Biography of Dr. Eugene B. Rochelle, Bowie County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: Date: Apr 2000 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm *********************************************************** From Watlington School Sketches, 1920 Dr. Eugene B. Rochelle Dr. Rochelle born of French parentage, his father and mother having both been brought to the New World by their parents near the middle of the 17th century, because of religious prosecution in the mother country. His father inherited much land in South Carolina, owned many Negro slaves, and engaged extensively in agriculture until his death. His four sons, John R.; Charles; H. P.; and the youngest, E. B. Rochelle, were all born and grew to man hood in the South Carolina. E. B. being born in 1834. Many years prior to the Civil war, the Rochelle brothers with other emigrants came to Bowie County and they too, owning many slaves and other property, followed with profit, the cultivation of cotton till the close of the war between the states. After attending some of the best schools in the country, notably at Clarksville under the superintendent Rev. John Anderson, E. B. Rochelle studied medicine and graduated from the Philadelphia School of Medicine in 1856. While attending Prof. Anderson's school, he found time to win the love of the accomplished daughter of his instructor, and in 1859 married Miss Kate S. Anderson, at Clarksville, Texas. She was of Irish ancestry, but New York was the place of her birth in 1836. Her father, a noted educator, was born in Ireland in 1803, and her mother, also a native of the "Green Isle", was born in 1813. They were married in 1834 and came to America and lived four or five years in New York City, where Kate was born. Another daughter, Jane, who married James Jameson of Clarksville, Texas. Only one son was born to this couple, T. T. C> Anderson, born in Fincastle, Virginia, in 1845, and who was also an educator of prominence in his adopted State, Arkansas. T. T. C. Anderson was a member of the House of Representatives, 42nd General Assembly of the state of Arkansas, and even into his 75th year, was active in politics in his state and county. After his marriage at Clarksville, Dr. Rochelle brought his wife to Bowie County, and settled on a farm About one mile east from the present village of Red water. He farmed extensively long with having a very large practice, and here were born his first five children, all of whom died young. In 1867 he moved to Myrtle Springs by reason of its healthy location, as well as a more central point for his large and growing practice. This was his residence until Hooks began to assume "city-airs" when in 1884, he decided to move to the latter place. His nearly thirty years of strenuous professional labors had greatly impaired his health, and on February 16, 1885, he died suddenly at his home in Hooks of heart failure. His death was deeply and sincerely mourned by his many friends in every section of the County. His wife survived him only a few years, tenderly cared for by her loving children, and on Sept. 12, 1896, her remains were laid beside her husband in the family burial ground at Myrtle Springs. There are now living, only three adult children of this marriage. Charlie Rochelle, who married Miss Addie Ball, now residing in SE Texas, and George Rochelle, in McAlester, OK; Mattie the only daughter, was first married to John R. Rochelle, Jr. and from this union were born three sons, two of whom are married and are living near the old home site near Myrtle Springs. Two daughters are also married and living and live in the same neighborhood. Chester A. Rochelle, the eldest of these sons, has a beautiful home, a farm of many acres, about one hundred in cotton, and well stocked with good mules, and with a number of substantial tenant houses conveniently located. He is an energetic, industrious farmer, always on the go, and exacts the same from those around him. Though only a young man, thirty two yeas old, he has amassed considerable property which in no small degree is attributed to his estimable wife, who like her husband is economical and painstakingly and with an ambition to accumulate something for a rainy day. She is truly a help meet to her husband. Much of the labor and time spent in the preparation of these memoirs was in this home, and the author is indebted to this couple for their many favors and courtesies.