Third Generation

51. Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Oxley was born on 29 Jan 1866 in Indiana.^2,89 He appeared in the census in 1870 in Clinton Twp., Texas Co., MO.⁹¹ Listed under James P Oxley as Benjamin F, age 4, born in IN. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Porter, Richardson, Nebraska.⁹³ Listed under J. P. OXLEY as B F OXLEY, Son, age 14, born in MO, occupation Working on Farm, parents both born in VA. He appeared in the census in 1900 in Morrill, Brown Co., KS.⁸⁹ Listed under James P. Oxley as Frank, Son, white, male, born Jan1866 in IN, age 33, single, father born in VA, mother born in VA, occupation Nurseryman. In 1900 he had an occupation of nurseryman in Morrill, Brown Co., KS.⁸⁹ His residence was on father's farm in Morrill, Brown Co., KS in 1900.⁸⁹ He appeared in the census in 1910 in Baker Twp., Gove Co., KS.²⁸³ Listed as Benjamin F. Oxley, Head, white, male, age 44, married 8 yrs, born in IN, father born in VA, mother born in VA, occupation Farmer-Home Farm. In 1910 he had an occupation of farmer-home farm in Baker Twp., Gove Co., KS.²⁸³ He died on 14 Jan 1943 in Quinter, KS.² He was buried in Quinter Cemetery after 14 Jan 1943 in Quinter, KS.² Uncle Frank was connected with numerous businesses in Quinter, Ford Car agency, bank, etc. Was a lover of flowers and a collector of rock specimens. They reared Rosa Flora, (she was a sister to Sam Flora-Bernadine husband) but didn't adopt her. They had no children of their own. All were members of the Church of the Brethren. I (Ellis) have many pictures of his because Dad (TP Oxley) was his executer of his estate.

Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Oxley and Minnie Loyd Whitmer were married on 12 Mar 1902 in Morrill, KS.^283,284,285 They resided on a farm in Baker Twp., Gove Co., KS in 1910.²⁸³ This info by Aunt Francis Beck on relatives
Our Grandmothers on our mothers side were full blooded Holland Dutch
Our mothers were three fourths Dutch
Our grandfathers on our fathers side were Welch from Wales
Our grandfathers and grandmothers on our fathers side were wealthy,, Our grandfather had two aunts that lived in New York City that owned wholesale stores Their names Loid, they were old maids
BF Oxley is a nephew of Francis Beck and grandson of Wilson Oxley

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Note photo of "Uncle Frank's Soddie House."

THE PRAIRIE "SODDIE"

Thriftiness became the key to survival. The underground living was a temporary type of home and most of settlers moved up to that classic of prairie architecture, the "Sod House". It was drier, sturdier and generally more comfortable than the lowly dugout. In fact, it had so many advantages that some settlers continued to build them even after lumber became available.

The building material for the "Soddie" was in great abundance but the construction was arduous. The buffalo grass of the prairie sprouted from densely tangled roots that filled and held the top three inches of the soil.

Sometimes the sod blocks (1'6" x 1'6") were cut from soil with a broad axe. The blocks were then lifted into a wheelbarrow or wagon, no easy task. A rectangle was laid out for the new house by night to get straight alignment by the north star. Neighbors placed the blocks, grass side down, with the layers staggered like brickwork, two rows side by side which made the wall almost three feet thick. Corners were pinned together by hammering a sapling down through the staggered blocks. Spaces were left for windows and a door. Roofs were of willow poles, brush, long grass, layers of clay from the creek banks and then a final dressing of sod, grass side up.

Grass and wild flowers grew sparsely from the roofs in the spring. Sometimes heavy downpours of rain caused the roof to leak and various bits of matter constantly fell from the ceilings. The young housewives tacked cheesecloth to the rafters to catch the dirt and plastered the walls with a mixture of lime and sand. Centipedes were frequent visitors. Efforts were made to make the "Soddie" tight to keep out the weather and deter snakes, field-mice and rats.

Fleas and bedbugs were also a constant nuisance. Tables and chairs were made from shipment boxes or blackjacks and rawhide. Without bedsteads or springs, these newly weds slept on straw mattresses on the floor. Dried grass or buffalo dung was used for heating or cooking. Water-gravy and biscuits were a staple diet.

These early settlers, could not transport anything to market to obtain cash or buy supplies. Transportation was nil as no railroads traversed the country and the rivers were dangerous to cross due to quicksand. When they did transport it would average about 30 miles a day with their wagons and teams. They would carry shovels and spades to trim the rough edges off banks of rivers and ditches which were too steep for the wagons.

Prairie dogs, coyotes and owls provided music for the settlers at night, but the prairie dogs brought fleas to live in the soddie and coyotes and owls would kill their livestock and chickens. Not even the water could be taken for granted. Some hauled water by barrels for themselves and livestock, others dug a "Cistern" to catch run-off water from the roof of the soddie when there was rain.

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Minnie Loyd Whitmer was born on 8 Nov 1870 in Missouri.^2,283,285 She appeared in the census in 1910 in Baker Twp., Gove Co., KS.²⁸³ Listed under Benjamin F. Oxley as Minnie L., Wife, white, female, age 39, married 8 yrs, born in MO, father born in OH, mother born in OH. In 1912 she was united with the Church of the Brethren in Gove Co., KS.²⁸⁵ After 1912 she was superintendant and teacher in the primary department of the COB Sunday school for many years.²⁸⁵ She died on 4 Mar 1947 in Quinter, KS.^285,286 She was buried in Quinter Cemetery after 4 Mar 1947 in Quinter, KS.^2,285 Minnie and her parents moved from Missouri to Morrill. She married Frank in 1902. They moved to Quinter in 1904 and settled on a farm known as the Joe Flora farm. They lived there until 1914. They had no children, but Rosa Flora was like a member of the family.