HISTORY OF THE COX’S MILLS GRADED SCHOOL
Written in 1935 by Paul Fiddler, Principal
1867 Cox’s Mills derives its name from Oliver Cox, who resided and owned
a mill near the present (1935) Horn Creek bridge.
The first building to be used for a school house in this community was an old
dwelling house located at the present site of Scott Mason’s residence. School
was taught here two years. Lash Snodgrass taught in 1867 and Phillip Cox in
1868. Trustees were: Phillip Cox, David Heckert and Jeffrie.
In the year of 1869, the people became interested in the construction of a log
school building. They discussed the subject, and Oliver P. Cox gave the ground,
one-fourth of an acre, located on Cox’s Camp Fork of Horn Creek, on the south
side of the Parkersburg and Staunton Turnpike or what is known as State Rte. 47.
In a short time, a rude building of the pioneer type was erected. This
building was used until 1901.
The first school established was typical of all early schools as to equipment,
length of term, and subject matter taught.
The teachers and years taught in this building are not complete between
the years of 1869 and 1894, but are listed as nearly as possible. Kingsley Cox;
Edward Lawrence; Perry Mick; Henry Neff; Can Bush; Alice Woofter (Mrs.
Francis Woofter); Charles Oldaker, Jack Keller; D. E. Studer, Perry Cox; Flora
Williams; Emery Snyder; George Cox; Asbury McCloud 1895; Gay Stalnaker
1896; Linnie Brake 1897; Gay Brannon 1898 & 1899; Ivan Bush 1900.
Immediately after the removal of the log building, a one-room frame building
was constructed. It was more modem in structure and equipment, than the one
previously used. The location was the same as that of the log house. This
building was used until 1927 for school and community purposes.
The members of the Board of Education that were responsible for the new
school house were: Benton Springston, J. F. Bailey, and J. V. Langford.
Teachers of the new building were: Ivan Bush 1901; Scipio Lewis 1902; J. W.
Law 1903; Scipio Lewis 1904; Clark Showen 1905; Gertrude Bush 1906; James
Hardman 1907; Artie Ralston 1908 & 1909; Fay Hall (Garrison) 1910; Meade
Wards 1911 & 1912; Brison Boyers 1913; Grace Collins 1914; Columbus
Cutright 1915, 1916, 1917; Willie Debar 1918; Mamie Langford 1919; Brennace
Stase 1920; Earnest King 1921; Willie Debar 1922; Eunace McQuain 1923;
Lenore Powell (Mrs. Boyd Danley) 1924; Opal Bush 1925; Audrey Ellyson (Mrs.
John P. Elliott) and Mark Heckert 1926.
As the community grew there was a need for a larger school to
accommodate the number of children attending. The same location was used
and a two-room building was erected. It was constructed from the building
previously used and the Allman School House. The Board of Education at this
time (1927) was: Okey Reed, Roy Williams, and E. R. Cooper.
Teachers who taught in the new building were: Mark Heckert and Alice Fair
1927; Clay M. Bailey and Alice Fair 1928; Mark Heckert and Alice Fair 1929;
Paul Fiddler and Beulah Fiddler 1930; Paul fiddler and Nellie Heckert 1931;
Perry McQuain and Nellie Heckert 1932; Paul Fiddler 1933; Paul Fiddler and
Nellie Heckert 1934 and 1935; Jewell Beeson and Bonneta Britton 1936; Lynn
B. Cooper and Lucille Bush 1937 and 1938; Lucille Allman 1939; Madeline
Heckert 1940 and 1941; Geneva Farnsworth 1942, 1943, and 1944. School
closed in May 1945.
The Cox’s Mills School was active in 4-H Club, Reading Circle,
and West Virginia Club.
Former students of the Cox’s Mills School who have become prominent
are: A. B. Boyers, a doctor of Buckhannon; Ira Bush, a former educator; Ira D.
Cox, an oil and gas developer, Rev. W. A. Debar, a minister at Fairmont.
Those who helped with the information of this school are: Wilson Heckert,
Claude Heckert, J. V. Langford, Scipio Lewis, and Tipton Bush. Mary Ann
Radabaugh added the teachers after 1937 from Gilmer County Board Office
records.
