Anderson-Vriese Family Ties

MY COX FAMILY LINE

updated by Staci Anderson, February 2007

ROBERT COX

According to British census records, Robert Cox was born in Dorset, England at about 1807. Every record seemed to give a slightly different year, but the 1841 census in Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset states that he was age 35, occupation a “baker”, living with Elizabeth, age 33 and the following children: Robert, Aurelia, Sarah Jane and Mary.

By 1851 they are in the parish of Bere Regis, near Weymouth, in Shitterton, and his wife is listed as “Ann” born in Bere Regis. The age of this woman is exactly 10 years older than the last census, so it is hard to say if this is a middle name or a new woman. He is a “journeyman miller”, the occupation that his son James will later share. Children Mary and James are listed on this 1851 census. By 1861 I am unable to locate Robert Cox, but a James Cox is living with a Cornelius Cox in Melcombe Regis, Weymouth and he is a “cousin” to the head of household. Also, a March Cox is one year younger than James, and also listed as “cousin”. Is this a brother of James? It is very likely that Robert Cox died then before this 1861 census.

JAMES BAKER COX

According to his death certificate, James Cox was born on 12 July 1841 in Weymouth, England. However, a baptism record shows that he was baptised on 21 August, 1842 at the St Mary's in Melcome Regis, Weymouth, England to the parents of Robert Cox and Elizabeth Baker. Therefore, it is most likely he was born in 1842. He married Ellen Toomer (b.10 June 1849 in Sutton Mandeville, Wiltshire, England, daughter of James Toomer and Edith Viney) on 18 January, 1866 in Fovant, England at the Independent Chapel. James and Ellen had 2 children in England: Robert James and Elizabeth- both named after his parents. This family came to the United States in 1869. It is said that Ellen carried Robert James across the London Bridge on the journey to America. Also, family says he lost an arm up to the shoulder in an accident and had to use a hook for a hand.

On the 1870 census of Illinois, Winnebago County, James is listed as a flour miller, and Ellen was “keeping house”. Robert was 2 years old, and Elizabeth 1 year old, both born in England. According to his granddaughter, Lillian (see below), “My grandfather, James Cox was a miller and worked at that most of his life. Seems he traveled from town to town. I think he was one of those fellows who think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. I just think he liked to see this county that he came too. I guess he got to NY first, lived in Illinois before he got to Minnesota. All the flour was ground and milled at the streams and rivers, like the one we looked at. They moved to Saint Paul when my father was 12 years old from Inver Grove, Minnesota. Grandmother opened a boarding house there and earned the living that way. My father [Robert James Cox- see below] had to help wait on table when he got older after he had hauled coal and wood to homes. He worked very hard. He learned to be a barber, then an electrician all by himself. He was in charge of power plants for the street car company and for Northern States Power co when I was home and growing up in St. Paul.”

By the 1880 census (in Northfield City, Rice County, Minnesota), they had several more children: George, Lillie, Joseph, Alice B. and Mary. Lillie was born in Missouri, so at some point within that decade, they moved from Illinois, then to Missouri, and then to Minnesota where they would remain for several years in St.Paul.

The 1900 census in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota is in error regarding their son, Robert. The census says he is older and born in Minnesota. Perhaps they were having citizenship problems and wanted him to look like he was born in the US?? But the census does state that James B. came to the United States in 1869 and that he was “naturalized”. By 1907 they are listed in the Seattle City Directory, living at 1156 Republican. In the 1908 and 1909 directories, they are living at 4219 Woodland Park Avenue and he is listed as a miller. James died on June 8th, 1909 in Seattle, Washington, and Ellen followed on 22 December, 1916 in Seattle and is buried in an unmarked grave next to his wife and daughter Alice at Crown Hill Cemetery.

ROBERT JAMES COX (Robert James Cox with wife Matilda Fredricka Phillipson- perhaps taken on wedding day in 1895?)

Robert J Cox's death certificate states that he was born on 13 August, 1867 in Godshill, Isle of Wight, England. (Also, family notes say that his son Howard unfortunately died at a very young age, on Robert's birthday- August 13th. This seems to back up the date. However, other family notes state that Robert James was born on 10 December 1868- but I think this is an error) The 1870 census (see above) said he was 2 years old and born in England. He married Matilda Fredricka Phillipson(b. April 17th, 1874 in St.Paul, MN) on 12 June 1895 in Minnesota. The 1910 census states that the year of his immigration was in 1872 and that he was naturalized. This is obviously in error again as Robert is on the 1870 census when a child. They had 3 daughters and 3 sons: Howard (died as a child), Robert Jr “Rollie”, Lillian, Madeline and Hazel and George- all born in Minnesota. He was an electrician and worked for the electric company. His death certificate states that he was a “stationary engineer” with a company called Golden Rule. In the 1920 census, they are still living in St.Paul, Minnesota and it says that he became a US citizen in 1883? It also says he was an electrician for a power plant. Matilda died in Downersgrove, Illinois on 23 Jan, 1929. Robert later died on 20 March, 1946 in St. Paul Minnesota.

LILLIAN IDABEL COX (1921)

Lillian, or "Grandma Annable" was born on 8 February, 1902 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She married Carlton Gardner Annable (b.2 Sep 1900 in Amboy, Illinois) on August 31st, 1922. They had 6 daughters together, some of whom are still living. Carlton died on 12 Feb, 1972 in Des Moines, Iowa, and Lillian lived to be over 100 years old, and passed away in Des Moines, Iowa on February 9th, 2003. Lillian was a rather strict grandmother according to her grandchildren, but apparently she softened up a bit with age. She was very sharp of mind and got around very well until about the last year of her long life.