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Robert Coxwell, dealer in furniture and undertakers' goods, De Soto, 
is a native of Devonshire, England, and was born in 1844.  His parents
were Shadrach and Annie (Sellek) Coxwell; the father, a florist by
occupation, was born about 1800, and died in 1867; and the mother was 
born in 1819, and is still living.  Of their five children three are
still living, viz.: Robert, Thomas and Caroline, the latter two still
in England.  Robert Coxwell received his education at Exeter College,
in his native country, and at the age of eighteen, in partnership with 
his uncle, engaged in the furniture business in Exeter, this he soon
abandoned.  In 1865 he married Miss Martha Bement, who was born in
Devonshire, England, in 1835.  They are the parents of three children:
Ernest S., Metford S. and Henrietta Annie.  In 1871 Mr. Coxwell 

immigrated to the United States; he remained in New York City six months
and then removed to De Soto, Jefferson Co., Mo., and engaged in his
present business, which was the first establishment of the kind opened
in De Soto.  He carries a first class stock of goods, is a reliable
business man, and one of the influential citizens of the town.  In 
politics he votes the Republican ticket.  He is a member of the Knights

of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Coxwell are members of the Congregational Church.