Introduction
Charles W. Cox, who was not related to Camden’s Mayor Charles Cox, was a prominent builder in Camden. In 1890 alone he built 87 new homes in North Camden.
According to the 1900 Census, Charles W. Cox was born in Pennsylvania in September of 1833 to William Cox and his wife, the former Sarah Braddock, who were both natives of Burlington County, New Jersey. William and Sarah married in Gloucester County in September of 1832. The Cox family returned to Burlington County not long after his birth, as his younger brothers Richard, Asa, and William and a sister, Hannah, were born there, Asa in Rancocas in November of 1937. William Cox died in the 1840s and his widow in time married William Jones, who passed away prior to the 1860 Census. Asa and Richard were living on separate farms in Newton Township, Camden County, New Jersey when the Census was taken in 1850. The family reunited in Philadelphia during the 1850s. The 1860 Census shows Charles W. Cox living in Philadelphia with his widowed mother Sarah and younger brothers Asa and Richard, and a step-sister of their mother, Elizabeth. Charles and Asa were working as carpenters, Richard as bricklayer. Charles Cox appears to have been living in Philadelphia and working as a carpenter when the Census was taken in 1870, although he was not living with his siblings at the time, who were also in Philadelphia. Charles W. Cox is listed in Philadelphia City Directories from 1873 through 1875 at 803 Columbia Avenue, occupation builder.
The family moved to Camden in the 1876 and the four brothers formed a partnership, which broke up in September of 1876 when William Cox withdrew. Asa went into the grocery business and later in life moved to Pennsylvania, while Charles, Richard, and William stayed in enterprises relating to building and real estate. After the partnership broke up Charles Cox and Richard Cox continued to trade as Cox Brothers into the 1880s. Charles Cox and Richard both continued in Camden as builders, although as of this writing what their business relationship was is unclear. Richard left Camden after the 1896 City Directory was compiled. He returned in 1906 and was living at 117 North 21st Street in East Camden as late as 1924.
The 1877 and 1878 City Directories show Charles W. Cox at 213 North 3rd Street. In 1878 he was at 27 North 2nd Street. The Cox brothers built numerous three-story brick houses at Eighth and Federal Streets in 1879 and it is likely that they lived in a few of them, once built. The 1880 Census shows him, his mother Mrs. Sarah Jones and her sister Elizabeth “Lizzie” Jones at 826 Federal Street, where he remained into 1891. Brother Richard lived at 822 Federal Street in the 1880s and 1890s, William lived with Charles at 826 Federal in 1888, then moved to 802 Federal where he remained until 1894. Sarah and Lizzie Jones lived at 119 North 9th Street from 1899 until Sarah’s death in 1901.
A bachelor for most of his life, Charles W. Cox married Miss Ray Beckley of Franklinville, New Jersey at the home of her parents on May 4, 1887. The marriage produced no children, but it did have a long term impact on Camden. Charles Cox, either in partnership or alone, was responsible for building literally hundreds of houses in Camden, a great deal of it in North Camden between Penn and Vine Streets and east of North 8th Street. It is highly probably that Ray Street, a one block street that runs between Pearl and Elm Street, was named after Mrs. Cox, and that Borton Street, was named after his best man, lawyer Joshua Borton. He also built houses in other parts of the city and in Philadelphia.
The 1893 City Directory shows that Charles W. Cox had moved to 902 Cooper Street, the corner house at North 9th and Cooper Street. He would remain at this address for the rest of his days. Charles W. Cox passed away on January 18, 1908 and was buried at Bethel Cemetery on Pennsauken, New Jersey. Mrs. Cox was still living in Camden as late as 1923. The home at 902 Cooper Street was destroyed on July 20, 1940 by flames that had spread after the explosion at the nearby R.M. Hollinghead factory.
While not politically active, Charles W. Cox was a member of the Camden Republican Club. He also was a member of the Old Guard State Fencibles of Pennsylvania.
Cox Brothers Partnership Dissolved
Camden Post —
Notice of Dissolution.
The co-partnership heretofore existing between William F. Cox, Charles W. Cox, Richard D. Cox and Asa R. Cox, trading, &c., as “Cox Brothers, Builders,” was this day dissolved by mutual consent, William T. Cox withdrawing. The business will be continued by the remaining members of the firm, by whom all accounts will be settled.
William F. Cox,
Charles W. Cox,
Richard D. Cox,
Asa R. Cox.
Dated Camden, Sept. 23d, 1876.
Marriage to Ray Beckley
Camden Post —
Two Weddings.
The marriage of Mr. Charles W. Cox, the extensive builder of this city, took place on the 4th instant at Franklinville, N. J., to Miss Ray Beckley. Lawyer Joshua E. Borton, and Miss Mame Beckley, her sister, assisted in the ceremony which was performed by the Rev. R. T. Harris, pastor of Bethany Methodist Episcopal church, of this city. A sumptuous dinner having been provided, the numerous guests sat down about noon, and after enjoying the bountiful repast, the happy pair took their departure for Washington, D. C., expecting to visit the points of interest, returning home in about two weeks.
