John Cox

John was an Omaha man of the Omaha tribe of Nebraska (Umoⁿhoⁿ)

The name ‘Omaha’ translates to ‘those going against the wind or current,’ a testament to their spirit of resilience and adaptability. The Omaha Tribe originated in the eastern part of the United States, around the Ohio River Valley. They are a part of the larger Sioux nation, sharing linguistic roots with their Dakota and Ponca kin. Historians believe that sometime around the 14th century, the Omaha people migrated westward, eventually settling in the present-day Nebraska area by the 1700s.

The Omaha Tribe had a unique social structure which was split into two groups – the Sky People and the Earth People. Each group was comprised of clans that traced their lineage patrilineally. The Sky People were associated with peace and spiritual matters, while the Earth People were linked to war and worldly affairs.

This social structure was mirrored in their religious practices, which embraced a deep connection with nature. The tribe worshipped an overarching deity known as Wakonda, believing it was present in all elements of the natural world.

Biography:
John was born on the Omaha Indian Reservation c. 1900 to parents Frank and Lucy Cline Cox, who were full-blood Omaha Indians. Lucy was Frank's plural wife and probably the sister of his other wife, Dora Cline. After his parents separated, in about 1903, he was adopted by David Wells when David married Lucy Cox nee Cline c. 1904, plural wife of Frank Cox. These two also adopted another orphaned child Joaquin Miller. David and Lucy, also full-blood Omaha Indians, also had three children from their marriage.

At age 10 John was a student at the Genoa Indian School, Genoa Village, Genoa Township, Nance County, Nebraska

Johns's mother Lucy must have died between June 30 1920 and June 30, 1921, because after that last date, he was shown as BHS (by himself) in census rolls, even though he had been adopted by David Wells.

According to the book Vanished in Hiawatha, author Carla Joinson states that John Charles Cox was admitted to the Canton Asylum on July 14, 1923, and diagnosed with dementia praecox. (Dementia praecox is a term that was previously used to describe a mental health condition that is now known as schizophrenia.) She also notes that he received funds as pointed out in a February 1927 journal voucher.

In a July 14, 1926 letter his biological father Frank Cox requested that John be released for home care on the condition that John would be returned if he could not be well taken care of. The BIA deferred to Dr. Harry Hummer, superintendent of the Canton Asylum, who rejected the request. It is unclear how or why this happened this way, but it is clear from census reports that the families Cox, Cline, and Wells, due to intermarriage, had formed some kind of kin group.

John Cox died of pulmonary pneumonia in July 1931 at the Canton Asylum. His body was returned home for burial, but a search of cemeteries in Thurston County identified no one by the name of John (Charles or Henry) Cox.

His profile is part of the https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Canton_Asylum.

Research Notes:

-Ourada, Jackie. “Archival Review Brings Known Genoa Indian School Death Toll to 59.” Nebraska Public Media, 4 Nov. 2021, nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/archival-review-brings-known-genoa-indian-school-death-toll-to-59/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.
-Researchers identify 102 Native American children who died at a government-run boarding school in Nebraska
Discovery comes as US government is carrying out a review into federally-operated Native American boarding schools. Source: Sharp, Rachel. “102 Native American Children Died at Government-Run Nebraska School.” The Independent, 14 Nov. 2021, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/native-american-children-deaths-federal-schools-b1957516.html. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.
-In the 1901 Omaha census David Wells age 33 is shown with no wife, 2 daughters both have died, one son who has died, and two stepsons both have died!
-In the 1902 Omaha census David Wells age 44 is shown with a wife age 36 and four daughters age 13,11,7, and 6
-Charles John Cox does not appear in the 1903 census
-Lucy Cox appears to have married David Wells c. 1904
-James Cox line 284 is crossed out in the 1905 census indicating that he may have died
-The 1905 census clears up David Wells and his children...Joaquim Miller is the English name for LIttle Lightening
-Joaquin Miller may have been the son of Lucy Cline Wells and an unknown father before she married David Wells. In any event, David adopted Joaquin. In the 1905 census, he is listed as a stepson 8 years old.
-The families Cox, Wells, and Cline were a larger kin group based on intermarriage and adoption.
-John Henry Cox was in the 1931 Canton male census on June 30, 1931, but absent from the male census on June 30, 1932, confirming that he had died between those two dates.
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Sources:

1900 Jun 21 - "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MST8-MKT : Thu Apr 11 19:57:45 UTC 2024), Entry for Frank Cox and Dora Cox, 1900, pg. 611/1192, line 37 (age 1/12), census of the Omaha Precinct, Thurston County, Nebraska

1900 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n182/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 183/862, line 262 (age 1/12, son of Lucy), census of the Omaha, Omaha Winnebago Agency

1901 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n292/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 293/862, line 272 (age 1-1/2, son of Lucy), census of the Omaha, Omaha Winnebago Agency

1902 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n342/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 343/862, line 276 (age 2, son of Lucy), census of the Omaha, Omaha Winnebago Agency

1904 May 14 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n533/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 534/862, line 377 (age 4, son of Lucy), census of the Omaha, Omaha Winnebago Agency

1905 Jul 1 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n594/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 595/862, line 378 (age 5, son of Lucy), census of the Omaha, Omaha Winnebago Agency

1906 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n661/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 662/862, line 362 (age 6, stepson of David), census of the Omaha, Omaha Agency, Nebraska

1907 Sep 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRN-XZ4C : Mon May 06 17:41:05 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, pg. 718/865, line 395 (age 7), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebraska

