Coming Soon! Biographies of the Ministers Buried at the PMMP!

PCA Archives

 

🕊️ Coming Soon: Ministers of the Past ⛪

We’re proud to launch a new series of bios featuring the ministers and faith leaders buried at Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. These are people of conviction who served Phoenix’s early communities through prayer, perseverance, and deep dedication.

From humble church beginnings to powerful moments of revival, their stories offer a window into the spiritual heartbeat of frontier Arizona.

✨ Join us as we honor their legacies and explore how faith shaped our city’s earliest days.

🔗 Learn more and follow each story at:

www.azhistcemeteries.org

https://behindtheepitaph.blogspot.com/

#PioneerHistory #HistoricCemetery #FaithfulServants #PhoenixHeritage #CemeteryStories #ArizonaMinisters #PMMPHistory

Mother's Day Craft Day - May 4th

 

April Open House - April 19th!

 

John B. Kelly (1837 - 1896) - Butcher and Saloon Owner

PCA Archives

John Barnes Kelly (or Kelley) was born about 1837 in Hermon, St. Lawrence County, New York.   Although he and his older brother Henry initially went to California in 1851 in hopes of finding gold, they instead made their fortune in the butchering trade. 

J. B. married Elizabeth Ann Morrow on July 8, 1860, in Jackson, Amador County, California.  They had four daughters, including a set of twins born in Sutter Creek, Amador County, California.

Apparently Elizabeth died in 1874 or 1875, as J. B. then married Laura E. Hoyt on December 1, 1875.  They had a son and a daughter while living in California, after which they relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, and had three more daughters.

As a butcher, J. B. worked closely with the Balsz family of Phoenix.  The Balszes operated a large ranch near Yuma as well as feedlots in Phoenix, and J. B. was one of the butchers who turned steers into steaks for local restaurants.   The Kellys lived in a fine house at Center and Monroe Streets.   J. B. joined the local Masonic lodge and made a foray into politics; he ran for sheriff but was narrowly defeated.

Men outnumbered women in 1880s Phoenix, so J. B.’s three oldest daughters were a welcome addition to the social scene.  All three married local men.  Harriet Lillian married J. J. Sweeney, a butcher like her father.  Addie married Daniel P. Conroy, and her twin, Ada, had a career as a schoolteacher before and after her marriage.

J. B. died on February 24, 1896, of a stomach hemorrhage (possibly a perforated ulcer?)  He was buried with Masonic and Episcopalian rites in Phoenix’s Masons Cemetery.  

The Cabinet, his upscale saloon on Washington Street, he left to his widow.  She sold it two months later and eventually returned to her home state of California, where she settled in Oakland.  She was last recorded on the 1930 federal census, living with her youngest daughter, Laura R. Kelly.

- by Donna Carr

 

 

John Alsap, Phoenix's First Mayor - Narrated by Steve Schumacher, Phoenix Mayor's Office Official Historian

 

🔎✨ Step back in time with The Phoenix Mayor's Office Official Historian, Steve Schumacher @phoenix_official_historian, as he tells the story of John Alsap. John is buried in Masons Cemetery at the PMMP, and was a man of many hats. 🏜️⚰️

📽️ Script and video created by PCA Treasurer Val! 🎬

📺 Watch now and uncover the past!

 hashtag#arizonahistory hashtag#pioneer hashtag#Phoenix hashtag#phoenixarizona hashtag#oldwest hashtag#PCACemetery hashtag#pcabios hashtag#arizonahistoricalsociety hashtag#phoenix_official_historian

 

 

Phoenix History Month - Phoenix's Official Historian Speaks at AHS!

Check it out!

🌵 Join us for a history talk with Phoenix’s Official Historian, Steve Schumacher! 🏜️

On March 27, Steve will be sharing stories of early Phoenix history at the Arizona Heritage Center, bringing to life the pioneers, places, and events that shaped our city’s beginnings. 🏠📖✨

Don't miss this chance to hear Phoenix's past told by the man who knows it best!

📍 Arizona Historical Society, 1300 N. College Ave
📅 March 27 at 2pm
🎤 Presented by Steve Schumacher, Official Historian of Phoenix

#PhoenixHistory #ArizonaHistoricalSociety #OurArizonaStory #HistoricPhoenix #SteveSchumacher

 

An Irish Wake - What is the History of the Irish Wake?

☘️ Join us for a special treat from Our Irish Wake! ☘️ 

One of our beloved presenters is diving into the rich tradition of the Irish wake, a heartfelt and sometimes humorous celebration of life, memory, and community. 🕯️🍻💚

🎥 Catch the video and step into this timeless Irish custom!

