1918 :: Living in Gaither cottage

R.L. Scarbrough has sold his mercantile business at Hicks to J.S. Armstrong, late of Chilton, and has moved back to Rockdale and is living in the Gaither cottage just east of Mineral Park. Lee says he is going to have such a big crop this year he wont have time to sell goods. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [46], No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1918

1901 :: Death of Mrs. Katie Wise

Rockdale, Texas, November 15. -- Mrs. Katie Wise, wife of Arthur A. Wise, the latter a popular salesman in the employ of Scarbrough & Hicks here, died this morning at 5 o'clock of pneumonia. Deceased was a native of Georgia. She was a most excellent lady, and besides her husband, leaves four small children to mourn her loss. Houston Daily Post, November 17, 1901

1877 :: Rockdale Items

Rockdale Items. [From our Special Reporter.] All quiet in town. Brick buildings are going up rapidly, and more are to be begun soon. :: New and commodious cattle pens have been erected by the International Railroad Company at Rockdale. :: A scaffold fell in Rockdale the other day, seriously injuring Stewart and Scarborough, who were working upon a brick building. :: Mr. Antony, the postmaster at Rockdale, is not charged with depredating upon the mails, but with detaining mail matter. The question arose between Antony and Breeding, of the Messenger, about the payment of postage. Weekly Democratic Statesman (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 5, 1877

1902 :: Death of George Wallis

Death - Geo. W. Wallis of Rockdale was taken with a severe hemorrhage last Friday evening and died in a very short while. He had been in ill health for a year or two. Burial was at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The Thorndale Thorn, May 23, 1902

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On the 16th of this month Geo. W. Wallis died at his home in Rockdale after months of declining health, the spark of life gradually becoming extinct. Deceased was 41 years of age and was born at Mountain Home, Arkansas. He came from that state to Texas and settled at Rockdale in 1884. For a number of years he held a position as salesman with the large mercantile house of Scarbrough & Hicks, and in this capacity he formed an extended acquaintance and was held in the highest esteem by all. Fourteen years ago he married Miss Mattie Hale, who survives him. He severed his connection with Scarbrough & Hicks to engage in business for himself, embarking in the drug business. He was the senior member of the firm of Wallis & Giesecke and afterwards of the firm of Wallis & Hale. For a time he was sole proprietor of the business, but ill health forced him to abandon it entirely. He then engaged in the fire insurance business with his brother-in-law, G.M. Ryan, and was thus associated at the time of his death. He was for years a consistent member of the Baptist church, being zealous and active. He carried a number of life insurance policies and left his little family well provided for. We knew George Wallis almost during the entire life of his residence in this county, and admired his true nobility of character. He was always genial and happy and it was ever a pleasure to grasp his hand in friendship's greeting. We join a host of friends in extending condolence to his bereaved family. Cameron Herald, May 29, 1902

1942 :: Death of J.O. Newton

J.O. Newton, 67, Ex-Official, Dies. Rockdale, Texas, Feb. 1 (AP). -- J.O. Newton, 67, who was Adjutant General of Texas under the administration of Gov. Thomas Campbell, died early Sunday at his home here. He was in business in Rockdale. Since 1920 he had been connected with Scarbrough & Hicks Co., and was identified over a long period of years with numerous central Texas business enterprises. Funeral services will be held Monday. The wife and three sons, J. Boswell, C.T. and Carter Newton, are survivors. Newton died after a lengthy illness. Dallas Morning News, February 2, 1942. his findagrave memorial page

1894 :: Christmas Weddings in Rockdale

The Galveston Daily News, Sunday, December 30, 1894. MARRIAGES. ROCKDALE MARRIAGES. Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., Dec. 28. -- At the residence of Mr. W.H. Henry, two miles north of Rockdale, Mr. J.D. Hamilton and Miss Ella Henry were married on December 21 [sic].


At the residence of Mr. Henry Lockwood in this city on Christmas day at 5 o'clock Mr. W.H. Knight of Cisco and Miss Matie Bagley of this city.


At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, three miles north of Rockdale, Mr. W.N. Vesey and Miss Della Phillips, both of this county, on the night of the 25th.


Mr. A.M. Scarbrough left Sunday for Van Buren, Ark., where he was married on the 26th instant.