This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hairston, Dodd, Walden, Cave, Orr, Marsh, Regenbrecht Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/5397 Message Board Post: The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger Thursday, June 12, 1930 "J.J. Hairston, Pioneer, Dies Monday" D"eath Monday After Illness of Several Weeks" The death Monday of J.J. Hairston removes another pioneer citizen from the fast thinning ranks of Milam county’s “old timers.” “Uncle Jim,” as he was better known, passed away peacefully and somewhat suddenly at his home in this city, after an illness of several weeks. His death is attributed to the ravages of old age. Had he lived until the coming Armistice Day he would have been 81 years of age. J.J. Hairston was born on Nov. 11, 1849, at Independence, Washington county, Texas, and was among that first band of pioneers who helped to settle Milam county, coming here prior to the building of the railroad. He settled on a farm in the Sipe Springs community, where he lived an active life until about ten years ago when he moved to Rockdale to spend his declining days. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Martha Hairston and six children, as follows: R.A. and John Hairston of Rockdale; Miss Martha Hairston and Mrs. Lee Orr of Rockdale; Mrs. George A. Marsh and Miss Alma Hairston of Shreveport, La. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, among them being Wayne Hairston, Mrs. Fredonia Lanning and Miss Doreen Orr of this city, and Kenton Hairston of Denver, CO. Decedent was a member of the Baptist Church, and the funeral services held Tuesday afternoon at the family residence were conducted by his pastor, Rev. L.E. Strickland. Interment followed in the New City Cemetery.