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Biographies
Source:
History of Miami County, Indiana
Publ.
Chicago - Brant & Fuller
1887
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CLICK HERE to RETURN to 1887 BIOGRAPHICAL
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J. T. Cox |
Peru Twp. -
HON. JABEZ T. COX. The gentleman whose
biographical sketch is herewith presented, was born in Clinton
County, Ohio, Jan. 27, 1846. His parents, Aaron and
Mary (Skeggs) Cox, were natives respectively of Ohio and
Kentucky, the father of English-Welsh, and the mother of German
lineage. Jabez T. Cox, in early life attended the common
schools and subsequently entered the Westfield Academy, an
educational institution under charge of the Society of Friends
at Westfield, Ind., in which he pursued his literary studies for
a period of four years. Having early decided upon the
legal profession as his life work, he, in 1865 entered the law
office of the late Hon. N. R. Overman, of Tipton,
Indiana, under whose instructions he continued until his
admission to the bar, a little later, and with whom he formed a
partnership in the practice which lasted from 1867 till 1869.
In the latter year he abandoned the law for a time and entered
the field of journalism as editor of the Frankfort Crescent,
of which paper he was proprietor until 1871, when he returned to
Tipton and again took up the legal profession with his former
partner, Judge Overman. From 1871, till 1875
he practiced with marked success in the courts of Tipton and
adjoining counties, but in the latter year owing to his wife’s
ill health disposed of his interests in Indiana and removed to
Hutchinson, Kansas, In that state he soon acquired
more than a local reputation, as is attested by the fact that in
1878 he was nominated on the Democratic state ticket for the
office of Attorney General. Although defeated at the
ensuing election, the Democratic party in Kansas being in a
hopeless minority, yet, when the vote was canvassed it was found
that he had run 3,500 ahead of his ticket. Owing to
continued ill heath of his wife he shortly afterward left Kansas
and went to Colorado where he remained until 1883 when he
returned to Indiana and located in Peru, where he has since been
actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In
politics Mr. Cox has always been a pronounced Democrat,
believing earnestly in his political convictions. In 1886 he
received the nomination for Representative to the Lower House of
the State Legislature and after a brilliant canvass defeated his
competitor, by a very decided majority. Mr. Cox’s
legal career presents a series of continual successes and his
acknowledged familiarity with the principles of law, and
thoroughly independent cast of his mind make him a safe and
trusted counselor. He has a military as well professional
career, entering the service of his country in 1864 as private
in Company B, 136th Indiana Infantry, and serving with the same
until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He is
prominently identified with the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows
fraternities. He married his first wife, Miss Jennie
Price, of Tipton, Indiana, in 1867. She died in
Colorado in the spring of 1882. Two children were born to
the marriage, viz: Edward E. and Inez. His
second marriage was solemnized in the year 1884 with Miss
Lizzie Meinhardt, of Peru, who has borne him one
child, Carl M. Cox.
Source: History of Miami County, Indiana - Publ. Chicago -
Brant & Fuller - 1887 - Page 409 |
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Peru Twp. -
JONATHAN D. COX, was born in Butler
County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 1818, being the third son of David J.
and Rosina (Bake) Cox, native of Monmouth County, New
Jersey. The father of Mr. Cox emigrated to Ohio,
and in 1826 came to Decatur County, Indiana. He was born
in 1792 and died in 1837. The mother of Mr. Cox
died in 1836. The subject of this biography, received a
common school education. He came to Miami County in 1837,
and for some years worked on a farm and later clerked in a
store. In 1840 he, in partnership with Richard
Miller, started a general store at Pawpaw. He
continued this business for four years and then engaged in
farming. Feb. 2, 1842, he married the daughter of
Richard Miller, who died in 1848. By that
marriage were born two children, Wm. H. and Alphonso
C. Mr. Cox was married again Feb. 12, 1850 to Miss
Caroline, daughter of Col. William M. Reyburn,
(deceased), who was one of the pioneers of Miami County.