Miss Kate Cassidy and Mr. Thomas Cunningham, of Fellowship, Burlington, county, were married yesterday by nuptial mass at Moorestown, by Rev. Father Denis.
Building Activity
Camden Daily Courier —
One Hundred New Dwellings.
Charles W. Cox, one of our most enterprising builders, has purchased the block of ground between Pearl and Elm and Ninth and Tenth streets, in the Second ward, and will erect upwards of one hundred houses thereon during the building season of 1888. Mr. Cox has already upon the ground several hundred perches of foundation stone and will commence operations as soon as the Spring weather permits.
Construction Projects
Camden Daily Courier —
Buildings for 1889.
From indications the new year will be marked with a continuation of the building boom in our city. Charles W. Cox is at work already on his land at Ninth and Pearl streets, and will erect 150 two story dwellings thereon during the coming season. Wilson Ernst’s recent purchase at Second and Erie streets will be covered with four rows of twenty-three two story dwellings are the season of 1889 closes and George Hall is already securing the necessary material for a row of first-class dwellings, on Broadway, between Mickle and Stevens streets.
Building Boom in North Camden
Camden Daily Courier —
New Buildings Going Up.
Many Houses Now Being Erected
Closing Up Fall Operations and Projects for Next Year.
Camden builders do not seem to be deterred by the fear of financial panic or an idea that the McKinley bill presages disaster in business. New operations are in progress, and several very extensive ones are contemplated early in the coming year.
Charles W. Cox is finishing a row of twenty-one dwellings on Willard street, in the Second ward, and is excavating the cellars for ten more at Eighth and Vine streets. These, when finished, will make eighty-seven new buildings erected by him in that locality during the season. William C. Aitken is walling the cellars of thirteen new brick dwellings at Tenth and Carpenter streets, and having purchased of the Cope estate the balance of the block on Cooper street above Ninth, will early in the spring erect a row of first-class dwellings thereon.
Adolph Segal is pushing to completion sixty-six dwellings on Segal street, in the First ward, and is negotiating for land adjacent, preparatory to commencing a large operation.
William T. Bailey has nearly completed ten stone front dwellings at Sixth and York streets, and has fifty more in various stages of completion at Wrightsville, one of Camden’s thriving suburbs.
In the manufacturing line Howland Croft, Sons & Co., are building a one-story addition to their woolen mill at Broadway and Jefferson streets, which when completed will give employment to at least one hundred and fifty employes.
At Pavonia, Cramer Hill, Fairview and Dudley many new buildings are in course of erection and completion and building mechanics are busy and in demand at good wages.
Material men and the sash and door manufacturers are doing a rushing business, many of them being behind with their orders, while brick dealers and quarrymen are busy at the real furnishing the material in their line.
The announcement was made this morning that George Holl has consummated negotiations with the Cooper estate for the purchase of the large block of land bordering on Sixth and Seventh streets and Benson and Washington. Another well-known operator made very strong efforts to secure this property, but Mr. Holl had “an option on it and closed at $50,000. The ground is vacant with the exception of nine old houses owned by the Real Estate Investment Company. Mr. Holl has been in a number of large and successful building operations in this city, but this one will perhaps be the heaviest in which he has yet engaged. The street is to cut through the block running north and south between Sixth and Seventh streets on which the houses will be set back twenty feet. All of the houses on the block will be three-stories in height and will be equipped with all modern improvements. Building on either one or the other end of the block may be commenced in a few days but more than likely that work may be done this coming Spring.
Building Permits
Camden Post —
Building Permits.
C. W. Cox, five brick buildings for dwelling purposes, west side of Eighth above Elm street. Also, six brick dwellings on Vine below Eighth street. Also, seven brick dwellings Elm east of Eighth street. Also, six brick dwellings on Linwood street above Elm.
B. F. Henry, frame addition, 405 North Second street.
Construction News
Camden Daily Courier —
Doings in Realty.
Transfers Recorded in the Register of Deeds’ Office Yesterday.
Camden, e. s. Chester st., 130 ft. n. Penn st.—David Baird, Sheriff, to Joshua E. Borton, $100.
Camden, Nos. 642, 644, 646 and 648 Linwood st.—Charles W. Cox to Anna E. Mattern, $2,400.
Waterford township, 26 91-100 acres land—Lydia S. Coles to Samuel S. Coles, $56.90.
Camden, n. w. cor. Ferry ave. and Vine, Buren st.—John Kelley to Daniel Kelley, $1.
Gloucester City, n. e. line Cumberland st., 80 ft. e. Victoria place—Margaret Lane to Joseph Ackroyd, $75.
Pennsauken township, 3 lots on plan Jennie Heights—Annie Kuhn to J. Kirk bridgman, $1,800.
George H. North to Harry W. Wake—assigns all real estate to benefit creditors, $1.
Building Project on Penn Street
Camden Daily Courier —
Doings in Realty.
