Julia Anne Hollenbeck Cox, 1852-1919

COX, HOLLENBECK, DEIBOLD

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/20/2011 at 00:27:41

Mrs. S. J. Cox Was Laid to Rest Last Thursday
Services Held From the Methodist Church in Afternoon
Was a Very Popular Lady
Large Crowd of Friends Gathered to Pay Their Last Respects – Leaves Family

It was with a feeling of sadness that we heard of the death of Mrs. Spencer J. Cox last Tuesday afternoon. The coming of the death messenger was not unexpected, as Mrs. Cox had been in poor health for the past year, but nevertheless her loss leaves a void that persistently forces upon us the knowledge that no more will be permitted to hear the cheery voice; no more will we be permitted to enjoy her friendship and listen to her counsel. She has passed on to rest in that great Beyond from whence no traveller ever returns. And we would not call her back if it were in our power. She is happy with the Master whom she loved and delighted to serve. No more beds of pain; only the gentle whisper of her God as he murmurs: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And while our hearts are bowed with profound sorrow we can still smile, for we have caught the gleam of sunshine which comes through the dark clouds and we can see “Mother” and “Wife” happy with the dear ones on that beautiful shore.

It is the lot of only a few on this earth to be endowed with the natural charms, the power for good and the untiring belief in the good of humanity. Mrs. Cox was a lady of strong character. Her personality radiated about her and she left her influence upon all the lives with which she came in contact. She was always on the side of right, fighting the battles fearlessly, yet with an understanding that secured results. And in the home she was seen to the best advantage. Her first thought was always of her home, her husband, her children. How they will miss the gentle spirit that was forever thinking of their needs and comforts. And the results she attained in her home life will ever stand as a monument to her name. Her children have gone into the world for themselves and are now fighting their own battles, respected and honored by their fellow men. She has lived, she has died; she has done her work well on this earth, and methinks I hear the angels rejoicing in heaven because another saint has joined their throng.

Mrs. Spencer J. Cox was born June 11th, 1852, in Grundy county, Seneca, Illinois. She grew to young womanhood in that locality. On August 15th, 1870, she was united in marriage to Spencer J. Cox, at Morris, Illinois. To this union eight children were born. They were Mae, James, Ellry, Jesse, Viola, George, Spencer and Chancy Lee. She is survived by her husband, Spencer J. Cox; four sons, Jesse, of Estherville, George and Spencer, of Spencer, and Chauncy Lee, of Des Moines; one sister, Mrs. Emma Deibold, of Seneca, Ill.; her twin brother, Ferdinand Hollenbeck, of Morris, Ill., and twelve grandchildren. Two sons and two daughters were awaiting her in her heavenly home.

She with her husband united with the Methodist church at Seneca, Illinois, in 1880, and up to the time of her death always took an active part in the affairs of the church. She loved to work in the different organizations and societies and she was never called upon but what she responded. She will be missed from the church circles of Estherville. She was not only a reader of the Bible, but she endeavored to live according to the lessons taught by it. She was also an active member of the Woman’s Relief Corps at the time of her death and took a great interest in the work accomplished by this society.

She, with her husband, moved to Estherville in 1891, and have continued to live in the city from that time. She was known and admired by almost everyone in the city. She took a deep interest in the welfare of the town and was always found fighting for the interests of Estherville. Almost a year ago her health began to fail. She was taken to the Methodist hospital in Des Moines last May, where she remained for some time under the care of some of the most skilled medical men of the state. Later she was brought home and on July 10th entered the city [hospital] where she underwent an operation. All that medical skill and loving hands could do to save her life was done, but it was to no avail. She knew her days upon this earth were numbered but she was undismayed as she was strong in her belief of her God and the life hereafter. She was relieved of her sufferings last Thursday afternoon at four o’clock when her soul took flight to be at rest in her Heavenly home.

And so while there are tears in our eyes, there is a smile on our face for we realize that this grand, good soul is at rest. We know that she would not have it otherwise. And while we grieve for her the memories of her wonderful life come to us and we are comforted in the knowledge that she left the world a better place than she found it and we know that some day there will be a grand reunion upon that heavenly shore and we will meet wife and mother once more. She has but gone before us to prepare for our coming.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church last Thursday afternoon, Rev. Walter Torbet of this city in charge. The remains were laid away in the Oak Hill cemetery. The floral offerings and the large number of friends who gathered to pay their last respects to the departed, showed the esteem in which this good woman was held. Her work on earth is ended and she awaits her loved ones in that Heavenly home. The sympathy of the entire community is extended at this hour to the bereaved family. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 12, 1919)