Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
James Cox established the first scenic studio in Estherville, not his younger brother Jesse. James was the proprietor of Cox Scenic Company throughout the first decade of the twentieth century. A 1902 ad lists the Jesse Cox Scenic Co., but that advertisement was placed in a Minnesota newspaper. The Estherville scenic company was eventually associated with his Jesse Cox, and subsequently named the Jesse Cox Scenic Company.
Both James and Jesse were scenic artists, with James later primarily focusing on architecture later in his career. The boys’ father was credited with doing all of the carpentry work for the scenic studio.
Spencer J. Cox was born on July 1, 1847 in Mansfield, New York to James Cox and Aphia Webster. He married Julia Anne Hollenbeck (b. 1852) on August 15, 1870, in Grundy, Illinois. Julia was a fraternal twin and daughter of Justus Hollenbeck. Jesse Cox’s birth name was also Justus, named after his maternal grandfather. Julia’s obituary noted, “To this union eight children were born: Mae, James, Ellry, Jesse, Viola, George, Spencer, and Chauncy Lee. I have not found any information about the girls or Spencer Jr. The couple’s five sons were James Cox (b. 1873), Justus Cox (b. 1878), George L. (b. 1882), Spencer Jr. (b 1884) and Chancy L. (b. 1888). In 1891, the couple moved from Seneca, Illinois, to Estherville, Iowa. After a prolonged illness, Julia passed away on February 4, 1919. Census records note that in 1921 Spencer remarried, with his second wife being Octavia DeVinney (nee. Octavia Turner).
At the time of Spencer’s death, his occupation was listed as a retired contractor. Spencer was also the last surviving member of the Vandenberg Post, G.A.R. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was founded in 1866, joining veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marines, and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. Organized into hundreds of local posts across the country, it was America’s first veteran’s association. The organization’s founding principles were “Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.” By 1890, the GAR boasted a membership of 490,000 veterans, such as Cox who served in the Union Army (Co. F., 53rd Illinois Infantry). Spencer enlisted with his brother Patrick.
On March 28, 1933, the Estherville Daily News reported, “S. J. COX LAST OF CIVIL WAR VETERANS DIES” (page 1). The article also provided some interesting context for the Cox studio.
“Is Given Full Military Honors at Burial Today — Legion in Charge
S. J. Cox, last surviving member of Vandenberg 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 lifetime. 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 Vandenberg 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. Mr. Cox was later married to Mrs. Octavia De Vinney 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.”
The details of the funeral service were published:
“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.”
A little more information about Cox was reported in the “Vindicator and Republican” (Estherville, Iowa, March 26, 1933). The obituary notice included a brief history about Spencer Cox original published on May 28, 1913.
“S.J. Cox enlisted at Ottawa, Ill., April 15, 1864, in Company F, Fifty-third
Illinois Infantry. He was mustered out of service August 28, 1865. His company
engaged in their first battle at Bentonville, N.C., and they saw service from
that time on. They were with Sherman at Atlanta and fought in the many
desperate battles around that city. They had one hundred days of almost
constant fighting from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Atlanta. At Kenesau Mountain,
the battle of the Twenty-eight, and at Janesboro they saw some of the hardest
service of the war. There were three members of this post that took part in the
hard fought battle of Janesboro. From Atlanta Mr. Cox went with Sherman’s army
to the sea and was with him to the end of the war. During the entire time in
service Mr. Cox kept a record of the distance he walked and it is most
surprising to think that a man could walk 3000 miles as Mr. Cox did. After the
close of the war Mr. Cox went to Seneca, Ill., to live. He remained there about
thirty years and moved to Estherville twenty-one years ago. Mr. Cox is a very
energetic man for his age but has always been very hard of hearing since he
came out of the service.”
To be continued…
