Butler County Genealogy Trails Kansas Michael Cox Bio

BUTLER COUNTY'S EIGHTY YEARS BIOS

MICHAEL COX

(Transcribed by Lori DeWinkler)

Michael Cox, with his wife, Rhoda Cox, and children came to Richland Township in 1872. They had come from a Friends settlement at Holly Spring,North Carolina, to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1871, and made thirteen trips back and forth, between Lawrence and Richland Township before deciding to settle in the Rose Hill neighborhood. In 1872 they took a claim in section 3, which is still known as the Cox place. Here they reared their family, which has come to be the best known in the community. Michael Cox was the head of the Rose Hill Friend’s Church from its organization until his death in 1892, when his place was filled by his son, Reuben.

Uncle Michael it was who, upon every “First Day” and “Fifth Day,” sat with other overseers on a bench in the front of the meeting house, facing the congregation. He had no watch, but there was a certain nail in the floor which served as a sun dial for him; and when the sun’s rays reached that point, he would solemnly shake hands with the brother on his left, often without saying a word. This was the benediction. It was Michael Cox who stamped his character and personality indelibly upon this people. His stern morality, his faith, his industry, and integrity, more than that of any other man, has made a community of pious, law-abiding, prosperous people.

His youngest daughter, Rhodema, died in young womanhood. His other children, Reuben, Eleanor, Eunice (Mrs. Larkin Cox). William, and Elmira Osborn, all lived with their families in Richland or Pleasant Township.

The descendants of Michael and Rhoda Cox number more than a hundred. They have been leaders in every community to which they have gone.

Mrs. Reuben Cox, the oldest of the family yet living at Rose Hill, recently celebrated their eightieth birthday, with a host of relatives and friends doing her honor.