time for two years, still continuing to hold his office as alderman. After an intervening term held by some one else, Mr. Cox was again elected to the office of county treasurer and served an additional term. Upon the expiration of this term, he devoted all his time and attention to the affairs of his office as alderman, and that of an insurance broker. He spent the greater part of his leisure time in the bosom of his family; was a devoted husband, loving father and helpful friend. His charities were numerous and unostentatious, and he was a devout member of St. John's Catholic church. Mr. Cox was exceedingly fond of outdoor sports, especially hunting and fishing, and his friends were always welcome to share his pleasure.
John Cox was married February 3, 1857, in Johnstown, at the old Catholic church (St. John's), which was located then in what is now known as the Tenth ward of Johnstown, to Jane Horan, who was born in Roscrea, county Tipperary, Ireland, the Rev. Father Carney officiating. Jane Horan was a daughter of John Horan, who came to the United States after his marriage to Miss Bergin, and who died in Hollidaysburg. Mrs. Cox was raised by near relatives in Ireland, and when a young girl was taken by them to Dublin and sent to school there. She came to the United States when quite a young girl, with an aunt, to join her parents, and upon her arrival in Hollidaysburg was informed that her father had died on the day she left Dublin. After the death of her husband, which occurred December 25, 1883, Mrs. Cox, although entirely unfamiliar with the details of the business carried on by her husband, with a determination worthy of emulation, put her shoulder to the wheel, and by sheer will power learned the business thoroughly down to the minutest detail, and proceeded to carry it on in the same manner as her husband had done, meeting with remarkable and unqualified success. Mrs. Cox is a woman of great force of character and energy, and her ambition and bravery in the struggle have won for her a host of friends. She has been ably assisted in her business efforts by her daughters. The only surviving children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox are: Kate, at home, and Cora G., who is employed in the First National Bank of Johnstown.
REV. WILLIAM EDWARD DOWNES, vicar of St. Columba Roman Catholic church, located in Broad street, Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, although a comparatively young man, has achieved a notable reputation as a clergyman and preacher in the city in which he resides. He is a representative of the third generation of his family in the United States, and traces his ancestry to Ireland.
He was the seventh child of John and Catherine (Cushen) Downes, and was born in Tyrone, Blair county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1879. His preliminary education was obtained in the parochial and high schools of his native town, and he entered Pittsburg College in 1896, remaining there for two years, then matriculated at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Maryland, from which institution he was graduated with the decree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. He then spent three and one-half years in the Theological Seminary of Mount St. Mary's, where the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him, and was ordained by Bishop Garvey, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1903. The first ten months after ordination were spent as assistant in St. John's church in Altoona, and he then returned to the Catholic University in Washington and took a postgraduate course, making a specialty of the study of canon law. He was then sent to Johnstown,
|
