USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Spring Grove cemetery: its history and improvements, with observations on ancient and modern places of sepulture > Part 3
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Lakes.
in a variety of shades on well-kept lawns invested with the richest verdure.
A venerable elm, standing alone on the northern shore of the lake, east of the Dexter mausoleum, is the admiration of all lovers of trees. From this spot, particularly from the avenue north of it and the higher ground beyond, the views are remarkable for their beauty, grandeur, and beauty. Turning toward the east, the church spire and thousands of glittering tomb- stones and whited sepulchers mark the village and cemetery of St. Bernard, while beyond the eye wanders over a broad expanse of field and valley. On the south the forest-crowned hills of Clifton are seen adorned with palatial residences; while in the foreground, many classic monuments, half concealed by vigorous masses of foliage, reflect their shadows in the placid waters.
The numerous islands, wooded with a large variety of trees and shrubs, are the favorite resort of multi- tudes of birds, and give additional charm to the land- scape. The largest of these islands was donated by the corporation to the present superintendent, A. Strauch, in consideration of services rendered. On the eastern shore of this island, situated near a grove of cypress trees, stands the beautiful statue of Egeria executed by Nath. Baker, presented to Spring Grove by the late Walter Gregory.
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
BIRDS.
IN consequence of the protection afforded to birds in and around these grounds, the admiring ornithol- ogist has frequently an opportunity to see those feath- ered songsters in large flocks, at times actually covering the lawns, particularly in the morning or towards evening, in search of food. We here see the nest of the oriole suspended from a projecting branch. The chattering cedar birds and starlings enliven the dense evergreens, while the thrush, the robin, and the car- dinal, pour out their soft and melodious notes. The spunky little titmouse and the lively wren are also quite numerous, and at times the passenger pigeon is seen in extraordinary multitudes, while the cooing note of the dove is heard from a lofty tree.
A large number of foreign birds were introduced a few years ago, by some of our lot-holders, among them the skylark, the most interesting of all songsters, that cheers many a sad heart by its blithe jubilant notes as it wings skyward, pouring out its very soul in its rich wild melody. The European black-bird was also imported; its song is ever a welcome sound to the lovers of nature and her vocal and visual harmonies.
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Birds.
It is much to be regretted that these birds have not succeeded so well as the water birds, particularly the various species of swan. Of these latter princely birds, the first pair was presented to the association by the late George Selves, Esq. Later additions were made by the late R. B. Bowler, Charles Davenport, and other liberal proprietors of lots.
The black swans of Australia were obtained by the superintendent from the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, in exchange for American trump- eter swans, a number of which have since been raised on these premises. There are now about twenty of those elegant birds on the ornamental waters at Spring Grove. They are very useful, for they act as scaven- gers in purifying the water, thus destroying an influ- ential cause of malarious diseases. In some parts of Europe, particularly in Holland, they are considered very beneficial in this respect.
There are also a large number of other rare and beautiful water birds on these lakes, among which we would mention the pelican, the snow goose, the wood duck, the teal, the widgeon, and the merganser. The great northern diver, the white heron, and the Arctic tern, also visit these waters occasionally, the former singly, the latter in large flocks.
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
MONUMENTS.
AMONG the various monuments erected to the memory of the departed, the Dexter mausoleum is the largest and most elegant structure on the grounds at the present time. Situated on the northern shore of the lakes at the junction of three avenues, between sections 30 and 35, this stately sepulchral pile rises in beautiful outlines among a group of majestic trees. The building represents a gothic chapel of a most elab- orate character, and was executed by Joseph Foster of this city, from the designs, and under the direction, of Jas. K. Wilson. From the balustrade that surrounds the chapel, a charming view is obtained over the orna- mental waters and surrounding country ; and when once the ivy, that ornament of time, shall have taken possession of its walls, and enveloped its buttresses and turrets, it will form a happy contrast to the gray sandstone of which the building is constructed.
The Strader chapel and vault is situated on central avenue, in the upper part of the grounds, and was erected in 1858 by the late Jacob Strader. The building was executed in brown sandstone by James G. Batterson.
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Monuments.
The Burnet mausoleum is situated on Lake Shore avenue, on section 22, and was completed in 1865 by Charles Rule of this city. It is built of Italian marble in the Corinthian style of architecture, and contains the remains of the late Judge Jacob Burnet, his wife, and son.
