Sally Emeline Whiting Cox
From Deseret NewsEmeline Whiting Cox died at her home in Manti, of old age, on March 4th, 1896. Deceased was the daughter of Elisha Whiting and Sally Hewlett, who were natives of Vermont, but removed to Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio, in the early settlement of that state, where the subject of this sketch was born July 23rd, 1817. In 1835 she was married to Fredrick Walter Cox. Some time after she and her husband embraced the Gospel and removed to Far West, Mo. They endured all the privations, hardships and persecutions to which the Saints were subjected during their residence in that state. Bother Cox being a man of great faith and marked ability, was frequently called to perform missions in different parts of the United States, consequently his wife was often left to care for her little ones alone, but she was a woman of rare executive ability and by nature specially adapted to the care of children, she performed these duties wisely and well.
After being driven from Missouri they settled in Lima, where they resided nearly six years, but were finally driven from their home, which was set on fire by the mob before their eyes, also their stacks of grain, outbuildings, etc., leaving them destitute, homeless, almost penniless, but glad to escape with their lives. They next settled in Nauvoo, but were only permitted to remain there a few months, when they again took up their line of march, this time toward the setting sun. At the next halting place, Mt Pisgah, Sister Cox had more than her share of the sickness and sorrow which seemed to be the portion of the Saints during their sojourn at that place. Her beloved mother and two of her own little daughters, aged seven and two years, followed each other to the grave in quick succession. And this while she was sick almost unto death, in fact her life hung trembling in the balance for nearly three months. They afterwards removed to Council Bluffs,where they were were again called to part with another child, his time their infant boy.
In the spring of 1852 Brother Cox and his family crossed the Missouri River and began their long, wearisome journey across the Plain. On the banks of the Platt River another little daughter was born, who lived and prospered in spite of the unfavorable circumstances attending her advent. On the 4th of October, 1852, Sister Cox, with her family, once more found a resting place in Manti where she has since resided. She endured all the hardships and privations which were the lot of the pioneer settlers of Sanpete valley, and in adddition to these, they were constantly harrassed by hostile Indian. In the spring of 1853, Brother Cox was called to take a mission to England; in August following his last child, a little girl was born, and when the little one was eighteen months old, Sister Cox was afflicted with a cancer, the removal of which nearly cost her life, and the following summer, when the baby was two years old, she was called from earth, thus adding another grievous trial, which came like a crushing weight in the absence of the husband and father.
Sister Cox was an exemplary wife and mother, a faithful, considerate friend and conscientious Latter-day Saint. She was a woman of intelligence and refinement, an agreeable companion, with a keen sense of humor and an inexhaustible fund of anecdote and reminiscences of her early life. She was the mother of twelve children eight of whom survive her. Their respect and love for her was unbounded and if her it can truly said, “Her children rise up and call her blessed,” and also that she has fought the good fight, has kept the faith and has gone to her reward to which her long years of trial, toil, and sacrifice entitle her.
Her remains were tenderly borne to their last resting place by her grandsons, who hold her memory in grateful remembering. “After life's fitful favor she sleeps well.”
Source: Deseret News Online 28 March 1896, pg 3.
Transcribed by James W. Whiting. Original spelling and punctuation retained.
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Emeline Whiting Cox was one of God's noble women. Slender and dark, she was always trim and neat. Her dark, beautiful hair turned smoothly from a white brow. Her features were clean cut and in youth or age she was sweet to look upon. Ambitious and active, you must keep going to make pace with her swift movements.
Her family was always neat and her home tidy. In health, she was bright, full of humor, and the children loved to be near her to listen to her droll anecdotes. How we laughed! Our merriment was contagious for she laughed with us. But if you did mischief it was your desire to keep out of her sight. Her look of scorn was almost withering. She was just as ready to commend you for a good deed.
If, in the future life, there is a crown for those who have endured to the end, be sure that none will ever wear a brighter crown than she. She remained ever true and faithful and devoted to the husband of her youth, her pride; and no one will ever know what it meant to her when he assumed other ties, though no other ever robbed her of one jot of his affections.
In age, after the raising of this large family, she was endeavoring to console a couple who were going from home on a mission, leaving parents, home and friends. She said, "Why, if I could have my husband to myself I would be willing and happy to go with him to the ends of the earth."