Menard County Texas

Lori Bihl Dunn's Pictorial Tour of Opp/Bihl Cemetery

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Pic Above: "Beyond that huge tree, down the hill, through the brush is the San Saba river. I am sure when the tree was alive this was a peacful place with a beautiful view.

This is from the front Left side. The stone in sight is "Infant son of H B and Mary E Opp Feb 18 1911 Weep not for me papa and mama for I am in heaven waiting for thee". HB and Mary donated this land for the cemetery.

Farther across, toward the big dead tree , there are two other stones. front right is "Baby Sheen March 24 1882- Apr 5 1882" This is a tiny grave with it's own small fence around the grave. Right now it is overgrown with a cactus plant that needs removed. I have done some research and found this to be the child of John Danzey Sheen Jr ( 1850-1918 from Lewis Co Missouri) and Nancy Isabell ones ( 1851-1931 Arkansas) Both parents are buried in Fairmount Cem in San Angelo.

Then on this side of the tree there is a stone with "FATHER J.E. Wheeler 1839-1892" it has a masonic symbol. ( not sure who he is just yet) But no relation to the Bihl family, I am pretty certain. This grave stone has gotten completely covered with large cactus type plants and is, right now, not visible. Inscription information was gathered on a previous visit."

Pic Above: "This is taken as you go on through the Opp, Sheen, Wheeler section, and enter a separately fenced Bihl section. The fence is a little more decorative in this section. There are 8 marked graves in this section. Frank Edward Bihl, his 1st wife Mary Eastwood Bihl, 5 of their children and one of Mary's brothers. This is after weed-eating, chopping, cleaning.

Frank (F E ) Bihl is the first stone in the front of this section. Frank Edaward Bihl was the youngest son of Jospeh and Catherine Furling Bihl. Joseph and Catherine were immigrants from Hirtzfelden France in the Alsace region. They were Catro Colony pioneers and helped briefly in establishing the city of Castroville before moving to San Antonio. Frank was born in San Antonio TX in April 12 1850, although his tombstone states 1848. His parents died when he was 8 yrs old and he lived and worked at the St Marys Catholic school for at least 3 years.

The marker is heart shaped and has an inscription that reads: "F.E .BIHL 1848- 1929 A friend to all and a wonderful father"

Stone in the right front of the photo, next to Frank Bihl, is Mary Susan Eastwood Bihl. Mary was the dau of Alexander Eastwood and Elizabeth Smith, and was the 1st wife of Frank. They married in 1877 in Mason County TX. she died form complications of gallbladder surgery at a San Angelo hospital in 1918. They had at least 18 children together, but most died young. her stone reads: Mrs M.S Bihl

The broken stone in the back left of the section and in this picture is that of Charles Edward Bihl. It has a cross on the top center and reads:"C.E BIHL son of F.E. and Mary S Bihl born Jan 28 1882 died Dec 3 1902.....Sleep on dear Eddy,thy work here is done,........Jesus has come and borne thee home."

If I remember correctly Charles Edward Bihl was killed in a spampede in El Dorado TX.

The next stone ( behind F E and next to C E) is that of WIllie P.H. ( NOT SURE WHAT THE P. H. IS FOR). This is WIlliam Cimmerle , one of Mary Eastwoods sons from her first marriage, Willie and Sam both used the Bihl name, as F.E. married their mother when they were small children).The stone is tilted ,there is a cross on the top center and the inscription reads: Willie P.H. son of FE and Mary S Bihl born Dec 26 1870 died April 29 1892 Sleep on dear Willie they is done, Jesus has come and borne thee home."

Next stone ( 3rd from left) is William L Eastwood ( brother of Mary Eastwood Bihl). This stone is interesting in that it hais an ingraving of a hand holding a cigarette or cigar on the top center. It reads: WIlliam L Eastwood b 23 Dec 1844 d Mar 23 1890 He died as he lived, a brave cowboy."

The next stone is behind the tall century cactus in the center and barely visible in this picture, but is that of "Ameal Bihl son of F E and M S Bihl b. Jan 18 1890 d.Jan 25 1890 Weep not papa and mama for me for I am waiting in heaven for thee" There is a carving of a sheep on top center of stone."

NOTE: All pictures and infomation in this pictorial tour is the copywritten property of Lori Bihl Dunn. It was donated to the Menard TXGenWeb site as an aid to family genealogical researchers. It may NOT be published or reproduced in any manner without her express permission.

NOTE: While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present. I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.

All contents of this web site are the property of Alicia Brown unless otherwise noted. You are free to copy or print out pieces of information for your personal genealogical research, but nothing on this site may be used in other ways without my permission.

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This Page Was Last Updated On:

Thursday, November 6, 2008 3:57 PM