In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1800
From The History of Warren County, Ohio (1882)
JOSHUA COX, retired farmer, Mason. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is one of the old, well-known citizens of Warren County. He was born in New Jersey in the year 1800, and is a son of William and Margaret Cox, who were born in New Jersey, where he died. Mrs. Cox, with her family of eight children, removed to Ohio and settled in Deerfield Township in the year 1810; the settlement was made in the woods, and her elder sons and hired men carried on the work of improvement. She lived to the ripe old age of 77, when she was called to her last resting-place; to her were born eight children, of whom two are living, viz., William and Joshua. Our subject was reared on the farm in his native State, and, upon the arrival of the family in Ohio, young Joshua was early buckled into the harness; he remained till he was 26 years, being her main dependence. In 1827, he was married to Jane Ayres, who bore him four children, one living, viz., Lydia Mrs. Cox died in 1855. His second marriage was celebrated with Sarah Demick, by whom he had one child, viz., Lee It. Mrs. Cox died in 1875. Mr. Cox left his farm In 1865 and came to Mason; he is now spending his declining years with his son-in-law and daughter. His son was a soldier in the late civil war, and, at the expiration of his time, re-enlisted, and thus served throughout the great struggle. For thirty years, Mr. Cox was a member of the well-known Mason Horse Ranger Company. Though he is bowed down by the weight of more than eighty years, he is yet hale, and is now enjoying life, surrounded by all the comforts of life.
As printed in The History of Warren County, Ohio (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.