Category Archives: Uncategorized

May “Mollie” Cash Neal Born 1844, Louisiana Died October 1894, aged 49-50 Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Neal Born 1867, Louisiana Died June 17, 1889, aged 21-22 The monument in the historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta of two women sitting next two … Continue reading →

Many cemeteries have receiving vaults.  Below are two famous examples: According to the signage next to the vault at the Oak Ridge Receiving Vault in Springfield, Illinois the receiving vault there was the: “FIRST RESTING PLACE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN “Abraham … Continue reading →

Martin Van Buren (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was a very successful political figure during the early part of the 19th Century and is considered one of the founders of the Democratic Party. Van Buren was born in … Continue reading →

This blog post is a departure from my usual posts in two ways.  First, it is a guest blogpost written by a friend of mine, Martin Henley.  Martin is an author of many books, most written for educators, but his … Continue reading →

HENRY KIRKE PORTER 1840 – 1941 Porter had a brief stint in the 45th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia during the Civil War.  After, he had a distinguished career as an industrialist manufacturing light locomotives.  He also served a term as … Continue reading →

Recently on a drive to attend a company retreat in sunny Captiva, Florida, while listening to the radio, I heard Bobby Helms sing one of his 50’s hits, “My Special Angel”.  It reminded me of one of the gravestones I … Continue reading →

The Mori monument in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx was a collaboration between sculptor Charles Keck (September 9, 1875 – April 23, 1951) and architect Raymond Mathewson Hood (March 29, 1881 – August 14, 1934). PLACIDO SEPT 11 1868 … Continue reading →

John Walz (1844—1922) was a popular sculptor in Savanah who was commissioned to create many monuments that can be found in the famed Bonaventure Cemetery.  Walz, a talented German immigrant, began his career as a stonecutter but only as a … Continue reading →

On a slope south of Nashville, Indiana, lies the rural New Bellsville Cemetery founded in 1853.  The cemetery has a mix of old and new gravestones.  Among them, a limestone gravestone carved for Solomon Moore who it looks like died … Continue reading →

The sun is a potent symbol throughout the world—ancient and modern.  In funerary symbolism it is depicted in many ways: as a yellow sphere; as spreading rays of light; as a geometric pattern shaped like a many-pointed star; as lines … Continue reading →