The sepulchral chapel (containing the statue of George Selves, Jr., which was executed by the French sculptor, Daumas of Paris), is beautifully situated on section 27, fronting the Eastern avenue. This building is constructed of blue limestone, ornamented with gray freestone, and was erected in 1868 by N. O'Hare & Co., from a design of T. D. Jones.
Among the other sepulchral chapels and vaults which are to be found in different parts of the grounds, we would mention those erected by V. Worthington on section 75, Bodman on section 95, Wiggins, Gaylord, Davis, on section 77, and Taylor, Hall, Haynes, and Brown on section 57.
There are also a number of vaults and catacombs under ground; the entrance to them is covered with grass, and can, therefore, not be seen by the casual observer.
The Lytle monument was erected in 1865, to the memory of the late General William H. Lytle, of Cin- cinnati, who fell in the defense of his country at the battle of Chickamauga. This monument is beautifully
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Spring Grove Cemetery ..
situated on an eminence fronting Central avenue, and was executed by the Belgian sculptor, Louis Verhagen of New York. It is constructed of Carrara marble, and is surmounted by an eagle holding a garland of laurel leaves, gracefully entwining the fluted column which rests on a beautiful pedestal. The latter is adorned with an excellent bas-relief representing the deceased at the head of his charging column, on the above-named memorable battle-field.
The Shillito monument is situated west of the above, and was erected in 1867. It consists of a richly-molded pedestal with octagonal column of white granite, and is surmounted with a bronze figure repre- senting Faith.
The Potter monument is situated on an eminence on section 22, and was erected in 1867 to the memory of the late Martin D. Potter, proprietor of the Cincinnati Commercial. It is constructed of dark-colored Quincy granite.
There is also a monument erected to the late Dr. Potter, which is situated on section 44, and constructed of white granite rock. It was erected in 1868.
The Neff monuments are located in various parts of the grounds. The memorial tomb erected to the mem- ory of Isabella, wife of Peter Neff, one of the origin-
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Monuments.
ators of this cemetery, was one of the first monuments erected on these premises. It was executed in white marble from a design of John Notman, of Phila- delphia, and is situated on section 52. Adjoining this is the monument of George W. Neff, an octagonal structure of brown Portland stone erected in 1857. The monument erected over the remains of William Neff, another of the pioneers of Spring Grove, is a large shaft of Quincy granite, and is situated on the north-east corner of section 36. The family monu- ment of P. Neff, Jr., is a colossal marble statue on an ornamental pedestal, about twenty-four feet high, and is situated on section 24 at the junction of three avenues.
The Pendleton monument was erected in 1860 to the memory of the late Colonel Nathaniel G. Pendleton, of Savannah, Georgia. This memorial is a round col- umn of Italian marble, and is situated on section 36.
The Lawler monument was erected in 1854 by D. B. Lawler, to the memory of his parents, and is located in the center of section 45. This memorial, which is quite unique, was executed in the Egyptian style of architecture, and is surmounted by a sphinx.
The Gano monument is one of the most remark- able memorials in the cemetery. It was erected in 1827 by order of Daniel Gano, to the memory of his father,
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
the late Major General J. S. Gano, and executed in gray sandstone by the late John Arey, a self-taught artist. This monument was originally placed in the old Catha- rine street burying-ground in the city of Cincinnati, and was very much injured by vandals, but has since been restored and removed to its present location on section 22, fronting the Eastern avenue.
The Hoffner monument is situated on a prom- ontory in section 57, and was erected in 1853 by Jacob Hoffner, to the memory of his wife and children. This monument represents a gothic shrine, and was executed in Italian marble by Charles Rule, of this city, from a design of the late John B. Earnshaw. The beautiful statue which adorns this elegant structure is from Fantocci, of Florence, Italy.
The Clearwater monument was erected in 1867 to the memory of the late Hiram Clearwater, and is con- structed of white granite rock, from a design of James McLaughlin, architect, of Cincinnati. This monu- ment is situated on the north-west corner of section 42, and is the largest granite structure on the grounds at the present time.