They have two children, viz: Charles R. and Horace G.
Mrs. Cox died in 1856. Mr. Cox was
married again in 1859 Miss Jennie Thornburg,
a native of Wayne County, Indiana. By this union they have
one child, Jessie B. Mr. Cox removed to Peru in
1856. In 1857 he engaged in the stove, tinware and
lumber business. This business he continued one year and
then again engaged in the agricultural pursuits which he
continued until 1885, when he retired from active life. In
1867 he was appointed Assessor for Miami County of Internal
Revenue. In 1868 he was elected to represent Miami County
in the General Assembly of Indiana. He was re-elected to
the same office in 1870. He is a Democrat and a member of
the Masonic fraternity.
Source: History of Miami County, Indiana - Publ. Chicago -
Brant & Fuller - 1887 - Page 408 |
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INSERT PORTRAIT |
Peru Twp. -
GEORGE A. CROWELL, retired business man
and prominent citizen of Peru, is a native of Jefferson County,
Virginia, born there June 25, 1820, the son of Samuel and
Mary (Link) Crowell, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia,
respectively, and of English-Scotch and Irish-German ancestry.
His early school experience embraced the studies appertaining to
the educational course presented by the usages of those days in
Sandusky County, Ohio, to which he moved with his parents when
but seven years of age. He was raised to agricultural
pursuits and remained with his parents on the farm until after
attaining his majority, when he began life for himself as clerk
in a mercantile house in the town of Fremont, Ohio. He
continued in the capacity of salesman at the above place until
1843 and in 1845 came to Peru, Indiana, to take charge of a
stock of goods for Sanford E. Main, in whose employ he
remained for a period of about one and a half years. From
the time of severing his connection with Mr. Main,
up to 1850, he clerked for different parties, but in the latter
year effected a co-partnership in the general mercantile
business with William Smith, which lasted until
1855. He purchased his partner’s stock that year and
conducted a successful business until 1876, at which date he
retired from active life, having by diligent and judicious
management accumulated a hand some competence in the meantime.
In addition to his large business interests, Mr.
Crowell always took an active part in all the enterprises
for the city’s welfare and was several times elected its
treasurer, the duties of which position he discharged in an
eminently satisfactory manner. He was largely instrumental
in inaugurating the street improvements of Peru, in which he
encountered much opposition, and also brought the first plate
glass store front to the city, besides introducing a number of
other modern improvements. He took an active interest in
the internal improvement of the country, and to him, more than
to any other man, is due the credit of securing and building up
of the present efficient turnpike system of Miami County.
At this time he is Superintendent of the following roads,
to-wit: Peru and Mexico, Peru and Santa Fe, and Peru and
Mississinewa Turnpikes, and their present superior condition is
largely owing to his careful and judicious management. In
the year 1869 he was appointed special Indian agent for the
Miamis of Indiana and the Eel River bands of Miamis, and
discharged the duties of the same until 1876. Mr.
Crowell was married in May 1851, to Mary A. Steele,
daughter of Joseph S. Steele, one of the pioneers of
Miami County. Mrs. Crowell was born in the
State of Ohio, and is still living. Of the four children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Crowell, but one, Alice O.,
is living at this time. The following are names of the of
the children, deceased, to-wit: Mary C., George G. and
Byron F. Throughout a long and active life, during
which he passed through many vicissitudes, Mr. Crowell’s
ruling elements have been industry and honesty, qualities which
have made themselves apparent to all with whom he has been
associated in a business capacity or otherwise. And now in
the sixty-seventh year of his age, he is still an energetic,
wide awake citizen, in possession of all his faculties and
enjoying the full confidence and respect of all his friends and
acquaintances. His portrait will be found elsewhere in
this volume.
Source: History of Miami County, Indiana - Publ. Chicago -
Brant & Fuller - 1887 - Page 410 |
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