BIOGRAPHIES: Albert G. COX, Osseo, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Albert G. Cox, proprietor of the Linderman Mills, one mile west of Osseo, 
and of a 300-acre farm in sections 8 and 9, Sumner Township, was born in 
Milford, Wis., March 28, 1856, son of Samuel and Sarah (Dickenson) Cox.  
Samuel Cox was born in London, England, came to America in 1841, located 
in Philadelphia, where he lived until 1856, and then came to Wisconsin.  
He farmed two miles south of Osseo from 1866 to 1880 and then retired to 
Osseo Village, where he resided until his death, his wife dying in 1893.  
Albert G. Cox was reared to farm pursuits by his father, and as a young man 
learned the tinner's trade.  In 1876 he opened a hardware and machinery 
establishment in Osseo, which he conducted until 1887.  Then he became 
general agent for the Van Brunt & Wilkins Manufacturing Company, implement 
makers, traveling for them in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.  Upon entering 
the employ of this concern he moved to Augusta, Wis.  From 1894 to 1900 he 
conducted a hardware store in that place.  In 1900 he returned to Osseo and 
took charge of the Linderman Mills, which on the death of Mr. Linderman were 
willed to the Cox family.  These mills, Mr. Cox, who moved his family here 
six years later, in 1906, has since successfully conducted.  Mr. Cox is a 
well-known man in the community, and is regarded as a leading citizen.  He 
is a member of the Blue Lodge and of the Chapter and Commandery in the 
Masonic order, and at Augusta passed through the chairs of the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge.  In addition to his milling and agricultural interests he is 
president of the Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association and president of 
the Osseo Telephone Company.  Mr. Cox was married, Aug. 17, 1878, to Emma 
Linderman, daughter of James L. and Abigail (Williams) Linderman, and this 
union has been blessed with three children:  Laura, Clarissa and Winnifred 
S.  Laura married C. A. Williams, who owns creameries at Augusta, Osseo and 
Fairchild.  They live at Augusta and have two children:  Albert Cox and Mary 
Jane.  Clarissa married A. E. Bradford, a banker of Augusta, and they have 
three children: Elizabeth, Clarissa and Barbara.  Winnifred S. married 
George Livesey, an attorney of Bellingham, Wash., and has one child: Kathryn.

The Linderman Mills, located on Beef River one mile west of Osseo, were 
first erected by E. Scott Hotchkiss and James L. Linderman in 1872, and 
except for having been burned and rebuilt in 1880 has been in continual 
existence since that time.  The original building is of white pine and is 
still standing in as good condition as it was when first erected.  The 
original machinery, however, was all replaced with new and modern equipment 
by A. G. Cox in 1901.  This original building is 36 by 50 feet, four stories 
high, with a basement.  The elevator building is 32 by 32 feet, and 35 feet 
high to the eaves, and with still another story above, used for elevator 
heads.  This building was erected by A. G. Cox in 1901.  The mill is run by 
water power by a flume of the Beef River, and the engine is about 100 feet 
distant from the mill, power being furnished from the engine, when needed, 
by a transmission rope.  The machinery consists of four double strand of 
rolls for wheat, the same with corrugated rolls for rye, and a separate mill 
three double strand of rolls for buckwheat.  A plansifter system is used for 
each mill, and dust collectors throughout.  A 22-inch ball-bearing Foos 
attrition mill is used for feed grinding.  A 45 horsepower Atlas engine 
auxiliary power is installed, to be used when needed, but this need is only 
in the very cold weather, and at the busiest time of the year should the 
water run low.  Situated on the C., St. P., M. & O. Ry., it is the center of 
a rich farming community, and aside from turning out excellent grades of 
wheat and buckwheat flour does an extensive grist-mill business.  A new dam 
with concrete piers has been installed to replace a wooden one after its 30 
years or more of service.  The pond extends a mile above the dam.  With the 
exception of the big flood of 1876 there has never been a washout.  The 
property was operated by its founder and owner, James L. Linderman, until 
1900, when Albert G. Cox took over the mill, paying Mr. Linderman a rental.  
The new machinery was all installed by Mr. Cox with the understanding that 
the mill was to be willed to his family, which was done by Mr. Linderman, 
the business being conducted by Mr. Cox, and the title of the property now 
resting in his and his wife's names.

--From the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917", pages 651 - 652.