Theodore Buck (1824-1896) - A Union Artilleryman at Vicksburg

 

PCA Archives

Theodore Buck claimed to have been born in 1824 in Prussia.

Buck was older than the average recruit when he enlisted in the Union Army on November 23, 1862, in Clinton, Illinois.   While serving as a private in Battery F, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, he suffered deafness in both ears, likely caused by the incessant cannonading during the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863.  He was discharged July 27, 1865 with the rank of private. 

By 1878, Buck was in Phoenix, where he registered to vote.  The 1880 federal census of Phoenix, Arizona, shows a Theodor Buck, born Prussia 1825, unmarried, living in the household of Miguel Peralta, a general store proprietor.  Buck was working as a porter in the store.

Theodore Buck was a founding member of the John Wren Owen GAR post.  In 1887 and again in 1892, he visited the hospital at the Old Soldiers Home in Leavenworth, Kansas, for medical attention.  He applied for and received invalid pension #771,427.

When he died on October 24, 1896, Buck was living at the Star Lodging House and working as a janitor at the Five Points School.  He was buried in Porter Cemetery, Block 33, Grave C.  His grave has a military marker. 

- by Donna L. Carr

 

George Washington Sanders (1839-1904) - Union Veteran and Mining Superintendent

 

PCA Archives

George Washington Sanders was born September 6, 1839, in Fort Covington, New York.  He was the oldest of eleven children born to Eliphalet Pike Sanders and his first wife, Melissa Henry.   In 1846, the Sanders family moved to Ashtabula, Ohio.

On September 9, 1861, George Sanders enlisted in the Union Army at Trumbull, Ohio, and was assigned to Battery C of the 1st Regiment Ohio Light Artillery. However, he did not see much action as he was often sick and in hospital.  On September 26, 1862, he was discharged for disability at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.  Despite his relatively short service, he became a devoted member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being elected commander of the Arizona Department in April 1903 at the San Francisco Grand Encampment.

Sanders moved to Polk, Iowa, in 1863.  In 1866, he married Mary Beebe, and they soon had two children, Albert and Ethel.   After Ethel’s birth, Sanders moved the family to Salt Lake City.  He and Mary had two more children in Utah; Ida and George.   

After Mary’s death in childbirth in 1877, Sanders took his family back to Iowa.  By 1880 he was remarried to a woman named Lizzie.

It wasn’t long before Sanders set his sights on the West again.  This time he travelled to Arizona.  By 1881, he and nine other men had created the Sanders Arizona Mining company which aimed to produce copper, silver, gold and other metals from mines in Pima County.

It was right at the turn of the century and near the end of his life that Sanders experienced his greatest achievements and his greatest losses. By 1899, he had divorced his second wife Lizzie and lost his daughter Ethel and grandson Sanders in what was believed to be a murder-suicide. But it was also that same year when he became superintendent of the Vulture Mine near Wickenburg and began work to get the mine back into production.

When Sanders first took charge, the Vulture Mine didn’t have enough water. By cyaniding the tailings, he recovered enough gold to finance drilling the mine deeper to locate an existing water source.  In 1901, the mine struck a new vein of gold ore.  As one of the financiers, Sanders received much of the initial profits.  

It was also during 1901 that Sanders was married for the third time--to Clara Glenn.

On March 20, 1902, Sanders sustained serious injuries when he was thrown from a streetcar of the Phoenix Railway Company.  He died on February 6, 1904, of heart complications attributed to his 1902 accident.  He was buried in Porter Cemetery under the auspices of the local GAR post.

 - by Tricia Alexander

 

John Wren Owen (1822-1877) - Union Veteran and County Treasurer

 

PCA Archives

John Wren Owen was born December 16, 1822, in Franklin County, Illinois, the son of Thomas Harvey Owen and Mary Paine Wren, hence his middle name. 

In 1850, shortly after the beginning of the California Gold Rush, his parents moved their family to Solano County, California, where they engaged in farming.  By 1860, John Wren Owen was working as a real estate speculator at Suisun, Solano County.  

On November 30, 1864, Owen enlisted in the Union Army at the Presidio in San Francisco, California.  He was commissioned a captain and given command of Company F, 7th California Infantry, on December 15, 1864.  He transferred to Camp McDowell in Arizona Territory on August 2, 1865, after the Civil War had ended, and mustered out with his company at the Presidio on April 18, 1866.

