California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 EDWARD T. COX. Among the farmers and land owners who have gained a wide experience in other lines of business in California, mention is due Edward T. Cox, owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land in Tulare county, and one of the popular, progressive and public-spir- ited men of his neighborhood. Born in St. Clair county, Ill., May 1, 1852, he is a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Nimerick) Cox, also natives of Illinois, and farmers by occupation. The family moved from St. Clair to Hancock county, the same state, at an early day, and here Elijah Cox passed the balance of his life, being survived by his wife, who still makes her home in Illinois. Eight sturdy sons were reared to manhood in this humble home, were educated in the public schools, and started upon their respective self-supporting careers with assets consisting chiefly of common sense and a willingness to embrace whatever opportunity might come their way. During his eighteenth year Edward T. Cox attended school for the last time, and, leaving the home place behind him, started out to see the world and earn his own living. From Illi- nois he went to Minneapolis. Minn., engaged in business there during 1879-80, realizing a con- siderable profit in both groceries and real estate, and in various kinds of speculation. Coming to California in 1883 on a visit, he was delighted with the country and engaged in a real estate business in Monterey, in conjunction with the San Francisco Bureau of Immigration. In this capacity he helped to settle Monterey county, a difficult task at best, as at every step progress was balked by the efforts of the stockmen, who resented the dividing up of the lands. In 1886 he removed to Los Angeles, profiting by the boom of that time, and remained there for about three years. During the winter of 1888 he shouldered a gun and hunted all through San Luis Obispo county, in the spring coming to the San Joaquin valley, the richness of which ap- pealed to his judgment and hopes for the future. Visalia seemed to him a promising center, and near this town he found employment on the farm of a Mr. Evans, whose widow he later married. This was the beginning of his substantial success, and he began to buy land, in time accumu- lating his present farm, and having the oversight of the ranch owned by his wife, which is one hundred and forty acres in extent. The Cox property is highly improved and .yields a sub- stantial yearly income. In 1894 Mr. Cox married Mrs. Ellen Evans, a native of New York state, who came across the plains with ox teams at an early day. One child, Edward, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox. Mr. Cox has found recreation with the Odd Fellows and Masons for many years, and in the latter organization is a member of Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, and of the Scottish Rita. In politics he is a Republican, and is esteemed for his many strong and reliable traits of char- acter, his support of charitable and social institutions and his moderate and temperate life.