Peter Cox
History of the State of Montana, by Joaquim Miller, 1894 

Peter Cox, one of Anaconda's respected Aldermen, dates his birth 
in Westmeath, County Mullingar, Ireland, November 26, 1850. 

His parents, Peter and Sarah Fallon Cox, were also born on the 
emerald Isle. In 1860 they emigratedwith their family to America, 
landing in New York and making their home in that city for some time.

Later they removed to Kingston, Ulster County, that State, where 
the father continued to reside up to thetime of his death, which 
occurred in May 1892, at the age of seventy-five years; and where 
the mother isstill living, she having attained the age of sixty-
four years. She is a devoted member of the Catholic Church, as 
also was her worthy husband. They had five children, of whom four 
are living, the subject of our sketch being the first-born. 

At the time the Cox family landed in America, Peter was ten years 
old. He had attended school some in his native land, but his 
educational advantages were limited; for soon after coming to 
this country, he began earning his own living by driving a horse 
and cart in a quarry, at $1.25 a day. Later he learned the trade
of stone cutter, and worked at it until 1881, at which time he 
came to Melrose, Montana. The Utah and NorthernRailroad at that 
time terminated there, and he worked for the company until the 
road reached Butte City. Then he accepted the position of receiving 
and shipping clerk for the company and later was appointed their 
baggage master, a position he held for a number of years, and 
afterward was in the employ of the Pacific Express Company. 

In 1889 he came to Anaconda to enter upon the duties of shipping 
clerk for the Anaconda Company. Later he became their timekeeper, 
serving as such until 1892 when he severed his connection with them. Next we find 
him occupied as one of the contractors and builders of the Butte, 
Anaconda and Pacific Railroad. He has builta portion of the road 
east of the town and also the road from the racetrack to the 
smelters and is still going on with the construction of the line 
west of Anaconda. 

Mr. Cox purchased a very pleasant home in Anaconda, where he and 
his family reside. He was married in 1891 to Mrs. D.A. Gillette, 
widow of Walter R. Gillette and daughter of William Toole. She 
too is of Irish ancestry. 
Her birth occurred in the State of Maine, whence when a child, 
she removed with her parents to Madison, Wisconsin where she was 
reared. She has two sons--William and Warren--by her first husband, 
and she and Mr.Cox have a daughter, Rose, born in Anaconda. 

Politically Mr. Cox is a stanch Democrat. In 1894 he was elected 
by his fellow citizens of the second ward to represent them in 
the City Council, in which capacity he is now serving most 
efficiently. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. 

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