1932 :: The Passing of J.M. Luckey

With the passing of J.M. Luckey . . . another name has been added to the list of long-time residents of this section who have left the ranks for a more fulsome life and entered into "the joy of their Lord." . . . In 1871, at the age of 20 years, he came to Texas, making the trip from New Orleans to Houston by boat, and from Houston to Brenham by train, where he took passage in an ox-wagon for this section of the state. There was no Rockdale on the map or railroad then in Milam county. . . . The famous Sandow lignite property is now on his old homestead. . . . Mr. Luckey was buried in the family burial plot in Pleasant Hill cemetery, near the community where he had lived so long. . . . Here he rests in peace, after living out his life of more than four score years in helpfulness to his fellowman. . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 6, 1932 Page: 2 of 4

1898 :: Death of a Centenarian

Cameron, Milam Co., Tex., Aug. 7. -- Nelson, Hillery, colored, known as Dad Nelse, died last night on the Goodhugh Wilson farm, about three miles from Cameron. He was by far the oldest citizen of Milam county, being at least 100 years old. He was a good-sized mill boy, living in Mississippi, at the time of the great battle of New Orleans. About twenty years ago he borrowed a mule from Mr. Goodhugh Wilson, who was well off and liberal, and was told by Mr. Wilson to keep the mule until he got through with him, so Dad Nelse kept the mule until his death. Dallas Morning News, August 8, 1898