Clark County OhArchives Obituaries.....Rockel, Mary M October 3, 1886
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Sara J Greer sjgreer30@gmail.com February 21, 2011, 4:48 pm

Weekly Republic, Springfield
In the year 1886, in memory of a prominent Pioneer., on last Friday afternoon 
auite a large number of the people of Tremont City and its vicinity witnessed 
the final ceremonies attending the burial of one of their oldest pioneers Mary 
M Rockel, or as she was more commonly known within the last few years Aunt 
Polly Rock was the daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth BAKER and the relict of 
Adam ROCKEL, who died two years ago at an advanced age of 90 years.
She was born in Shenandoah Co.,VA in 1810 and was at her death in her 76th year
In 1813 with her father's grandfathersfamily, she came to Clark County, where 
about half-mile west of Eagle City Mills, in German township, her grandfather, 
Phillip BAKER purchased several hundred acres of, at that time, wild and 
unbroken land. At that time Springfield was but a struggling hamlet with half 
a dozen houses an the now beautiful Mad River valley was the vast wilderness 
of woods, brush and water. The pioneer's cabin was sometimes not to be seen 
for miles. Indians were a not uncommon sight, and wild animals of all kins 
were roaming through the woods. At one time she was sent to look for the cows, 
and came across a she bear with two cubs, not knowing what they were she 
passed very close to them thinking them to be dogs, but they did her no harm. 
Her school facilities were very small and her education somewhat limited, but 
she was a considerable reader, in 1827, the Rev. John PENCE, now dead, held a 
revival at Lawrenceille to which she attended, usually walking, it being some 
2 or 3 miles. Here she attached herself to the German Reformed church and 
remained a member until her death, 59 years, in 1829 she married Adam ROCKEL, 
when she moved on the old ROCKEL homestead, one mile south of Tremont, where 
she resided for 55 years, until the death of her husband, since which time she 
has been living with her son, Peter ROCKEL, in Moorefield Township, she was a 
remarkable strong and jolly woman and always took great pride in visiting her 
neighbors and lending a helping hand whenever needed, and old age did not seem 
to change her in this respect, there being very few social gathering of any 
kind in the neighborhood within the last few years which has not had her 
presence. Quite a large number of relatives survive her, her family being a 
remarkably healthy one. She had but five children, Peter, Henry and William 
and Mary E. COLLINS and Harriet SHAWVER, all of whom survive with families and 
all live within the vicinity of Tremont City except William, who lives near 
Bloomington, ill. For the space of 55 years there was no death in her family, 
Mrs. Sheriff BAKER is her cousin and William M. ROCKEL, Esq., of this city, 
her grandson, in her day and generation she was a good and useful woman, and 
the work of her charitable hands nave often lightened other's burdens even to 
a self sacrifice. Although having lived, beyond the allotted age, the social 
circle will miss her pleasant presence.


Additional Comments:
editor note:  We do not know the correct date for this woman's death other 
than it was in the year 1886

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