1908 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n772/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 773/862, line 403 (age 8, stepson of David), census of the Omaha, Omaha Agency, Macy Nebraska

1909 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll313unit/page/n825/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 826/862, line 396 (age 9, stepson of David), census of the Omaha, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1910 May 28 - "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLH6-GMN : Sat Mar 09 00:56:45 UTC 2024), Entry for Charles Cox, 1910, pg. 1266/1342, line 21 (age 10, boarder), census of the Genoa Indian School, Genoa Village, Genoa Township, Nance County, Nebraska

1910 Jul 26 -“Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll664unit/page/n21/mode/1.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 22/519, line 395 (age 10), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1911 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll664unit/page/n163/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 164/519, line 1082 (age 11), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1912 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4NZN-56MM : Sun Mar 10 08:04:56 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1912, pg. 265/522, line 1084 (age 12, shown with 3 Wells siblings and new Miller sibling ), census of the Omaha Indians of the Omaha Agency

1913 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPS2-3B33 : Thu Mar 07 00:21:41 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1913, pg. 365/522, line 1113 (age 13 as Stp. son), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1914 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll664unit/page/n464/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 465/519, line 1141 (age 14), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1915 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP32-6BFN : Fri Mar 08 01:04:47 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1915, pg. 53/824, line 1130, census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency

1916 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll314unit/page/n112/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 113/821, line 1145 (age 16), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1917 Nov 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7TJ2-T5PZ : Sat Mar 09 11:46:17 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1917, pg. 191/824, line 1173 (b=1900), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1918 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7TJ3-KV2M : Mon Mar 11 01:41:52 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1918, pg. 300/824, line 1252 (b=1900 st. son), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebraska

1919 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7TKF-F63Z : Sat Mar 09 21:34:03 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1919, pg. 405/824, line 1255, (b=1900), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1920 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7TJB-DCW2 : Sun Jul 07 17:09:04 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1920, pg. 484/824, line 1280 (b=1900), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1921 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGR4-1J4T : Fri Mar 08 07:16:20 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, pg. 500/824, line 155 (b=1900), census of the Omaha Indians living on the REservation, Omaha Agency, Nebraska

1922 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP79-FRHL : Sat Mar 09 08:47:05 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1922, pg. 581/824, line 134 (b=1900), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1923 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7TVP-Q76Z : Sun Mar 10 06:16:38 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1923, pg. 664/824, line 132 (b=1900 BHS), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebr.

1924 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGY3-BYB1 : Sat Mar 09 02:29:37 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1924, pg. 748/824, line 141-A (b=1900, BHS), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha Agency, Nebraska

1924 Jun 30 - “Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 [Microform].” Internet Archive, Washington : National Archives and Records Service, 1965, https://archive.org/details/indiancensusroll015unit/page/n512/mode/.... Accessed 29 Feb. 2024, pg. 513/519, line 8, Canton Asylum male census

1925 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP79-FNJ6 : Wed Jul 24 01:09:04 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1925, pg. 85/934, line 151 (b=1900 BHS), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha-Winnebago Agency, Nebr.

1925 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=116/1140, line 8, Canton Asylum male census

1926 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W6W2-88T2 : Fri Jul 19 20:02:43 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1926, pg. 238/934, line 147 (b=1900, BHS), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha-Winnebago Agency, Nebr.

1926 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=167/1140, line 8, Canton Asylum male census

1927 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W67S-BTT2 : Fri Mar 08 14:36:51 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1927, pg. 395/934, line 149 (b=1900), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha-Winnebago Agency, Nebr.

1927 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=185/1140, line 9, Canton Asylum male census

1928 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGR6-KVH9 : Sun Mar 10 07:23:12 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1928, pg. 562/934, line 147 (b=1900, BHS), census of the Omaha Indians, Omaha-Winnebago Agency, Nebr.

1928 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=210/1140, line 8, Canton Asylum male census

1929 Jun 30 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGT2-6G7R : Sat Mar 09 00:15:35 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1929, pg. 706/931, line 147 (b=1900, BHS), cansus of the Omaha tribe, Omaha Reservation, Winnebago jurisdiction

1929 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=328/1140, line 10, Canton Asylum male census

1930 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPV7-N3HH : Mon Mar 11 00:46:42 UTC 2024), Entry for Charles John Cox, 1930, pg. 24/567, line 211 (age 30), census of the Omaha Reservation, Winnebago Agency, Nebraska

1930 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=350/1140, line 10, Canton Asylum male census

1931 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American, Census Rolls, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP2K-V4G9 : Fri Mar 08 22:35:24 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, 1931, pg. 253/567, line 212 (age 31 @ Canton Insane Asylum, S. Dak.), census of the Omaha Reservation, Winnebago jurisdiction

1931 Jun 30 - Canton Insane Asylum: 1923-33; Cantonment School, pg. 370/1140: 1910-27, Series: Superintendents' Annual Narrative and Statistical Reports 1910 – 1935, Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20408 @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/155855298?objectPage=370/1140, line 12, Canton Asylum male census

1932 Apr 1 - "United States, Native American Birth and Death Records, 1885-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGMK-8T84 : Mon Mar 11 02:02:25 UTC 2024), Entry for John Charles Cox, July 1931, pg. 282/544, line 212 (age 31, died Jul 1931), 1932 supplemental roll, Omaha Reservation, Winnebago Agency, Nebraska