Weekly Vintage Chuckle

Val Wilson, Digital Art

Have you ever bought a piece of furniture to rest your feet on?

Well... you oughta, man!

-Anonymous

Frederick Balsz (1831 - 1910) - Butcher and Meat Cutter

 

Picture Courtesy of PCA

Frederick “Fred” was born August 18, 1831 in Jugenheim, Germany, to Bartholomew Balsz and Phillipine Gerisch.  The couple had eleven children born between 1814 and 1836, several of whom came to the United States.  Frederick’s mother Philippine is believed to have died around 1836 in Germany shortly after the birth of her last child, David.  Bartholomew, a butcher, then immigrated to the United States with some of their younger children, settling in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Young Fred is thought to have married at the age of 17 in St. Louis and had a son he named Frederick, Jr.  The name of Fred’s first wife is unknown, but she died about 1849.

Soon thereafter, Fred left his son with family and went west with his brother David, who would have been 13 years old.  The brothers drove a team of oxen along the California Trail to Sacramento, where they found work as butchers.  They remained there until Fred eloped with his second wife, Mercedes Gonzales, around 1860.  The couple had three boys and one girl before Mercedes died about 1867.  Shortly after, Fred married Eliza Tapia who was about 16 years of age on November 12, 1867. She bore him five more children before her death in 1878.

By this time, Fred’s younger brother David had opened a slaughterhouse north of Phoenix in the Arizona Territory, so Fred moved his family there. Between Fred the butcher and David the cattleman, they had the perfect vertical business model.

Fred married his fourth wife, Sotela Bracamonte, on October 29, 1879 in Phoenix.  She was about 17 years old; he was 48.  Fred and Sotela would add at least ten more children to the family.  Between Fred’s family and David’s family, they had enough children to open their own school--Balsz School—which still exists today in Phoenix.

Fred continued to work as a butcher, going into business for a short time with Frank D. Wells in Phoenix.  That partnership was dissolved in 1884, by which time Fred’s sons were in business with him. 

Sotela died February 8, 1899, in Phoenix of heart disease and was buried in the family plot in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.   Fred did not remarry this time, but he had plenty of children to care for him in his final years.  The number of children he fathered fluctuates by different accounts, but in 1906 he said he had had 19 children by his four wives.

Fred died at the home of his son Joseph on June 13, 1910.  He had suffered a bout of pneumonia the year prior and never fully recovered.  He was buried next to Sotela.

© 2020 by Patty Gault.  Last revised June 28, 2020

To obtain a copy of the sources used for this article, please contact the PCA to make a suggested donation.  azhistcemeteries.org

The Beauty and Symbolism of the Funeral Flower

Val Wilson Digital Art

In the 1800s, the language of flowers, also known as "floriography," held profound significance, and this symbolism extended to funeral flowers as well. These floral arrangements were not just displays of condolence, but rather, carefully chosen collections that expressed certain emotions, sentiments, or messages about the deceased. White lilies, known to symbolize the restored innocence of the soul of the deceased, were commonly used. Red roses signified respect, love, and courage, while pink roses indicated grace, happiness, and gentleness. Calla lilies, symbolizing beauty and marriage, were often used in the funerals of younger people, suggesting the tragic cut-off of a life in its prime.

Funeral flowers during this era were also chosen based on the relationship with the deceased. For instance, chrysanthemums were associated with death and were often used in funerals and graves in many European countries. Forget-me-nots, symbolizing true love and memories, were presented by someone who had a close, personal relationship with the deceased. In contrast, the amaranth flower, symbolizing immortality, was used to express the belief that the deceased's spirit would live on. these carefully curated funeral flower arrangements provided a unique, though silent, form of communication, conveying deep messages of loss, remembrance, and enduring connection.

check out the PCA website at azhistcemeteries.org

 

Weekly Vintage Chuckle

 

Val Wilson, Digital Art

Two weary parents once advertised:

"WANTED, AT ONCE—Two fluent and well-learned persons, male or female, to answer the questions of a little girl of three and a boy of four; each to take four hours per day and rest the parents of said children."

Toaster's Handbook
       Jokes, Stories, and Quotations  1916

Samuel Korrick (1871 - 1903) - Territorial Phoenix Businessman

Charles and Sam Korrick, about 1901

Courtesy of the Korrick family

Samuel Korrick was born in April, 1871, in Grodno, then part of tsarist Russia. After coming to the United States around 1890, he worked briefly as a dry goods clerk in New York before moving on to another store in El Paso. In 1895, Korrick was on his way to California when he stopped in Phoenix. Something about the up-and-coming city attracted him, and he decided to stay. Despite his relative youth, he was able to combine his previous experience in the dry goods business with a flair for merchandising, determination and hard work. He set up his first store in a narrow space at 218 East Washington Street. 

