Cox, C.N.

COX, FUNK, CROWDER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 06:56:07

History of Poweshiek Co. Iowa (1911)

C.N. COX

Few men possess the activity, the alertness and the enterprise of C.N. Cox, whose name is a synonym for all that is standard and all that is progressive in mercantile life in Deep River. Success has come to him as the gradual development and unfolding of his powers, the wise use of opportunities and the execution of carefully formed plans, until today he stands at the head of the well known firm of C.N. Cox & Company, conducting the largest enterprise of its kind in Deep River and one of the largest in Poweshiek county. He is a native son of Deep River township, born on a farm a half mile east of the town of Deep River, his natal day being December 26, 1868. He is a son of George and Catharine (Funk) Cox, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.

C.N. Cox is the eldest in a family of four children, and his boyhood and youth were spent on the home farm in Deep River township. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Poweshiek county, his studies there being supplemented by a three years' course in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. At the age of nineteen he entered the store of his father in Deep River, first working as a clerk. He was thus employed for six or seven years, during which period he gained a thorough knowledge of the business. At the end of that time he was given an interest in the business, the other members of the firm being his father, George Cox, and E.C. Cochran, business being conducted under the name of Cox & Cochran. In 1898 the father and son purchased Mr. Cochran's interest and the name of the firm was changed to C.N. Cox & Company, but the son has complete management of the concern, the father having only a financial interest. In 1900 the business had grown to such proportions that it was found necessary to enlarge its quarters and the father at that time erected a modern two-story brick building with basement, the main room being fifty by eighty feet, with warehouse twenty-four by forty feet in dimensions. The basement, first floor and a portion of the second story are used for the stock of goods, while the remaining portion on the second floor is devoted to office purposes. The firm carries a complete line of general merchandise and seven clerks are employed in the conduct of the enterprise. Mr. Cox is ever watchful of the needs of his patrons and his modern methods, push and square dealing have been the elements in building up a trade that now makes this firm the largest of its kind in Deep River and one of the largest mercantile concerns in Poweshiek county. Mr. Cox is a principal stockholder in the State Bank of Deep River and for the past five years has served as vice president of that institution. He also owns stock in the Deep River Brick & Tile Company.

Mr. Cox was married in 1893 to Miss Margaret Crowder,of Oskaloosa, a daughter of Dr. Crowder of that city. They have a daughter and son, Kathryn and Howard. Mr. Cox is a prominent Mason, belonging to Golden Rod Lodge, No. 512, at Deep River; to the chapter of What Cheer; and to the consistory and to El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is quick, positive, exacting and comprehensive of every detail of affairs that comes within the scope of his action. He is a modest, unassuming man, whose time has been devoted to the welfare of his family and his business. He is, however, an interesting man personally and one who has learned well life's lessons and put them to practical account. His store is the expression of himself, his ideals, his character and his quiet, persistent industry and ability.