Apparently, Owen’s time in Arizona had made an impression on him for he returned to Pima County. He was elected to the Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1868. The 1870 federal census shows him working as a clerk at Camp Crittenden in Pima County.

In 1874, Owen was elected treasurer of Maricopa County and reelected in 1876.  As treasurer, he was responsible for paying certain bills out of the county taxes; however, he seems to have exercised those responsibilities loosely.  He made no quarterly report of the funds in his possession to the territorial treasurer on June 30 or on September 30, 1877.

When Owen requested money for the public schools, the territorial treasurer authorized him to use the funds already in his possession, promising that he would be compensated later.  On October 11, 1877, Owen replied that he did not have the money to hand but would have it by the end of the month.  He then fell ill and died on November 4th.  When his body was prepared for burial in the first City Cemetery, he had only $2 in his pocket.

His fellow veterans turned out for his funeral and he was eulogized as "a man of few faults and many virtues."  It appears that John Wren Owen never married, and his obituaries did not mention any next of kin.

Following his death, a thorough search of his dwelling did not turn up any of the county's money.  His friends speculated that perhaps Owen had loaned the money to someone and that that individual was keeping mum about it.  A less charitable speculation was that he had spent it himself.  At any rate, no money was ever recovered.

Notwithstanding the missing County funds, the late Captain Owen seems to have enjoyed a good enough reputation that, when Union veterans established a post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Phoenix in September 1885, it was named in his honor.

 - by Donna L. Carr

 

Honoring Veterans This Month - And Always!

 

In recognition of Veterans Day, we will be sharing the stories of the brave pioneers buried in Pioneer & Military Memorial Park who served our nation. Their courage helped shape Arizona’s earliest communities, and their sacrifices deserve to be remembered.

Join us throughout the month as we highlight their lives, service, and legacy.

Photo: Puck Magazine, 1899 - Library of Congress

Victorian "Ghost" Photography - Victorian Era and Death

"Haunted Lane" - 1889

"Spirit" - 1901

"Houdini and Abraham Lincoln" - about 1920

Spiritualism: When the Victorians Tried to Connect with the Dead

In the late 1800s, photography was new, science was advancing, and grief was everywhere. The Victorians, haunted by high mortality rates and the loss of loved ones, turned to Spiritualism, hoping that death was not the end but simply another doorway.

Enter spirit photography: eerie portraits showing ghostly figures beside the living. Whether clever double exposures or heartfelt attempts to reach the beyond, these images captured more than faces.  They revealed a society searching for comfort in faith, science, and mystery.

From séances in parlors to photographs claiming to show a loved one’s lingering presence, the Victorians tried to connect mourning with marvel.

Take a look at these haunting examples of spirit photography from the 19th century.

- Photos from Library of Congress.

 

William Belcher (1846 – 1898) - “The Cockney”

 

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William A. Belcher was born in London, England around 1846.  Not much is known about him prior to 1880, when he was living in Missoula, Montana.  At that time he was working as a watchmaker and living on Front Street. According to news reports, William inherited $5570 from his mother who had died in England.  William quit his profession and began enjoying his money.

William migrated to Phoenix, Arizona and began bartending for Rose Gregory, aka Minnie Powers, a well-known madam.  They began living together and, because William had a problem with alcohol, Rose became his money manager. 

William and Rose had a tumultuous relationship because of his drinking and her profession.  William would end up in jail because of his behavior and while he was gone, Rose would entertain other gentlemen callers.  He would become jealous of her relationships with men and threaten to kill her. 

After his release from jail on September 17, 1898, he went for a few drinks and obtained a .44 caliber handgun.  He then went to where Rose and he were living at 720 Railroad Avenue in Phoenix and entered the residence around 9 a.m.

William found Rose alone and asleep in bed.  He shot her in the head and then shot himself, falling across her.  They were not discovered until 1 p.m. when Flora Wilson, one of the other women living in the house, found the bodies. 

William and Rose were buried in Rosedale Cemetery.  William’s location in the cemetery is unknown, as there is no grave marker.  

