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Submitted: 12/2/16 • Approved: 12/3/16 • Last Updated: 4/8/18 • R801012-G0-S3
September 6, 1911 - January 22, 1890
Husband of Sarah A Mercer Cox
Father of John Chandler Jr and David
In 1838 John C. Cox settled on Turkey Creek and homesteaded a half section of land where he began to farm. In 1841 he built a home near the present site of the old Cox homestead which is prominently located in the northeastern portion of the city on a picturesque eminence, which was called by the first settlers Wig Hill. In connection with his farm Mr. Cox also conducted a general store and built a log store building near his home. It was in this store where the first postoffice in the western part of the county was kept.In 1840 the people who lived in the western portion of the country of the Six Bulls petitioned the government to establish a postoffice at some point on Turkey Creek for the accommodation of the settlers living between Spring river and School creek. The nearest postoffice then was Sarcoxie. After many overtures the postal authorities agreed to establish an office, provided the people would bear the cost of the same, as the business would not pay the expense of its maintenance and the carrier who would have to bring the mail from Sarcoxie. The Blytheville postoffice was maintained, excepting during the war, until 1872, when the name was changed to Union City and moved to Murphysburg (West Joplin).
Until the Civil war mail was brought from Sarcoxie and later from Carthage, once a week, and the arrival of the mail carrier was an event which brought to Blytheville the farmers for miles around. During these three decades Mr. Cox was the central figure around which the business and social interests of the community revolved and we present here a brief sketch of his life.
John C. Cox agreed to serve the people gratis and was, accordingly, on the 17th day of January, 1841, commissioned postmaster of the new office, which was christened Blytheville in honor of Billy Blythe, a wealthy Cherokee Indian who resided on Shoal Creek and who was noted far and wide for his integrity and fair dealing.
John C. Cox was born in Burke county, North Carolina, September 6, 1811. His parents were David and Lucy Branch Cox. At the age of eight years young Cox moved with his parents to Tennessee and grew to manhood on the farm. In 1828 his father was elected sheriff of Jackson county, Tennessee, and held the position for six years. During the last three years of his term Mr. Cox, then having reached his majority, served as deputy.
Mr. Cox was married in 1837 to Miss Sarah Mercer and shortly after the marriage emigrated to Missouri, locating in Jasper county and making the long journey overland in company with a party of Tennesseeans.
When Center Creek township was organized, in 1841, Mr. Cox was appointed one of the two justices of peace and filled the position for many years. In 1850, on discovering the value of the land in the Joplin Creek valley, Mr. Cox entered and perfected the title to a section of land and on this the first mining of the original town of Joplin was done. In 1852 Mr. Cox filled the office of county surveyor.
During the war, although a slave holder, Mr. Cox was loyal to the Union and took no part in the conflict. But it was almost impossible to live in Jasper county and be neutral during the war and in 1863, after having been burned out by one of the many raiding parties he moved to Neosho and remained there until the close of hostilities, when he returned to the old homestead. In 1870 Mr. Cox leased a tract of land to Messrs. Moffet & Sergeant for mining purposes and from the royalties on the lead taken from his ground amassed a considerable fortune.
Mr. Cox Plats Joplin
In July, 1871, Mr. Cox platted the original town of Joplin and thus took the first steps toward making the young mining camp a permanent town. In 1875 he was elected one of the judges of the county court and made a high reputation for his honesty and fair dealing.
John platted Joplin City on July 28, 1871 with 142 lots.
Photo(s) Contributed by Tammi Theile-Doshier
Contributed on 12/2/16 by snickerdoodle0929
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Record #: 801012