Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/509



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thence to Oregon in 1847. He conducted the first Episcopal services in Portland, and continued faithfully in his profession in that city till 1864, when he removed to Idaho to establish tlie church in that Territory. Pie never took part in politics or money speculations, but kept an eye single to the promotion of religion. Ilia first wife dying, he mairied a daughter of John B. Wands, of New Scotland, N. Y. In 1867, being on the steamer San Francisco bound east to meet his wife and child, he met his death about the 7th of Januaiy from unintermitting attention to othei-s on board suffering from an epidemic. S. F. Alta, Jan. 16, 1867; Blue Mountain Times, La Grande, Aug. 1, 1868.

Thomas Cox was by birth, a Virginian. When but a small child he removed with his parents to Ross Co., Ohio. In 1811 he married Martha Cox, who though of the same name was not a relative. He removed with his family of three chil- dren and their mother to Bartholomew Co., where he built the first grist and carding mills in that place. He afterward removed to the Wabash river country, and there also erected flour and carding mills at the mouth of the Shawnee river. He also manufactured guns and gun-powder, and carried on a general blacksmithiug business. In 1834 he made another move, this time to Illinois, where he settled in Will county, and laid out the town of Winchester, the name of which was afterward changed to Wilmington, and where he again erected mills for flouring and carding, and opened a general merchandise business. Dur- ing the period of land speculation and "wild-cat" banks. Cox resisted the gamb- ling spirit, and managed to save his property, while others were ruined. In 1846 he made preparations for emigration to Oregon, in company with his married son, Joseph, and two sons-in-law, Elias Brown and Peter PoUey. Elias Brown, father of J. Henry Brown, died on the way ; and Mr. Cox in company with Damascus Brown, as before related, brought the family through to Salem, where he set up a store, with goods he had brought across the plains and mountains to Oregon. He purchased the land claim of Walter Helm and placed upon it Mr. Policy. When gold was di-scovered in California, his sou William went to the mines, and being successful, purchased a. large stock of goods in San Francisco, returned with them to Salem, where his father retired from the mercantile business, leaving it in the hands of William and Mr. Turner Crump. Thomas Cox then engaged in farming, raising choice fruits from seeds which he imported in 1847. The fruit business proved remunerative. Cox's first apples selling readily at $6.00 a bushel, and peaches at $10 and $12. Mr. Cox died at Salem, October 3, 1862, having always possessed the esteem of those who knew him. Or. Literary Vidette April, 1879.

Joseph Cox, son of Thomas Cox, was born in Ohio in 1811, and removed with his parents to Indiana, where, in 1832 he married, and two years afterward went to 111., settling in Wilmington, whence he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, and remained there till 1847, when he joined the emigration to Oregon. He was a member of the convention that framed the present State constitution. Without being a public speaker, he wielded considerable influence. Of an upright nature and practical judgment, his opinions were generally accepted as sound. A good man in any community, Oregon was the gainer by his becoming a citizen. He died in 1876. Or. Pioneer Asso. Trans., 1876-67. Thomas H. Cox, born in Wilming- ton, Illinois, was a son of Joseph Cox. He died at Salem of paralysis of the heart, Sept. 25, 1878. Salem Statesman, Sept. 25, 1878.

Albert Briggs, a native of Vermont, with a number of others joined a com- pany of 115 wagons at St. Joseph, Mo., commanded by Lot Whitcomb. He ar- rived at Portland, October 14th, and went to Oregon City, where he remained till 1852, when he removed to Port Townsend. Further mention of Mr. Briggs will be found in the history of Washington.

Aaron Payne was a pioneer of Putnam County, Illinois. He was elected first coroner, then county commissioner, and afterward delegate to the state convention which was held at Rushville, Schuyler county. He was a ranger under General Harrison, was also in the Black Hawk war of 1812, and was severely wounded at