#OurIrishWay #IrishWake #TraditionLivesOn #CelticCulture

 

Irish Wake Celebration - March 2025

 

☘️ Moments from our Irish Wake presentation 📸

These photos capture the warmth, wit, and deep-rooted tradition of how the Irish honor life and death — with stories, laughter, and love. 🕯️🍀🍻

Take a look and experience the spirit of the Irish wake through our lens. 📷💚
#OurIrishWay #IrishWake #Tradition #IrishHeritage #CulturalRoots

James B. Lacy (abt. 1847 - 1896) - Owned the Phoenix Illuminating Electric and Gas Works

PCA Archives

James B. Lacy was born January 26, 1847 in Erinsville, Ontario, Canada.   The name of the town is appropriate, since it was founded by Irish, largely Roman Catholic, immigrants.   He was the third of eight children born to Bryan Lacey and his wife, Ellen Clancy.  The Laceys were farmers who had immigrated to Canada from County Wexford, Ireland.

In 1868, James Lacy had emigrated to the United States and was living in Mendocino County, California.  Around 1873, he moved to Virginia City, Nevada, possibly with a cousin named Bernard.  They were employed as miners, working the Comstock Lode.

Like many miners, Lacy followed the latest strikes.  By 1889, he was in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, where he was employed as a watchman at the Contention Mine.  

Lacy eventually moved to Phoenix around 1894, where he purchased the Phoenix Illuminating Electric and Gas Company.  Being a prominent businessman, he was elected to a term on the City council.  He was said to have been genial and well-liked. 

At the age of 49, Lacy passed away rather unexpectedly of heart disease.   Whereas he had always appeared to be hale and hearty, a few days after Christmas 1895, he complained of edema in his right arm.   Soon it became clear that his kidneys were failing, too.  He was attended by Drs. Stroud, Helm and Goodfellow, but nothing could be done for him.

James Lacy died on January 1, 1896, and was buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery.  In accordance with his beliefs, his funeral service was conducted by a Free Thinker, not a Roman Catholic as might have been expected.

John F. Kearney, a cousin of Lacy’s, was a miner in Congress, Arizona.  On January 9, Kearney’s wife Katie entered Lacy’s will into probate, and J. W. Jensen was appointed executor.  Lacy’s estate was divided between his mother and his sister.

 - by Donna Carr

 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day - 2025

 

Bing AI Generated

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀

Wishing you a day filled with luck, laughter, and a bit of Irish magic! 🌈✨ Whether you're celebrating your Irish roots or just enjoying the fun, here are some festive ways to embrace the spirit of the day:

🍀 Wear Green – Avoid getting pinched and show off your St. Paddy’s pride!
☘️ Enjoy Traditional Irish Food – Try some corned beef & cabbage, Irish soda bread, or shepherd’s pie.
🎶 Listen to Irish Music – From lively jigs to classic ballads, let the music bring the Irish spirit to life!
🍻 Raise a Toast – Whether it’s Irish coffee, green lemonade, or a pint of Guinness, cheers to good fortune!
📖 Learn an Irish Blessing – “May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”

How are you celebrating today? Share in the comments! ⬇️ 🇮🇪

Sláinte! 🥂☘️

Irish Wake Cocktail - Nonalcoholic and Alcoholic

 

🍀 Non-Alcoholic Irish Wake Mocktail 🍀

Perfect for an Irish wake gathering. This recipe is for one serving. If you make one, post your pic in the comments! Hey, I know we have chefs out there 🥘👨‍🍳👩‍🍳🍳😋!

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda (or club soda)
• 1/2 oz blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic)
• Ice cubes, orange slice, and maraschino cherry

Instructions
1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Pour in the orange juice and pineapple juice.
3. Add blue curaçao syrup and stir until it turns a vibrant green.
4. Top with lemon-lime soda for a little fizz.
5. Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

For a traditional cocktail:

• 1 oz dark rum
• 1 oz light rum
• 1/2 oz blue curaçao
• 2 oz orange juice
• 2 oz pineapple juice

Catherine A. Lacy (1860 - 1896) - Died in a House Fire

 

PCA Archives

Catherine A. Lacy was born March 1, 1860, in Erinsville, Ontario, Canada.   The name of the town is appropriate, since it was founded by Irish, largely Roman Catholic, immigrants.   Catherine was the youngest of eight children born to Bryan Lacey and his wife, Ellen Clancy.  The Laceys were farmers who had immigrated to Canada from County Wexford, Ireland.

While living in Canada, Catherine’s father seems to have Anglicized his name to Bernard  He died on January 23, 1878, and was buried in the local Catholic cemetery.

