Our Family History
The Genealogy of the Thompson Family
Ruth B Cox
1920 - 19921. Ruth B Cox was born in 1920 (daughter of Wyona Ivan Cox and Mary Ellen Alley); died in 1992. Family/Spouse: ? Linn. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
2. Wyona Ivan Cox was born on 15 Nov 1890 in Mercer County, Missouri (son of Jasper Alexander Cox and Eliza Augusta Duncan); died on 22 Jul 1972 in Glendale, Arizona; was buried in South Linville Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri. Wyona married Mary Ellen Alley on 27 Feb 1920 in Princeton, Mercer County, Missouri. Mary was born on 04 Aug 1896 in Coin, Page County, Iowa; died on 31 Oct 1975 in Glendale, Maricope County, Arizona; was buried in South Linville Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Mary Ellen Alley was born on 04 Aug 1896 in Coin, Page County, Iowa; died on 31 Oct 1975 in Glendale, Maricope County, Arizona; was buried in South Linville Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri. Children:
- 1. Ruth B Cox was born in 1920; died in 1992.
- Joseph Alexander Cox was born in 1922; died in 1995.
- Thomas Willis Cox was born in 1927; died on 30 Jul 2004 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
- Norman Alley Cox was born on 07 Jan 1938; died on 04 Sep 1995; was buried in South Linville Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri.
Generation: 3
4. Jasper Alexander Cox was born on 17 Oct 1864 in Mercer County, Missouri (son of Minister John Willis Burton Cox and Mary Jane Rockhold); died on 29 Jan 1919; was buried in South Lineville Cemetary, Mercer County, Missouri. Notes:
From Andre Mostert about the Jasper Alexander Cox and Eliza Augusta Duncan History:
My sister Trudy wrote this short article about our Cox/Duncan grandparents. Our mother Dora Cox had told us this story often. Also Uncle Ona wrote his own story of his father and mother which is almost identical to mother's. There is a verbal quirk in northern Missouri that pronounces an ending "a" as "i or "y". So Auda, Ona, Ina would all be pronounced as Audy, Ony, Iny. I can verify this having heard my mother and her brothers and sisters saying this often. They called her (Dora) Dory. Continuing along this line, natives of the northern border with Iowa also called the state Missoura, not Missoury.Jasper married Eliza Augusta Duncan on 14 Apr 1890 in Mercer County, Missouri. Eliza (daughter of John Thomas Duncan and Mary Diana Brown) was born on 01 Aug 1868 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 04 Mar 1924 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in South Lineville Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Eliza Augusta Duncan was born on 01 Aug 1868 in Mercer County, Missouri (daughter of John Thomas Duncan and Mary Diana Brown); died on 04 Mar 1924 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in South Lineville Cemetery. Notes:
Died:
Per text with Andre Jules Mostert: I never knew my grandfather Alex Cox as he died when my mother and her twin Maggie were quite young and then their mother committed suicide when they were 14.Notes:
Married by Preston Hampton, Justice of the peace for Mercer County.
Witnesses for the wedding were William Brown and Jimmy Duncan, Auda's brother.
Dora and Maggie were twins.Children:
- 2. Wyona Ivan Cox was born on 15 Nov 1890 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 22 Jul 1972 in Glendale, Arizona; was buried in South Linville Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Iona May Cox was born on 01 Jul 1895 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 07 Apr 1982 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in South Lineville Cemetary, Mercer County, Missouri.
- James Alexander Cox was born on 14 Dec 1898 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 19 May 1959; was buried in South Lineville Cemetary, Mercer County, Missouri.
- John Burton Cox was born on 14 Nov 1900 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 03 Jun 1975; was buried in Lowry-Snyder Cemetery, Somerset Township, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Albert Porter Cox was born on 01 Feb 1903 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 28 Apr 1983 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.
- Dora Eleanor Cox
- Maggie Susan Cox was born on 05 Jan 1910 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 03 Aug 1982 in Bozman, Gallatin County, Montana.
Generation: 4
8. Minister John Willis Burton Cox was born on 19 Dec 1825 in Rutherford County, Tennessee (son of Arthur Willison Cox and Susannah M Laughlin); died on 24 Apr 1899 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri. Notes:
1860 Census on file.
Tombstone reads "JWB Cox died Apr. 24 1899 aged 73y 4m 5d".
Also found notes stating John W B Cox was born in Kentucky.
He was licensed to preach in 1873 and ordained into the Baptist Church in 1875.
Obit:
Obituary
J.W.B. Cox was born December 19th, 1826, and departed this life April 24 at 6 o'clock, 1899, aged 73 years, 4 month and 6 days. He was born in the state of Tennessee, and at the age of 11 years moved to Jackson Co., MO with his father and mother and seven brothers and sisters, he being the seventh. James the oldes, Jarret T. Mary Ann, Hugh P., Elisabeth Jane, Sarah C., Margaret E. and J.W.B. Cox are the names of the family of Wilson and Susannah Cox and they have all passed away except Margaret, who is only waiting for her lord to call her home.
