Activity 5: Oakwood Cemetary

Oakwood Cemetary existed as early as1846. Many famous people that helped shaped America, including Samuel Houton, are burried in this cemetary. Also buried in this cemetary are victims of the yellow-fever epidimic in 1867 which also claim Margaret Houston, wife of Sam Houston, at age 48.



This is a memorial statue Sam Houston.



 

This is Henderson King Yoakum's memorial statue. Yoakum was a good friend of Sam Houston. He was born on September 6, 1810. He is a historian in Caliborne County, Tennessee. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1832. On October 6, 1845, Yoakum established residence at Huntsville, Texas. He was instrumental in making Huntsville the county seat of Walker County. At the outbreak of the Mexican War, he volunteered as a private under Jone C. Hays and served at Monterrey as a lieutenant under James Gillaspie. He helped establish the Andrew Female College in Huntsville and in 1849 was appointed director of the state penitentiary in Huntsville. In 1853 he became "master mason" and then "high priest" of the Huntsville Lodge. In July of that year he moved to his country home, Shepherd's Valley, seven miles from Huntsville, where in 1855 he completed his two-volume History of Texas from Its First Settlement in 1685 to Its Annexation to the United States in 1846, for which Houston was said to have given him much of the information. In the fall of 1856 Yoakum went to Houston to deliver a Masonic address, attend to some courtroom duties, and visit his friend, Judge Peter Gray. While attending court he suffered a severe tubercular attack and was treated after being taken to Judge Gray's home, but weakened and died there on November 30, 1856



                                                                                   

This is the tombstones of husband and wife Mary and Charles Chandler who possibly died of yellow fever epedimic in1867. Mr. Chadler died in Oct 5 and his wife died in Oct 27 that same year.



Thomas Carothers, legislator, stock raiser, and superintendent of the State Prison at Huntsville, TX. It did not really specify what he died of. It just says he died while travelling home to Hunvtsville. Could He be one of the victims of yellow fever in 1867?




I can't find much information about this military man but the date of his death suspects me that he might be a victim of yellow fever as well.

This is the burial site of Baker family

 

Another family burial site. This is the Lindsey Family. Three boys are buried here ranging from 8 to 13 yrs old.





This is the writing on the back of the statue above which is a burial site of Powell Family. This is a very lovely place with sitting area and landscaping. It is pretty well maintained.



 

These are the burial sites of very young children next to each other so there is no doubt that they are brothers and sisters. Seems like the parents don't have luck with babies. I tried to do research what caused these children's death but no luck.