Spencer J. Cox, 1847-1933

COX

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/28/2009 at 12:10:03

S. J. COX LAST OF CIVIL WAR VETERANS DIES

Is Given Full Military Honors at Burial Today -- Legion in Charge

S. J. Cox, last surviving member of Vandenburg Post, G. A. R. has answered his last reveille. He passed away early Sunday morning [26 March 1933] peacefully, closing his eyes on a long and useful life time.

Mr. Cox would have been 86 years old on July 1. He was born in Cattaraugus county, New York state, and went to Illinois as a child with his parents. It was in 1891 when Mr. Cox came to Estherville as a contractor and builder. He was associated with his oldest son James for a number of years and later with Jesse Cox in the scenic studio, doing all the carpenter work for the stage scenery which has been shipped by this studio all over the United States.

Entered Union Army at Sixteen

Mr. Cox was proud of his service in the Union army during the last years of the Civil war. He enlisted in Co. F, 53rd Illinois Infantry, in 1863, and served until the close of the war. He became a member of the Vandenburg post here, and was always ready and willing to take part in all patriotic observances. It was his wish that he be buried with military honors and that he wear to his last resting place the regalia he had worn on so many occasions. Mr. Cox while in failing health was up and about until a comparatively short time ago and took part in the last services for all his comrades in the local Civil war veterans' post, and insisted on carrying the flag of his country for which he had fought so valiantly.

Always happy to talk of his war experiences Mr. Cox could hold a listener enthralled for hours telling of his narrow escapes during the battles in which to took part. He marched with Sherman's army to the sea, and took part in many of the engagements from Chattanooga to Savannah.

Mr. Cox is survived by four sons Jesse of Estherville, George of Des Moines, Spencer of Ames and Chauncey Lee of Indianapolis, Ind. James Cox preceded his father in death and their mother died in 1918 [sic, 1919]. Mr. Cox was later married to Mrs. Octavia DeVinney of Lansing, Mich., who survives. There is also one brother Charles of Arroyo, Calif. and one sister, Mrs. Mayme Colgrove of Wilmington, Ill., left to mourn his passing.

Burial Today

Flags in Estherville will float at half mast today in honor of Mr. Cox.

Funeral services which will be held at one-thirty from the home on East Roberts street and at two o'clock from the Methodist Episcopal church will be in charge of Rev. W. A. WinterStein. Maurice Doyle Post American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary unit will attend in a body.

A color escort will attend the services at the home and the Legion men will accompany the remains from the church to its burial place in Oak Hill cemetery where the salute will be given by the firing squad and taps blown.

Pall bearers will be Dan Howard, C. J. Mathiesen, R. H. Green, Geo. Lyman, Vance Noe and John Lilley.

Contributed by: Ruth M. Hackett. Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, March 26, 1933.