2013
MACHU CEMETERY
Receives Historical Marker
PREFACE:
When I was in middle school I had my interest in history piqued for the first time when something unusual happened in my local community that directly impacted me - that being the relocation of my maternal family's cemetery necessitated by the construction of a dam on the San Gabriel River that would create today's Granger Lake.
Before there was a Lake Granger!
This photo shows the completed Laneport Dam
on the San Gabriel River.
My family's original Machu homestead and cemetery
lay at the top of this photo,
an area now under the waters of Lake Granger.
On multiple occasions in the summer between my 7th and 8th grade studies in Granger ISD, I accompanied my grandfather out to the site where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was supervising the transition. Grave after grave was being lifted out of the ground near the old Machu homestead, carefully identified (where possible, as there remain over 100 Unknowns in the cemetery), and then reburied at the new site east of the City of Granger.
A few of the things that really struck me - and I would often share with my students when telling this story in the classroom:
- the large number of infant graves (wow! such a high infant mortality rate in those days!);
- the little Czech Bibles and small baby rattles with Czech inscriptions that had been bagged during the process, all reflecting so poignantly the culture and values of this special community;
- and, finally, something that will remain with me always -- the enormous attention my grandfather paid to this entire process to ensure that all went smoothly and, more importantly, with dignity.
Carey Weber, representing the U.S. Corps of Engineers,
presenting a plague to my grandfather, Albin E. Machu,
for his contributions at the time of the cemetery relocation
and for his "important work providing sight reports
of protected wildlife species and his volunteer
efforts that
helped establish the multiple game preserves
enjoyed around the new Granger Lake area today."
My mother has today on her wall the plaque my grandfather so proudly displayed on his wall recognizing his contribution to this historic transition for our family and our community.
Grandpa would continue working out at the cemetery - watering the saplings and lawn that one day would become the beautiful area it is today - until his passing at age 83.
He would be so proud of the selfless dedication his own son Albin F. Machu who has managed the business of and provided the upkeep and care of the cemetery since.
And he would be especially proud of the research work and goal achieved by his nephew Darwin and wife Nancy toward acquiring this historical marker for the family cemetery.
[My grandfather Albin E. Machu's nephew Darwin (l.) andson Albin F. (r.)
preparing to unveil the new
historical marker at our family's
140 year old cemetery.]_________________
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
(August, 2013):
The descendants of Pavel and Rozina (Trlica) Machu are excited that their family cemetery was approved to receive a Texas Historical Marker --
-- and will be celebrating with an unveiling ceremony at the site this month (ceremony pics are below). The one-hour ceremony will include portions in the family's native Czech language and will be followed by light refreshments (of course, kolaches!) served under the cemetery’s gazebo area.
Local dignitaries from the City of Granger
The Historical Marker's Text:
Pavel and Rozina (Trlica) Machu settled in Williamson County in 1878 and contributed to the agricultural development of the community. The cemetery began in 1883 when Machu helped a woman bury her husband who died during their journey. Machu offered to bury him on a two-acre section of the Machu farm located about five miles southeast of Granger. The first recorded burial was that of Katarina Safarik in 1892. Burials include descendants of Pavel and Rozina, veterans and other citizens of the community. The cemetery was relocated to this site in 1976 before construction of the Laneport Dam. Members of the Machu family continue to maintain this historic cemetery.
Historic Texas Cemetery – 2011;
Marker is property of the State of Texas.
Read the full History below.____________
Installing Historical Marker are
Uncles Eugene, Albin, and I.
Read the full History below.
Over 100 guests attended the
unveiling and dedication ceremony
of theMachu Cemetery
Texas Historical Markeron August 17, 2013in Granger, Texas.
VIDEO OF DEDICATION PROGRAM
Visit official website,
Machu-Cemetery.org
Read the cemetery's History below.
MACHU CEMETERY
Receives Historical Marker
When I was in middle school I had my interest in history piqued for the first time when something unusual happened in my local community that directly impacted me - that being the relocation of my maternal family's cemetery necessitated by the construction of a dam on the San Gabriel River that would create today's Granger Lake.
 |
| Before there was a Lake Granger! This photo shows the completed Laneport Dam on the San Gabriel River. My family's original Machu homestead and cemetery lay at the top of this photo, an area now under the waters of Lake Granger. |
On multiple occasions in the summer between my 7th and 8th grade studies in Granger ISD, I accompanied my grandfather out to the site where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was supervising the transition. Grave after grave was being lifted out of the ground near the old Machu homestead, carefully identified (where possible, as there remain over 100 Unknowns in the cemetery), and then reburied at the new site east of the City of Granger.
