San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1456
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/7/2009
HENRY MURLIN COX
Forty-nine busy years have passed since Henry Murlin Cox came to San Joaquin County, and during those years he has been a witness of and an active participant in the progress and development of the Linden section of the county. Mr. Cox is the youngest of the four Cox brothers who conduct extensive grain farms near Farmington, Peters, Bellota and Linden. He was born at Chatham Hill, Smyth County, Va., July 15, 1849, a son of Andrew H. and Mary (Umbarger) Cox, natives of Smyth County, Va., the former of an old southern family of Scotch and French descent, and the latter of German descent. Andrew H. Cox was born in 1797 and received a fine education in his native state where he became in time one of three senior judges of Smyth County. He was a miller by trade and owned and operated a large mill at Chatham Hill. He passed away in 1872, aged seventy-five. In November, 1874, the mother and children came West to California, arriving in Stockton the same year, which was then a small town. In 1875, Mrs. Cox purchased ten acres of land near Linden for the home place, where they began to farm and within four years added to it until in 1878 they owned 160 acres of choice land. The year 1878 was saddened by the death of the beloved mother, but she had lived long enough to see her family well along the road to prosperity. She left seven children to mourn her loss: Phillip Dodridge served in the Confederate Army, was wounded and also taken prisoner; he died at Linden in 1917; Wyrinda Smyth died in January, 1917; William M., who served as captain in the Confederate Army, died at Linden in 1895; he left a widow, Mrs. Bertha Cox, and four children: William H., Henry F., Mrs. Lillie Welch, and Mrs. Mary Archibald; James B. resides at Linden; John Bell served in the Confederate Army and was wounded and captured; he died February 25, 1923; Andrew Hamilton married Sarah E. Brazelton and resides in Pacific Grove; he has a son, Perry Hamilton; Henry Murlin is the subject of this sketch. The Cox ranches have been conducted by the four brothers working in harmony and they have become independent and wealthy and now own over 1,000 acres of land. During the '80s they raised and supplied the Government with many fine mules and in 1886 sold Borax Smith three eight-mule teams. For the last few years the Cox brothers have leased a great part of their ranch holdings and are enjoying the fruits of long years of agricultural activity.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
Copyright © 1996-2011; This Web page is sponsored by Supporters on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by The Administrative Team of the CAGW. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.