Henry G. Cox

As printed in 1894

HENRY G. COX, one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Saratoga Township, now residing on section 8, was born in Windsor County, Vt., near Barnard, on the 27th of September, 1829, and is a son of Orrin Cox, who was also a native of the same locality. The Cox family is of English origin, and its establishment in America dates back to 1710, when four brothers of that name crossed the broad Atlantic to the New World. Orrin Cox was a millwright by trade, and followed that business in early life, but in later years carried on farming. He died in the Green Mountain State in November, 1857, and his wife passed away in 1883. In their family were seven children: Esther, now the wife of Lyman Cox, a farmer of Saratoga Township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Edna, widow of Samuel Archer, a resident of Vermont; Orrin E., who makes his home in Seattle, Wash., where he carries on a ranch, and is also engaged in the real-estate business; Mary J., wife of George Wheelock, a retired farmer residing in St. Charles, Minn.;.Julia, wife of John Royce, who also lives in St. Charles; and Emma, wife of Harry Rowe, who is located in Brattleboro, Vt. The parents of this family are both deceased, but all the children are yet living.

Upon the farm Henry G. Cox spent the days of his boyhood and youth. His educational privileges were limited to those afforded by the district schools of the neighborhood. He remained under the parental roof until after he had attained his majority, when, at the age of twenty-two, he left home and removed to New York. There he was employed in factories for about four years, or until the spring of 1854, when, attracted by the advantages he had heard were afforded by the West, he sought a home in Illinois, locating in Rock Island. Not exactly suited with that locality, after two months he removed to Indianapolis. Ind., and secured work in the machine and wagon shops. Thus his time was passed until 1855, when became to Minnesota.

On Christmas Day of 1854 Mr. Cox was united in marriage with Miss Chastina L. Stevens, and to them was born one child, Henry S., who is now proprietor of the Nicollet Hotel of St. Charles. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1880, and her remains were interred in the Saratoga Cemetery. On the 13th of April, 1883, Mr. Cox was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ellen Reed, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Aldernean. They have two children.

twins, Harryrowe and Harterowe, who were born July 28, -1884.

In the spring of 1856 Mr. Cox removed to the farm on which he now resides, entering from the Government one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 7, Saratoga Townsiiip, which he secured through a land-warrant which he had purchased. The following year he built thereon the first frame house in Saratoga Township, and it is now his place of residence. For several years after his arrival here he carried on both farming and carpentering. In 1857, in connection with Vincent Hicks, he built the first sawmill in this part of the county, locating at what is now Hampton, and for two or three years carried on business along that line. For some time past, however, he has devoted his entire time and attention to general farming and stock-raising. All of the buildings upon the place were erected by him, and stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He has a well improved and valuable farm, under a high state of cultivation, and the well tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation bestowed upon them.

Mr. Cox has always been a supporter of the Republican party, and warmly advocates its principles, yet has never sought political preferment for himself. He is warmly interested in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and is recognized as a valued citizen. He started in life a poor boy, and is a self-made man, who by his own well directed efforts has risen from an humble position to one of affluence.

Samuel J. Tomlinson.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.