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Row D
Henry (known as Harry) Rofe (1854-1934) was born at Narellan and married Lena Mohr from Cobbity in 1878 at Razorback. The Picton Post and Camden Recorder pf August 16, 1934 contained his obituary:
“Mr. Harry Rofe, whose death occurred at the District Hospital [Camden] on 7th August 1934, was known throughout the country districts (in the 90s and early in the present century) as one of the most successful cattle dealers in the State. A keen judge of a beast, Mr. Rofe on several occasions, travelled from Picton to different parts and purchased up to 700 head of bullocks in one deal.
At the big monthly auction sales in Picton, where deceased resided for many years, old-timers will remember the late R.H. Inglis, before opening the sale, would glance round the ring pf buyers and ask “Where’s Harry Rofe?” Even if there were several hundred head of stock to dispose of (Picton sales were big affairs in those days) the auctioneer would play for time until the renowned Harry appeared.
Many stories are told of his fame as a stockman and horseman in his early life. On one occasion it is related, he drove 100 sheep from Camden to Coles, a butcher on the mining fields at Yerranderie, without the services of a dog and covered the journey of 40 miles without losing one sheep. Only a few month ago, when in his 80th year, deceased was the drover of cattle from Camden saleyards to Yerranderie.
Out at Mt. Hunter the history of a match between two local horses has been handed down from one generation to another. The race took place some 60 years ago. Harry Rofe had the mount on a fast animal owned by William Richards, while William McLennan, another famous district horseman was in the saddle of the other competitor, owned by McLeod Bros. At the end of a thrilling race the judge, a Mr. Roll, who was then the school teacher at Westbrook, declared for Harry’s mount by a head. It is stated that the historic race was run on Biffin’s Flats.
In later years Mr. Rofe had resided at The Oaks. His widow survives and now resides in the suburbs. There were seven children of the union, Maud (Mrs. Cranfield), Victor, Stanley and Leslie reside in New Zealand; Elsie (Mrs Messner) at Ashbury and Harold also in the suburbs. Brothers and sisters of the deceased are all well-known district folk. They are Mr. William Rofe (Menangle), Mrs. Jenkins (Spring Creek), Mrs. Bugden (Mt. Hunter), Messrs. Walter (Razorback), Albert (Cawdor), Frederick (Picton) and Ernest (Camden).
Deceased was laid to rest in St. Mark’s Church of England cemetery, Picton on August 8.Harry is buried next to his son Percy Henry who died in 1910 aged 27.“
