McDonough ILGenWeb

COX, Caleb B.--Among the well-known and thriving farmers of Eldorado Township, McDonough County, Ill., is Caleb B. Cox. Mr. Cox was born in Fulton County, Ill., in October, 1863. a son of Henry and Rebecca (Freeman) Cox, his father being a native of the State of Ohio, and his mother of Fulton County, Ill. Jesse Cox and Marshall Freeman were the paternal and maternal grandfathers, respectively, the former being an Ohioan by birth.

Caleb B. Cox is the seventh in order of birth of a family of five boys and three girls which blessed the union of his parents. He lived on the farm and assisted his father in the work until he was twenty-one years old, availing himself, meanwhile, of the benefits of the public schools in his neighborhood. After reaching his majority he was employed as a farm-hand in that vicinity until the period of his marriage. He then rented a farm in Fulton County, on which he devoted his attentlon to general farming for six years. At the end of that time he moved to McDonough County, and occupied rented farms until 1904, when he purchased 158 acres of land in Section 23, Eldorado Township, which he has since successfully cultivated. He is an energetic worker, and gives careful attention to every detail in the operation of the farm.

On July 29, 1890, Mr. Cox was united in marriage with Elizabeth Darling, who was born in Ohio, where, in girlhood, she received her mental training in the public schools in the vicinity of her home. Six children were the offspring of their union, namely: Wilmer, Ethel, Ada, Robert, Olive and Charles.

In political contests, Mr. Cox favors the policies of the Democratic party. In 1903 he held the office of Township Collector. His fraternal affiliation is with the A. F. & A. M. Order.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907.