The Resor monument occupies a conspicuous position on a beautiful lawn, and can be readily distin- guished from a distance by its hight above the railroad
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Monuments.
viaduct. It represents a Corinthian column on a highly-ornamental pedestal of the finest Italian marble, and is adorned with three elegantly-wrought statues, emblematical of Christian Hope, Purity, and Inno- cence. This noble monument was executed in 1866 by Maldoon, Bullett & Co., at Carrara (Italy), and is somewhat after the pattern of that historical column which adorns the Piazza d' Espagna in the " Eternal City."
The Holenshade monument is situated on section 21 in the immediate vicinity of the soldiers' lots, and was erected in 1867, from a design of Thomas White & Son, of this city. It is a highly-polished column rest- ing on a pedestal, and surmounted by a bronze figure, representing Hope. It was executed in Scotland from that imperishable material, the rose-colored granite.
The Ernst monument was erected to the memory of the late A. H. Ernst, one of the originators of Spring Grove Cemetery. It is situated on section 23, and represents the broken trunk of an oak, resting on a natural rock, and is beautifully entwined with ivy and Virginia creeper. This picturesque memorial was executed in 1866 by Louis Fettweis, a sculptor of eminence in this style of work. Of a similar character are the Erckenbrecher and Oberheu monuments.
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
The Carlisle monument is a beautiful sarcophagus of highly-polished rose granite. It was erected in 1868 to the memory of the late George Carlisle, from a design by A. C. Nash, architect, and is situated on the south-western slope of section 42. This elegant memorial was executed in Scotland, and is one of the finest ornaments on the grounds.
The Walker monument is a copy of the celebrated tomb of Scipio Africanus in Rome, and is located in the center of section 51. It was erected to the memory of the late John Walker by his wife, now also num- bered with the dead. This monument was exe- cuted in pure Italian marble by Robert E. Launitz of New York, a pupil of the great Thorwaldsen, and was erected at Spring Grove in 1855. Of a similar order are the monuments of the late Lewis Whiteman on section 30, and John Groesbeck on section 38 ; also that erected to the late Colonel Bond on section 36, which is of Quincy granite.
The Williams monument, situated in the center of section 47, is a heavy pedestal of white marble resting on a granite base, and is surmounted by an ornamented sarcophagus. There is also a small memorial near this monument, which was erected by the Spring Grove Cemetery Association to the memory of Laura Williams, daughter of the late Charles E.
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Monuments.
Williams, who donated a considerable amount of prop- erty to this cemetery.
The Hosea monument. This fine and expressive memorial is charmingly situated on the southern slope of section 23, in the immediate vicinity of the soldiers' monument. The statue, which represents Fiducia (Faith), was executed by Bartolini, an Italian sculptor of considerable celebrity. It was erected in 1859, and is a perpetual sermon in stone, preaching the lesson of Faith.
The Davenport monument is located on section 22, and was erected in 1866 to the memory of the late Charles Davenport of this city. It is a beautiful obelisk of highly-polished Aberdeen granite, which rests on a molded plinth and base; the cap stone is adorned with carved lotus drops. Of a somewhat similar construction are the Sinton monument on the same section, the Banning and Shafer monuments on sec- tion 36, and the Bernard and Tomlinson memorials on section 49, all of which are of the same imperishable material as the above.
The Whetstone monument stands on the south- ern slope of section 22, fronting the lakes on the north and the Eastern avenue on the south. It is a fluted column, surmounted by a globe and star, and
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
rests on a pedestal and base. This monument was erected in 1866 from a design of T. D. Jones, and is executed in dark-colored Quincy granite.
The Pierce monument was erected by the late Captain Joseph Pierce, to the memory of his wife, and is situated on section 45. It was executed by John Coleman, of this city, and is composed of Italian mar- ble. This monument is a shaft, ornamented with an urn and dove, and resting on a beautifully-carved ped- estal with base. It was erected shortly after the ceme- tery was established.
The Baum monument was erected in 1854 to the memory of the late Martin Baum and his wife, and is situated on section 97 in the upper part of the ceme- tery. It is an obelisk of Quincy granite, with molded die and base, and was the first of this class of monu- ments erected on the grounds.
The Tweed and Andrews monument on section 24, the Keck and Shafer monument on section 37, and a number of others in various parts of the grounds, are of the same material and the same style, varying in size only.
The Baker monument is beautifully located on the southern slope of section 35, and has a vault under- neath. This memorial was erected to the late John
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Monuments.
