Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

FATHER JOHN BURTON HENWOOD FEB. 15, 1855, NOV. 4, 1925. The white marble segmented-top gravestone of John Burton Henwood in the Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas, displays a caliper. Perhaps this is a nod to his profession–but what profession … Continue reading →

In nearly every public poll, George Washington is listed as either the greatest president or polls in the second spot behind Abraham Lincoln.  He was, of course, our first president, and many of those at the Constitutional Convention that drafted … Continue reading →

The white marble monument in the Miller Family plot of the Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas, is imbued with a profusion of symbolism as is common with many Victorian gravestones.  The monument depicts a winged cherub standing on … Continue reading →

THE NEWSBOYS FRIEND JOHN ELSTNER GUNCKEL 1846 – 1915 “THERE WAS A MAN SENT FROM GOD WHOSE NAME WAS JOHN” TOLEDO HONORS A CITIZEN WITHOUT REPROACH A FRIEND WITHOUT PRETENCE A PHILANTHROPOST WITH OUT DISPLAY A CHRISTIAN WITHOUT HYPOCRISY THIS … Continue reading →

LeROY McINTYRE LUDWIG 1840 – 1905 SAMANTHA A. SHERMAN LUDWIG 1853 – 1899 THEODORE L. LUDWIG 1973 — 1899 BESSIE HANCOX WIFE OF L. M. LUDWIG 1856 — 1930 NANCY A. LUDWIG 1809 – 1880 J. B. LUDWIG 1811 – … Continue reading →

Sculptures of cherubs often adorn the graves of children. Here, is an example found in the Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the top of a family tomb commemorating the grave of a five-year-old boy.  The chubby angel above … Continue reading →

Many Victorian cemetery monuments are imbued with a multitude of symbolism.  In David Robinson’s book, Saving Graces, mourning figures from some of the most beautiful and famous cemeteries in Europe show sculpted beautiful, young, and voluptuous women often wearing revealing clothing mourning the … Continue reading →

The rooster atop the Vandenweghe Family tomb in Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, most likely represents vigilance and awakening.  One can also imagine how the rooster crowing at the first rays of sunlight in the morning can also symbolize the … Continue reading →

CARL HEINZ GEB. 13. APRIL 1841. GEST 25 JULI 1900 SOPHIE HEINZ GEB HUMBERT GEB. 2. MAI 1842. GEST 28 JULI 1905 PHILIPP CARL HEINZ GEB 24 MAI. 1864 GEST 9. JUNI 1912 In 1902, Austrian sculptor, Friedrich Christoph Hausmann … Continue reading →

Two bronze dogs flank the steps to the massive granite Michel Mausoleum in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.  Though the dogs are laying down, their heads are slightly raised as if they are ready to jump into action. … Continue reading →