At the age of 17 J.W.B. Cox moved to Mercer Co., where he made his home until God called him away. He joined the Baptist Church in the year of 1871, was licensed to preach the gospel in 1873 and was ordained about 1875. He was married to Mary Jane Rockhold in the year of 1856. He has left his companion 4 boys and 3 girls and 15 grandchildren. Two of his children had gone on before to a better land, one in infancy and the other, Elizabeth J. Brown, who has preceeded him about 5 months, and died so happy in Jesus and having her friends stand around her bed and her **ther hold her Bible open so she could look on its sacred pages to the last. But how soon does a generation pass away? J.W.B. Cox was loved by all. He was a minister of the Gospel in word and deed. No one ever came to him for aid but what he would help them. He was a Good Samaritan to all, his house was open to receive the orphans and he was a father to them all. How sadly he will be missed by al and especially at home when they gather around the dear old family altar at night, oh, then, how he will be missed! Yet his works will follow him for how can we ever forget who have heard his kind exhortations and warnings and prayers.
His sufferings were very great during his illness of nine days but he shouted and praised God all day the day he took sick. He said from the first day of his sickness that he would not get well and he has gone to his erernal rest.
The funeral sermon was preached by J.R.Nordyke and J.D.Houston from Job 14:1 to a large concourse of people.
Weary toiler thy work all done And they soul into glory gone, Eternal life with its crown now won, God giveth the rest. Rest from all sorrows and watching and fears, Rest from all possible sighing and tears, Rest through God's endless wonderful years, At home with the blest.
Burt Cox worked at many trades. He was a good woodsman; handy with an axe, saw and other wood working tools. He was a brick maker and he and his boys made thousands of bricks which were used for buildings round about. He was also a carpenter, bricklayer and cabinet maker. However, that did not use up all of his time.
When he was 35 years old, he became very much interested in religion. He wanted to do more in God's work. He studied the "Good Book" diligently. He and Mary Jane had joined the Baptist Church about 1871. Burt became an ordained minister of the Baptist faith about 1873. He was a practicing Minister until his death. He was a minister of the "Hard-Shelled" Baptist Church. Since his Congregation were farmer folk who had rather small incomes, his material returns for his labors were small indeed. Rich, however, were the rewards of good will and friendship he reaped.
He ministered to the sick. If any man needed help to pay his rent or his interest in order to keep his home or if a poor man with only two horses lost a horse, Burt Cox went out to take up a collection to remedy the situation. You may bet your bottom dollar Burt Cox's contribution headed the list and was as large as he expected any other man to give.
Burt traveled all around the area on horseback to hold meetings and to minister to people. He was a big man and a hard working man.
As I said, he worked at many trades. These trades he taught his sons: timber work, farming, bricklaying and brick making. They became proficient in most of these trades.
John Willis Burton Cox died 24 April 1899 in Mercer Co., Missouri and is buried in the old Laughlin Cemetery.John married Mary Jane Rockhold on 23 Oct 1856 in Mercer County, Missouri. Mary (daughter of Lloyd Rockhold, II and Jane Connor) was born on 26 May 1838 in Carroll, Carroll County, Missouri; died on 30 May 1925 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. Mary Jane Rockhold was born on 26 May 1838 in Carroll, Carroll County, Missouri (daughter of Lloyd Rockhold, II and Jane Connor); died on 30 May 1925 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Mercer County, Missouri . Notes:
1860 Census on file.
Thelma Nicholas' notes show the last name spelling as Rocholdt, but this is not correct.
Notes with tombstone are: COX Mary J. May 30, 1925 Age 87y, 4d, Same stone with John W. B. Cox, Dau of Loy & Jane Rockhold, Born in Carroll Co., MO.
Obit:
Mrs. Mary J. Cox, A Well Known Old Resident, is dead
By Obie Davenport
Mrs. Mary Jane Cox, an old and highly respected lady of the north part of the county, died Saturday at her home. The funeral was held Sunday at the family home and was conducted by Rev. W E Kauffman, assisted by Rev. Tye and Rev. Houston. Interment was in the Laughlin cemetery.
Mary Jane Rockhold, daughter of Loyd and Jane Rockhold was born in Carroll County, Mo., May 26, 1837. She was one of a family of eleven children, all of whom preceded her in death except her brother, Richard L Rockhold and another brother in California. She moved to Mercer County with her parents, when a child. She was married to the Reverand Burton Cox, Oct 23, 1856 and through their long wedded life she was an exemplar companion, kind, loving, faithful and self-sacrificing. To this union nine children were born. Jarret M, Mrs. Nancy A Thompson, Brewster, Kans., Miss Ellen deceased; Mrs Madora Hampton, Lineville; Thomas W Cox, Lineville; L ****** *** **** Tipton B and *** ****** ***** **** **** ****** ** *** ***** ****** ******* ****** ***** ***** ***** *** ** ******* **** ** the same motherly kindness and gentle she reared a large number of homeless and orphan children.