Baker by his son, N. Baker, and is a copy of the celebrated tomb of Agrippa in Rome.
In the immediate vicinity is the Hooper monu- ment, a Grecian sarcophagus of Italian marble. It was erected by William Hooper to the memory of his wife and child, and was executed by N. Gianini, of this city.
The Tyler Davidson monument is situated on section 20, on the southern banks of the lakes. It is a massive sarcophagus of polished red granite from the works of Alex. McDonald, Field & Co., Aberdeen, Scotland, and was erected in 1868 to the memory of the late Tyler Davidson by Henry Probasco.
The Ringgold monument is a beautiful statue of Christello marble, and represents the Angel of Res- urrection. It rests upon a pedestal of dark-colored Quincy granite, with polished tablets.
The Longworth monument is the largest granite shaft on the grounds, and is situated on a beautiful eminence on section 24.
Of a similar character are the Murphy monument on section 19, and the Rawson and Child monuments on section 84.
The Emery monument, which was erected to the late Thomas Emery, is situated on section 36, fronting
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
Central avenue. It is constructed of Italian marble in the gothic style. The spire rests on a highly orna- mented pedestal, and is surmounted by a carved finial.
Of a somewhat similar style and material are the Stone monument on section 22, and the Thompson memorial on section 29, all of which were executed by Chas. Rule & Co., of this city.
The Hale monument is situated in the vicinity of the Pioneer lot, and occupies the south-east corner of section 31. It was executed from a design of Charles Bullett & Co., at Carrara, and is surmounted with a graceful statue. The sides of the pedestal, which represents a tomb of the Scipio style, are ornamented with beautiful bas-reliefs, one of which represents our Saviour blessing the children.
On the opposite side of the avenue, occupying the north-east corner of section 30, is situated another beautiful monument, which was erected to the memory of their late teacher, E. S. Brooks, by his pupils. The pedestal, which is surmounted by an elegantly- executed statue, contains the portrait of the deceased in bas-relief.
The Wilshire monument was erected in 1866, and is situated on a peninsula on section 20. This monu- ment is executed in Quincy granite, and is a copy of the celebrated column Lateran in Rome.
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Monuments.
The monument erected to the memory of the late James Wilson is situated in the center of section 42, near the Carlisle tomb, and was executed by A. & G. Dodds & Co., of Xenia, Ohio, in 1868. It is a highly- polished square shaft, about twenty-seven feet high, and executed of the gray Scotch granite-the only monu- ment of this species of stone on the grounds at the present time.
The Harkness monument is situated on section 29, and was executed in Italian marble by D. La Dow, of Dayton, Ohio. It is an ornamental pedestal, with bas-relief, and surmounted by a heavy cinerary urn.
The Spencer family monument is situated in the eastern portion of section 22, and was erected in 1868. It is a plain shaft of white granite, resting upon a ped- estal and base of the same material. This monument is from the works of Callahan Bros., of this city, and covers the remains of the late Col. Oliver Spencer, of the army of the Revolution, who was born in 1736 and died in 1811.
The monument erected to the memory of Robert Elliott, who was slain by a party of Indians in 1794, where the city of Cincinnati now stands, is situated on section 31. It was executed by D. Bolles of a number of different kinds of stone, and was considered in for- mer times a great work of art.
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
In the immediate vicinity of this historical monu- ment are also seen the memorial slabs which cover the remains of the late Baron de Sallas, John Kidd, Tim- othy Matlack, and many others of the early pioneers of the then far west, all of whom were removed a few years ago, by order of the city council, from their rest- ing-places in Twelfth street burying-grounds in Cin- cinnati, to their present location.
The monument which marks the last resting-place of the late Joshua L. Wilson, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Cincinnati, is a plain white marble shaft resting upon a granite base, and is situated on section 51.
Edward Taylor's monument consists of a plain pedestal and base of white granite rock, and is sur- mounted by a beautiful statue of pure white marble. It is located on the north-east corner of section 23, and was executed by the sculptor, Joseph Græff, of Hobo- ken, New York.
The Patterson family monument is charmingly situated on the northern part of section 35, and is also constructed of white marble, and resting on a blue marble base. This monument is of a highly-elaborate character, and was executed by A. Gaddess, of Balti- more, Maryland.
