John Tivis was born on April 13th, 1823 in ,Hawkins, Tennessee.1 John Tivis' father was George Cox and his mother was Elizabeth. His paternal grandfather was John Cox. He had a brother and a sister, named James Madison and Mary. He was the youngest of the three children. He died at the age of 41 on March 2nd, 1865 in ,Hawkins, Tennessee.1