Wayne & Minnie Cox African American History Collection

Historical information regarding Wayne Wellington Cox and his wife, Minnie M. Geddings Cox.

An article titled "The Unsung Heroes of Mississippi", which provides historical information regarding Wayne Wellington Cox and his wife, Minnie M. Geddings Cox. Wayne Cox was an educator and businessman in Indianola, Mississippi. In 1904, he and his wife founded the Delta Penny Savings Bank in Indianola, which is believed to be the first African American bank in Mississippi. The Coxes also participated in organizing the Mississippi Beneficial Insurance Company in 1909. Minnie Cox was appointed postmistress of Indianola in 1891, by President Benjamin Harrison - the first African American woman to hold such a position. In 1902 a controversy arose over retaining Mrs. Cox as postmistress, leading to the closing of the Indianola Post Office from January 1903 to February 1904. Also in the collection is a letter written by Zellie Rainey Orr, which provides additional historical data pertaining to Wayne and Minnie Cox.