Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

Eschew Grief

Posted on November 6, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

ENOCH H. LELAND DIED Feb. 25, 1877, AE 56 yrs. 7 mos. & 27 days Why lament the christian’s (sic) dying, Why indulge in tears and gloom, Calmly in his Lord relying, He has met the opening tomb.   Hark the … Continue reading →

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The Saviour’s Book

Posted on November 5, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

SACRED to the memory CHARLES CHRIS’r KEPPLER who died April 18th 1839, aged 5 years. and ELIZA CATHERINE KEPPLER who died August 7th 1839 aged 18 months Son and daughter of Henry and Eliza Keppler. Weep not for us our … Continue reading →

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Heavenly friendship

Posted on November 4, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

In St. Paul’s Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C. stands the gray marble ornamented-top tablet of Thomas Sunderland with an interesting epitaph that attempt’s to comfort those grieving.   SACRED To the memory of THOMAS I. SUTHERLAND departed this life … Continue reading →

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Neo-classical mourning figure

Posted on October 31, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN SPENCER BORN 1811 – DIED 1854 CATHERINE SPENCER BORN 1811 – DIED 1874 MARY ANN SPENCER BORN 1840 – DIED 1919   Adolph Alexander Weinman (December 11, 1870 – August 8, 1952) was a noted … Continue reading →

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Weeper

Posted on October 26, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

ROBERT GOLDEN DONALDSON 1876 – 1940 ANTOINETTE COLETTE DONALDSON DIED SEPT 13, 1927 In his book, Saving Graces, published by W. W. Norton & Company in 1995, David Robinson identified four categories of “Saving Graces”: Women completely overcome by grief, often portrayed … Continue reading →

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A birthday wish

Posted on October 16, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

Today is my birthday and a friend of mine sent the following birthday wish: May your epitaph be a long way away and as clever as these:   If cash thou art in want of any, Dig four feet deep … Continue reading →

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Uncomfortable Coexistence

Posted on October 6, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

Lawrence McMahon 1845 – 1941 Jennie McMahon 1847 – 1907 The pyramid-shaped tomb of Lawrence McMahon, a retired pharmacy chain store businessman, and his wife, Jennie, in the Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was designed by Herman Buemming.  McMahon commissioned … Continue reading →

Posted in Mausoleums, Symbolism | 1 Comment

Seated Angel

Posted on September 30, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

The William August Starke monument in the Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee features a seated angel.  The bronze sculpture is 69 inches high and 62 inches wide, resting on a light rose-colored unpolished granite base that is 44 inches high, … Continue reading →

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The Steam Ship

Posted on September 23, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

HOWARD WOLF BORN DEC. 3. 1866, Green Bay, Wisconsin DIED AUG. 18. 1882, Escanaba, Michigan The only son of William H. (1828—1901) and Marion A. (1831—1919) Wolf is buried in the Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, underneath a gray … Continue reading →

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The Knights of Pythias

Posted on September 19, 2017 by gravelyspeaking

  The Knights of Pythias, a society based on the Greek story of friendship from 400 B. C. between Damon and Pythias, became the very first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an Act of the United States Congress.  … Continue reading →

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