Nevada Genealogy Trails Washoe County William L. Cox Biography

CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. COX. Within recent years there has been another chapter written in American history, the chapter unique in the annals of the world because it records the efforts of one nation to secure the liberty of another. While Captain Cox was among the number of volunteers for the Spanish-American war who were not called to active duty beyond the borders of this country, he nevertheless manifested his loyalty to the United States and his interest in the cause of liberty by offering his services and joining the army. It was thus that he won his title. He is well known as a representative young business man of Reno, and is one of Nevada's native sons, his birth having occurred in Virginia City in 1868.

His father, F. A. Cox, was born in Virginia, and when crossing the plains to California made his way through what is now the state of Nevada in 1851. On reaching the Pacific coast he engaged in mining in Mariposa county, California, where he met with good success, and later came to Nevada, atracted by mining excitement at Virginia City in 1864. There he was engaged in searching for the precious metal for a time, and also devoted his energies at a later date to the lumber business, becoming a prominent and influential resident there. He served as justice of the peace for four years, and his decisions were so strictly impartial that he won high encomiums from all. Subsequently he removed to Genoa in the Carson Valley, and there died in 1884 when fifty-two years of age. Throughout his entire life he was a stanch Democrat, deeply interested in the success and welfare of his party. He married Miss A. F. Preston, a native of Alabama, who crossed the plains with her people when a young girl. They became the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living. The mother also survives and is making her home in San Jose, California, in her fifty-second year. Captain Cox is the only member of the family in Nevada. He attended public schools to some extent, but is largely self-educated, having greatly broadened his knowledge through reading and study in his leisure hours. He began earning his own living when only twelve years of age, and when a youth of thirteen was in charge of the telegraph office at Bridgeport in Mono county, California. He was operator and manager at Bodie at the time of the second big strike there, and in his business affairs he manifested marked fidelity to the interests which he represented. Subsequently returning to Genoa he lived at that place for three years, and then came to Reno, serving as assistant postmaster of the city under the administrations of President Cleveland. He afterward became telegraph operator and agent on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, in which capacity he served for seven years, 'and next accepted the position of state manager for the New York Life Insurance Company. He was filling the position at the time of the inauguration of the Spanish-American war. Captain Cox had previously been a member of the Nevada National Guards, which he joined when seventeen years of age, and in military ranks he had risen from private to the position of lieutenant colonel. He was serving as major in the National Guard when the news of the sinking of the Maine was received, and he was among those who offered service to the government when war was declared with Spain. He took an active part in the organization of a company, and when the troops were ordered to camp he was placed in command of the provisional camp while the troops were being mustered in. Governor Sadler commissioned Kim captain of his company. When the men were stationed at Fort Russell Colonel Torrey remarked that he would have no officer in his command that was not unanimously elected by a secret*ballot of the volunteers, and Captain Cox was thus chosen by his company, a fact which indicated his popularity with his men. After drilling for a time the regiment was sent to Florida, but the war soon after closed and he was honorably discharged at Jacksonville in that state. He was then chosen to go to Washington to settle with the government in behalf of the officers of his regiment. While in Florida he was one of only four of his company that escaped being ill, and his company was the only one in the regiment that did not lose a single man through sickness. His command was known as Nevada Company Troop M. and Captain Cox being well drilled and familiar with military tactics placed his men in excellent condition for service. Upon his return to Nevada he received an appointment as captain in the Forty-fourth United States Infantry, but declined the honor tendered him as he had decided to establish a home of his own and engage in business. On the 19th of June, 1901. he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, a native of California, born in Sutter Creek, and a daughter of G: F. Taylor, in Jackson. Amador countv. California. This marriage has been blessed with an interesting little daughter, to whom they have given the name of Ruth.

After his return from the war Captain Cox accepted the position of manager of the Riverside Mill, which is a roller process flouring mill with a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day. The business is incorporated and is owned by a number of the most prominent and substantial men of Reno. It is a valuable enterprise in the city, and under the capable control of Captain Cox is proving a profitable investment. The Captain is a Democrat in his political views, and socially is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while in military circles he is yet prominent, serving now as a member of the governor's staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904