Introduction
Charles Cox was elected to four one-year terms as the Mayor of Camden, before stepping down to run for the office of City Recorder.
Charles Cox was born in White Horse in Camden County on February 15, 1820. He worked at farming until the age of 15, when he became an apprentice printer. He moved to Camden in 1839 to pursue that trade, and remained in the printing business until 1859. During this time he built a home on Bridge Avenue west of Fourth Street.
Soon after coming to Camden, he involved himself in local politics, and was made city assessor in 1844 on the Whig ticket. With the dissolution of the Whigs in the 1850s he became a Republican. In 1859 he opened up a milk business, with his business located at his home.
In 1867 he was elected mayor of Camden, and was re-elected three times consecutively. He served as city recorder until 1884, when he was made justice of the peace, and operated a real estate office. By 1878 he was living at 505 Cooper Street in Camden. He resided at that address until his passing, at the age of 71, on November 9, 1890. Charles Cox was an active member of Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Later in life he belonged to Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church.
Charles Cox was not related to Charles W. Cox and his brothers Asa, William, and Richard Cox, who were active as builders in Camden in the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s.
Biography
The History of Camden County New Jersey by George Reeser Prowell — 1886
Detailed biographical sketch of Charles Cox from George Reeser Prowell’s history of Camden County.
Fruits of Intemperance.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Yesterday Mayor Cox, of Camden, held four young men to answer at court the charge of riotous assault and battery. Another was committed for a further hearing. Others are implicated in the row and will be arrested.
CAMDEN AND VICINITY.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
VACANCIES FILLED.—Within the past few days the Commissioners of the Camden Paid Fire Department have made the following changes:—James Sutton dismissed from Engine No. 1, and Charles Hart appointed to fill the vacancy; John Graham dismissed from Engine No. 2, and Joseph Nece appointed in his place; Robert Pine resigned from same engine, and Harry McKeen appointed in his place. The Paid Department is now in competent condition, with all the necessary equipments to give it efficiency, and the Commissioners are resolved to make it an acceptable department to the city.
TO BE RESUMED.—The Camden Woolen Mills, which were built about the commencement of the war, have been idle for several years, but it is said that their affairs will soon be arranged in such a way that they will resume operations. When in operation they employed some two hundred workmen.
THE SHAD SEASON.—The shad fishing season is now close at hand, and the parties in Camden who usually follow the business are making preparations to commence it in a few days on quite an extensive scale. They seem to think that indications are favorable for a pretty good run.
TEMPERANCE MATTERS.—Now that the business of the M. E. Conference is over, Rev. G. R. Snyder, the champion advocate of the cause of temperance in Camden, will renew his labors in that field with an earnestness and zeal which cannot fail to accomplish great good.
FRUITS OF INTEMPERANCE.—Yesterday Mayor Cox, of Camden, held four young men to answer at court the charge of riotous assault and battery. Another was committed for a further hearing. Others are implicated in the row and will be arrested.
Charles Cox
Camden Post —
Unlike E. N. Cohn, Charles Cox had attained to a ripe old age and was ready to meet the summons for which he had long awaited. His life work was finished and he lived in reminiscence and in the affection of those with whom he had associated in religious ministrations and municipal management. Several times Mayor of this city, he was popularly known and respected for his amiable character and his excellent executive qualities. Removed from the public gaze of later years, he was better known to the earlier generation of his fellow citizens.
Ex-Mayor Cox Dead
Camden Daily Courier —
Named: Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. A.B. Richardson, Rev. Dr. Charles H. Whitecar, Benjamin F. Archer, John Campbell Jr., David M. Chambers, David J. Pancoast, D. Risley Somers, and George Gerry White.
Camden City Officers
Chew’s Camden City Directory — 1872
MISCELLANEOUS RECORD.
CAMDEN CITY OFFICERS.
Mayor—SAMUEL M. GAUL.
Recorder—CHARLES COX.
Receiver of Taxes—A. CLIFFORD JACKSON.
City Treasurer—SAMUEL HUFTY.
City Solicitor—ALDEN C. SCOVEL.
City Surveyor—JACOB H. YOCUM, Jr.
City Clerk—JOSEPH C. NICHOLLS.
Chief Engineer of Water Works—JACOB H. YOCUM, Jr.
Chief Engineer of Fire Department--ROBERT S. BENDER.
Supervisor of Highways—LEONARD REPSHER.
Building Inspector—WILLIAM W. MINES.
Sealer of Weights and Measures—JACOB W. STARR.
Chief of Police—DANIEL W. CURLIS.
JUSTICES AND ALDERMEN.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward—William W. Pell.
Second Ward—Antone Ertle.
Third Ward—James M. Cassady.
Fourth Ward—Samuel A. Wentz.
Fifth Ward—J. S. Bundick.
Sixth Ward—W. C. Finger.
Seventh Ward—James Haines.
Eighth Ward—R. W. Laird.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
First Ward—S. D. Elfreth, Wm. W. Pell.
Second Ward—George B. Glover.
Third Ward—H. Brunett, J. M. Cassady.
Fourth Ward—T. B. Atkinson.
Fifth Ward—Edmund Shaw.
Sixth Ward—W. C. Finger.
Seventh Ward—Joseph Thompson.
Eighth Ward—William Ross.