Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I'm Just Gonna Lean Here A Minute...Maybe Longer

Located at New Hope Cemetery aka Stilwell Cemetery in Stilwell, OK.
Knox
Shannon
Born
Nov 2
1900
Died
Dec 11, 1910
Look at her sweet little fingers.

Monday, August 30, 2010

An Angel Watching Over

This beautiful angel is standing guard over Panageota's grave at the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Cemetery in Miami, OK. This is one of a very few male angels I have seen.
Panageota
Ethel
Dau of
Nick & Katy
Koronis
1920 - 1927

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sunday Styles: Grave House or Grave Shelter

Grave House or Grave Shelter - is a  shelter erected over or near a grave. These little houses protect the grave from both the natural elements, critters and grave robbers.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Just A Photo I Like

Saturday Symbol: Royal Neighbors of America (FECMU)

F.E.C.M.U. stands for Faith, Endurance, Courage, Modesty, and Unselfishness.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Famous File: General Richard C. Gatlin

Located at the Ft. Smith National Cemetery in Ft. Smith AR.
Gen. Richard Cabwell Gatlin
Born at Kingston, N.C.
Jan 18, 1808
Died Sept 8, 1896


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Odd Little Guy

James Dougherty 1815 - 1900

This great statue stands atop the mausoleum of James Dougherty at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.

According to the booklet "Guide to the Famous and Blameless in Laurel Hill Cemetery" prepared by Micheal Brooks and Anthony Waskie That I purchased while I was visiting this cemetery James Dougherty was an Iron Founder and municipal reformer.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Pretty Memorial

Located at Pea Ridge Cemetery in Pea Ridge, AR
I just think this is a pretty memorial.
Diana Mae Bean
Dec 3, 1953 - Mar 22, 1995
Loving Mother, Wife, Daughter,
Sister and Friend

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Resemblance?

Located at Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR.

William How Robertson
1883 - 1900

Is it just me or does the boy in the lower part resemble the angel?

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Fenwick Butterfly

Spotted this site while wandering through Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR. And had to go figure out what it was.
It turned out to be this interesting butterfly sculpture.
It marks the Fenwick family plot.
Oddly I could not find any markers around it with this last name.  Either I didn't look well enough or they have planned ahead.  I even went to the website to see if there were any on the burial list. Couldn't find any there either.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Just A Photo I Like

Sunday Styles: Chest Tomb

Chest tomb - is the simplest sarcophagus like tomb.  Much like a shipping container. 

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Saturday Symbol: Boy Scouts of America


Eagle Scouts of America is the highest rank one can achieve in the Boy Scouts,

Friday, August 20, 2010

Famous File: Sam Walton- Founder of Walmart - A Local Celebrity In Our Mist GYR submission

The most famous local in my area would have to be Sam Walton. 

Samuel Moore "Sam" Walton (March 29, 1918 – April 5, 1992) was a businessman and entrepreneur born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma best known for founding the retailers Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. Sam Walton was born to Thomas Gibson Walton. Walton and Nancy "Nannie" Lee (Lawrence) near Kingfisher, Oklahoma on March 29, 1918.
Samuel Moore Walton
Mar 29, 1918
Apr 5, 1992

Helen Robson Walton
Dec 3, 1919
Apr 19, 2007
Located at Bentonville Memorial Cemetery in Bentonville, AR.

Sam's Obituarty
BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Samuel Moore Walton's death last week ends an era for Wal-Mart during which the 74-year-old entrepreneurial merchant, one of the nation's premier executives, directly led the business he founded over three decades ago.

Wal-Mart's unique corporate culture, the business principles and methods Walton honed since he opened his first store, a Ben Franklin franchise variety store in 1945, will continue to guide the $44 billion retailer.

S. Robson Walton, Walton's oldest son and a Wal-Mart vice chairman who was named chairman to succeed his father, said that "no changes are expected in the corporate direction, control or policy." A similar assurance came from David Glass, president and chief executive officer.

Walton added that "no family sales of Wal-Mart shares will be necessitated by reason of Mr. Walton's death." The family owns about 38% of the company's stock.

