Docs_Rockhold_JM_&

Elda Potter's Story - The Rockhold Family

John M. (Michael) Rockhold: born July 23, 1825 (Ohio)

Rebekah Ann Thorne, wife: born May 26, 1832 (Indiana)

Children

David Theodore: born about 1850

Zurretta Almira: born Dec. 6, 1851 (my mother)

Lafayette Michael: born Nov 1, 1853 (Canton, Illinois) (father of Arthur Eugene, Lottie Mae, and Verne)

Fred: born about 1855

Helen Loretta: born about 1857

Eddie Van: born about 1859

Arthur Baker (twins)

Orpha Elizabeth (born about 1867)

Jessie Delilah: born about 1870

(John, son, lived to be 15, and was killed by an exploding anvil, on July 4^th. I don't know year of his birth nor death.)

(May, who died in infancy)

Family of David T.: Charles, John, Ethel

Family of Zuretta Almira: John, Theoda, Elda

Family of Lafayette M.: Arthur (Eugene, August 11, 1878), Lottie May (April 30, 1881), (Olive) Verne (September 28, 1884)

Family of Fred: Hattie, Merle, Harold

Family of Helen L.: Lois, Josephine, Daphna

Family of Eddie Van: none

Family of Arthur Baker: Virgil, Faye, Fred, Rebecca, Macil, Audra, Arthur, & Dorothea

Family of Orpa Elizbeth: Floyd, Faye, Florence, Gertrude

Family of Jessie Delilah: LaVera, Cortez

I,m sorry, but I’m unable to give the birthplace of any of the Rockholds, of these two generations, but I think they were born in either Illinois, or Iowa.

This account of the immigration of my grandfather, my mother (Zurretta), and her oldest brother (David), in the year 1868, to Kansas accounts for most of the third generation, of which I am a member, being natives of Kansas, as grandfather sent east for the other members of his family, as soon as he, with his two oldest children, were established on the homestead of his choice, which was located in the county that later became Republic County, and where my brother, my sister and I were born, years later, on the homestead that was my parents' home for many years. As I recall, all of the children of my grandparents lived for many years in Kansas, and it wasn’t until later years the families became scattered--several brothers leaving during the years, for California. Two sisters moved to Nebraska, and another brother moved to Oklahoma. I believe my mother was the only one who remained in Kansas until her death in 1924.

Both grandparents are buried in Union Valley cemetery, Republic County, just a few miles from their homestead, as are many other members of their family. Both my parents, and my brother John, are buried there: their son, Fred, who died in California many years ago; and several children of D.T.’s family; and perhaps other members of the family. My family and I moved from Kansas to Colorado in 1917; so, as I never returned to Kansas except to visit, I lost track of many things concerning the Rockhold family. However, I do know when both grandparents died: grandfather in 1906, grandmother in 1909. I have a four generation picture: grandmother, my mother (Zurretta), myself, and my son, Clifford) who was born in October, 1908.

This account of the Rockhold family is jumbled, as I write these things as I recall them, not always in sequence. I am past 81, so please overlook mistakes, poor writing, etc.

I’ve always been very close to my family, and have tried to remember the numerous members, and our association, through all my life. I will now give the names of each marriage partner of the second generation (please refer to initials of each child in the first part of the letter):

(David T.; Zurretta A.; Lafayette M; Fred; Helen L.; Eddie V.; Arthur B.; Orpha E.; Jessie D.)

D.T. married Lillie Tarbell. Z.A. (my mother) married James A. Williams. L.M., your greatgrandfather, commonly called Lafe, married Ella M. Peck. Fred married Lillie Norton Sherman. H.L. married James A. Holiday. Eddie Van married Lillie White. Arthur B. married Lillie Reigel. Orpha E. married Carey J. Catlin. Jessie D. married George W. Wylie. (It is an interesting fact that 4 of the 5 brothers married a Lillie). Each Lillie was designated thus: L. Dave, L. Fred, L. Van, and L. Dock, which name was A.B.'s nickname all his life.)

I have in my library a history of Republic County, and it was written just at the turn of the century by a family friend, I. O. Savage. {{Webmaster note: this book by I. O. Savage is known to have a number of errors in it. Consider the information in this document in that light. }} I have referred to it, while writing, and I find these items which may be of interest. Grandfather was Justice of Peace, 1871, and Coroner in 1883, of Republic County. My mother taught the first school in Union Township and names of 5 of her brothers, and sisters are listed among her pupils. The date would probably be 1869 or >70. Grandfather was a Doctor C I wish I knew in what period he was practicing, but I’m sure it began before he went to Kansas to live, because I remember mother telling me of his riding a horse to call on his patients, and exposure to bad weather caused his health to fail, in later years. I had in my possession for many years, the little black bag carried by all Doctors of that era containing some of the original bottles. I asked my two grandsons if either of them wanted the ban, and as they said, no, I gave it to my family doctor, here in Grand Junction. He was very pleased, and later displayed it at two antique shows I attended. He is an elderly man, and really appreciated having it. I see I have used the back of one of the pages, by mistake, and as it is difficult for me to write, I’ll not copy it. Please look at the top of each page for the number. I have none of these facts on record, except the ones mentioning Grandpa and my mother, taken from the old county history, but I’m sure the things I’ve tried to write for you are accurate, as I’ve always been the one member of my generation to keep these things in mind. I’ve enjoyed these hours of reminiscence, and hope they are of some value to you.

If there are other things you want to ask me, pleas feel free to write me, and I’ll try to help. I grew up near Art, Lottie May, and Verne, and Verne and I were inseparable for many years. She was always my favorite cousin.

I also knew Opal, after she and Art married, and always admired her. Since Verne’s death, Jackie has taken it on herself to keep the correspondence going between her and me, and I do appreciate it so much.

Here is something I just recalled, you may want to hear about: so far as I know, my father, J.A. Williams, was the only one of the family to serve in military capacity, as Rockhold sons were all too young at the time of the Civil War. My father served with Illinois Infantry during most of the war. I had letters written by him to family members, but I left them all with my granddaughter in Houston, as I spend 2-1/2 years with my family in Houston, returning to Colorado in March, 1965.

These are the remaining members of my generation, at least, up to December 1965. (We exchange greetings at Christmas every year) children of H.L. Holiday: Lois Davies, Daphna Mitchell, Topeka, Kansas. Children of A.B.: Faye Shuff, Preble, Colorado; Becky Dickson, Canon City, Colorado; Macil Nix, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Also Audra Bethel, Colorado Springs; Virgil, Fred, Arthur, and Dorothea Johnson, in California. Children of O.E. Catlin: Floyd, Fairbury, Nebraska; Faye, Omaha, Nebraska; Florence Hadley, Fairbury, Nebraska; Gertrude...I=m not sure. (Children of Fred C Hattie and Merle, Fresno, California.) Children of J.D. Wylie: LaVera Bebee, Huntsville, Arkansas. Cortez: San Francisco, last I heard.

I would be happy to hear more about the book, and of other members of your family. I=ll send this to Jackie, as she is the one who asked me for this information for your book.