In 1881, Catherine was still living on the family farm near Sheffield with her widowed mother and several siblings.  Her older brother James, however, had emigrated to the United States and was working as a miner in Virginia City, Nevada, possibly with a cousin named Bernard. 

Catherine seems to have joined James after he had moved to Phoenix, Arizona Territory.  James passed away rather unexpectedly in Phoenix on January 1, 1896, of heart disease.  He was buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Catherine herself died just a few months later on May 15, 1896, of burns received in a house fire.  Ironically, her apartment was located in a building behind the Phoenix Gas Works, previously owned by her brother James.

She had arisen early and lit a portable gas stove with a match to heat water for her bath.  She may have left the stove or match unattended for a moment, for the curtains ignited.  As she attempted to extinguish the flames, her robe also caught fire, enveloping her in flames.  She tried desperately to get the door open but apparently the smoke was so thick she couldn’t find the doorknob.  Passersby noticed flames, broke out the window and put out the fire, but by then she was unconscious and burned almost beyond recognition.  She died an hour later. 

After a Catholic funeral service, Catherine Lacy was buried near her brother in the IOOF Cemetery.  Neither one of them had ever married.

- by Donna Carr

 

Come Join Us for an Irish Wake! - March 22nd at 10:00 am

 

Flyer by Lezlee

🍀🥃 Experience a Traditional Irish Wake at the Cemetery! 🥃🍀

Join us for a unique demonstration of a traditional Irish wake, right here at the cemetery. Learn about the traditions of Ireland and come "meet" our Irish pioneers! 🎶🍻

📅 Date: March 22, 2025

🕒 Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm

📍 Location: 1317 West Jefferson

#pcaevents #irish #ireland ##cemetery #history #phoenix #Arizona

Irish Wake Bread (aka Irish Soda Bread)

In celebration of our upcoming Irish Wake at the cemetery, we will be featuring some traditional Irish Wake foods. They are easy to make and quite tasty! By the way, if you make some traditional Irish food, please post in the comments!

Traditional Irish Wake Bread (aka Irish Soda Bread)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 1 ¾ cups buttermilk

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Use parchment paper on baking sheet.

• In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.

• Gradually add buttermilk, stirring until dough forms.

• Knead briefly on a floured surface and shape into a round loaf.

• Place on the baking sheet, cut a deep ‘X’ on top, and

• Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool before slicing.

 

 

 

Frederick J. O’Hara (1875 - 1901) - Member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles

 

PCA Archives

Fred J. O’Hara was born on July 3, 1875, in Kent County, Michigan.  He was the son of Sarah J. Lamoreaux and her second husband, Bryan O’Hara.  Bryan O’Hara was from Ireland  

From at least 1874 to 1887, the O’Haras lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Bryan worked as a cabinet-maker.  Sarah divorced Bryan in 1885, claiming that he was a drunkard and failed to support her and the children.  On December 7, 1887, Bryan O'Hara died as a result of injuries received during a saloon fight in Evansville, Indiana.

Sarah and her two children moved west to Tacoma, Washington, after Bryan’s death.   Fred may have become a touring musician, as his comings and goings from Tacoma were occasionally noted in the newspapers.  Apparently, his banjo was briefly stolen—but recovered—in 1895.

He soon joined the Eagles, a fraternal organization formed in 1898 in Seattle which drew its membership from among those in the performing arts. 

Suffering from an unspecified illness, Fred had moved to Phoenix, Arizona, by 1901.  He died of peritonitis at Sisters’ Hospital on November 1, 1901, and was buried in Porter Cemetery by the local chapter of the Eagles, Aeyrie 178.  The Eagles also provided his grave marker.

- by Donna Carr

 

 

The Lost Children of the Norris Family - Masons Cemetery

"Days Events" Arizona Republic, May 1901

In a quiet section of Masons Cemetery, a small grave marks the short life of Baby Adelade Norris. Born on May 12, 1901, she passed away the very next day. She was one of several children born to Walter and Garnet Norris, but tragically, she was not the only child they lost.

Beside her, in a single grave, rest three of her siblings:

🕊️ Walter Lum Jr. (d. 1906, 2 months old)

🕊️ Thelma (d. 1907, 3 years old)

🕊️ Lucille (d. 1909, 1 year old)

At one time, round boulders marked these siblings’ resting places, a simple but heartfelt tribute. Over the years, those markers disappeared, but the memories of these children remain. PCA has a marker near their graves to keep their memory alive. 

The Norris family had deep roots in the area. Baby Adelade and her siblings were the great-grandchildren of James MacKenzie Norris and Jane Odom, who are buried next to the little ones. Through marriage, the family was also connected to Columbus Gray, another familiar name in local history.

