USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > A guide of hand-book for Mount Hope cemetery, with photo-engravings and diagram > Part 3
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of John C. Smith. Resting here is the late George B. Oberst, suddenly cut off in his youth.
Conspicuous here is the elegant monument of Morris S. Jackson, erected to the memory of William F. Rice and S. Coraline Jackson, who were killed in a railroad accident while on their wedding tour. Here are the lots of Joseph Beir, Frederick Wurtz, Thomas Kirley; and to the right is a cluster of nice monuments on the grounds of C. A. Kellogg, F. E. Day, J. O. Howard, Wm. R. Booth and Franklin Hinchey, Dr. L. R. Herrick, the renowned patent medicine man, D. A. Woodbury, N. Hayward, A: Rohr, Richard Dransfield, George W. and Charles T. Crouch, L. A. Pratt, Thos. Peart, P. M. Bromley, Capt. Dan. Brom- ley, Wm. Corning, Wm. Diehl. Wm. O'Neil, John Hulett, H. B. McGonegal, I. Tower, C. Widman, C. C. Starkweather, and S. G. Bush. These last are on Range 4. The Crouch monument is of Richmond granite, cottage style, with an urn. The McGonegal monument is 26 feet high, of Richmond granite, and both came from the works of H. S. Hebard.
We started on the new grounds, at the north- west corner of Range 3. We note the lots on this Range, in addition to those especially mentioned above, of A. W. Mudge, John Ferner, John A. Davis, John B. Simmerlink, Philip
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Stape, Joseph Katz, E. Higgins, Wm. R. Mason, E. Morse, A. J. Reibling, John Mogridge, S. Lemon, Geo. R. Ryan, S. C. Van Hooser, J. E. Line, M. Hotchkiss, Geo. W. Crouch, Jr., Rochester Continental Lodge, E. Swanton, Jacob De Vos, M. Smeed, H. Lauterbach, J. B. Keeler, Ira M. Ludington, Hondorf, Aman, Horschler, Barnes, Tallinger and Ehwald, Shannon, Kneale, James Ratcliffe, Sellinger.
On Range 2, we find the lots of H. H. Edger- ton, L. A. Pratt, J. Shatz, E. Ocumpaugh, Dr. Tegg, L. Lowenthal, D. D. Campbell, Sabey, Salter, John Baird, E. B. Beck, Stilwell,, Henry Wray, Wm. H. Armitage, James Mathews, David McKay, F. C. Skillman, J. H. Pool, S. Y Alling, Dr. W. M. Fleming, Joseph Everest, C. V. Jeffreys, W. H. Stearns, Leonard Ham, Jacob Schlyer, Thomas Dransfield, Rev. A. G. Hall, Edward Harris, N. S. Phelps, Geo. Bently, Wm. Oliver, F. Heilbronn, S. C. Donnelly, Wm. Zorn, Wm. H. Jones, H. C. Boughton, F. S. Stebbins.
On Range One, we also find the lots of Wm. Corning, Isaac De Mallie, John Dent, A. Sorn- berger, P. Neerner, Thos. Knowles, W. H. Yer- kes, C. Gucker, G. Pauckner, Corbin, Kirby, Forcheler, Hooper, Schoenfield, U. Steinheiser.
On Range 4, in addition to the lots noticed above are those of S. G. Curtice, (granite cop-
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ing around the grave), S. G. Wetmore, Rich, Kallusch, Shoecraft, G. Lauterbach, Diehl, Wm. Hamilton, (from whom the ground was purchased), Kipphut, W. J. McKelvey.
As we have gone over only one half of the territory to be visited, we must not tarry longer.
It is proposed to erect a Crematory on the river side, west of the Firemen's Monument.
We have returned to Grove Avenue and crossed through Sec. O. to Indian Trail Avenue, a little east of where we left it. In Sec. O. near the Scotch lot is the burial lot of Frederick Lauer; also the old lots of the Jewish congrega- tions. One of them is now occasionally used for burials. An elevated lot on Sec. K. over- looking the tunnel before mentioned, the image of a deer being conspicuous, is that of Ezra . Taylor. Indian Trail Avenue has its easterly terminus at East Avenue, which runs north and south, and is the eastern boundary avenue of the old grounds. Mt. Hope avenue is the public highway.
