braxton died at the age of 21 and Mrs. Ollie Dye at the age of 50.  In 1859 he came with his family to Vernon county.  In 1861 they returned to Mound City.  His wife dying in 1871, he was later married to Amelia Ragains.  Nine children were born to them--Johnnie, George, Alice, Jessie, Laura, Emma, Walter, Florence and Lizzie.  Six of these children died in early childhood, the surviving being George, Jesse and Mrs. Charles McNamer.  He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

     In 1874 he moved with his family to Bates county, Missouri, where they resided until 1880 and removed to Allen county, Kansas.  In 1882 they returned to Vernon and located on a farm northwest of Metz where they resided until 1903 when they came to Metz.  Here he continued to reside until his death.

     He served with credit in the Union army, in which he re-enlisted at the expiration of his term, serving till the close of the war.

     He was converted at the age of about 18 years and became an active worker in his church, serving as Sunday school teacher a number of years.  His church recognized in him ministerial gifts and he was ordained to preach in 1884 by the Missionary Baptist church.  He was the successful pastor of several churches, but for a number of years had not been active in the ministry on account of his health.

     He was a successful business man, being industrious, economical and straightforward in his dealings.  He was a great fancier of cattle and horses, which he engaged in raising successfully while on the farm.

     In his death the Metz Baptist church loses a faithful member and the town and community a good citizen.

The Metz Times, Metz, MO.  Friday, June 18, 1915.

Vernon County, Missouri Death Certificate #20854 and gravestone give his month of birth as January.

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