Mack Cemetery

Many of the headstones in this beautiful place bear the names of my family. My maternal great grandmother, Laura Ellen Ontott Wilkinson and her husband, Stith Hudson Wilkinson, raised their eight children on their farm and ranch about 2 miles south. Stith's maternal ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War. Laura's paternal family came to the,Republic of Texas in 1834. Their son, Henderson Brooks Wilkinson and his wufe, Vera Bates Wilkinson, lie nearby. Vera and her siblings gave the land for the cemetery and parking area after their parents had been buried here.nSeveral babies and small children are buried at Mack. Stories aplenty are often shared of families heading west, only stopping long enough to grieve and bury and move on to greener pastures. A young cowboy lost his life as he and his mount were tragically killed by lightning. The Hawley family has two special military tombstones. John Hawley was a Confederate veteran and his grandson, Theodore Hawley was a World War II soilder and also a grandson of the E.P. Bates.nThe most recent grave is that of a young wife of a cowboy. He works for the W.T. Waggoner Estate Ranch.nThe cemetery holds the remains of Reverend G. A. Oller, pastor and farmer who frequently baptised the flock in horse troughs.nMack was once a thriving little community. The cemetery is now a quiet resting place for some of Wilbarger County, Texas' earliest pioneers.