William Harley Cox1

b. 25 April 1845, d. before May 1945
FatherJames Cox2,3 b. 22 Feb 1805, d. 16 Jul 1894 or 1895
MotherLouisa Harley2,3 b. 3 Jan 1824, d. 2 or 20 Jul 1897
Birth25 Apr 1845 William Harley Cox was born on 25 Apr 1845.3 
Marriage22 Dec 1870 He married Mary Jane Buchanan, daughter of James Hayter Buchanan and Jane Beattie Ryburn, on 22 Dec 1870 in Smyth County, Virginia. The transcribed marriage record lists Mary Jane's mother as Nancy C. Buchanan, however Nancy was actually her stepmother.2 
Migration Shortly after their marriage William and Mary Jane migrated to California's Central Valley. They stopped first in Lodi, but by 1874 had settled further east near the small community of Linden.4,5 
  William's cousin, John Bell Cox also made the journey. 
Cens-Sum  Here the federal census enumerations recorded them beginning in 1880, where they were listed as farmers living in the Douglas township area of San Joaquin County.6,7,8,9 
Children Six children were born to William and Mary Jane Cox in California, beginning with a daughter born not long after their arrival who they named Gypsy.5 
Children  Their other children included Fred, Grace, Maud, Laura and a sixth child who died between census years and whose name is not known to me.1 
Public Servfrom 1883 to 1888 In addition to establishing a farm, William served as deputy county assessor from 1883 to 1888.5 
Public Serv He also served as postmaster in Linden.5 
Deathbefore May 1945 William died before May 1945.10 

Family

Mary Jane Buchanan b. 3 Apr 1856, d. 19 May 1945
Children
Last Edited2 May 2011

Citations

  1. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 357.
  2. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 42. Wm H. Cox 25, s/o Jas & Louisa T. AND Mary J. Buchanan 15, d/o Jas H. & Nancy C.; 22 Dec. 1870 [Nancy was actually Mary's stepmother].
  3. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 357. The author cites the records of William Hedrick Brown.
  4. [S125] Letter, Judith St. Louis to Diana Powell, 29 July 2001.
  5. [S127] George H. Tinkham, History of San Joaquin Co., CA, p. 1319.
  6. [S1254] Wm H. Cox household, 1880 U.S. cens., San Joaquin Co., California, pop sched., Douglas township, ED 115, page 203 B (stamped), family 49, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2005, image 6 of 37. Enumeration reads: Wm H. Cox, 35, farmer, b. VA, parents b. VA; Mary, 25, wife, same; Gipsey, 7, dau; Maude, 4, dau; Grace, 2, dau; No name, b. Jan., son; all children b. CA.
  7. [S1252] William H. Cox household, 1900 U.S. cens., San Joaquin Co., California, pop. sched., Douglas twp, ED 101, sheet 9A (p. 38 stamped), dwelling 164, family 167, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Enumeration includes: William H. Cox, 55, b. Apr 1845, marr 29 yrs, b. VA, also parents, farmer; Mary J., wife, 44, b. Apr 1856, marrr 29 yrs, mother 6 children, 5 living, b. VA, also parents; Maud, dau, 24, b. Nov. 1875, b. CA; Grace G. dau, 21, b. Oct. 1878 CA; Frederic _, son, 20, b. Jan. 1880 CA, farm laborer; Laura E., dau, 13, b. June 1886 CA, at school; children's parents b. VA.
  8. [S1253] William H. Cox household, 1910 U.S. cens., San Joaquin Co., California, pop. sched., Douglas township, ED 117, sheet 12A, dwelling 275, family 289, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr. 2005. Enumeration includes: William H. Cox, 65, marr 40 yrs, b. VA, also parents, "own income"; Mary J., 55, marr 40 yrs, mother 6 children, 4 living, b. VA; also parents; Laura, dau,, 24, b. CA, parents b. VA; residence is on Messick Rd.
  9. [S1159] William H. Cox household, 1920 U.S. cens., San Joaquin Co., California, pop. sched., Douglas township, ED 143, sheet 3B, dwelling 43, family 49, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Apr. 2005. Enumeration includes: William H. Cox, 74, marr, b. VA, parents b. VA, farmer, owns farm; Mary J., wife, 63, b. VA, also parents; Laura Peters, dau, 32, wid, b. CA, parents b. VA.
  10. [S126] Mary Jane Cox, California state death certificate no. [not clear] (1945); Information reported by Mrs. Arthur Moore; Mary Jane was identified as the widow of the late William H. Cox.