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Monuments.
The Hulbert family monument is also an orna- mental marble structure, and is situated on the south- ern slope of section 42, in the vicinity of the Clear- water monument. It was one of the first memorials erected to the departed, and is from the works of Mr. Struthers, of Philadelphia.
There are a number of other marble monuments in the immediate vicinity of the above named, but, as they are chiefly common square shafts, varying in hight only, it is not considered necessary to mention every one.
The monument which was erected by the members of the Baptist Church to the memory of their beloved preacher, the late Dr. Robinson, is constructed of white granite, and is situated in the center of sec- tion 43.
The memorial erected over the grave of the late Rev. J. T. Brooke, D. D., is situated on the southern slope of section 57. It is a plain white marble slab which marks the last resting-place of the eminent divine, who was numbered among the dead who die in the Lord, on the 19th day of August, 1861. His prayer solemnized the dedication of this cemetery in 1845, and the deposit of his mortal remains in its sacred soil is a still further consecration of this holy ground.
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
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The family monument of S. S. L'Hommedieu is situated on an eminence of section 29, where a very pleasing view of the Atlantic & Great Western railroad is obtained. This monument is constructed of white marble, a square column resting upon two granite bases, surmounted by a figure emblematical of Hope. The grave of the late Charles Hammond, a pioneer of the Cincinnati press, is near this spot.
The Jones family monument is situated on the western part of section 29, and consists of a graceful statue of pure white marble, resting upon a plain ped- estal and base of the same material. It was executed by the sculptor, A. Bailey, of Philadelphia.
Of a similar character are the family monuments of Richardson and Haldeman on section 45, Rogers on section 54, Calvert on section 36, Gates on section 57, McElevy on section 80, and others, most of which are from the works of Cincinnati stone cutters and sculptors, whose names have already been mentioned in connection with the monumental decoration of Spring Grove.
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The Soldiers' Monument.
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
Is situated at the junction of Lake Shore and Central avenues, and was erected in 1864 by voluntary sub- scription. It is a bronze statue on a granite pedestal, representing a Union soldier standing upon guard. The design was furnished by the sculptor, Randolph Rogers, of Rome, and the figure cast by Frederick von Müller, at Munich.
The graves of the soldiers are located in the immediate vicinity, and occupy three consecutive knolls, designated A, B, and C. The first lot was donated by the Board of Directors to the State of Ohio, as an appropriate resting-place for those who fell in the defense of Freedom and Union. The second and third lots were purchased by Governor Tod for the state, but since last year those lots have become the property of the United States, and contain an area of twenty-two thousand five hundred and thirty-two square feet. The graves are arranged in circles, and are properly numbered and recorded, so that each of them can easily be identified.
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Spring Grove Cemetery.
EPITAPHS
Should be plain and simple. This will be best given in the beautiful language of Wordsworth: "An epi- taph is not a proud writing shut up for the stu- dious; it is exposed to all-to the wise and the most ignorant; it is condescending, and lovingly solicits regard; its story and admonitions are brief, that the thoughtless, the busy, and the indolent may not be deterred, nor the impatient tired. The stooping old man cons the engraven record like a second horn-book; the child is proud that he can read it, and the stranger is introduced by its meditation to the company of a friend-it is concerning all, and for all."
"An inscription for the dead," says another emi- nent writer, "should be simple in style, sparing in words, modest in eulogy. The long and labored epi- taph is seldom read. Glowing encomiums are received with distrust. Excessive praise, fulsome always, seems especially so when heaped on the dead." These are principles generally acknowledged-though, in practice, so often disregarded. Resignation and calmness are to be expected in a christian epitaph, but coldness and studied effect are inconsistent with sepulchral mention.
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Regulations.
REGULATIO REGARD TO INTERMENTS
AND FUNERALS.
I. Whenever a burial is to be made, notice thereof must be given at the office of the Secretary, before the time set for taking out the permits by the Messenger, on the day previous to the interment.
The persons applying for the permit must be able to give the following particulars : Name of deceased ; place of nativity ; late residence ; date of birth or age ; date of decease ; date of interment ; disease ; name of parents (or kindred) ; in whose lot interred ; location of grave ; name of undertaker ; outside size of coffin or box ; also, place of death ; whether single, married or widowed ; occupation and color.
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