In Sec. S. at the junction of Indian Trail, Ravine and Fifth Avenues, is the handsome, circular and elevated lot of Hon. Freeman Clarke. A stone and iron railing encloses, and a fine and tall granite monument graces it. On the apex of the shaft is a finely cut cross, which is mirrored in Sylvan Waters.
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SYLVAN WATERS,
The only thing of the kind in Mount Hope is very pretty. [See engraving]. Thousands of beautiful gold fish live in its waters, and the terraced banks invite the tired tourists to rest awhile, and while resting we can repeat the words :
" O World ! so few the years we live,
Would that the life which thou dost give Were life indeed !
Alas ! thy sorrows fall so fast,
Our happiest hour is when at last The soul is freed."
If we take Fifth Avenue, the most direct route, on our way back to the entrance, we shall miss many fine sights on Ravine, Highland, Hillside and Prospect Avenues and Observatory Hill, the southern slope of which is directly before us. We will therefore take a ramble through Ravine, Hillside and Highland Ave- nues, in good time retracing our steps to take a final and fresh start. In the short jaunt spoken of, we take in portions of Sections L. K. and I. the southern parts of them. We note the lot of Rev. Charles E. Furman, a neat tomb stone marking where rests the beloved preacher. On the east side of Hillside Ave. is the grave of Edwin Scrantom (Old Citizen). The late Judge Geo. W. Rawson and Wm. S. Bishop, rest not
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far away. The family burying ground of the late W. Jerome Rogers is here, and to the right, up the slope, on Sec. L. a neat marble monu- ment tells where reposes the wife of George Darling. On Sec. I. is the lot of Rev. James B. Shaw, and his precious dead there await the coming of the Lord. Eastward is the lot of Henry L. Fish. A granite pedestal supports two carved marble figures of a little child and a dog. Ex-Mayor John C. Nash is buried in a lot on Sec. F. while the lot of N. Osburn, which has a fine monument, is on Sec. L. A handsome lot made by filling up the ravine on Sec. K. on the left, is that of I. H. Dewey. It bears a fine Richmond granite monument, obelisk style, with a die and three bases. The shaft weighs about eleven tons. It is of a lightish gray color and came from the works of H. S. Hebard. S. W. D. Moore is buried near here. A neat marble monument marks the spot.
Further north and on Ravine Ave. are the lots of C. B. Woodworth, Edward Brewster and the late Lyman Churchill, Francis Gorton, Martin Breck, F. De Lano, Dr. H. W. Dean. The monuments are all fine ones. But we must return to Sylvan Waters. There is enough more in the localities we have just visited to occupy the attention of the tourist for several hours. East of Sylvan Waters and close by is the ele-
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gant granite monument of Seth Green. The shaft supports a finely carved figure of " Hope," leaning on an anchor and with uplifted hand. Here the revered father and mother of Seth and Monroe A. Green sleep. Near it is the granite monument of H. D. Colvin, and a little further north rests George W. Parsons, with a headstone erected by the Sunday school scholars of the Central Church. Between Fifth and East Ave- nues is the fine granite obelisk of the late James E. Hayden. The marble monument on the lot of Charles J. Hayden is attractive. A granite slab in a horizontal position covers the tomb of the late Ezra M. Parsons. These are in Sec. S. as are also the lots of Henry S. Hebard, A. Vickery, Geo. P. Draper, David Hoyt and the late Rev. John Mandeville. We must tarry here a minute or two to notice the lot of John Quin, who spares no labor in its care. It is enclosed with an iron railing set in granite posts. The shaft of the monument was once one of the fluted limestone columns in the Main street porch of the old Eagle hotel building, the present site of Powers's building. It has a square cut stone cap and on that a stone cross. Several members of the family of Mr. Quin are buried here. Near here are the lots of Phillip J. Meyer and Jacob Schwendler, the latter having a sandstone monu- ment.
