Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/681

630 populataion rendered possible the introduction of  and 'wild-cat' banks, Cox resisted the gambling spirit, and managed to save his property, while others were ruined. In 1846 he made preparations for emigrating to Oregon, in company with his married son Joseph, and two sons-in-law, Elias Brown and Peter Polley. 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 Polley. When gold was discovered in California his son William went to the mines, and being successful, purchased a large stock of goods in San Francisco, and returned with them to Salem, where his father retired from the merchantilemercantile [sic] 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. 'Cox's goldencling' has been called the finest yellow peach on the coast. The fruit business proved remunerative, Cox's first apples selling readily at $6 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 Ill., settling at 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 Assoc., Trans.'', 1876, 67. Thomas H. Cox, born in Willington, Illinois, was a son of Joseph Cox. He died at Salem, of paralysis of the heart, Sept. 25, 1878. Salem Statesman, Sept. 25, 1878.

R. C. Tainey was one of the founders of Muscatine, Iowa, and served, after coming to Oregon, in the state legislature. He was engaged in the flouring business, being principal owner in the largest mill in Oregon. Died March 2, 1875, at Salem. ''Sac. Record–Union'', March 31, 1875.

Albert Briggs, a native of Vermont, with a number of others, joined a company of 115 wagons at St Joseph, Mo., commanded by Lot Whitcomb. He arrived 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 Gen. Harrison, was also in the Black Hawk war of 1832, and was severely wounded at the battle of Bad Axe. At the age of 3 3, when the country was under the excitement of war, he longed to take up arms tor the flag. He came to Oregon in 1847, and settled in Yamhill County. Oregon Argus, March 28, 1863.

John C. Holgate was identified with the early histories of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. He was killed in a mining difficulty at Owyhee in March 1868. Sacramento Reporter, April 10, 1868.

John F. Farley came to California in 1846–7 with the New York volunteers. While in California he belonged to the veteran association, soldiers of the Mexican war. He was one of the original members of the Washington guard of Portland, in which place he died, Feb. 16, 1869. Portland Oregonian, Feb. 18, 1869.

Dr James McBride, a Tennesseean by birth, but brought up in Missouri, was a leading man in his community both in Missouri and Oregon. A friend of Senator Linn, he discussed with him the features of his famous bill of