A Cox-Whiting Reunion
A Happy ReunionFairview, Sanpete County July 21, 1898.
At the union of the Cox-Whiting families assembled here on the 19th there were present 368 persons as follows:
F.W. Cox 173; his family, number of children, 23; grandchildren, 155; great grandchildren, 46.
Orvill Cox’s family, children 19; grandchildren, 86; great grandchildren, 16. Total; 121; present.
Edwin Whitings family, 235; present, 121. Children, 121. Children, 23, grandchildren, 140; alive at this date, 648 (in the three families).
These people settled in Manti in the years 1850 and 1852 and remarkable as it would seem, they remain, with few exceptions, intact and represent some of the best families in the state. A large per cent of the Cox tribe reside in Manti and Fairview in this county, and a number have “gone down the wall” into Emery and branches in Arizona and Mexico. The Whitings mostly reside at Springville and Mapleton, Utah County. These people are Mormons and sturdy and industrious citizens. They own and cultivate their own farms “live within their means,” owe no man a dollar, live in mansions and are comparatively happy.
Wm Arthur Cox has been very sick while in camp, but at this writing he is improving. This fact has caused a feeling of joy to spread over the relatives assembled. A program is being carried out each day by the several branches and a general time of rejoicing is manifest.
Augustus Cox and Aunt Mary Cox Whiting are the only survivors of the old stock present. The children of Orvil Cox, residents of Fairview, are making every effort to accommodate their numerous relatives, visitors, and welcome them to this beautiful and picturesque mountain home. The weather is most delightful.
The Manti contingent gave a theatrical performance last night. Aaron Johnson of the Springville contingent and a veteran in the line will hold the boards tonight in the play, Nevada. Orvil Cox people will entertain the crowd tomorrow evening and Saturday the town will give the reunion an ovation after which the multitude will begin their return journeys home. Many of the relatives have never met before and others at long intervals. These families are in the main comfortably situated and enjoy the confidence of the communities where they reside.
--Transcribed from the Deseret News Online, 30 July 1898, pg 13. Punctuation and spelling in the original.