A few of the things that really struck me - and I would often share with my students when telling this story in the classroom:
- the large number of infant graves (wow! such a high infant mortality rate in those days!);
- the little Czech Bibles and small baby rattles with Czech inscriptions that had been bagged during the process, all reflecting so poignantly the culture and values of this special community;
- and, finally, something that will remain with me always -- the enormous attention my grandfather paid to this entire process to ensure that all went smoothly and, more importantly, with dignity.
 |
| Carey Weber, representing the U.S. Corps of Engineers, presenting a plague to my grandfather, Albin E. Machu, for his contributions at the time of the cemetery relocation and for his "important work providing sight reports of protected wildlife species and his volunteer efforts that helped establish the multiple game preserves enjoyed around the new Granger Lake area today." |
He would be so proud of the selfless dedication his own son Albin F. Machu who has managed the business of and provided the upkeep and care of the cemetery since.
preparing to unveil the new
historical marker at our family's
140 year old cemetery.]
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
(August, 2013):
The descendants of Pavel and Rozina (Trlica) Machu are excited that their family cemetery was approved to receive a Texas Historical Marker --
Local dignitaries from the City of
The Historical Marker's Text:
Pavel and Rozina (Trlica) Machu settled in Williamson County in 1878 and contributed to the agricultural development of the community. The cemetery began in 1883 when Machu helped a woman bury her husband who died during their journey. Machu offered to bury him on a two-acre section of the Machu farm located about five miles southeast of Granger. The first recorded burial was that of Katarina Safarik in 1892. Burials include descendants of Pavel and Rozina, veterans and other citizens of the community. The cemetery was relocated to this site in 1976 before construction of the Laneport Dam. Members of the Machu family continue to maintain this historic cemetery.
Historic Texas Cemetery – 2011;
Marker is property of the State of Texas.
 |
| Installing Historical Marker are Uncles Eugene, Albin, and I. Read the full History below. |
unveiling and dedication ceremony
of the
Texas Historical Marker
 |
| VIDEO OF DEDICATION PROGRAM Visit official website, Machu-Cemetery.org Read the cemetery's History below. |
Memorial Day 2022
It was the Sunday before Memorial Day 2022
and I went out to our beautiful historic Machu family cemetery and mowed it as well as the Beard family's cemetery adjacent to our own.
I love being out there after 5 and getting to see dusk arrive and watching the sun set behind the City cemetery across the road from our location. In those pauses between the roar of the mower and hum of the weedeater there are those special moments of silence out there where I get to commune with the chirping birds in the trees - the spirits of my ancestors thanking me for my visit.
Cranking the weedeater back up, I make my meandering way around the headstones, saying Howdy to those I remember. Hey there Great-Grandpa Joe! - I can still see him sitting in the green chair by my grandparent's front door, nodding at us obnoxious grandkids... and oh, so many more I remember so fondly.
about making a contribution:
Machu Cemetery Donations Page
HISTORICAL
NARRATIVE
I. CONTEXT
The Machu Cemetery is
located east of Granger, Williamson County, Texas, just south of CR 971, and on
the east side of CR 348. The cemetery actually was established on approximately
two acres of land, about five and one-half miles southeast of Granger, which
was donated by Pavel Machu, in 1883, according to family records. The cemetery
was moved to its present location in 1976 by the Army Corp of Engineers to pave
the way for building the Laneport Dam.
Pavel Machu and his
wife, Rozina (Trlica) Machu, were born in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, in
what is now known as Moravia, Czech Republic. Pavel was born in Seninka, and
Rozina was born in Usti. The villages, both south of the county seat of Vsetin,
were only a few miles apart. Most of the families living in this area were
farmers, and Pavel was no exception. After struggling to feed their family,
Pavel and Rozina decided to move to Texas to join Pavel's brother, Joseph, and
his family, who had already immigrated earlier, and to hopefully afford the
family a better way of life. They settled in an area of Williamson County in
1878, located five and one-half miles southeast of what is now Granger, Texas.
Because they were the first Czech settlers to arrive in this area of Texas, the
settlement where they lived became known as "Machu." (Map: Williamson
County Texas, 1848 — 1998) They were soon joined by other family members and
friends, and they all contributed to the agricultural community that developed
around them.
II. OVERVIEW
The Machu Cemetery was
originally located about five and one-half miles southeast of Granger, near the
home of Pavel and Rozina (Trlica) Machu. Pavel and Rozina, along with their
three children, Anna, Jan, and Pavel immigrated to Texas in June 1870, arriving
at Galveston on the bark "Galveston," which sailed from Bremen,
Germany. Pavel and Rozina were born in the area that is now known as Moravia,
Czech Republic. Living conditions and economic conditions were horrible in all
of Europe during the 1800s, and the Protestant families were barred from
practicing their religion. After months of deep consideration and many prayers,
Pavel and Rozina sold their worldly goods in order to pay for the journey and
then embarked on a trip, with three young children in tow, that changed their
lives.
