Jacob Waltz Gravesite Dedication! - January 11, 2025

 

Save the Date! You are invited to the dedication ceremony for the Jacob Waltz Gravesite! Lots of time and talents were put into its beautification for all generations to enjoy. Please RSVP to our email: pioneercem@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there!

Vendors Donate to PCA!

If you are buying gift cards this holiday season, or shopping at Fry's for your delicious meals, please consider us when making out your shopping lists.  These vendors will donate proceeds to our organization when purchases are made through them.  Thank you!

 

#10 Tallman Jacob "T.J" Trask (1852-1894) - Pioneer Grocer

 

PCA Archives

Tallman Jacob Trask was born 1852 in Vassalboro, Maine, one of eleven children born to William Chase Trask and his second wife, Sophia Winslow.  By 1860, the Trask family had moved to Concord, Illinois.

When he was 17, Tallman, or T. J. as he was known, went to work for Abel Gum as a clerk in Gum’s dry goods store.  T.J. roomed with the Gum family while he learned the ins-and-outs of the mercantile trade. 

Around 1876, young Trask traveled west to Pueblo, Colorado, where he became the head clerk in the grocery store of John D. Miller..  It was there that he met Laura E. Cooper, whom he married in July of 1877.   The couple had two children born between 1878 and 1879, but both died in infancy and were buried in the Odd Fellows section of the Pueblo Pioneer Cemetery.

In 1879, T. J and Laura moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to start a new store with Lyman Putney, a business man from Lawrence, Kansas.  The store, which specialized in wholesale groceries and exotic fruits from California, was located in downtown Albuquerque on Railroad Avenue, opposite the train depot. 

T.J. and Laura had a tumultuous relationship, with Laura spending much of her time with her family in Pueblo and Kansas.  In the spring of 1884, T. J. filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion.  It was granted in October of 1884.  In December of 1884, he married Lizzie Strother of Ohio, thought by some to have been “an adventuress”.  T. J. dissolved his business interests with his partner Lyman Putney and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he opened a store with his new brother-in-law, Emory Kays. 

Still later, in 1892, T.J. opened another store with Charles Kessler and T.J’s brother Alonzo. Located on Washington between modern-day Central Ave and 1st Avenue in Phoenix, the Trask-Kessler wholesale grocery soon became one of the largest grocery stores in town.

As he prospered, T.J. took on many civic duties, becoming president of the Arizona Industrial Exposition Association and territorial fair.  His most notable exhibits were a pagoda made from grains grown on his farm, and a display of hanging tea cups and saucers from his wholesale grocery store that spelled “Trask-Kessler”.  He also served as president of the Immigration Union, vice president of the Business Chamber of Commerce in Phoenix, and was on the board of the Phoenix and Prescott Toll Road Company. 

T. J. died on December 8, 1894, from an intestinal ailment which he had fought for eight months. He was laid to rest in Porter cemetery. His headstone is of an unusual Moorish design and describes him as an “upright businessman”.

-by Val Wilson

 

#11 Reuben A. Hill (1839-1905) - Skilled Soldier, But Odd With Money

PCA Archives

Reuben A. Hill was born November 5, 1839, in  Naples, Cumberland County, Maine.  He was the son of John Hill and Rebecca Garland, farmers in the area.  Farming did not seem to be in Reuben’s future, however.  By 1860, he was already in San Francisco, California, working as a common laborer.

That changed with the outbreak of the Civil War, when Reuben Hill enlisted in the Union Army for a term of three years.  On September 29, 1861, he mustered in at Camp Downey, near Oakland, California, as a third corporal in Co. I, 1st California Infantry. 

As part of the California Column commanded by Colonel James H. Carleton, Hill’s unit was posted to the New Mexico Territory, where it saw action against the Confederates at Picacho Peak, Arizona.  Hill seems to have been an effective soldier.  He was promoted to sergeant and then commissioned a captain in Co. K, 1st New Mexico Volunteers (New), at Fort Sumner, New Mexico Territory, Feb. 29, 1864.  Captain Hill resigned at Fort Union, New Mexico Territory, on February 6, 1866. 