To make his shop sound more sophisticated, he called it the New York Store. Korrick was a savvy businessman. Newspaper advertisements for his store trumpeted quality merchandise, low prices, seasonal and annual clearance sales. The ads noted his buying trips to Eastern markets, which must have added a certain cachet for his customers. 

Korrick was more than just a successful merchant. He joined the Freemasons and the Elks, and he donated handsomely to Sisters’ Hospital, now St. Joseph’s. He was active in the local Jewish community and ran newspaper notices announcing the Jewish high holy days. Running the New York Store left Korrick little time for a private life; he never married. As the business expanded, he brought his younger brother Charles over from Russia in 1899. Charles became his understudy in running the business. 

Tragically, Korrick’s health began to decline in 1901 and he died on March 23, 1903, at the age of 32. According to Korrick’s obituary, no other man had "left such a deep impression upon the mercantile life of Phoenix." Customers and competitors alike esteemed him as an honest and upright businessman. Korrick’s funeral service was an ecumenical affair. After the reading of Jewish rites, a Methodist minister delivered a eulogy. The hearse was accompanied by a long cortege, and Korrick was interred in accordance with Masonic rites in the Masons Cemetery. 

 © Derek Horn and Debe Branning. Last revised May 21, 2023. 

check out the PCA website at azhistcemeteries.org

Immigrant Heritage Month

 

 

Bing Image

Immigrant Heritage Month, celebrated annually in June, is a time to honor the immense contributions, sacrifices, and cultural richness that immigrants bring to the United States. This observance provides an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the United States' heritage as a nation of immigrants, and the important role immigrants have played, and continue to play, in shaping the culture, economy, and social fabric of the nation. It is a time to celebrate diversity, share personal narratives of immigrant families, and understand the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all immigrants.

Throughout the month, communities and individuals across the nation participate in various activities, events, and initiatives that highlight the immigrant experience. This includes sharing and listening to compelling immigrant stories, attending cultural festivals, participating in educational seminars, or taking part in advocacy work. Immigrant Heritage Month also encourages the exploration of personal histories, providing an excellent opportunity for individuals to delve into their own backgrounds and better understand their roots. Above all, this observance fosters a greater appreciation for the vibrancy and resilience that define the immigrant communities, reminding us that every person's story adds a unique thread to the diverse and beautiful tapestry that is America.

Here on this Blog, we will be highlighting Immigrants in the PMMP that made Phoenix what it is today.  

Masons Cemetery Scavenger Hunt

 

Photo by Sterling Foster

Masons Cemetery Scavenger Hunt!  

the masons are a fraternal order that have been around for centuries.  the organization's goals focuses on philanthropic work, as well as developing good character traits.  In the 1800s, the masons purchased a section of land for burials, and is now part of our historical cemetery block.

We use the term "masons" (without the apostrophe) Cemetery as this reference is in most of the records we have of the section.

Clark Churchill was a proud Politician and buried in the Masons Section.

Here are some other individuals who are also buried there.  

The answers can be found on Find a Grave.  Our volunteers have placed all of our interred on this platform.  

Can you Figure out the clues?  Good Luck!

Find A Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records

1.  Married to the first mayor of Phoenix.

2.  School teacher, and buried in 1901.  Husband is not buried with her.

3.  Grave marker marked "Epworth League".  Fatally shot in the foot by a falling gun in 1901.  Previously had survived surgery on her skull for a brain tumor.

4.  Little boy who drowned while "bird's nesting" in 1898.  

5.  First burial in the Masonic section, and died from ingesting morphine pills.  

A.O.U.W. Cemetery Scavenger Hunt

 

Photo by Sterling Foster

The A.O.U.W. purchased land in approximately 1884 for their fraternal order, along with several other orders.  

Several members of the osborn family are buried here.

On to our scavenger hunt......

The following answers can be found on "Find a Grave". The Pioneer Cemetery Association has posted all of its interred on this platform.

1.  What does A.O.U.W stand for?

2.  Coal passer on the USS Commodore.  Died in 1894

3.  Teacher.  Square shaped marker, and died in 1899.

4.  Involved in the Pleasant Valley Wars, and buried next to his infant daughter.  Born in 1854.

5.  Married to the editor of the Arizona Republican.  Died in 1897.

K. of P. Cemetery Scavenger Hunt

    PCA Archives 

The K.of P.  created this section of the cemetery for their fraternal order in approximately 1884.  Several membeers of the Coyle family are buried here.  

The following answers can be found on "Find a Grave". The Pioneer Cemetery Association has posted all of its interred on this platform.

1.  What are the Knights of Pythias?

2.  Died in 1902.  Mother took her life, as well as his stating "she couldn't leave him".

3.  Children of the family who are noted for the mansion at Heritage Square, Phoenix.

4.  Little girl who died of a head injury in 1901 and buried in a white casket.

5.  Child of  the family who owned a packing plant, and the "wedding cake" structure near Van Buren.

Coins on a Grave

 

Picture created by Val (AI)

Have you ever been through a pioneer cemetery and seen coins on a Headstone?  What do coins have to do with a final resting place?  Unknown to some, this custom dates back to the stories in ancient Greece mythology of Charon the ferryman.  charon would bring souls across the river from the world of the living to the world of the dead. The trip would cost the family of the deceased an “obol” for passage into the afterlife.