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Going back to Fifth Avenue, the ground on our left is on the eastern slope of Observatory Hill. On either side of the Avenue we notice the lots and monuments of Hiram Davis, J. Hubbell, L. Bauer, Rufus W. Main, Thos. S. Gifford, Wm. Y. Baker, Robert Turner, Timothy Wallace, Ex-Mayor Joseph Field, Ex-Judge Theron R. Strong and D. W. Fish.
Before going upon the summit of Observ- atory Hill, Sec. I. we will step a little to our right to see where lies Charles Backus, the once famous humorist and minstrel. Many a one to whose amusement and delight he catered in his and their lifetime, sleep near him. A fine granite monument has been erected to his mem- ory by his wife.
The summit of Observatory Hill where we now stand was for years disgraced by a dilapidated wooden tower. It has been demolished, and it is hoped, ere many years have passed, will be replaced with a fine stone observ- atory. The elevation is the most sightly in all Mount Hope. From it a birds-eye view of the surrounding country can be obtained. Broad fields, the vast nurseries, the pride of Roches- ter and the wonder of the world, farms yellow with golden grain, hills and valleys dotted with thriving villages, Lake Ontario, Irondequoit. Bay, the Flower City, with its massive and costly
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ROCHESTER
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buildings, broad tree-lined avenues, the exten- sive public buildings of the County ; the glitter- ing lines of steel with trains of cars speeding over them, form an enchanting picture. Weare nearly two hundred feet above the level of the Erie canal aqueduct in the city. Below us and on our right is the distributing water works reservoir of the city. [See engraving]. From a magnificent fountain in the center of the reser- voir, spring high into the air twenty-one jets of sparkling water. The central jet throws a column of water six inches in diameter. On the summit of the hill the lots of Wm. T. Simpson, Ebenezer Bowen, Gideon Cobb and Hiram Red- field are noticed. The neat lot of James H. Kelly is part way down the western slope, near High- land Avenue. It is hoped that the level hill top will not be further encroached upon with graves.
Again on Fifth and East Avenues, we visit the lots of Wm. Eastwood, Wm. Churchill, Asa Sprague, Joseph Hall, Charles and Homer Rob- inson, G. W. Leavenworth, Joseph Sibley, E. R. Hallowell, E. P. Willis, Isaac Rulifson and A. Babcock. These are on Sec's. T. and V. All of these lots have fine monuments. A little further north is the monument of the late H. S. Potter. It is a neat work. Two marble figures are on the pedestal, one in a standing position placing a crown on the head of the one kneeling. The
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monument of Col. James Brackett and the late A. J. Brackett is very pretty. It has a gothic roof supported by polished Scotch granite pil- lars. In the alcove thus formed is a carved marble figure clasping a cross. We pass the lots and admire the monuments of Mrs. E. F. C. Emerson, Frederick Goodrich, Joseph C. Stone, G. W. Burbank (a rustic marble cross) and C. A. Jones. Near by was lately laid to rest Joseph Stone, father of Newell A. Stone. He had lived a decade beyond four score years, and had seen Rochester grow from the wilderness to a beautiful city.
Two large plats of ground in Sec. V. between Fifth and East Avenues are enclosed by high evergreen hedges, which prevent the beautiful lots and works of art from being seen from the outside.
Here are the family burying grounds of D. W. Powers, Oscar Craig, Judge George F. Dan- forth, Seth H. Terry, Lewis Selye, Dr. W. W. Ely, Dr. Edward T. Ely, Elizabeth G. Elwood, Wm. L. Halsey, George H. Mumford, Patrick Barry, Ira Dunlap. The monuments here are fine and much admired after access to the ground is gained. The fine and costly monument of George Ellwanger bears the carved marble figure of St. John the Divine, the work of Papotti of Rome, in a listening attitude and recording
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the revelation from Heaven. "And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them." . Here rests Henry Brooks Ellwanger, the author of many instructive works on roses. His life was spent among the roses which he passionate- ly loved. Surely his works do follow him and his name will be honored wherever roses bloom.
