Ernest Cox, 70, of 1417 Morton St., Lafayette, Indiana, died
July 16,1961 after he had been ill for three months.
Mr. Cox was born at Terhune, Ind. near Indianapolis. From the
time he was 16 years old, he was a steam engineer; first around
Milford, Ill. where he operated a double cylinder Rumely.
Later he was the steam engineer in the light plant at
Williamsport, Ind. for eight years. Then he was the operator of a
Shay engine for four years at the Indiana Gravel Company at Attica,
Indiana.
He moved with his family to Lafayette in 1920 where he was
employed by the Monon Railroad for 41 years. He was a fireman for
25 years and then became an engineer, having the passenger run from
Lafayette to Chicago and back.
Although he loved steam so much, when the change came to Diesel,
he took a course in Diesel engineering and continued to run the
Monon passenger train to Chicago.
He was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church and of the
Men’s Brotherhood of that church. He was also a member of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Treasurer of the Illiana Steam
and Hobby Club.
In 1909 he married Ruth Withers. Surviving with the widow are
one son, four daughters, two sisters, 15 grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren.
He leaves a host of steam engine friends scattered over many
states.