Typically, the family placed the coin in the mouth of the deceased. Later, they were also placed over the eyes. The family buried their loved ones with this coin. Today, the coin symbolizes respect and remembrance, especially for those who have served. there is a meaning behind each type of coin:

• Penny - A penny at the gravesite means that someone visited the grave that is not related to the person but wants to pay honor to the person and their service in the military.  
• Nickel - A nickel is left by someone who trained at the same boot camp.  
• Dime - A dime means that someone served with the person at some point in the military
• Quarter - a quarter means that the person was there when the service man or woman died.  

Porter Cemetery Scavenger Hunt

 

Photo by Sterling Foster

Porter cemetery was acquired by Lulu porter, the wife of deforest porter, an Association Justice of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court and a mayor of Phoenix.  It was Quit Claimed to her by J.M. Evans in approximately 1887.  The first burial there was her father, james Cotton, in 1888, along with Deforest himself at a later time.  

Sections of porter were sold to residents for burials.  This was a common practice of many cemeteries.

To get you better acquainted with each cemetery, we will be posting some scavenger hunts.  

The answers can be found on Find a Grave.  Our volunteers have placed all of our interred on this platform.  However, we do hope you will join us in Person soon.  Good Luck!

Can you figure out who Lies in Porter Cemetery?  Post Your answers in the Reply Section.  Good Luck!

Find A Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records

1.  Lamb on the marker meaning "innocent".  Died in 1893, and was the daughter of a merchant.

2.  Phoenix grave digger.  Buried many at the PMMP.   Died in 1912.

3.  Grave marker labeled "Our Darling".  Father owned Star Bakery.  Died in 1896.

4.  From England, and born in 1858.  Found to have several stashes of rare and elegant jewelry upon death.  

5.  Grave marker adorned by a large sphere.  Died in 1897.

Francis Eugene Lake (1845 - 1890) - Civil War Veteran

Picture Created by Val (AI)

Francis "Frank" E. Lake was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1845.  Not much is known about Frank, other than his military record and history of illness. He died in June of 1890 at the county hospital after a long struggle with consumption, and was buried with military honors in Porter Cemetery.  He served in the 72nd Illinois Infantry, Company F, known as the Chicago Board of Trade Regiment, during the Civil War.  Frank Lake served from 1862 to 1865.  The infantry lost 242 men during its time in the war to disease and battle.  

It is not known if Frank was ever married or had children.  His military records state that when he was mustered in at 17, he was a farmer in St. Joseph, Michigan.  He was single, and stood 5'5" with black hair and blue eyes.  He had apparently contracted consumption during his service in the war.  It is not known when he came to Phoenix, although an 1884 voter registration log was found with his name in it.  

The sentiments of a newspaper reporter described his funeral procession as a "sad and pitiful cortege passing down Washington" in which 15 union veterans from G.A.R. followed stepping in time to the Death March.  There were no other mourners.  The reporter went on to say "No flag was half-mast, no secession in the busy rush of trade....not many seemed to know or care that one who bared his breast to the shock of war from which they today enjoy an undivided country" was being laid to rest, reflecting a sentiment that some shared that society was forgetting about those who had fallen for freedom.  

Frank died in poverty, and was buried by his Union comrades.  He is marked with a simple military marker.

   

 

Alexander Peter Petit (1819 - 1895) - Architect

rosson house, Library of Congress

Alexander Peter Petit was a well-known architect of his time in 1850s California designing theaters such as the National Theater and the New Pacific Theater.  Born in Pennsylvania around 1819 he and wife Catherine arrived in Phoenix about 1878 from California. 

Shortly after his arrival, he designed the Irvine Building on First and Washington Streets, one of the first two story brick buildings in Phoenix.  Petit and his wife moved to Tucson where he designed and built some of the commercial buildings along Congress Street, including the Henry Buehman Photography Studio and Gallery and a school near Military Plaza.  The Arizona Daily Star erected in 1883 is the only remaining evidence of Petit’s work in Tucson.

The Petits returned to Phoenix where in February 1891 Catherine died after a short illness.  She was buried in the IOOF Cemetery at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. 

Petit continued his work and his last design was the Rosson House located at 6^th Street and Monroe.  The Rosson House was completed a month before Petit died in March 1895. 

Alexander Petit’s contributions to Arizona have faded over time and one must search for his history.  The Petits’ graves were unmarked for many years in the cemetery making finding the Petits even harder to any historian.  In 2015 the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association, through our Memorial Marker Program, placed two new markers on the Petits’ graves in the I.O.O.F. 

-Donna Carr