We will here leave Sec. V. by descending a flight of stone steps to Prospect Avenue, and . proceed to the foot of the hill lying between Observatory Hill and the entrance, known as Sec. H. Here is the tomb of Vincent Mathews. L. L. D. An inscription on the monument states that he was the father of the Bar of Western New York. Higher up the slope are the fine granite monuments of ex-Mayor Elijah F. Smith, Myron Strong, A. M. Schemerhorn, Samuel Miller and Martin Galusha. But we must not tarry but return to East Avenue, and while walking to- ward the entrance notice the lois and monu- ments of D. R. Barton, A. F. and G. P. Wolcott, P. B. Viele, John and Joseph Cowles, Mary L. Cleminson, S. M. Spencer, George G. Cooper, and J. Margrander. On Sec. L. on a lot en- closed by a hedge, Lieut. Geo. B. Force, 108th Regt., killed at Antietam is buried.
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Our tour is almost ended. A few minutes wil suffice to pass over the lawns in front of the Chapel and back of the entrance building. The family vault of Peter Pitkin is on the right and that of Dr. A. Pratt, nearly opposite on the left. A tombstone notes the grave of the late John Morton. The monuments on the lots of J. E. Morey, Col John G. Klinck, G. W. Allen, F. Nusslin, T. A. Newton, L. D. Patterson, D. A. Woodbury, S. Sloan, and Dr. John B. Elwood, are nice ones, the latter one of the finest in the Cemetery. This lot is on the northern border of Sec. L. Right here is the opportunity for a person to make. the choice between granite and marble for a monument. On this plat is the lot of the late Thomas Parsons, father of Mayor C. R. Parsons. Noticeable here also are the lots with pretty tombstones of B. Frank Enos, Col. F. A. Schoeffel and the late Beverley W. Jones. These places are on either side of Elwood Avenue.
Just south of the Morey monument was recently laid to rest, Dr. A. M. Bennett, who was a highly respected physician of Rochester and prominent in social circles, and near it is the lot of A. Mosely. Two statuary marble headstones, with sheafs of wheat finely engraved upon the panels draws forth admiration. They are the work of Trott & Weigand, monument makers,
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Mount Hope Avenue. The late wife of John C. McQuatters sleeps in a fine lot on this plat, south side of Elwood Avenue.
RETROSPECTIVE.
The following places were not noted in the ramble : On the south-west part of Sec. Y. are the lots of the Episcopal Churches, Truant House, House of Refuge, Home of the Friendless, and Industrial School. The Odd Fellows' lot is on the north side of Sec. O. and the University lot is on the north-east corner of the same section. The Scotch Society lot is near the Odd Fellows' grounds.
In Sec. M. is the Masonic burial lot, old one, and the graves there indicate the faithfulness with which the principles of the Order in succoring the sick and caring for the dead are observed. At the time of the Chicago fire the society in Rochester had forwarded $1,500 to the sufferers when word was received that further aid wås not needed. The balance of the money, $400 was voted to the purchase of a new lot in Range 2, on the new grounds.
The following were not noticed in the regu- lar tour. - Sec. A. W. B. Morse. Sec. M. Grove S. Gilbert (Rochester's lamented artist),
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C. Hanford, H. S. Fairchild, Harriet Lockhart, Sec. R. Dr. M. M. Mathews. Sec. W. D. M.
Anthony. Sec. G. Gen. I. F. Quinby, E. H. Hollister, H. W. Strong. Sec. K. S. G. Steele, John Steele. Sec. L. F. Zimmer. Sec. H. A. McWhorter, Chas. H. Yost. Sec. I. David
Dickey. Sec. V. C. T. Amsden, A. M. Has-
tings, S. D. Walbridge. Sec. O. Dr. M. Ley-
den, F. Tully. On the lot of the late Alvah Strong, is buried the child of Dr. H. S. Miller.
