|
|
|||
|
Marker picture courtesy of
Renee Huff |
|||
|
John Henry (1854-1938) & Martha Elizabeth Pierce (1870-1933) Rockenbaugh
My name if Martha Elizabeth Pierce Rockenbaugh,
better known as “Mattie” to all my family and friends. I was born
Sept. 3, 1870 in Tennessee. My family moved to Abilene while I was a
child. It was there that I met and married my husband, John Henry
Rockenbaugh. The date was Jan. 18, 1891 and I often looked at our
wedding pictures - me in my hair in small tight curls on top of my
head, wearing a long wedding dress with a fitted waist, long puffed
sleeves and a bustled skirt and John with his moustache and slicked
down hair with his watch fob hooked on the vest of his pin striped
suit. My husband was born May 8, 1854 in Arkansas. He came to Texas
when he was a young man and made many cattle drives from Texas to
Kansas. We had 8 children - 4 girls and 4 boys. I was a seamstress
and helped make band uniforms for Abilene Christian College. John
Henry and I lived in Abilene and the Wills Point area until we moved
to Palacios in November of 1917. We lived on a farm located on Hwy
35 Just north of FM 521 intersection on what was known as the
Harriman place. We purchased the land now known as Tres Palacios
Oaks and farmed cotton. I forgot the exact year. By that time most
of our children had married and moved away: that is all but Fannie
Mae and John K. You can find them and some of my grandchildren,
Elizabeth and John K. Jr. around here nearby. Some of you may know
my twin granddaughters, Frankie Faye and Fannie Raye Stallard.
Frankie Faye and her husband Paul Cooper live out in the Deutschburg
area. John Jr.’s wife, Nellie lives north of town on 12th St. As we
got older and didn’t have any help for the hard, backbreaking farm
work, we moved to town, bought a house down here on the north side
of Welch Street between 5th & 6th St. We continued to work hard to
eke out a living. John Henry had a cow to provide milk and butter
and raised a large, beautiful garden and I cooked lunches in our
home for those who wanted a good, home cooked, family meal and good
conversation, too – all for just $.35. I especially liked to cook
cornbread and had a special platter to serve it on. It was getting
sort of cracked; I wished my husband would let me buy some new
dishes. Of course, some days we served fish – fishing was one of
John Henry’s favorite hobbies. You’ve heard of those big fish tales
– well, he had many to tell our friends and family, over and over
again. I have wonderful memories of my family. My grandchildren,
Novella and Lucille, often reminded me of how, when they were small,
I always greeted them at the door with a great big smile and “Lordy,
Lordy, look who’s here!” I did enjoy all my grandchildren! We had
two mean little boys in our neighborhood. I’m not calling any
names.........They aggravated my husband and often taunted him with
their song, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”. Because they were
so mean, he’d laugh and say, “Never mind, when that roll is called
up yonder, you won’t be there.” After a hard day working, we’d
likely be out on the front porch on Welch Street resting and
rocking, just enjoying the quiet of a small town. Friends and family
were always welcome to stop by, visit a while, and maybe have a cool
glass of lemonade. -- Palacios
Cemetery Tour |
|||
|
James [John] Henry Rockenbaugh died suddenly about 1 p. m. Wednesday in Corsicana, where he had been visiting the past month. The remains are being brought here overland and funeral services will be held at the grave this afternoon at 3 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Geo. F. Gillespie. Mr. Rockenbaugh was 84 years of age, and had lived in Palacios for many years, where he had a large circle of friends with whom we join in extending sympathy to the bereaved.
Palacios Beacon, August 11, 1938 |
|||
|
Martha Elizabeth Pierce was born in Tennessee, Sept. 3, 1870, and departed this life early in the morning, Jan. 17, 1933. When a young girl she came to Texas with her parents, who located at Abilene, and here she met and was married to John Henry Rockenbaugh on Jan. 18, 1891. They spent a great part of their married life in that part of the state, moving to Palacios with their family, Nov. 25, 1917, and have since made this their home. Mrs. Rockenbaugh was a woman who loved her home and home duties, and for several years, many Palacios people enjoyed eating their meals at her home, she being an excellent cook and delighted in serving tasty food. She was a faithful wife, devoted mother and friend to all with whom she came in contact. Her last illness was of a long duration, and her suffering intense, yet she bore it all with patience and fortitude and through it all was ever mindful of the needs of the home and the service she was to give others. Funeral services were held at the home on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Eld. C. F. Conner, and interment made in the Palacios cemetery, under the direction of the Duffy-Rittenhouse Undertaking Co. To the bereaved husband, children and grand-children, we, with their many friends, extend deepest sympathy. Card of Thanks We wish to take this method of expressing our sincere appreciation to our many good friends for their floral offerings and deeds and especially to those who offered blood for transfusions during the sickness and death of our dear wife and mother.
J. H. Rockenbaugh
Palacios Beacon, January 19, 1933 |