Losing one child was devastating, losing four is almost unimaginable. In the early 1900s, illnesses we can now prevent were often fatal for young children. Tuberculosis, typhoid, scarlet fever, and other diseases often took Lives of the young and old alike.

A full biography of the Norris family is in the works, and we look forward to sharing more of their story soon. Until then, we remember Baby Adelade, Lucille, Thelma, and Walter Lum Jr., four little lives, gone too soon but never forgotten.

Hayden Burial Map Late 1930s 

Lot 1 of Block 24 in Masons Cemetery

PCA Marker for Norris Children

PCA Archives

 

Thank You Piestewa Peak DAR, Maricopa DAR, and New City Church!

 

Picture by Patty

We want to thank Piestewa Peak and Maricopa DAR, along with New City Church, for taking the time out and cleaning up our cemetery.  We appreciate you and the difference you made today!

Boots in the Dirt - 2025 - Preservation Techniques

 

Our "Boots in the Dirt" event is over for this month. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Joe Ferrannini, our incredible conservator, for his hard work and dedication to imparting his knowledge and helping us to preserve our cemetery. We also want to thank our wonderful volunteers who dedicated their time and talents. We couldn't have done any of it without you all. You make our cemetery amazing! Our list of volunteers is at the end of our video.

In the days to come, we will be featuring a few highlighted markers from our event. Stay tuned!

Please check out Joe at his company "Grave Stone Matters" on LinkedIn.

 

Phoenix History Month Coming Soon - March 2025

 

www.phoenix.gov/mayor

March is Phoenix History Month! Last year, Mayor Kate Gallego declared March as "Phoenix History Month". How can you celebrate the history of Phoenix? For more information, check out the links/Instagram below:

www.phoenix.gov/mayor/historian

or @Phoenix_Official_Historian

"Our Baby" - The Transformation of a Small Grave Marker

PCA Archives

Half Buried, Now Fully Remembered – While doing preservation this month, we brought back to life a small grave marker half buried in the dirt, the words “Our Baby” inscribed on the top. A heartbreaking yet beautiful reminder of love and loss from long ago.💓

Time, weather, and the shifting environment partially hid this precious marker, but our preservationists restored it, honoring the memory of this little one and ensuring they are never forgotten.

Stay tuned for the results!

 

 

Thomas A. Hayden (1880-1940) - Civil Engineer and Surveyor

 

PCA Archives

Although Thomas Albert Hayden was neither a pioneer or early resident of Phoenix, his dedication to the cemeteries earned him a final resting place among Phoenix’s first citizens.

Thomas Albert Hayden was born 2 June 1880 in Green Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Thomas Hayden and Elmyra Ringer.  He attended Sheffield Scientific School in New Haven, Connecticut, but left in 1899 before graduating to go out West for his health. 

In Santa Fe, Hayden met Harvie Sheffield DuVal, an attorney and civil engineer who had moved to New Mexico in 1903.  Hayden married DuVal’s youngest daughter Irene in 1905.  The couple had one son, Irwin, born 1905 in Albuquerque.

Between 1906 and 1915, Hayden oversaw the construction of the Urraca Dam in Colfax County, New Mexico, and did drainage work in the Florida Everglades.  By 1912, he was back in private practice in Santa Fe, where he was also the city engineer.

Suffering from tuberculosis, Hayden moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1915.  After recovering, he found work as a civil engineer with the U.S. Surveyor General’s office.   During World War I, he served briefly in the Second Battery, 16th Provisional Training Regiment, probably as a training officer.  By 1918, Hayden was an engineer for Salt River Valley Water Users Association.

 Thomas and Irene eventually divorced, after which he married a much younger divorcee, Anna Marjorie Kessler.  They had four more children born between 1927 and 1935.

To keep fit, Hayden was in the habit of walking from his office near the Arizona State Capitol to his home at 339 East Palm Lane in Phoenix.  In doing so, he often passed by an overgrown, abandoned cemetery at 14th Avenue and Jefferson.  A little investigation confirmed that it was the last resting place of many Arizona notables.

Hayden surveyed the cemetery, created a map and recorded all the extant headstones. In 1939, he also prevailed upon some of his acquaintances in government to form the original Pioneer Cemetery Association, the purpose of which was to preserve the seven historic cemeteries now known as the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park.   Among the charter members were Rep. Carl Hayden, Lindley Bell Orme, and a young Barry Goldwater.  