Sam Walton died April 5 at approximately 8 a.m. in the University of Arkansas Medical Science Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. of multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer.

Walton battled two different types of cancers. He was first diagnosed in the early '80s with hairy-cell leukemia, which attacks white blood cells and weakens the immune system. Two years ago, multiple myeloma was discovered, but he remained an active participant in Wal-Mart's business until his "health significantly deteriorated over the past three to four months. He died after being hospitalized for a few days," the company told callers in a prerecorded message.

Written up in the New York Times.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Return visit: More information on Poignant Monument

UPDATE:  Poignant Monumnet

A wonderful contributor on Find-A-Grave by the screen name of francescag was able to translate this for me. This is what she says:

"Wayfarer!
Who have lost everything,what was the dearest in all world,
Fatherland,
the parents,the friends,
the wife,the children.
Leave for me compassionating tear.
For my Milena?(it's a pity,I can't see weel last sentence,but I belive it's "for my Milena-Milena it's a female name)"

Sweet Child

Located at Oak Cemetery in Ft.Smith, AR.
He was situated inside a nice wrought iron fence with the rest of his family.
He has held up very well to be 116 years old.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Captain James E. Reynolds

(Located this touching monument at Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR.)
This monument marks the final resting place for:

Felicity L Reynolds
Nov 17, 1847
Oct 24, 1920

James E Reynolds
July 17, 1837
June 26, 1920

The monument, carved in Italy, is that of a wounded soldier being helped by two young women. The statue is a tribute to the two teenage girls who rescued the wounded Captain Reynolds from the battlefield in New Hope, Georgia.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Meet the Oakes

Found this interesting gentleman and lady at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

Peter Oakes

Annie V. Oakes
I have not been able to find much information on them, but I still wanted to share. I was able to find the death certificate for Peter Oakes.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Isaac A. Clarke

Found this one at Berryville Cemetery in Berryville, AR.
Isaac A. Clarke
Founder of Clarke's
Accademy in 1867
Present building built
in 1878
In loving memory of
Isaac A. Clarke
1837-1907
His spirit lives on in all those
he left behind; a great host of
fortunate ones who called him
teacher and friend.

Erected by his students
Astronomers tell us the distance
of each star from earth, but no
 mathematician can calculate the
influence which a noble teacher
may exert upon posterity.
Bryan

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Just A Photo I Like


Sunday Styles: Domed Tablet

Domed Tablet - is just a variation on the basic tablet headstone, domed tombstone markers are generally rectangular in shape with a domed or curved top.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Saturday Symbol: Knights of Pythias

The F C B stands for FRIENDSHIP, CHARITY and BENEVOLENCE.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Famous File: General Francis Engle Patterson

(Located at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadephia, PA.)

Civil War Union Brigadier General. Entered the US Army during the Mexican War as a 2d Lieutenant in the 1st United States Artillery, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant before the end of the war. He remained in the army, being posted to the 9th United States Infantry, become a Captain in 1855. Resigned in 1857, but returned to the service when the Civil War started. Commissioned Colonel and commander of the 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, a 90-day enlistment militia regiment. Mustered out with his unit in August 1861, he received an appointed as Brigadier General, US Volunteer in April 1862. Just prior to the Battle of Williamsburg he was given command of the "Second New Jersey Brigade" in the Army of the Potomac's III Cops, which he led at Williamsburg and the Battle of Fair Oaks. In November of that year he led his unit in an unauthorized withdrawal near Catlett's Station, Virginia, which was done on the basis of unconfirmed intelligence about the proximity of Confederate forces. He was roundly criticized by division commander General Daniel Sickles, who called for an inquiry into the matter. On November 22 he was found dead in his tent due to a gunshot, which was officially deemed to be an ‘accidental discharge of his own pistol', but speculation that it was suicide prevail to this day. His father was General Robert Patterson of Mexican War fame, and his brother was Union Brevet Brigadier General Robert E. Patterson, both of whom are buried next to him. (bio by: Russ Dodge from Find-A-Grave)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Stone fits the name or the name fits the stone.

