Rosa P. Kirk was born 10 June 1868, Leroy Township, Ingham County, Michigan. She was the daughter of Henry (1842-1901) and Susan (Taylor) Kirk. Susan Taylor, born in 1842, was native to Michigan. She and Henry had wed 17 September 1865, Ingham County, soon after Henry's honorable discharge from serving with Company H Michigan 28th Infantry during the Civil War. Daughter Rosa would be Susan's only child. Susan died 29 July 1871 and was interred Rowley Cemetery, Webberville.

Rosa was only 3 years old when her mother died. Her father, Henry, a farmer, remained single until 1875 when he married Miss Estella "Stella" Olin. Over the next 15 years Rosa witnessed her home grow with children as she became big sister to 6 younger half-siblings.

Rosa was an enrolled student in the Okemos Union School in 1888. After completing her education Rosa, still living at home, became a teacher within the county. At age 23 she married, on 5 September 1891, Meridian Township, Ingham County, Samuel Ernest Rathbone. The couple would have 3 children: Ward Atlee (1892-1958), Fern Beatrice (1895-1930) and Alison Kirk (1898-1924).

Samuel Rathbone, during the early years of their marriage, farmed in Alaiedon Township, Ingham County. Soon after the turn of the 20th century Samuel moved the family to the Sacramento, California area. He briefly, February to May 1905, was employed by the South Pacific Railroad at the Sacramento Shop. Documents list his reason for leaving as, "quit." In 1909 Samuel purchased a home in Sacramento but the 1910 US Federal Census enumerates the family of 5 back in Alaiedon Township living on a farm. The 1910 US Federal Census reveals the family living on North Larch Street in Lansing with Rosa working as a dressmaker in a general store and at age 51, Samuel "retired."

About 1923 the entire family seems to have moved to Dade County, now Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was there on 31 December 1923 that the Rathbone's youngest son, Kirk, and daughter Fern's husband, Ernest Baxter, drove to the ocean, rented a canoe and went fishing at the Government Cut, Miami. Dressed in white with Panama hats, the 2 men were never seen again although the canoe, with untouched fishing equipment still seated within, was later located. Ward, Samuel and Rosa's oldest son, headed up several search and rescues but no bodies were ever recovered. Daughter Fern declared her husband Ernest dead and filed for a death certificate. Kirk was never declared dead, and no death certificate was ever issued. The only evidence of the whole incident was in numerous January 1924 newspaper accounts.

It was after the terrible family tragedy that Samuel was institutionalize at the Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee, Gadsden County, Florida. He would remain there until his death in 1940. Ward, married and with 2 sons, continued to live near his mother Rosa while widowed Fern, moved to Gadsden County. Fern succumbed suddenly 24 January 1930 to status epilepticus. She was interred Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, Miami. Rosa died 19 June 1931, 18 months later, from heart problems. She too was interred Miami Memorial Park Cemetery. In 1940 husband Samuel died and was also placed in the same cemetery.

Baxter, Kirk (son of Samuel Rathbone & Rosa P. Kirk Rathbone) boating accident, The Miami News, Thurday, January 1, 1925

Baxter, Kirk (son of Samuel Rathbone & Rosa P. Kirk Rathbone) boating accident, The Miami News, Friday, January 2, 1925

Baxter, Kirk (son of Samuel Rathbone & Rosa P. Kirk Rathbone) boating accident, The Miami Herald, Friday, January 2, 1925

Baxter, Kirk (son of Samuel Rathbone & Rosa P. Kirk Rathbone) boating accident, The News and Observer, Saturday, January 3, 1925

Baxter, Ernest (son in law of Samuel Rathbone  Rosa P. Kirk) boating accident death record, 29 December 1924, Miami, FL

Kirk, Rosa (married Samuel E. Rathbone 1891) obit, The Miami Herald, Saturday, June 20, 1931