The hospitality of the Cox home was shared and enjoyed by the entire community for many years. And it has been quite often said that no one was permitted to the leave the Cox home at meal time without breaking bread with this fine old family. Since her husbands death she had lived with her devoted sons, Jarret and Porter in the old home. Her daughter had offered her the comforts of her home but she preferred to remain under the old roof until the end. The children were ever ready to make any sacrifice for their dear old mother's comfort and pleasure. The relatives assembled to celebrate her birthday May 26, and although she was bedfast at the time she greatly enjoyed the occasion very much and was glad they all came home to spend the day.
She was reared by devoted Christian parents was early in life became a member of the Christian church. Later she with her husband, who preached the gospel for more than a quarter century, united with the Baptist church in 1871. She departed this vale of tears to dwell for ever with the pure and Holy. She had for several days been happy singing "I'm Going Home to Die No More." The morning of her death she prayed that the Savior might come and take her home. And, with her passing there comes to our minds this phrase from the Inspired word. "Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful, over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of the Lord."Notes:
Soon after they were married Burt and Mary took a baby boy by the name of Sam B. Baker to rear. Son of Sarah C. Cox Baker, to raise. He was a few years older than Jarrett Cox, who was born July 27, 1857.
Burt and Mary also took to rear Tom Qualls and Tobe Molen.
Tom Qualls became a very rich man as riches were reckoned in his day, $75,000 or more.
Tobe Molen moved to Oklahoma about 1900. He worked on a farm for awhile then went to the oil wells or fields to work. He studied the oil business, learned how to find and map oil fields. He worked in both the United States and Canada. The last we heard of Tobe he was on an oil exploring trip in western Canada.
Married:
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 about Mary Jane Rockhold
Name: Mary Jane Rockhold
Gender: Female
Birth Place: MO
Birth Year: 1838
Spouse Name: John Willis Cox
Spouse
Birth Place: TN
Spouse Birth Year: 1825
Marriage
Year: 1856
Marriage State: MO
Number Pages: 1Children:
- Jarett Madison Cox was born on 27 Jul 1857 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 31 Jul 1938; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Somerset, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Nancy Ann Cox was born on 05 Jan 1859 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 03 Feb 1937 in Rawlins County, Kansas; was buried on 04 Feb 1937 in Brewster Cemetery, Brewster, Thomas County, Kansas.
- Elwysey Eleanor Cox was born on 21 Nov 1860 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 30 Aug 1913; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Somerset, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Lloyd Porter Cox was born on 03 Sep 1862 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 17 Oct 1932; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Somerset, Mercer County, Missouri.
- 4. Jasper Alexander Cox was born on 17 Oct 1864 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 29 Jan 1919; was buried in South Lineville Cemetary, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Elizabeth Jane Cox was born on 20 Apr 1866 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 20 Nov 1898; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Somerset, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Mary Viola Madora Cox was born on 18 Mar 1869 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 16 Jul 1934 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in Laughlin Cemetery, Somerset, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Thomas Willis Cox was born on 02 Mar 1872 in Missouri; died on 04 Sep 1960 in Imperial, Missouri.
- Tipton Burton Cox was born on 30 Oct 1876 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 12 Jan 1880; was buried in Wilder Cemetery, Somerset, Mercer County, Missouri.
10. John Thomas Duncan was born on 07 May 1831 in Coffee County, Tennessee (son of Alfred Gillis Duncan and Eleanor C ?). John married Mary Diana Brown on 08 Feb 1866. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
11. Mary Diana Brown (daughter of James H Brown and ?). Children:
- James Harvey Duncan was born on 07 Dec 1866 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 21 Jun 1955 in Lineville, Mercer County, Missouri.
- 5. Eliza Augusta Duncan was born on 01 Aug 1868 in Mercer County, Missouri; died on 04 Mar 1924 in Mercer County, Missouri; was buried in South Lineville Cemetery.
- Susan Electa Duncan was born on 10 May 1870 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 29 Oct 1951 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Sarah Iona Duncan was born on 26 Jun 1872 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 12 Mar 1915.
- William M Duncan was born on 26 Aug 1875 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 18 Oct 1876 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Vina Edith Duncan was born on 23 Aug 1877 in Lineville, Wayne County, Iowa; died on 27 Sep 1903 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Arthur Carlisle Duncan was born on 18 Jul 1880 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri; died on 17 Aug 1884 in Mercer, Mercer County, Missouri.
- Theodosia Eleanor Duncan was born on 08 Sep 1887 in Lineville, Wayne County, Iowa; died on 15 Mar 1966 in Berkeley, Alameda County, California.