During their first
eight years in Texas, the family farmed a small plot of land in Washington
County, near the village of Kinney. Because of Pavel's ongoing health issues,
they decided to journey farther inland, further from the humid area near the
Gulf Coast.
IN 1878, THEY
EVENTUALLY SETTLED ON A PLOT OF LAND FIVE AND ONE-HALF MILES SOUTHEAST OF
GRANGER, WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS. THIS AREA WAS BASICALLY FLAT, PRAIRIE LAND,
AND VERY FEW PEOPLE LIVED IN THAT AREA.
The Pavel Machu family
was the first Czech family to settle on the land, and therefore, this section
of Williamson County was named "Machu," and it became home to all of
the descendants of Pavel and Rozina Machu. Many other Czech families joined
them in the years to come. It became a thriving little village. A good
education for all the area children was a prime concern of Pavel's, and so he
donated a portion of his farmland, on which a school was built. A large
platform was built near the school and the Czech Moravian Protestants, as well
as the Catholic families in the area, used it for church services. In addition,
the local SPJST Lodge held its meetings on the platform, and it was often used
for public meetings and dances. A cotton gin was built in the area, and local
farmers took their cotton there to be ginned. The area was a thriving little
community until the railroad was built, running through the small town of
Granger. After that, Granger began to grow, and "Machu" became less
important.
A WELL-KNOWN LEGEND
EXPLAINS THE REASON FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST LOCATION OF THE MACHU
CEMETERY:
one day Pavel was
riding back to his farm when he met a lady driving a horse-drawn wagon. Her
deceased husband and several children were in the wagon. Pavel noticed that she
was crying and visibly upset. He asked her if he could help her, and she told
him that her husband had died and she had been unable to find a place to bury
him. No one in the area would allow him to be buried on their land, and there
were no established cemeteries nearby. Pavel invited her and the children to
his home for a rest and some refreshments, and then he told her about an area
on the northeast triangular corner of his farm, where three roads intersected.
He felt this area would be an ideal place for a cemetery. Pavel and the lady
went to the spot, and the lady chose a place for her husband to be buried.
Pavel helped her bury him, and the Machu Cemetery was born. The year was 1883,
according to recollections of Joseph M. Machu, Pavel's oldest son. The area
designated for the cemetery was carved out of approximately two acres of the
Machu farm. Unfortunately, there are no records of the name of the man who was
buried there. This was possibly due to the fact that Pavel and Rozina could neither
read nor write, and the lady may have been too distraught to ever document the
burial. No tombstone was ever erected, and we have no idea what happened to the
lady and her children. The earliest recorded grave in the Machu Cemetery was
that of Katarina Safarik in 1892. (Records of Machu Cemetery maintained by
Family and U. S. Army Corp of Engineers listing from www. Three-Legged-Willie
website)
PAVEL MACHU WAS THE
OWNER OF THE LAND WHERE THE CEMETERY WAS ESTABLISHED, AND HE OVERSAW THE
MAINTENANCE AND BURIALS IN THE EARLY YEARS.
It was Pavel's wish
that no one who wanted to be buried in the Machu Cemetery would be turned away.
All who wished to be buried there were welcome. On January 13, 1891, Pavel sold
the cemetery, for thirty-seven dollars, to a committee consisting of John
Wentrcek, Joseph Hollas, and John R. Wojtik. (Williamson County Deed attached)
THE COMMITTEE WAS DISSOLVED SOMETIME LATER, AND JOSEPH M. MACHU, A
GRANDSON OF PAVEL AND ROZINA MACHU, WHO LIVED LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE
FROM THE CEMETERY, BECAME THE PRIMARY PERSON TO OVERSEE THE CEMETERY.
He was assisted by his brothers, Raymond, Anton and John, along
with their sons, and this group of Machus maintained the cemetery for many,
many years. Circa 1960, Joseph's son, Albin, took over the care of the
cemetery. He continued this job until his death on March 24, 1997. After
Albin's death, his children, led by Albin Machu Jr., along with other
descendents of Pavel Machu, began caring for the cemetery and continue that
effort to this date.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE LANEPORT DAM WAS BEGUN IN 1973.
The original Machu Cemetery would have been subject to flooding
after the dam was built, so the land was condemned by the United States
government on 10 July 1975 and the land had to be surrendered on or before 1
November 1975. Landowners received condemnation fees, subject to various
requirements. (Letter from Department of Army, dated 16 January 1978, copy
attached)
THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DONATED A THREE-ACRE TRACT
OF LAND TO THE MACHU CEMETERY ASSOCIATION ON WHICH TO RELOCATE THE GRAVES FROM
THE ORIGINAL CEMETERY.