After the war, Hill returned to Maine where he married Vesta Marhon Whittier on January 19, 1865, presumably while on leave from his military duties.  They remained married until January 1880, when Reuben divorced Vesta so that he could marry a widow, Jane Tyler Burrell Wilson.

Jane later alleged that Hill drank excessively and was abusive.  By the time he moved out in 1894, he had spent all of Jane’s money.  Destitute, Jane was forced to move in with her married daughter.  Although Hill suggested that Jane divorce him, she did not do so—possibly because of the social stigma of being a divorced woman.

Reuben Hill then secured a loan from another widow, Olivia S. W. Payne, with which he purchased a hotel in Strafford, New Hampshire.  He remained in New Hampshire until about 1902, when he sold the hotel and moved to Arizona to speculate in mines.  Once in Phoenix, Hill was cagey about his past and intimated that he had traveled in Europe on a mission for the U. S. government’s secret service. 

On December 7, 1905, Reuben Hill died of a broken neck when thrown from his wagon near his mining property at Cave Creek, Arizona Territory.  He was buried in Rosedale Cemetery, North section,  Block 168, Grave 7.

Hill’s widow Jane did not learn of his death until her son-in-law saw a notice published in a Boston newspaper.  Since she was still legally married to Hill at the time of his death, she applied for and received a widow’s pension based on his Civil War service.

 -by the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association, Inc.

 

#12 Perlina Swetnam Osborn (1821-1912) - Arizona Pioneer

PCA Archives

Perlina Elizabeth Swetnam was born on January 21, 1821, in Lawrence County, Kentucky.  The daughter of Neri Swetnam and Mildred Cross, she was the youngest of their nine children.  As Perlina is an unusual name, she sometimes appears on the census as ‘Paulina’.

In March 25, 1841, she married John Preston Osborn, a native of Claiborne County, Tennessee.  By 1850, they were farming in Morgan County, Kentucky., and already had four children.

Around 1853, the Osborns relocated to Adams County, Iowa.  The Civil War was in full swing by 1863, when they moved to Colorado, but they had their sights set on the newly created territory of Arizona.  Early in 1864, the Osborns joined a party of emigrants traveling via Santa Fe to northern Arizona.  They arrived in Prescott on July 6, 1864, with three or four ox teams and wagons loaded with flour, ham and bacon which they sold to Prescott’s hungry miners.  With flour selling at $1 a pound and bacon at $.75 a pound, they soon had enough capital to begin their family’s new life in Arizona.

The Osborns built Osborn House, one of Prescott’s first hotels, which provided modest accommodations with a menu of pork and beans, bread and coffee.  Perlina, by now expecting her tenth child, remained in Prescott to run it while John Preston explored Del Rio and the Verde Valley and tried his hand at farming and ranching.  Unfortunately, his attempts came to naught as the local Yavapai tribesmen repeatedly raided his livestock and crops.

The Osborns’ oldest children having reached marrying age, daughter Jenettie wed Joseph Thomas Barnum in 1865, and Louisa married an up-and-coming lawyer named John Alsap on June 6, 1866. However, the alliance was short-lived as she died barely a year later.

The Osborn's son, John Jr., along with his erstwhile brother-in-law, John Alsap, moved south to the Salt River Valley in 1869, and John Sr. and Perlina joined them in January 1870, establishing a homestead at what would become McDowell and Seventh Street.

Once again, the Osborns were among the first white families to settle in a pioneer town.  John Preston, now in his sixties, became an influential citizen of the new town.  Perlina was known for her nursing skills, and the Osborns hosted many a traveling minister during Phoenix’s early years.

When John Preston Osborn died on January 19, 1900, he was buried in the A.O.U.W. Cemetery.  Around the time of Osborn's death, the street that ran along the south side of the Osborns' farm became known as Osborn Road, a tribute to this pioneer family.

Perlina passed away on December 3, 1912, at the age of 91. 

-by Donna Carr

12 Graves of Christmas: Honoring Our December Pioneers

PCA Archive

This December, we will commemorate 12 pioneers from our historic cemetery who passed away during this month. Through this countdown, we honor their contributions to our community, reflect on the challenges they faced, and remember the impact they had during their time.