Waterford township, 8 acres land—Thomas Richards, Jr., Trustee, to Charles Faulkner, et al., $420.
Camden, 12 acres land—Henry G. McGee to Andrew W. Mellon, $14,525.62.
Camden, Nos. 1107, 1111 and 1115 Penn st.—C. W. Cox to Frances E. Smith, $2,000.
Camden, lots Nos. 10 and 11, plan subdivision of Joseph Reichart Square—Thomas Marple to Mary C. Sheridan, $3,500.
West Berlin, lot No. 316, Sec. No. 7—George A. Smith to William W. Erwin, $1,500.
Death of Sarah Jones (Mother)
Camden Post-Telegram —
Mrs. Sarah Jones, widow of William Jones, passed away yesterday at her residence, 119 North Ninth street, aged eighty-six years. Deceased was a member of the Society of Friends.
Building Activity
Camden Post-Telegram —
Warrant for Stepmother.
A warrant for the arrest of Mrs. Rachel Cox, wife of Builder Charles Cox, of Ninth and Penn streets, was issued by Justice Schmitz on a charge of assault and battery on her stepdaughter, Evelyn L. Wiltberger, who alleges that Mrs. Cox beat her over the head and about the body with an umbrella.
Proposed Kaighn Avenue Development
Camden Daily Courier —
To-day’s Building Permits.
The following building permits were issued from the City Clerk’s office today:
Charles W. Cox, thirteen two-story brick dwellings, 14 by 65 feet, south side of Kaighn avenue above Ninth street.
A. Blake, frame, two-story addition to dwelling, 15 by 15 feet, at 1160 Kaighn avenue; also a brick party wall.
Proposed development of 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, and 930 Kaighn Avenue. These homes were never built.
Fire at Camden Lime Works
Camden Post-Telegram —
Cart Halts a Runaway Motor Car
Strangely, Too, Both Vehicles Are Owned by Edward Stone, of the Camden Lime Company.
2’ Women and a Man Were in the Auto
The big automobile owned by Edward Stone, of the Camden Lime Company, ran away on Federal street at noon to-day. It had not gone far before it crashed into a cart owned by Mr. Stone’s company. The two vehicles became so fastened that further progress of the motor car was stopped. When the car had a notion to go on a little trip of its own it was standing in front of Mr. Stone’s office, 129 Federal street. Mr. Stone was in the office. Mrs. Stone and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cox, of 902 Cooper street, were in the machine, the two women occupying the rear-seat.
Suddenly the machine took a leap forward and started in the direction of the ferry. In front of the Post-Telegram office one of Mr. Stone’s employes was turning a cart around and into this crashed the automobile to the accompaniment of screams by the women occupants.
One of the big electric lamps on the front of the auto was jammed over the hub of the cart wheel so tightly as to hold the machine, which was puffing and snorting at a great rate which was making anxious to get another start.
Mr. Stone, who had seen the auto start on its personally-conducted tour, hurried out of his office and shut off the power. Beyond breaking the lamps the auto sustained damage to its engine.
Failure to completely shut off the power and putting too much dependence in the brake are the causes described for the machine’s freak.
Charles W. Cox Dies
Camden Daily Courier —
Death Claims Two Well-Known Residents
After a lengthy illness from a complication of diseases, Charles W. Cox, 70 years old, of 902 Cooper street, died yesterday. At one time he was widely known as a contractor and builder, many dwellings in the city standing as monuments to his career in that line. He was prominently identified with the Republicans in the upper section of the city and was a member of the Camden Republican Club.
Franklin P. Haines, 59 years old, of 114 Washington avenue, Collingswood, was found dead in bed yesterday morning. He had retired on Saturday night in apparent health and his death came as a great shock to his family. Coroner Fithian made an investigation and found that death was due to apoplexy.
Funeral Services
Camden Daily Courier —
Cox—On January 18, 1908, Charles W. Cox. Relatives and friends, also Old Guard, State Fencibles of Pa., and members of the Camden Republican Club, are invited to attend the funeral services, on Wednesday, January 22, from his late residence, 902 Cooper street, Camden, N. J. Interment at Bethel Cemetery, Bethel.
Death Notice
Camden Post-Telegram —
Charles W. Cox, who was a member of the Camden Republican Club, and also of the Old Guard, State Fencibles, of Pennsylvania, died on Saturday. The funeral services will take place from his late residence, 902 Cooper street, on Wednesday morning, at 11 o’clock. The remains will be taken to Bethel, and interment be made in the cemetery at that place.
Estate Matters
Camden Post-Telegram —
Fire Damages Home of Mrs. Ray Cox
Shortly before 9 o’clock last evening fire was discovered in the rear of the house of Mrs. Ray Cox, Ninth and Cooper streets. The company at Fifth and Arch streets made a quick response and extinguished the blaze, which was of small origin in unknown, the property being unoccupied.
Property Transfer
Camden Post-Telegram —
After being away several months, Mrs Ray Cox, of Ninth and Cooper streets, has returned. She entertained several of her friends from Philadelphia last evening with a whist card shower.