Obituary Col. Robert F. Mayfield Contributed by Myrl Ross, 04 Feb 1999   Waxahachie Enterprise - Monday, Aug. 21, 1911 THE OLDEST SETTLER IS CLAIMED BY DEATH Col. Robert F. Mayfield, aged 84 years, died Sunday afternoon at the home of his son near Sardis. The funeral was held Monday morning at 10 o'clock with interment at the Sardis Cemetery in an unmarked grave as per his instructions. Mr. Mayfield was born in Dyer County, Tenn. in 1827 and married in Ellis County in 1849. He was the oldest settler in the county, coming with his parents to Texas about 1838, and to Ellis County in 1844 before it was officially created. He built the first house, the lumber being hauled from East Texas by ox wagon. The house was torn down two or three years ago to make room for a new residence. Mr. Mayfield served in the Mexican War and enlisted in the 19th Texas Cavalry at the beginning of the Civil War, but was discharged three times because of poor health. He was married three times - each time in the same house. He was the father of eight children, only two of whom survive. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, uniting with the Methodist Church several yeara ago. He gave a lot for the first church here and also the ground for the school house. Uncle Bob, as he was called by all, lost his last companion six years ago. Since then, he has made his home with the family of Mr. Walter Witherspoon. Loving hands did all in their power until God said it is enough, come up higher. Uncle Bob said in his last few days that he was praying for a revival at Sardis during the meeting now in progress. The community has lost one of its oldest and most substantial citizens; everyone who knew him was his friend.   Copyright © 1999-2017, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:20:49 MDT