While some of their stories are somber, they are an important part of our history, reminding us of the resilience and humanity of those who came before us. Join us in this journey of reflection and remembrance as we count down the 12 days, preserving their memory during this season of reflection and giving.

Sarah Maddox (1890-1911) - Lovelorn Schoolgirl

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In 1911, Sarah Maddox was a student at the Phoenix Indian School.  She was probably a member of the Hoopa tribe of northern California.   According to her newspaper obituary, she was one of the school’s brightest students and had an interest in the dramatic arts.  Although the sentimental newspaper article portrays her as being sixteen, other sources suggest that she was in fact about 21.

She may have been the daughter of John Wesley Maddux, a white man who owned a saloon in Happy Camp, California, and his first wife, a local Native American woman.  John Wesley Maddux did have a daughter named Sarah, but little else is known about her.

While at school, Sarah apparently fell in love with a young man who was a member of the school’s baseball team.  Being shy, she hoped to attract his attention by appearing on stage in the school’s dramatic productions.  One such performance took place late in February, 1911, and all confirmed that she did an outstanding job.  However, Sarah was bereft to learn that the object of her affections had not even been present to witness her triumph.

Feeling rejected, Sarah swallowed a caustic compound—possibly lye or mercury—and died about two weeks later from the painful effects.  She was buried in Rosedale Cemetery.

It is not known whether the young baseball player ever knew of her interest in him.

- by Donna Carr

 

 

 

Vintage Thanksgiving Customs to Revive This Holiday Season

 

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Thanksgiving has always been a time for gathering, gratitude, and giving, but what happened after the feast in years gone by? In an era before smartphones and streaming, families and communities celebrated the post-Thanksgiving hours with traditions that brought them closer together. Reviving these charming customs can add a vintage twist to your modern Thanksgiving and keep the holiday spirit alive long after the dishes are done.

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Pie Socials with Neighbors

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, post-Thanksgiving evenings were often spent visiting neighbors for "pie socials." Families would bring their leftover desserts to share while catching up with friends. It was a relaxed and delicious way to wind down the holiday.

How could you revive it?  Host a mini pie party with leftover slices, or turn it into a potluck dessert swap. Light some candles, play vintage music, and enjoy the cozy vibes.

Storytelling by the Fire

Before television, families gathered by the fireplace to share stories. Elders would recount tales from their youth, and children would chime in with their own whimsical creations. These sessions were rich with laughter, learning, and love.

How could you revive it?  Set up a storytelling circle with family or friends. Ask older family members to share their Thanksgiving memories, or take turns creating a collaborative story.

Leftover Feasts

Late-night snacks were a beloved tradition. Families would gather for a second, smaller meal of turkey sandwiches, pickles, and pies. These impromptu feasts were about savoring the holiday flavors one last time.

How could you revive it?  Take leftovers to work or school, or even better, take a picnic lunch with friends and family to the cemetery.  You can visit and celebrate with your loved ones there too, both past and present. 

Thanksgiving Scrapbooking

Victorian families loved creating keepsakes of their holidays. They often documented Thanksgiving by pressing autumn leaves, writing reflections, or sketching scenes from the day.

How could you revive it?  Start a Thanksgiving scrapbook. Collect mementos like photos, pressed leaves, or handwritten notes of gratitude from family members. Add to it each year for a cherished family heirloom.

The days after Thanksgiving can be used by embracing vintage customs that make the holiday even more meaningful. By revisiting these nostalgic traditions, you can create a warm, connected, and memorable experience for everyone around you

What are your favorite post-Thanksgiving traditions? Share in the comments, and don’t forget to pin this post for inspiration next year!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Alfred Scott (1881-1906) - Phoenix Indian School Student

 

PCA Archives

Alfred Scott was born about 1881 in California.  His records at Phoenix Indian School list him as a ‘Mission’ Indian, probably Luiseño.

Opened in 1890, the Phoenix Indian School was intended to function as a residential industrial school and to teach Native American teens and young adults useful occupations such as carpentry, animal husbandry and the domestic arts--sewing, cooking, nursing.  In time, its dormitories housed a total of about 700 pupils from 35 different tribes, including some advanced students from other Western states.

