Taken from 1903 Montgomery County History
William Henry Cox was an Ohioan by birth, born January 27, 1821, a son of William Cox located in Bartholomew County, Indiana the year of Henry Cox’s birth. Here William Cox continued to reside until his removal to Johnson Co., in 1849 where he died twenty years later. His wife died in 1834 at the age of 37 years.
William Henry Cox in 1854 married Nancy Collett, a native of Johnson County, Indiana and daughter of James Collett. Prior to this, he married his first wife, Levena Elliott whose three children were: Elizabeth, widow of F. M. Coleman, of Elk City and Benjamin and Emma, deceased. By his second marriage were born: James M., who married Clara Blair and now resides at Oak Valley, with children: Ethel, Gladys, Bernice, Herman, Victor, Alberta and James: George E. the esteemed subject of this review; John L., who married Laura L. Little and resides at Crane, Kansas with children; Essie Hazel and Herbert: Albert T. who married Ella Jones and resides in Independence, being editor of the “Star and Kansan”. Their four children are; Andrea, Earl, Paul and Nannie. Ira who married Gertie Myers and resides in Anadarko, Oklahoma, where he is cashier of the First National Bank. Their two children are: Burnell and Maxine; Annie May is the wife of Ray Dirst and resides in Independence, Kansas: Chester C., who married Lillie May Harmon of Elk City: their two children being; Orlis and Nannie; Silvia Gertrude married William Johnson and resides in Columbia, Missouri with one child, Lorin. The parents of this family continued to reside on the old homestead for many years but have given up the active life of the farm and are now residents of Elk City.
The Collett connection are Kentuckians and grandfather Samuel Collett and Elizabeth Whiteacre, his wife having been early settled in the Blue Grass State. James Collett settled on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Indianapolis and became a man of much prominence in that portion of the state, where he grew quite wealthy. His estate at his death having been rated at $60,000. The Colletts are of English descent.
Elk City Sun dated June 5, 1914
William Henry Cox was born in Ohio Jan. 27, 1721 and moved to Indiana the same year. Was married to Miss Lerena Elliot in 1839. To this union was born three children; two girls and one boy. One of these is still living; Elizabeth of Elk City. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Cox was married in 1854 to Nancy Collett; to this union was born twelve children of whom eight survive him four having died in infancy. Those living are James, George, John, Chester and Mrs. Anna Dirst of Elk City, Albert of Independence, Ira of Anadarko, Okla. And Mrs. Gertrude Johnson of Columbia, Mo. His aged wife still survives him. He moved to Kansas in 1868, spent the winter in Lynn Co., and moved to Montgomery Co. in the Spring of 1869, locating on Duck Creek Northeast of Elk City where he settled on one hundred and sixty acres. To this claim he at once began to add until in a few years his acres numbered several thousand. At this early date it must be remembered that a man of meekness could not cope with a wild and new county. Settlements were few, Indians and disputes over claims made life uncertain, but to all these hardships and trials of the frontier he was master and here to stay; to deal fairly and squarely with is fellow men. As a factor in the development and welfare of his vicinity he was foremost. His progressiveness was not alone; in his extensive business but at all times due thought and time were given to social, economic and political topics. His supreme delight was indulgence in the old time school house debates, at which his ability was never questioned. He also discussed religious topics and was a firm believer in the Baptist faith: having joined that denomination in an early day. Having reared a large family his great hope and ambition was in locating them comfortable. He was a man who, thought, at all times charitable, believed that charity began at home. As his children became of age, each and everyone was given a good farm, it was his wish that all should succeed and live upright and honorable. In 1888 he moved from his old house farm to his farm near Elk City, living there still in active business until removing to Elk City where he lived retired until death. He was capable of looking after his business interests until a few months before his death. In the departure of this man the world lost a true and noble man; one whose every thought was for honesty and right-doing. At the ripe old age of 93 years and 4 months he leaves his aged wife, nine children, thirty-three grandchildren, fourteen great and one great-great-grandchild to mourn his death.
Elk City Sun dated January 27, 1922
Nancy Collett was born near Morgantown, Johnson county, Indiana, May 16, 1835 and departed this life January 13, 1922 aged 86 years, seven months and twenty-seven days. In 1854 she was joined in marriage with William Henry Cox. To this marriage twelve children were born, five girls and seven boys of who six still live; James M, George E. Chester C., of Elk City; John L. of Chattanooga, Okla.; A. T. of Independence; and Mrs. Gertrude Cox Johnson, of Columbia, Mo. She leaves to mourn her loss these six children, 31 grandchildren and 10 great grand-children, and a large circle of friends. Her husband, the late William Henry Cox died in 1914 having reached the ripe old age of 93 years.
Mrs. Cox was a true helpmate for her husband and a loving, devoted mother to her large family of children. She was a good neighbor and a faithful Christian. The funeral service was held on Sunday afternoon, January 15, 1922, in the Baptist church of Elk City. Conducted by Rev. Dr. Merritt of Independence and was attended by a large congregation of neighbors and friends. The body was laid to rest by the side of the remains of her husband in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Elk City.
Elk City Democrat dated 2-20-1886 History of Louisburg Township by W. W. Woodring in part W. H. Cox
We next came to the claim cabins of Elias Lovett and W. H. Cox. Henry Cox still remains one of our active citizens. We see the frosts of 17 winters have wrought some changes on him. Mrs. W. H. Cox was the first white woman we met on the Diminished Reserve. She is still living, hail and hardy, to bless her family and friends.
Elk City Eagle dated June 15, 1888
The fine Clydesdale Stallion formerly owned by Heckard and Lovelady was purchased by Henry Cox and will make the season at Heckard’s barn north of Duck Creek. All admirers of good horses will do well to call on J. W. Heckard, keeper of the famous Clydesdale stallion. Also will be kept a very fine Kentucky-Bred Jack. Will make seasons to suit times, Henry Cox
Elk City Enterprise dated May 16, 1902
William Henry Cox and wife of Elk City are visiting their son A. T. Cox of this city (Independence). Mr. Cox made this office a very pleasant visit today. He informs us that he first saw the light of day on January 27, 1821, in the state of Ohio. That his parents moved to Bartholomew County, Indiana, about July 1821, where he grew to manhood estate and remained in that county and Johnson county until about 33 years ago when he located at or near what is now Elk City. Not -withstanding Mr. Cox’s great age he is almost as spry as a boy and his mind is as clear as most men many years his junior. He expresses himself as being much in love with Kansas, says he not only likes Kansas but always has liked it. Mr. Cox has had born to him a family of eleven children – five girls and six boys, nine of whom are still living. In the 33 years that he has resided in Montgomery County there has been but two deaths in his family. He has been enabled to give each child ten thousand dollars in land and has yet for himself a track of 400 acres of good farm land, besides a good residence property in Elk City. Mr. Cox has accumulated this property by his own exertions since coming to Kansas in farming and stock raising, except, perhaps about 817,000 which he received from the sale of land that he owned prior to coming to this state. Evening Star.
Elk City Sun dated May 29, 1914
Oldest Citizen Dies. Uncle Henry Cox died at his home in this city Wednesday evening after a lingering illness. He had reached the very unusual age of 93 years and death was caused principally by general debility. His wife and all his eight living children were at his bedside when death came.
The funeral services will be held at the home today (Friday) with Rev. Pittman of Havana in charge and interment will be in Oak Hill cemetery. Mr. Cox was one of the earliest settlers in this section; location on a claim on Duck Creek in 1868. Besides his wife and children, he leaves quite a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.