NOAH COX, prominent among the enterprising and intelligent agriculturists of East Bethlehem township, is a grandson of Christopher Cox, a native of Germany, whence in early life he emigrated to America, at once settled in Greene county, Penn., where he patented a large tract of land, which he improved. His children were John, Jessie, Hiram, Aaron, Christopher, Moses, Jacob, Matilda Ann, Mary and India, all now deceased with the possible exception of Mary, who, years ago, removed to Iowa. Grandfather Cox died at a very advanced age. Jacob Cox, father of Noah, was born in 1762, in Greene county, Penn., and was reared on his father's farm, attending, during the winter months, for a year or two, the subscription school in the neighborhood, one of the first ever opened in Greene county. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Hartsoc, who came to America from the Fatherland about the time of Christopher Cox's immigration, making his new home in East Bethlehem township. Shortly after the birth of their son Noah, Mr. and Mrs. Cox settled on the old Hartsoc homestead, in the township, where they reared the following children: Nancy, Susan, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine Ann, India Ann, Mary, Noah, Christopher, Jacob, Hiram, Andrew, Jonathan and Henry, of whom the following are yet living: Mary, relict of Joshua Martin; Henry, in Fayette county, Penn.; Christopher, in Summit county, Ohio; Hiram, in Iowa; Jacob and Andrew, both in Missouri, and Noah, in Washington county, Penn. The father died August 2, 1839, a patriotic Whig; the mother in March, 1875. Mary Cox, sister of Noah, was married to Joshua Martin, by whom she had the following children: Brady (in Summit county, Ohio), Jacob (living near Bentleyville, this county), William (a graduate of a medical college, now residing in Lone Pine, Washington Co., Penn.), Kate (wife of George Matthews, of West Bethlehem township, this county), Emma (married to Samuel Hill, of East Bethlehem township), Sadie, Hattie (wife of Charles Hill), and Nannie, living with the subject of this sketch, as is also their mother. Joshua Martin died in August, 1871. Noah Cox, of whom this memoir more particularly relates, was born March 12, 1819, in Greene county, Penn., and a short time thereafter his parents removed to East Bethlehem township, this county, as already related. He attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood of his new home, receiving a fairly liberal education for those early times, and was reared in agricultural pursuits. He owned one of the first threshing outfits in the county, and for fourteen years it did service throughout the vicinity. Mr. Cox never married, but with true filial piety remained with his parents, caring for them in their old age, and closing their eyes in death. As a philanthropist, he is well known far and near, and his many deeds of kindness toward those less fortunate have perpetuated his good name. He has reared many orphans, and in every way in his power befriended the worthy poor. It is stated on good authority that at one time he had in his house, and cared for, as many as fourteen orphans, two widows and two maiden ladies. Politically he is a Republican, and although frequently urged to accept office, has preferred to serve his country in other ways more beneficent and more in accordance with the generosity of his charitable nature and the warmth of his heart. His farm comprises 160 acres of prime land, the cultivation of which he superintends in person.

Text taken from page 1104 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Wilbur Frye of Pacifica, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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