Located at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Neosho, MO.
I like the way the bottom of the stored vase makes the top of the bell.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Founding Father of The Graveyard Rabbits has Sadly Passed

Poignant Monument

When I first seen the photo of Helena Schaaff's monument on the cover of Images of America Philadelphia Graveyards and Cemeteries by Thomas H. Keels I knew I had to go see her in person.  Obviously, she has weather a considerable amount since the photo for the book was taken, but she is still quite beautiful.
According to the book I mentioned above this is her story:
One of Laurel Hill's most poignant monuments, overlooking the Schuylkill River, shows a weeping woman clutching two babies.  It was carved by a Polish sculptor named Henry Dmochowski-Saunders (1810-1863), whose bust of Kpscuiszko and Pulaski are in the U.S. Capitol.  It represents the wife, the noted pianist, Helena Schaaff (1823-1857), and their two children.  Their first was stillborn; two years later, the second child also died during birth, as did Helena.  The distraught widower spent a year and a half carving the memorial to his dead family.  Later, Dmochowski returned to Europe, where he was killed in 1863 while leading an uprising for Polish freedom against the Russian army.  For many years, one of Laurel Hill's urban legends was that the mother looked on the spot in the river where she and her babies drowned during a boating accident. (Laurel Hill Cemetery Company)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Man's Best Friend Waits His Return

(Located at Carterville Cemetery in Carterville, MO)

George E Kimrey
SGT US ARMY
World War II
Jun 21, 1910   Jul 20 1987

Monday, August 9, 2010

Crowned Angel

Found this crowned angel at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
Calvin Fletcher Burnes
February 18, 1830
July 29, 1895

Kate Hughes Burnes
Wife of
Calvin Burnes
August 12, 1838 - June 8, 1904

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sunday Styles: Ledger Stone

Ledger stone-  are usually 3’ x 6’ rectangular grave marker of stone laid flat over a grave, or combined with box or table tombs. When combined with box or table tombs they set on the top of box and table tombs. Ledgers generally contain detailed information about the deceased.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Saturday Symbol: Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F)

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is one of the largest and oldest fraternal orders in the United States. Odd Fellowship was founded in England where it grew up during the 18th century. The Patriotic Order in England was followed by the Union of United Orders and the Loyal Order. In 1813, various lodges of the Union Order organized the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows.

American Odd Fellowship was founded as the Washington Lodge #1 in Baltimore in 1819, and the following year affiliated with the Manchester Unity.

The three links of Odd Fellowship's symbol represent Friendship, Love, and Truth. (Credits for this information)


The above FLT Chain is the most common I have seen.  Sometimes with the letters most often without them.




Different emblems this link includes the female side of the organization, the Rebekahs, also.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Just A Photo I Like

Famous File: Adolph Edward Borie

While wandering around Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA I climbed down a hill to find this pretty retaining wall tucked in the far back of the cemetery kinda hidden from everything.
To my pleasant surprise I found this nice mausoleum at the end of the wall.
It belongs to Adolph Edward Borie.

He was a Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Upon his father's death, he inherited a mercantile business that involved the silk and tea trade. He was consul to Belgium between 1843 and 1848, and was elected President of the Bank of Commerce of Philadelphia in 1848. In 1862, he was one of the founders and first president of the Union League of Philadelphia. He joined the cabinet of President Ulysses S. Grant in March of 1869 as Secretary of the Navy; but, finding that his business interests required his attention, he served only three and a half months. He accompanied former President Grant on his world tour in 1877. (bio by: Thomas Fisher on Find-A-Grave)


Wikipedia
Museum of Learning

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Beautiful Lady and Her Final Sleep

I found this amazing monument at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. 
I had to email the Cemetery to get the information to who was resting beneath this monument. Here is the information they sent me.

Georgiana C. Louderman
Buried 3/8/1875
Lot 1697 Block 82/83 Space 4.
On the fondation of this monument (the gray portion) in the corner it has "Fisher & Bird" below that "N.Y." I found an ad for the company in the "Real estate record and builder's guide, Volumes 5-6".
I am also taking a guessing that the foundation may have been a later addition.  It looks much newer then the rest of the monument.