The school was designed to be a self-sufficient as possible.  Vegetables were raised in the gardens.  Male students tended the cows in the dairy and made the furniture used in the classrooms and dormitories.  Female students sewed school uniforms and practiced some native crafts such as basket-weaving.

In addition to classes in occupational skills, the school had an academic curriculum similar to that taught in the average high school of the time.  Many of the teachers were themselves Native Americans from tribes elsewhere in the United States, on the theory that they would serve as relatable role models. The school newspaper was produced in the campus print shop, and the school’s military drill team, marching band and football and baseball teams were highly regarded.  Each fall, students participated in the annual territorial fair, exhibiting handicrafts and taking part in horse races and foot races.

Alfred Scott played left outfield on the school’s baseball team in 1901.  In 1904, he gave a declamation entitled “The Road to Placerville”, from Mark Twain’s book Roughing it, at a literary night performance.

On 1905, Alfred married an Anglo schoolteacher, Mae Glase, in Los Angeles, California.  They had met while Miss Glase was teaching at the Phoenix Indian School.  After the wedding, the young couple moved to Fort McDowell, where Mae taught elementary school.

Tragically, Alfred was already suffering from tuberculosis and died less than a year later on 10 April 1906.  He was buried in Rosedale Cemetery, and his widow had a red sandstone monument placed on his grave.

Mae Glase Scott eventually moved to Murray, Utah, where she was employed for 33 years as a schoolteacher and principal.  She died in Seattle in 1951.

-by Donna Carr

Giving Tuesday - December 3, 2024

Mark the date - December 3! Giving Tuesday is approaching! Please consider us when donating to your favorite charities. We are an all-volunteer organization and 100% of your donations go to preserving these historic cemeteries and their history. Thank you for being our valued members and friends!

USDA Military Veteran Gravesite Cleanup Project - Recognizing Our Beloved Military Pioneers

Last Saturday, the USDA Military Veteran Gravesite Cleanup Project volunteered their time to clean military markers.  This is a national volunteer effort by the USDA and their employees to show support of veterans.  The group cleaned various areas in Porter Cemetery.  It looks amazing!  Thank you, USDA, for coming by!

 

Edna Hillman (1891-1912) - Maidu Schoolgirl

 

Photo of a Maidu family, 1906 (William Thunen, photographer)

LCCN 2020635536

Edna Hillman was born around 1891 in Greenville, California, to George and Maggie Hillman.  She is known to have had two brothers. 

Government and school records describe Edna as a full-blood Digger Indian.  That was a somewhat pejorative term applied to many tribes that lived in the Great Basin regions of Utah, Nevada and northern California. The area around Greenville was home to the Maidu tribe, so it is likely that she was Maidu. 

The Maidu were hunter-gatherers who typically lived in dugouts and subsisted on acorns, game, seeds and edible roots, hence the name.  During the Gold Rush years, the Maidu were dispossessed of their lands and decimated by diseases to which they had no immunity.

Her parents having died, Edna was enrolled in a boarding school in California in 1897.  She was a Methodist; it is not known whether that was by choice or because the school that took her in happened to be Methodist.

By all accounts, Edna was a good student.  Since she was 19 and an orphan, she herself signed the permissions to attend Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania for five years.  A Carlisle trade school education was the best available to Native Americans of the turn of the century.  Edna’s classes would probably have focused on practical skills such as cooking, sewing and nursing. 

When Edna arrived at Carlisle on October 9, 1910, she was 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 133 pounds. However, she entered the school’s hospital in August 1911, where she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. 

Her medical records show what she was fed.  She was sometimes nauseous and often refused the milk and eggnog that was pressed upon her (many Native Americans are lactose-intolerant).

By November 1911, Edna was failing rapidly.  Having no family left in California to care for her, she asked to be sent to a government sanitarium in Phoenix.  She left the school on December 11 but, by the time she reached Phoenix, it was clear that she was too far gone to recover.  She died on January 22, 1912, and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery.

-by Donna Carr