California -- John Dave Heltne, 74, a resident of Fairfield and Vacaville for seventeen years combined, died on December 10, at Sereno Oaks, in Vacaville after a long bout with muscular dystrophy. He was born on March 23, 1937 in Grafton, N.D. Burial in the Family Plot will be in Murray Cemetery, Rockdale, Texas. Rockdale Reporter, December 13, 2011
Mrs. Annie Kraatz Seelke, 82, wife of Charlie Seelke, died early Tuesday morning in Kings Daughters Hospital at Temple where she had been taken following a stroke.
Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the chapel at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home with Rev. E.C. Elzey of the Lutheran Church officiating. Burial was made in the Murray Cemetery four miles north-west of Rockdale.
Mrs. Seelke was a native of Washington County, Texas, but when very young came to Milam County and spent the remainder of her life in Bethlehem Community.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie Seelke, three sons, Frank of Rockdale, Ed Seelke of Thrall, John Seelke of Austin; two daughters, Mrs. Tony Hunt of Rockdale and Mrs. Dora Jones of Thrall; two brothers, Will Kraatz of Cuero, Otto Kraatz of Rockdale. There are twenty-one grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Rockdale Reporter, November 28, 1945
On this date in our family history . . . the 10th day of February . . . in the year 1912 . . . William Paschal Henry, Sr. died in Milam County, Texas . . . it was a Saturday, and he was laid to rest that same day beside his Josephine . . . in a small country cemetery that is now known as the Murray Cemetery . . . this Wm. P. Henry is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog . . . he was remembered in the local newspaper in the following manner . . .
How uncertain and inscrutable are the ways of providence; how our hearts are made to grieve at the "unlooked for" blow of that terrible monster death. When it strikes our loved ones, when it takes from us that one whom we feel that we can the least spare.
Such is the affliction that has befallen the children, grandchildren and friends of the late W. P. Henry, who died at his home February 10, 1912, after a few day's illness of pneumonia. Grandpa was sick only a few days, and all that medical skill and tender nursing could do was done, but to no avail.
From the first the death angel hovered nigh, and though at times the star in the crown of hope would brighten, it was apparent all along that his pure and perfect life would have to pay the forfeit. So early Saturday morning about four o'clock all pain ceased; the battle was over and his pure spirit returned to the god who gave it.
Yes, Grandpa is gone for a little while only, and no words can portray, no mortal can realize the depths of despair into which those who loved him have been plunged. No words can console them, but listening loved ones will hear the fluttering of a wing and an angel softly whisper, "I am better now, safe in the arms of Jesus, where suffering is no more."
Funeral services were conducted at five o'clock Saturday evening by Rev. J. D. Shelton, his beloved pastor, after which the remains were laid to rest in Pleasant Grove cemetery beside his dear wife, who had preceded him to that great beyond some twelve years.
Peace to his ashes.
The Rockdale Reporter, February 1912
The Rockdale Reporter
Rockdale, Texas
Wednesday, November 1, 1899
Deplorable Tragedy
Estimable Lady Meets Death Through an Accident
Last Saturday news reached Rockdale that Mrs. W.P. Henry had been killed by her horse running away with her.
When she was found between her home and that of George Banzoff, near the gate that leads to Dr. Isaac’s home, she was lying across the axle dead, with her hair and clothing wound around the spindle of the buggy.
One of the wheels was broken, and the rim of this broken wheel was found near the Murray school house, from which place she was dragged to where she was found.
The road indicated that the horse had been frightened and ran away. The wheel showed that the rim of the wheel had received a wrench and broke it loose from the spokes.
Her funeral took place Sunday at Murray school house, and a large procession of friends and relatives witnessed the ceremonies that consigned her body to its last repose.
She was the wife of W.P. Henry, one of our most substantial and upright farmers and the mother of five children, all grown [plus three who died young].
The Reporter extends sympathy to the bereaved family.
The Rockdale Reporter
Rockdale, Texas
Thursday, November 2, 1899
Accident - Mrs. W.P. Henry who has lived on the Cameron road, 3-miles from Rockdale for over 20-years left her son’s home on the Dr. A.C. Isaacs farm, about 3-miles beyond her home, to come home and as was her habit, she pushed her buggy animal, a gray mare that she has driven for several years, into a lope.
She drove over the hill at the home of George Banzhaf and turning down the hill, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Bradly were going from Rockdale to their home beyond Minerva in a light spring wagon, seeing the vehicle coming down the hill near them, pulled their team, a pair of young mules, to one side to give the road, but before the left wheel had cleared the track to the right fore wheel of Mrs. Henry’s buggy struck the hub of the wagon wheel and smashed it.
The woman had probably never seen the wagon or saw it too late to stop, and she was pitched foremost and fell with her head between the left fore wheel of the buggy and shafts and was so held that her hair was wound around the buggy hub and spindle and she was held there until some young man, met the buggy at the gate near the old Ferguson place, more than a half-mile this side of where the accident occurred.
She was dead when found as her neck was broken. She was buried at the Pleasant Grove [aka Murray] cemetery Sunday evening. She leaves a husband and five grown children, three sons and two daughters, all married. Brother Henry does not blame the drivers of the wagon for the accident but thinks they should have ascertained the results before driving home.
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108 attend dedication ceremony on Saturday
The Murray Cemetery, located on FM 487 North, held a dedication ceremony for its new historical marker.
Members of the Milam Historical Commission, American Legion Post 348, Milam Genealogical Society and Milam County Agent joined over 100 other guests and family members.
Cheryl Walker, extension agent, gave a history of George Banzhaf, who is interred in the cemetery and whose name appears on the marker. He was Milam’s first county agent and two of his grandsons were in attendance -- George Banzhaf and Glen Banzhaf.
A special program was presented for Civil War veterans. Refreshments and a time to visit grave sites and fellowship was appreciated by all in attendance.
Texas cities represented were Arlington, Austin, Belton, Big Lake, Bryan, Buckholts, Buda, Burnet, Cameron, Coleman, Dale, Dripping Springs, Flower Mound, Granbury, Hearne, Houston, Killeen, Kingsland, Madisonville, May, Mt. Pleasant, Onalaska, Post, Red Oak, San Angelo, Santa Anna, Seabrook, Sonora, Splendora, Taylor, Temple, Victoria, Waco, Yoakum and one visitor from Tucson, Arizona.
The raising of the flag was performed by Ronnie Faust, of the American Legion Post 348. Post Commander Art Free led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Floyd Brockenbush gave the invocation and Joy Graham gave the introduction of Cheryl Walker.
Velmaline Williams presented a history of the cemetery and she and Bud Williams unveiled the marker.
Jim Platt gave the benediction.
During the ceremony, grave markers were dedicated for Confederate Veterans, courtesy of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Brenham Chapter, and Union Veterans markers, courtesy of Mary Alice Poe.
Murray Cemetery Association committee members include: John Elbert Fischer, Brockenbush (chairman), Donna McIrvin, Joy Graham, Lorene Wicker and Mary Alice Poe.
Officers are Al Trahan, president; Joy (Drummond) Kenjura, vice president; Texey (Whiteley) Goad, secretary; Mary Alice (Brockenbush) Poe, treasurer; Peggy (Lawrence) Fischer, perpetual care and mapping.
Rockdale Reporter, August 14, 2008