The
new location is east of the Granger City Cemetery and south of the Catholic,
Brethren, Lutheran, and Beard Cemeteries. The cemeteries are all located south
of CR 971, east of Granger, Texas, and along CR 348, which runs north and
south. The Machu Cemetery is on the southwest corner of the tract of land and
is bordered on the north by the Beard Cemetery, and on the east by the Allison
and Friendship Cemeteries, which were also moved by the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers because of the construction of the dam. The tract is enclosed with a
chain-link fence and has a driveway going east to west between the Beard and
the Machu Cemeteries and has a turn-around on the east end of the driveway. An
iron sign, over the gate, reads "BEARD MACHU ALLISON FRIENDSHIP CEMETERIES"Williamson County Sun newspaper:
RELOCATED CEMETERY STIRS
GRANGER MAN'S MEMORIES
By
RICK BABSON; GRANGER TX —
Sixty-two year-old
Albin Machu stood on the ground that will someday be his grave. His original
choice will soon be under the waters of the Granger Reservoir.
The original site for
Machu's grave was indirectly picked some 93 years ago by his great-grandfather
Pavel Machu, a Czechoslovakian immigrant Who settled in the Texas blacklands
southeast of Granger.
Pavel was born in 1834
and came to the United States as a young man. Machu said he didn't know for
sure when his great-grandfather made the trip.
Machu said Pavel
purchased some 60 acres for 50 cents an acre and started farming the land. All
but five acres of the original farm will be under water by 1978 when the
Granger Dam is completed.
"It was hard work farming then,"
Machu said. "All the Land was wooded and it took a great deal of time and
work to clear it."
STRANGER
FIRST OCCUPANT
The cemetery, first founded in
1883, took as its first occupant a total stranger. Machu said neither he nor
any other living family member knows who the first inhabitant was.
"Pavel was riding back to
the home when he came upon a lady in a wagon with several small children. Her
dead husband was also in the wagon and had obviously not been embalmed,"
he said.
The lady told Pavel that she
had been to several cemeteries during the day and each refused to bury her dead
husband. Pavel did not refuse her.
"'He will be buried today'
he told the woman," Machu said. Machu said Pavel planted a cedar tree in
the cemetery shortly after the man was buried. The tree stood there until
recently when Machu transplanted it on a portion of the five acres of Machu
land that will not be covered by the rising San Gabriel River.
Just as it did with all the
other farmers, the Corps of Engineers bought most of the land of Machu's
father, Joe Machu, 87. The elder Machu had divided the land among his children,
giving each a portion.
LAND QUITE VALUABLE
Machu said the land could be
quite valuable as it will form part of the lake's shoreline.
As president of the Machu
Cemetery Association, the duty of seeing the safe transferal of all his
deceased relatives fell on Albin.
THE PROCESS TOOK TIME.
First, the City of Granger
offered a three-acre tract on the southwest end of the city's cemetery located
east of Granger. Machu balked at the offer and said the "land is too low
there and might be covered with water also."
Finally, a representative of
the Corps of Engineers met with Machu to settle the problem.
"A
man came and we went for a ride in his truck. He asked me three questions. He
asked me if it would be acceptable to have a part of the city's cemetery and I
said it was not. He also asked if I would go in with another family cemetery
and I said I would not. Then he asked if I just wanted to keep it a family
cemetery and I said Yes."
PAID
FOR MOVING
The Corps gave the cemetery
association a three-acre tract to relocate the cemetery and paid for the
removal and reburial of the inhabitants of the old graveyard and replacement of
the headstones and monuments.
The stones were moved about two
months ago and the graves were moved shortly after. Richardson Corp., of
Oweningsville, Ky., one of three cemetery moving companies in the United
States, performed the delicate task of moving the caskets and vaults.
All of the bodies have been
reburied and Machu said the company is waiting for the earth to settle before
placing the monuments.
Machu witnessed most of the
unearthing process and said the operation went smoothly.
'REALLY PEACEFUL PLACE'
"It didn't offend me a
bit," he said. "I've been around the cemetery for years. It's the
best place to go. No one is going to bother you there and it's really a
peaceful place."
The new cemetery site will
continue to be called Machu Cemetery. The Corps of Engineers designed a
cemetery, which when completed, will have a cement fountain, crushed rock
roadway, a chain link fence and an arched gate bearing the family name.
Machu said he thinks the family
will continue the family cemetery long after he is gone.
"Yes,
some of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren watched as the cemetery was
moved. It didn't upset any of them. They are all very interested in maintaining
it as a family place."
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We really enjoyed your presentation at todays TCGS event. Katarina Safarik (first recorded burial at Machu cemetery) is my ancestor, along with Pavel and Rozina Zetak (also buried there). If you have any other info about them we would really appreciate the knowledge. Thanks again! - Lindsay
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