· We have gone over an immense amount of ground, and have been economical of time and exertion. Without the Guide it would have been impossible to have accomplished and seen so much. A person wishing to visit any par- ticular locality and that alone will find the shortest and easiest route in the Guide. The sections are, geographically, puzzlingly lettered, requiring specific directions to find their loca- tion. This difficulty is not encountered in the numbering of the ranges on the new grounds.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
Previous to 1850 interments in Mount Hope and, in fact, in all the cemeteries were under the direction of a City Sexton, elected by the people. Wm. G. Russell, David W. Allen and John H.
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Thompson served in that capacity for many years. In 1850 James Hair was appointed Sup- erintendent of Mount Hope, under the control of the Commissioners. He served until his death, 1864, with the exception of a few months, when his place was supplied by James G. Benton. Chauncey Parsons was his suc- cessor and acted as such for a year and a half, when George D. Stillson was appointed. He served from 1865 to 1881, when he was laid to rest. His son, George T. Stillson, the present Superintendent, succeeded him. It may be ap- propriately mentioned here that almost simul- taneously with the advent of superintendents of the Cemetery, the Jeffreys undertaking establish- ment now located at 155 State street, Rochester, was inaugurated. Its first interment was in 1854, and since then it has officiated at the last rites of sepulcher for over ten thousand of our beloved dead, giving the utmost satisfaction. It has kept more than even progress with the vast and pleasing improvements that have been made in the conduct of funerals, the cerements of the dead and burial ceremonies. In fact it has initiated most of the new modes. Its name is familiar in nearly every household in Rochester and vicinity. It enjoys almost unlimited knowl- edge of the cemeteries of Rochester, and can give information concerning them hardly ob-
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tainable elsewhere. The improved, scientific method of embalming, first introduced here and pursued by this house, is far superior to the ancient custom of enwrapping the body in cloth saturated with preservatives and has done away with the unsightly ice box, while preserving the remains in perfect naturalness and life like appearance for an indefinite length of time. The growing custom of having private burials necessitates more than ever the services of such an experienced undertaking house.
At his appointment as Superintendent of Mount Hope Cemetery, Mr. George D. Stillson prevailed upon his life-long friend, Mr. Daniel E. Harris, to accept the position of Assistant Superintendent, which position the latter con- tinued to occupy until his death, which occurred at Mount Hope January 14, 1875.
From the date of his first residence in Roch- ester, in 1814, Mr. Harris' family history was closely identified with that of Mount Hope. From infancy to manhood, and the closing years of his life, were spent upon, or in the near vicinity of the Cemetery grounds. He witnessed the many changes occurring in the gradual development of this wildest of Nature's retreats to its present perfect state of rural beauty ; and it was especially fitting that his earthly work should cease there, and his remains repose in the
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ground which has received so much care at his hands. In the exercise of his duties at Mount Hope Mr. Harris was brought into close rela- tions with thousands of our citizens at times when their hearts were crushed with grief, and his gentle manner and ever tender sympathy won their respect, and bound them to him in a friend- ship that is still strong and bright. His grave is a short distance south of the entrance, in Sec- tion E.
A vast amount of confusion as to the ownership of lots in Mount Hope was occasioned by the loss of records in the care of John B. Robertson comptroller of the city in 1857. He had charge of the funds and records. A few of the latter were found in Canada, but even to this day the loss of the books is felt.
REMARKS.
The writer in his walks through the Cemetery found many quaint, queer, and, to him, amusing inscriptions on tombstones. Those who had them written, however, saw nothing in them but sentiments of reverence and love. It would be in questionable taste to reproduce them here. Those who are curious in such matters are
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referred to publications on church yard litera - ture.
Mount Hope is not the property of a private corporation, but is owned by the City of Roch- ester. Within a few years iron pipes have been laid through the grounds and pure water from Hemlock Lake is supplied in frequent tanks for the purpose of watering the graves and lawns. The necessity for another public entrance grows stronger every year. It would seem that the establishment of a line of carriages to convey visitors through or to any part of the grounds would prove remunerative.