- by Patty

 

Ida Emma Guenther (1853-1904) - Shrew

 

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According to the federal census of 1900, Ida (maiden name unknown) was born in Denmark April 1853 and arrived in the United States in 1865.  One can only guess what contributed to her fondness for conflict and drink.

Mrs. Ida Bailey first came to the attention of Phoenix authorities when she was charged along with Fred Steffans with “mutually maligning each other and the employment of language which is not admissible to mail bags” on April 2, 1893. 

Shortly after that incident, Ida married Joseph P. Murray, a blacksmith, on April 23, 1893.  Witnesses to the marriage were Frankie Hill and H.C. King. Frankie Hill (aka Minnie Drum) was a known madam in Phoenix.  At the time of their marriage, Ida was 40 years old and Joseph was 57 years old. 

The Arizona Republican paper reported that the newlyweds were off to the World’s Fair on honeymoon.  However, the romance—if romance it was—didn’t last long.  Barely two months later, Ida was living in a crib in the alley behind the Central Hotel in Phoenix.    That area was known for all sorts of criminal behavior, the main problem being prostitution. 

On June 23, 1893, one of Ida’s neighbors, Annie Marchand, complained to Night Marshal Blankenship that Ida had tried to fire a shot at her with a Smith & Wesson handgun. Ida was arrested and fined.  “Inspired by whiskey and morphine”, Ida retaliated by charging that Annie had been calling her names.

On July 1, 1893, a fire swept through the residences in the alley behind the Central Hotel.  The flames were so intense that they threatened the hotel.  It was learned that Ida had moved all her belongings out of her shack prior to the fire, but Annie lost everything.  Although Ida had openly boasted that she “was going to make it hot” for Annie Marchand, there was no direct evidence linking her to the fire.

Ida Murray next married Herman Guenther, a gunsmith, on September 18, 1899 in Phoenix.  Herman had been born in Germany in December 1835 and arrived in the United States in 1871.  He had been previously married and had two sons who were in California.  

The Guenthers invited Nicholas Brecht and his wife Maria Gilmore to their home on July 11, 1899 for a drink.  The affair became a two-hour drinking contest before everyone said their goodbyes.  Sometime later Maria realized her purse was missing and returned to the Guenthers.   A fight broke out and police were called.  All were brought to court and fined.

Ida died in Phoenix on May 5, 1904 at the age of 50 and was buried in Loosley Cemetery.  Herman died on August 10, 1904 at the age of 69.  He had attempted to walk to the cemetery where his wife was buried and lost his way.  He was found unconscious and brought back to his residence where he later died.  He is also buried in Loosley Cemetery.   Neither Guenther has a grave marker.

 - by Patricia 

 

Frank Barrios - Thank You for your Service to PCA!

 

PCA Archives

Volunteer Spotlight: Honoring Frank Barrios!

Today we honor the life and legacy of Frank Barrios: historian, preservationist, author, and longtime volunteer with the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association.

Frank was more than a volunteer. He was a bridge between the past and the present. Through his work with PCA, he helped preserve the stories of Phoenix’s earliest residents with genuine care and deep respect. His gentle spirit and dedication reminded us all why preserving history matters.

Beyond PCA, Frank’s passion for heritage shaped how Phoenix remembers its roots. His book "Mexicans in Phoenix" captured the heart of the city’s Mexican American community. These families, neighborhoods, and traditions helped build the city we know today.

Frank was named LULAC’s Man of the Year, honored as an Arizona History Maker, and celebrated by the City of Phoenix with “Frank Barrios Day.” Yet, those who knew him will tell you his greatest honor was serving others and keeping their stories alive.

We are grateful for his years of service and friendship. Frank’s light continues to guide all of us who believe history is best preserved when it’s shared with love.

Open House - October 25th, 2025 from 10am -1pm

 

PCA Archives

We picked this up and moved it just for you!!!

Come join us for Open House, October 25th from 10am - 1pm!

Take a self-tour of the cemetery, check out Smurthwaite House, and chat with some awesome folks who love Phoenix history! See you soon!

Grave Marker Symbols of Family and Love

 

Victorian grave markers often carried messages of relationships that endured beyond death

🤝 Clasped hands – farewell, unity, or eternal bond

❤️ Hearts – love everlasting

🌿 Wreaths – victory, remembrance, honor

⌛️ Tree stumps or Cribs – family ties or a life cut short

Every carving tells the story of love that lingers. We have many grave marker symbols and stories at the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park! Come discover them!

