A History of the Rachal Family of White Point, Texas - New Page 1

Obituaries for D.C. Rachal and Julia RachalSpecial Telegram to the ExpressHALF CENTURY RESIDENT SAN PATRICIO CO. DEADLate Darius C. Rachal of La RositaCloses Long Life Honored by Coast County CitizensFALFURRIAS, Tex., Sept 7 - Darius C. Rachal for fifty one years a resident of San PatricioCounty, died at his home, La Rosita, Tuesday, August 27, 1918. Mr. Rachal was born atClautiervile, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, January 23, 1841, being past 77 at the time of hisdeath. His parents were Ciriaque and Anias Compere Rachal, both Lineal descendants of theArcadians, who sought asylum in Louisiana and who have been the subjects of song and storyfor two centuries. The elder Rachals both died many years ago, leaving seven children, of whomnow only two survive.At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Rachal enlisted in the 5th Texas Infantry which was a partof Hood's Brigade. He was sent to Virginia where his command was engaged in nearly all thegreat battles fought by Lee's army. He took part in the Seven Day's Battle in the Wilderness, wasat Second Manassas, at Sharpsburg, in the very front of Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, took partin the immortal three days at Gettysburg, was foremost in defense of Fredericksburg and waswith Hood during the terrific hand to hand struggle at Chickamauga. When the battle flags hadbeen furled and the last musket had been stacked, Captain Rachal returned to Texas and engagedin the cattle business living two years in Calhoun County. Subsequently he removed to SanPatricio County where he has resided ever since.From 1876 to 1890 Captain Rachal was one of the largest cattle raisers in the State and his homeplace is now one of the most extensive plantations in Texas, while he owns in addition severalhundred acres of very valuable land seven miles north of Corpus Christi overlooking the bay. Hishome, La Rosita, is one of the most beautiful locations on the Texas coast. The Famous gas wellat White's Point is on his land, just a half mile from the house. Mr. Rachal was laid to rest by theside of his wife, who preceded him in death seven years ago, in the family burying ground, in apretty little glade facing the bay.He is survived by a sister Mrs. L.A. Bitterman of Orange Grove, a brother E.R. Rachal,Falfurrias; two daughters Mrs. P.A. Hunter of Sinton and Mrs. Tom Dunn of La Rosita and foursons F.S. of 'Falfurrias and C.P., E.A., and W.B. of La Rosita, besides twenty-five grand childrenand eight great-grandchildren.The flower girls at his funeral were his granddaughters, Mrs. J.R. Scott Jr, Misses May FrancesHunter, Florence Emma Hunter, Anias Katherine Hunter, Cecile Clere Rachal, Eailia MaryRachal, Mrs. J.P. Hall, and Mrs. D.C. Rachal.The active pall- bearers were D.C. Hunter, Lloyd Hunter, Pearcy Hunter, J.R. Scott, Jr., Dave C.Rachal, and J. P. Hall, his grandsons.45 | A H i s t o r y o f t h e R a c h a l F a m i l y