Andrew Nicholas Cox

Andrew was born on January 17, 1912 to Robert and Rose Cox in Joplin, Missouri. The only birth records for him and his siblings are contained in a "family" Bible. After Robert died, Rose farmed her children out to perform 'light' duties for room and board. Andrew went to the Warner's farm where he had many fond members of being treated well and paid well. At the age of 18, after graduating from High School, Andrew and his friend decided to open an auto report shop. With all the money Andrew had saved, $500, his friend left to purchase tires; he never returned. Andrew begrudged began to seek work which led him to follow his older brother, Oliver, to Oregon. There Andrew found work as a lumberjack and road repairman's, and subsequently met Frances Ely who in turn introduced him to Laura. Once a married man, Andrew and Laura both work at the "shipyards" but during WWII, he took a job at the post office in Dallas, Oregon. At night, he studied to become a watchmaker. After the war he opened a small shop in Selah, Washington and then he won a government contract to open and operate a shop in Richland, Washington where one of the "Atomic Energy" plants was located. The government left after one year, and unfortunately, all of the small businesses went out of business. Andrew found a job in North Richland at McVicker's Jewelers. In 1950, he found another job in Seattle. He worked in several different shops, watching the "watch making" inustry slowing dwindle after Timex became popular. In 1963, he, Laura and Judy moved to San Mateo, California were United airlines was located. In 1965, he landed a job in their maintenance area as the principle 'gauge keeper.' He retired in 1975, with a good retirement package, and he and Laura returned to Issaquah, Wa.