In preparing this volume the author had much valuable assistance from Superintendent George T. Stillson, who is a worthy successor of his lamented father. His worth and ability is read- ily testified to by the commissioners and lot owners. To Assistant Superintendent Mande- ville thanks are also given. Patrick Gaffney, who has been foreman for many years, has a retentive memory and is an ever present encyclopedia of the Cemetery. He also has thanks for assistance. Bowdish & Hoagland, of the Arcade Photo, Co. have been kind in fur- nishing views in the Cemetery for use in the Guide.
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A CHAPTER ON FLOWERS.
The old notion that floral memorial and funeral pieces must be composed entirely of white flowers, has happily given way to the con- viction that all colors are suitable for the pur- pose. Some of the most beautiful pieces ever seen, have this season been issued from the con- servatories of White Bros., Florists, corner of Main and Union Streets, and on the Thurston Road. They were artistically arranged in various colors, and gave utterance to the senti- ment of those who ordered them. With years of experience, they stand in the front rank of Flower City florists and have aided in cultivating the tase for flowers at funerals, the decoration of lots and the adornment of graves.
" In all places, then, and in all seasons, Flowers expand their light and soul like wings, Teaching us by most persuasive reasons, How akin they are to human things."
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL EMBLEMS.
On the next page will be found a photo en- graving, after the Ives process, of a floral mem- orial emblem, made by the well known and ex- perienced florists Newdahl & Holwede, 67 East Main Street, Rochester.
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The reader will agree with us that it is ex- tremely beautiful, not only in design, but in the arrangement of the flowers and leaves. Each flower speaks in its language, love and affection ; there is no symbolical misapplication, as is often the case where the memorial piece is made by unprofessional and inexperienced persons. Flowers are
" Emblems of our own great resurrection, Emblems of the bright and better land."
It is a commendable custom that sanctions the covering of the bier and grave with flowery garlands, typical of our hopes, esteem and sorrow. It is also an ancient custom, and a beautiful one withal, to deck the tombs of our loved ones with cut flowers and plants. New- dahl & Holwede have great experience in that line, and attend to all orders promptly.
ELEGANT MONUMENTAL WORKS.
Mount Hope Cemetery contains a very large amount of artistic and elegant monumental work, obelisks, shafts, columns, head-stones, monolith and sarcophagus styles. Those of modern con- struction compare most advantageously with those of older make, especially in withstanding the effects of the weather. This arises from the fact that monument manufacturers, have, from
Ives Process.
chester MY.
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experience been enabled to choose the right ma- terial, either in marble or granite. This experi- ence is advisedly given their patrons by Trott & Weigand, Mount Hope Avenue, near the entrance to the Cemetery. Many specimens of their work can be observed in Mount Hope and other cem- eteries, and in every case they are much admired. They do not make misapplications in engraving emblems upon memorial stones, and all their work is artistically executed, and at rates that are reasonable, and still suffice for the procure- ment of the best materials and bestowal of excel- lent work. Designs are furnished on applica- tion. The firm is composed of young men, who have made an enviable reputation in their line of business and they will strive to maintain it.
On the lot of Samuel Miller, Sec. H. a granite stone has cut on the upper face the word "Samuel." On the inside is this inscription : " This child, aged 4 years and two months, died Oct. 3d, 1838, at 2.30 P. M., the precise hour that this Cemetery was dedicated; and his was the first body interred in it after its consecration."
INDEX.
Page.
Page.
Aldridge, Geo. W. - I5
Archer, Geo. W.
I6
Angle, James L.
I6
Anthony, Daniel
19
B. Section, 25
A. Section.
I8
Buell, Geo. C. 25
Arner, Dr. 2I
Beach, R. 26
Ashley, Isaac
27
Bell, Alfred 26
Allen, John
3I
Backus, Frederick 27
Allen, Robert
3I
Briggs, Martin 28
Atkinson, H. F.
32
Blanchard, H.
28
Andrews, Samuel G.
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