Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

Mario Korbel

Posted on November 22, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

Mario Joseph Korbel (March 22, 1882 – March 31, 1954) was a noted Czech-American sculptor who worked on several commissions for monuments that are found in cemeteries in Illinois and Iowa. Like many artists, including Daniel Chester French, Aldabert Volck, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

I.N.R.I.

Posted on November 17, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

In many cemeteries, especially Catholic cemeteries, one is likely to find the crucifixion as part of the symbols adorning the gravestones.  In this case in the St. Martin Cemetery at Whitefield, Indiana, the letters “I.N.R.I” are written above the crucified … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 1 Comment

Look-a-likes

Posted on November 14, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

Chester Alan Arthur (b. October 5, 1829, Fairfield, Vermont – November 18, 1886) was the 21st President of the United States (1881–85). He assumed the office upon the death of James Garfield who was felled by an assassin’s bullet and a host of … Continue reading →

Posted in Presidential graves | Leave a comment

Edna Miriam Paul

Posted on November 9, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

EDNA MIRIAM PAUL BORN AUG. 23, 1897 DIED MAY 2, 1907. Many hopes are buried here The likeness of 9 ½ year old Edna Miriam Paul in the St. Luke Cemetery at Chicago, Illinois, was created in the Victorian style … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Graves | Leave a comment

Improved Order of the Red Men

Posted on November 5, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

The metal marker found in the Ancient Cemetery at Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, marks the grave of a member of the Improved Order of Red Men (I.O.R.M.), which claims its beginnings with the patriots who were in the Sons of Liberty … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Markers | 1 Comment

Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

To commemorate Halloween, I wanted to revisit two monuments that I have written about earlier. The monument above, sculpted by Lorado Taft, one of the premier sculptors of his day, was created to honor Dexter Graves, an early Chicago pioneer.  The bronze figure … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Pioneer

Posted on October 28, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

Inscription at the base of the monument: THE ATLAS AS SHOWN HERE, IS TO THE EXACT SCALE OF THE ORIGINAL MISSILE THE PIONEER ATLAS (INTO ORBIT WITH 122-POUND PAY LOAD, DECEMBER 18, 1958)  Inscription on the back of the monument: … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

“That’s All Folks”

Posted on October 25, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

What Lon Chaney, master of makeup, was to faces, Mel Blanc was to voices. That is, Blanc was the man of a thousand voices. Voices every child knows instantly—the wisecracking Bugs Bunny chewing on the end of a carrot with … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | Leave a comment

The Pyramid: Monumental Architecture

Posted on October 22, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

This is my 500th post. So, to commemorate the occasion, I wanted to write about something monumental. When it comes to funerary sculpture and architecture, nothing is more monumental than the pyramid.  The Egyptians knew how to bury their dead, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mausoleums, Symbolism | 3 Comments

Cross and the Crown

Posted on October 17, 2014 by gravelyspeaking

The Gothic-style Miller family monument in the Glendale Cemetery at Akron, Ohio, is inscribed, “Be Thou Faithful Unto Death and I Will Give Thee a Crown of Life”. That message is further reinforced by the mourning figure atop the monument … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | Leave a comment