Christmas Cheer

December 20, 1891, Arizona Republic

 

#6 - Marie Vaux Lane (1865 - 1898) - Teacher

 

PCA Archives

Marie Vaux Lane was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania around 1865 to William Vaux and Mary Henry. She was a teacher at the Doylestown Seminary where she most likely met her husband Rev. Henry Polhemus Lane, a Presbyterian minister. They married in 1888 in Doylestown and became the parents of five children. Marie was in Phoenix from San Diego when she developed “la grippe” or influenza which developed into pneumonia. She died on December 26, 1898, and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery.

 

#5 - Grant LeBarr (1864 - 1890) - Freighter

PCA Archive

Grant LeBarr was born in 1864 in California to Johnnie and Mary LeBarr. By 1879, the family was living in Phoenix. A freighter, LeBarr was shot by John Stoops on December 21, 1890, in front of Jakey’s saloon at the Peck Mine. His body was returned to Phoenix for burial next to his father in the IOOF Cemetery.

A Vintage Riddle

Picture by Val

My nose is long, my back is broad and round,

And in cold weather of great use I'm found;No load I carry, yet I puff and blow,As much as heavy loaded porters do.
What am I?(Picture Has Hint)

#4 - Ivy H. Cox (1827 - 1898) - Minister, Judge, and More!

PCA Archive

Ivy H. Cox was born January 9, 1827, in Virginia. After graduating from William and Mary College, he was ordained a minister. He then went to Texas, where he was elected the presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal circuit. He married Mary Jane Cook of Alabama. During the Civil War, Cox served as a chaplain in the 8^th Texas Infantry (Hobby’s Regiment). Around 1869 he moved to California. In 1877 he moved to Florence, Arizona, and shortly thereafter to Phoenix, where he turned to the practice of law and became a judge. His wife Mary Jane died December 29, 1886, and was buried in City/Loosley Cemetery. The last years of Judge Cox’s life were spent on the family ranch four miles north of Phoenix, where he engaged in growing fruit and keeping bees. He died December 20, 1898, and was buried in City/Loosley Cemetery next to his wife.

#3 - C.H. Clausen (1848 - 1897) - Photographer

 

PCA Archive

C. H. Clausen was born January 11, 1848. A photographer, he was working in Oakland, California, in 1889. By 1895, he had moved to Phoenix (possibly for his health) and had opened a studio at 438 E. Monroe Street. Some of his photographic portraits survive; one of Father Michael Vandermaesen is in the archives of the Roman Catholic diocese of Tucson. Clausen died December 24, 1897, and was buried in Porter Cemetery.

#2 - Ann Murray Alsap (1855 - 1902) - Socialite

 

PCA Archives

Anna Murray Alsap was born in 1855 in Texas to William Pinckney Murray and his wife Margaret White. The Murrays had nine daughters who became known as “the Murray girls”.  They all married, and several are remembered as the matriarchs of prominent Phoenix families.   In 1876, Anna became the second wife of Judge John Tabor Alsap, who was considerably older than she. During Judge Alsap’s brief tenure as the first mayor of Phoenix, she undoubtedly gave dinner parties attended by the town’s elite. The Alsaps had five children before Judge Alsap’s death in 1886. Anna died on December 20, 1902, and was buried in the Masons Cemetery.

#1 - Amos G. Randal (1825 approx. - 1897) - Mine Owner

 

Picture by Patty

Amos G. Randal was born in Cattaragues County, New York, between 1825 and 1828. He was in San Francisco when he married his second wife in 1862. Owing to his interest in mining, he even lived in South America for a time. In later years, he became an undertaker and moved to Arizona. He was overseeing the funeral of a Confederate veteran in City/Loosley Cemetery on December 1, 1897, when he unexpectedly collapsed and died. Randal was buried in Porter Cemetery.

Lives of Phoenix Past - 12 Graves

Picture by Val

The days leading up to the holidays are a cherished time of tradition and remembrance. As the calendar inches closer to that special time of year, families and communities come together to honor the customs that have been passed down through generations. Whether it's decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments that hold sentimental value, lighting the Hanukkah menorah with the same candles used for years, or preparing traditional dishes that have graced holiday tables for as long as anyone can remember, these rituals serve as a powerful reminder of our shared history and the significance of the holidays. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, bringing to mind fond memories of loved ones who may no longer be with us but whose spirit lives on in the traditions we continue to uphold.

In these moments of reflection and celebration, we find comfort and joy in the enduring ties that connect us to our past and shape our future. In remembrance we will be highlighting 12 graves that are at the PMMP to honor 12 lives of Phoenix past.

New Year's a Comin'- Old Can Become New

 

Cassie Smith - First Buriel at PMMP

When the decision was made in 1884 to move the old Phoenix cemetery to its present location, it was based on the fact that the original cemetery was “unprotected, barren and desolate” according to the Arizona Gazette.  Phoenix was growing, and to have an unkempt cemetery, viewed by newcomers arriving by train, was not a good recommendation for the city.

The cemetery was moved after much effort to 13^th Avenue and Madison Street.  What is now known as City/Loosley, Masons, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellow, and Ancient Order of United Workmen came into being.

The article in the Arizona Gazette (July 21, 1884) described the cemetery ground as “easily irrigated and shade trees and shrubbery cultivated.”  Fencing was established around the perimeter.  Early photos of the cemetery show that the cemetery, even though in a desert, did contain numerous trees and plants.  Canals ran near the cemetery and water was more accessible.  The cemetery expanded up to Jefferson Street, adding Rosedale and Porter.

Time passed and neglect once again set in.  The cemeteries at 13^th Avenue and Jefferson closed in 1914.  What was once new, was now old and forgotten.  Interest in the cemetery faded.  Trees, shrubbery and water dried up.  The fencing slowly disappeared, along with many gravestones.  It became that unprotected and barren cemetery again.  The City even thought to move it in 1935, but found the expense was too great.

A group of citizens wanting to preserve the history of the cemetery started the original Pioneers’ Cemetery Association in 1938.  Without their early efforts to protect what remained of the cemetery and locate records, there would still be a forgotten cemetery.

Progress can be slow when you don’t have an unlimited budget and manpower.  Since 1938, we have slowly seen the cemeteries come to life again.  We are again seeing trees, fencing, and shrubbery added or replaced, along with gravestones being up-righted, repaired or replaced.  Interest in the cemetery has been a hard fought battle to maintain.

Cemeteries are a history of the place and its people, and the accomplishments and struggles that were overcome.  The struggle will always be to keep what is now new and fresh from becoming old and faded once again. -Patty G.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Behind the Epitaph

Holiday Party at the Smurthwaite House!

Pictures by Patty

Even with rain threatening, our Holiday Party Saturday was a great success. Thank all of you for coming. Also thanks goes to the young men of Masons DeMolay for helping with setup. Thank you to the culinary program at Metro Tech High School for the sheet cake celebrating PCA's 40th Anniversary! It was white with Bavarian cream filling! Oh YEAH! Finally thank you to the students of the floral program at Metro Tech for the centerpieces. So pretty and festive.

Thank You Veterans!

Picture by Patty

Thank you all who have served and are serving. We have some very special volunteers who we think about and honor today.