Thomas died at home on December 23, 1940, following a heart attack.  His body was cremated and the stated intention was to have him buried in Greenwood Cemetery.  However, his cremains were left at the J. T. Whitney Funeral Home for another 48 years, until they were interred on the Avenue of Flags in the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park in 1988.  It is not known why the original burial never took place.

- by Donna Carr

 

N. Naga Mene (1867? - 1895) - Forgotten But "Found" in City Loosley Cemetery

Picture by Val (see below for more)

During one of our preservation days at the PMMP, Patty and fellow preservationists, angie and ann, found a grave marker lying on the ground in Loosley Cemetery.  All it read was "born in Japan".  Who was this mysterious unnamed individual buried in Loosely whose grave marker was unattached to a grave location?

Patty sprang into action and located the Thomas Hayden maps.  Sometime in the late 1930s, Thomas Hayden visually mapped out all of the cemeteries in the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park.  He drew each existing grave marker and noted its epitaph and any identifying information.  It is a jewel of a record for the cemetery!

In the area in which the marker was found, Patty located the Hayden record.  There was a grave drawn in the same location on the map.  The record stated that the marker there at the time read "N. Naga Mene, Sept 5, 1895, Aged 30 Years, Born in Japan".  The upper portion of the marker was missing.  Our preservationists dug in the area of the marker's location, but did not find the rest of the stone.  

Donna, one of our living history researchers, stated that N. Naga Mene was definitely of Japanese descent, although his death certificate says "Mexican".  She suspects that the surname was probably "Nagamine" or "Nakamine".  

As an interesting note, she also stated that the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 did not apply to individuals from Japan, so they continued to immigrate to the United States.  In fact, after the Meiji Restoration of 1868, many of those who came from Japan desired to learn about and adopt the West's technological innovations.  They came here to seek out information and new experiences.

We hope to learn more about N. Naga Mene, and continue to search for the rest of his marker.  

(Story told by Patty and Donna.  Photo by Val)

 

                                                    

                                                    

Jay H. Miller (1865-1895) - A Mystery of Long Standing

PCA Archive

For over a century, the Knights of Pythias Cemetery has held an unusual grave marker.  Unlike the typical headstone, it was a large, smooth, pink granite boulder inscribed with a barely visible inscription: “In Adoring Memory of Jay.”  But who was Jay? 

In the late afternoon of November 25, 2006, longtime PCA volunteer Diane Sumrall was picking up trash in the cemetery.  As she passed Jay’s boulder, she chanced to glance up at the underside of the stone.  The setting sun was just at the right angle to reveal another faint inscription that had been hidden from view.  It read “H. Miller.”  Mystery solved!

Jay H. Miller was born in California on January 7, 1865, to James Miller of Tennessee and Susan Sawyer Miller.  Mr. Miller seems to have died before 1870, as the 1870 census records only Susan, a seamstress, her son Jay, and her mother Abigale in Sacramento.   By 1880, Susan was living with teenaged Jay and her new husband, John W. Hughes.  

Jay Miller moved to Phoenix around 1887, where he began working for the newly established Maricopa & Phoenix Railroad.  He eventually became the Maricopa & Phoenix Railroad’s commercial agent in Phoenix, responsible for running its freight department.  

With increased responsibility came a better salary.  Around 1892, Miller acquired a large lot at the southeast corner of Seventh and Pierce Streets. He hired C. J. Dyer to create a plat map and subdivided the lot into 10 individual smaller lots.  By 1895, the Phoenix Street Railway system had been extended so it ran along Pierce Street in front of Miller’s property; easy access to the streetcar line must have increased its value and potential for development.

On the evening of September 7, 1895, Miller shared some drinks with companions at the Cabinet Saloon on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Washington Street.  Around 10 PM, he stepped out into the alley behind his office with a Mr. Conroy.  A few moments later, two shots rang out and Conroy ran for help, saying that Miller had killed himself.

The Arizona Republican newspaper covered the coroner’s inquest in great detail.  Almost 50 individuals testified about Miller’s activities that night, and several indicated that he sometimes seemed despondent and had spoken of suicide in the past.

Jay Miller was buried in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery.   Since he had died intestate, his mother was his sole heir.  Undoubtedly it was she who had the pink granite boulder inscribed with his name and installed on his grave as a tombstone.

-         - by Diane Sumrall, Debe Branning, Derek Horn

 

 

Preservation Day at the PMMP - February 16, 2025

Video and Photos by Val Wilson

It was a great preservation day at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park! Our preservation experts excavated for broken markers, reseated monuments, and restored epitaphs. Thank you to our dedicated preservationists for keeping the history of our pioneer cemetery alive!

#pcacemeteries #pcaevents #arizonahistory #phoenix