James S. Cox, 1873-1915

COX

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/28/2009 at 12:02:20

JAMES S. COX PASSES AWAY

ONE OF ESTHERVILLE'S HIGHLY RESPECTED CITIZENS LAID TO REST.
WAS A MAN WITHOUT ENEMIES

Has May Monuments in Architecture Erected in Various Towns in Iowa.

James S. Cox, one of Estherville's most prominent and well known citizens passed away at his home in the west side, on last Thursday, July the 29th [1915] at the hour of six o'clock. Mr. Cox had been ailing for some time past, and it was some time in January last that he was apprised of the fact that he was afflicted with cancer of the stomach. He was taken to Rochester for treatment, and also made a trip to Chicago, and remained there for some time receiving treatment. None of these treatments availed him any relief. He was confined to his home considerable of the time after his Chicago trip. In fact, he lived on his nerve after that trip. He was an incessant worker and was always in the job. Even after his affliction was known to be serious he persisted in looking after the business he had so persistently worked to build up, and which had grown in great magnitude.

Mr. Cox, in health, was the most evenly pleasing and accommodating disposition we have every known. Always the same to everyone, always accommodating and ready to assist a friend and do it in such a manner that it seemed a pleasure to be of assistance. He was a true and noble man and a thorough gentleman in every sense of the word, and deserving of all the compliments his friends now lavish on his and his memory.

Mr. Cox came to Estherville with his parents on April 15, 1891, and has been a booster for the city ever since he landed here. The family, who were all musicians, organized a band for the city, and for years they kept a good musical organization moving. In fact, it was kept in an organized form by them until their personal work demanded all of their attention, and even after that time.

Mr. Cox was manager of the old Lough Opera House for years, and while looking after that business conceived the idea of editing a theatrical paper, which he started several years ago. It was but a hand bill the first issue, but persistent work of himself and wife, put it into circulation all over the United States, and had made it a power. The paper was christened the Opera House Reporter, and as such has always remained, not withstanding the storms of adversity through many a hard year, and is still withstanding them under a new management, and still retaining and increasing its power.

After leaving the Reporter office he gave his exclusive attention to his architect business. He was a man of natural ability, and the inborn tendency to make beautiful structures he designed, made him spring rapidly into the limelight in this line of business. At the time of his first illness he had sixteen public school buildings alone, under construction, besides the opera houses and other buildings. To say the least, James S. Cox was a wonderful man, with exceptional ability.

James S. Cox was born in Brookfield, Illinois, on February 9, 1873, moved to Estherville with his parents in 1891. While living here he met Ada G. Cavin, who afterwards became his wife, in Lamar, Mo. on June 12, 1895. He was a member of the Presbyterian church in this city. He leaves a wife, a father and mother, and four brothers to mourn his death. the funeral services were held on Saturday, the Rev. R. C. Mitchell, of the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. F. F. Case of the M. E. church, officiating. The remains were laid in rest in the Oak Hill cemetery.

Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, August 4, 1915.