Photos: PCA Archives

William B. Casey (1870-1898) - Hot Tempered Ranch Hand

 

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Aerial of Rosedale

William B. Casey’s story is one of those wild tales from early Phoenix that reminds us how rough life could be on the frontier. Born in New York in 1870, he went west as a young man, described as tall, athletic, and quick to quarrel. By the time he reached Arizona, his hot temper was well known. He tried his hand at a milk delivery business in Phoenix, but the partnership fell apart, and Casey found himself in frequent trouble with the law.

Things came to a head in September 1898. While working at Ben Anderson’s ranch north of town, Casey was asked to saddle a horse for Anderson’s granddaughter. Taking offense, he lashed out at Anderson’s son-in-law with a pitchfork, leaving him badly injured. Only days later, still spoiling for a fight, Casey confronted rancher James Marler over rumors of insults. When words didn’t satisfy him, he attacked with his fists, then turned on a hired hand, George Moudy. As Casey rushed forward, Moudy fired in self-defense. One bullet to the heart ended Casey’s violent streak.

A coroner’s jury quickly ruled the killing justified, given Casey’s attacks in the days before. William B. Casey was buried on September 12, 1898, after a Catholic funeral service.  Despite his bad temper and reputation, a large crowd of family and friends were there to pay their last respects and follow his coffin to Rosedale Cemetery.   

Whispers in Stone - Flowers on Grave Markers

Whispers in Stone…

Flowers carved into old grave markers aren’t just decoration. Each bloom holds a message of love, loss, or eternal life. What stories do these stone blossoms tell?

• Lilies – purity and peace
• Roses – love and fragility
• Ivy – eternal attachment
• Oak leaves & acorns – strength and immortality
• Morning glory – life’s short bloom

Some of the “whispers” at the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park… every flower tells a story! 

Photos: PCA Archive

Wilson Augustus McGinnis 91850-1899) - Architect

 

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Wilson Augustus McGinnis was born in Dyer County, Tennessee, in February, 1850.  He was the youngest of ten children belonging to John S. McGinnis and his wife, Martha Mathis (or Matthews?). 

By 1884, Wilson was in Phillips County, Arkansas, where he married Letitia “Lula” Vaughan on February 15th.  Their first child, Neil Weston McGinnis, was born about a year later across the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee.   Eula, their second child, was born in August 1886 in Texas.   By July 20, 1888, the McGinnises was in Phoenix, Arizona, where four more children were born to them.

Wilson McGinnis was a very busy architect, surveyor and civil engineer in Phoenix and central-northern Arizona.  He formed a partnership with another architect, Fred Heinlein, and, in 1890, they were the architects for the territorial insane asylum.  He served as Phoenix’s city engineer until February 1893, when he resigned over a disagreement with the City Council.

McGinnis owned an almond orchard in south Phoenix.  In July 1895, the trees were bearing nuts.  He was also interested in growing ramie, a natural fiber.

On June 27, 1896, Fred Heinlein, the architect originally selected for the Normal School in Tempe, was discharged and the position given to McGinnis.  A year later, he received a contract to examine the unfinished boys’ reform school in Flagstaff and design plans to convert it into an insane asylum.  However, the contract was cancelled in August, 1897.

W. A. Mc Ginnis was the Maricopa County surveyor until he suffered a breakdown in 1898.  In June, he was remanded to the asylum he had helped design.  His wife took him back to Tennessee in July in hopes that a change of scenery would benefit him, but to no avail.

McGinnis’s illness left two of his projects unfinished.  Evidently the Board of Control decided that one insane asylum was enough for the Territory.  The reform school in Flagstaff was converted instead into Northern Arizona University.  Architect James Miller Creighton stepped in to finish Old Main at what is now ASU.

McGinnis died on August 2, 1899.  He was buried initially in the AOUW cemetery, Block 18, Lot 3.  His remains and those of his little daughter Etta were later moved to the newly-opened Greenwood Cemetery.

McGinnis had an AOUW life insurance policy which paid $2000 on his demise.  The money was used to pay off the mortgage on his almond orchard in the expectation that it would provide an income for his family.

-  by Tim Kovacs and Donna Carr