Obituary of John L Cox, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Jim Admire CALLED HOME ELDER JOHN L. COX The Rev. Cox, whose death occured Monday at the home of his daughter in Camden, Michigan was one of the widely and favorably known men in this section of the country. His funeral services here Thursday were very largely attended, --------but elequently attesting to the esteem and love of his fellow-citizens. Contemplate what a wholesome influence "a good man and true" can set in motion during a life of nearly ninety useful years! Funeral Rites Here Funeral services for Rev. John L. Cox, former citizen of this community, who died Monday at his home in Camden, Michigan, were held Thursday morning at ten o'clock in the first Babtist Church. Rev. T. J. Wheeler delivered the sermon, and was assisted by Revs. W. B. Morris, J. K. Aitchele and I. O. Tenford. A mixed quartette, Messrs , C. C. Mayfield, P. E. Huffman, Mesdames Lyman Lindley and A. C. Everingham sang three particularly favorate hymns of Mr. Cox, namely: "Amazing Grace", "Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown", and "In The Sweet Bye and Bye." The pall bearers were Dr. C. H. Voorheis, K. M. Cox, H. T. Cox, J. M. Voorheis, J. T. Cox, and Dr. Ausby Cox. The following obituary was read as a part of the funeral services: Elder John L. Cox aged Baptist Minister and one of the oldest residents of Crawford County, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Skinner, Camden, Michigan, Monday, January 16th 1928, being past 87 years of age. He was born and reared on the old home farm three miles northwest of Hutsonville and there he lived his entire life except the last three months which were spent in the home of his daughter, in Michigan. "Uncle John L." as he was famillarly and effectionally known, came of sturdy pioneer Quaker stock, his parents  Thomas and Deborah (Lindley) Cox coming from North Carolina just 100 years ago. His education was rather limited, extending only through about the sixth grade. But he made skillful and efficient use of what he did receive, being a keen observer and a reflective thinker. He engaged in the farming occupation when a young man, which calling, he pursued until about ten years ago. Elder Cox lived far beond far beyond the average length of human life, the span of his life reaching seven-eights of a century. He is the last of a large family, several others of whom, like he, lived to a ripe old age. He was converted at 19 years of age under Elder Asa Frakes and joined the old Hutsonville Babtist Church, receiving the ordinance of baptism in the Wabash River. In Jan. 1868 he preached his first sermon from the text: "Mary Hath chosen that better part which shall not be taken away from her." His was a long and successful pastorate extending over more than 44 years, ending in November 1912. He lived 60 years a minister of the gospel, pastoring many churches, among these were Richwoods, Liberty, Good Hope, Mt. Zion, Old Hutsonville, Island Grove, Olive Branch, Mt. Gilead, Pleasant Star, Robinson, Willow Hill, First Hutsonville, and Mt. Olive. The first pastorate was Richwoods, the last Mt. Olive. Some of the most lengthy pastorates Liberty 23 years and old Hutsonville, 28 years. His mode  of travel was horseback or sometimes going on foot the 15 or 25 miles necessary to make his appointment. He was regarded as the strongest preacher of the Palestine Association in his day; enjoyed the full esteem of the brethren in both pulpit and pew and was reckoned an authority upon matters religions. He was in continual demand for weddings and funerals, one in close touch with him said that his baptisms and funerals would exceed a thousand in number, while marriages ran well into the hundreds. Bro. Cox was also ever awake to the larger needs of the denominations outside the local church-Foreign Missons, Home Missions City, State and Associational Missions and interests all shred in his interest, prayer and efforts. He served 24 years as the Moderator of Palestine Association, and was for a number of years the chairman of its Mission Board. John L. Cox was twice married, first to Miss Augusta Rains, who died after ten short months He was married the second time to Miss Lucinda Mickey of Flat Rock, who died April 16, 1925. To this union were born eight children, Rev. Ernest N. Cox, of Springfield, Eunice Cox of Robinson, Mrs. Alma Body of Watseka, Leslie, who died in infancy, Flossie Mildred who died Dec. 15, 1912, Mrs. Pearl E. Skinner of Camden, Mich., Morton D. Cox of Youngstown, Ohio, and Mrs. Gladys Moore, of Hutsonville. On Dec. 21, 1915, his wife was stricken with paralysis and lingerd for 10 years in an invalid condition. In all these years Uncle John's love for Aunt Lou seemed to be deeper truer than ever, and when she was called home he said he was so lone some he hoped it would not be long that he must wait. Uncle John L. continued spry and alert untill Feb. 6, 1926 when he, too, suffered from a stroke of paralysis, since which time he has been failing, the final summons coming near noon of Jan.  16. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints." Like the Apostle Paul, Bro. Cox could truly say: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." As Ian McLaren in his Bonnie Brier Bush said of the preacher, so we today repeat; There was a man sent from God, and his name was John. Truly John L. Cox was a man sent from God. He served well his day and generation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jim Admire