BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Clay City and Harrison Township

     WILLIAM COX, an extensive dealer in timber at Clay City, Ind.,
was born October 7, 1841, in Henry County, Ky, and was the ninth
of eleven children of Arvis and Nancy (Dickens) Cox, both natives
of Henry County, Ky, and of Irish and German ancestry.  William
came in company with his parents, in the fall of 1851, to Clay
County, Ind., where they have since made their home.  Owing to the
poor facilities for education, William received but little
schooling, most of his education having been acquired after he
engaged in business.  He remained with his parents until he was
twenty years of age, when he began farming on his own account.  He
started with no means, and has met with many reverses, having paid
over $10,000 security debts, and is now worth about $3,000.  He was
formerly a very extensive stock-dealer, and purchased most of the
stock in the counties of Clay, Owen and Putnam, which business he
followed until he commenced dealing in timber.  He married Nancy
E., daughter of Oliver Cromwell of Clay County, Ind.  Five children
have been born to them -- Amanda, Other, Iona, Albert and Gertie.
In politics, Mr. Cox is a Democrat, and one of the party's most
active workers.