Allegheny Cemetery Non-Profit Allegheny Organization U.S. POSTAGE Cemetery PAID A Publication of the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Pittsburgh, PA 4734 Butler Street Permit No. 3588 Pittsburgh, PA 15201-2951 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Established April 24, 1844 Gate Hours April 7:00 am - 7:00 pm May 7:00 am - 8:00 pm A Publication of the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Volume XXIV 2015 June - August 7:00 am - 7:00 pm September - March 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday Gates open at 10:00 am A LANDMARK LOSS Office Hours Monday through Friday by Nancy E. Foley 8:15 am - 5:00 pm Saturday of sylvan splendor so unlike the surrounding 8:15 am - 4:00 pm llegheny (412) 682-1624 Cemetery urban sprawl– winding drives curve along FAX: (412) 622-0655 A sloping hills, magnificent displays of memorial www.alleghenycemetery.com opened the 2015 New Year with a historic statuary sit beneath the shade of ancient trees, loss - in the early morning placid ponds dotted with water lilies invite a hours of January 1st, a vehicle fawn or fox to drink. Indeed, the dream that traveling at a high rate of became Allegheny Cemetery was meant to speed drove through the be safely guarded, and over 170 years later the iconic entrance gate that formidable, yet inviting, entrance still beck- has been a Butler Street ons us to take a moment’s pause for reflection landmark for over a century before entering this consecrated space. and a half. ing in size from less than an inch to a few feet Revolutionary War across. The extensive cleaning process revealed RECONSTRUCTING A Heroes Remembered A SCENE OF UTTER gate pieces that had landed as far away from the LANDMARK DESTRUCTION point of impact as the parking lot and fountain A point of pride for Pittsburgh natives, the “castle like” entrance on Butler Street symbol- Significant work has been done at the final resting place of twofamed In what could be described as a miracle, apex – an astonishing distance of some 200+ izes our community’s commitment to values figures of the Revolutionary War. General John Neville and Major Isaac there was no serious bodily harm to feet. Crystalline shards of glass and twisted and is deserving of a replacement that is equal Craig rest in Section 11, Lot 21 and, while their reputations are still impec- persons involved, but the seriousness of plastic seemed to have rained down upon the cable, their aged family obelisk was significantly damaged in the macro- the incident was readily evident – the scene with permanent imprints of the explosive continued on Page 7 burst of 2002. With generous financial support from a private donor, the driveway, interior road, lawn, sidewalk event left in gashes and pockmarks in the sand- A.C.H.A. removed the original shaft into storage and a sparkling new and portico were littered with debris stone façade of the Administration complex. granite obelisk in the same fine style and taste was manufactured. In- of varying size and material, including stalled July 27, 2015, the new monument has done much to improve the several dozen individual pieces of the AN ICONIC SYMBOL appearance of the lot, which also features full length ledgers depicting life obliterated entrance gate, each rang- The gates, which were chained at the time, histories in a style that was very popular among military and political were of solid cast iron and stood 8.5’ high and figures in the 18th Century. 12’ wide, each rod measuring 2’’ in diameter Inside and thickness. Specifically commissioned to compliment the 1848 arched entrance, the A Landmark Loss 1 gate was an ornamental security measure President’s Message 2 against thieves and vandals, though to many, Pittsburgh Coal Barons 3 it represented a demarcation point between Honor and Memory Gifts 4-5 the present and the past, chaos and peace. We Missing Mayors Found 6 can imagine the Victorian scene: a Porter in coattails opens the gate by hand, confirms ad- Facebook Photo Contest 7 mittance via ticket, bows to the passing car- Board of Corporators 7 riage and dutifully returns to his post at the Revolutionary War Heroes 8 cottage office. Guests proceed into a world continued from Page 1 ALLEGHENY CEMETERY HERITAGE to its predecessor in beauty and quality. After accepting bids for the is a publication of the Allegheny Cemetery project from several reputable professionals, the job was awarded to a Historical Association. Facebook local firm with the aim of recreating the original structure down to the © 2015 Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Photo last detail. As blueprints have been long lost to time, preliminary steps BOARD OF DIRECTORS President’s involved gathering as many original pieces as possible, which were laid Harmar D. Denny, IV out like a puzzle to create a working design template. Historic images President and Chairman of the Board Contest of the entrance were studied in comparison and adjustments made for Torrence M. Hunt, Jr. Message It’s not too late to enter our Facebook photo contest! Vice President ear friends, accuracy. The project is currently in the manufacturing phase and, 12 winning images will be selected to appear in a 2016 cal- James M. Edwards I am happy to report that if all goes according to plan, the much anticipated installation will be Treasurer D endar published by the A.C.H.A.. To enter, “like” Al- complete by the 2015 holiday season. This would mean that on the The Very Reverend George L.W. Werner the last year has been legheny Cemetery on Facebook, post a pic taken at the 2016 anniversary of the incident, Allegheny Cemetery’s Butler Street Director marked with noticeable improvements Cemetery on our main page, tag us and use the hashtag entrance should be as good as new, or in this case, as good as old! #HistoricAlleghenyCemetery when posting. Entry deadline EMERITUS to two historically significant is December 21st. James C. McGough structures adorning Allegheny funded placement of a new roof, pointing PAST DIRECTORS Cemetery’s property. Charles C. Arensberg, Esq. of brickwork, structural repairs and a new J. Mabon Childs coat of weather resistant paint. This work The 1961 Temple of Memories Mausoleum Torrence M. Hunt, Sr. is expected to keep this important structure and Raymond F. Moreland Memorial Cha- Raymond F. Moreland operational for the next decade. John C. Oliver, III pel have been revitalized by the results of a William A. Seifert, Jr. campaign to refurbish the space in honor of As always, you are invited to see the evi- Rev. William S. Thomas the departed at rest as well as for the benefit dence of our endeavors for yourself, and if of our many daily guests. After several de- DESIGN AND PRODUCTION you are able to give toward the fruition of our cades without major updates, the A.C.H.A. Nancy E. Foley preservation goals, I encourage you to make Chris Letzelter funded the 2014 installation of plush new a tax-friendly contribution in any amount! David J. Michener carpeting throughout the main floor and Co-Editors and Designers Gifts may be made in memory of a loved one tiled flooring in the Crematory reception or in honor of the living and are prominently room. This spring, the Moreland Chapel CONTRIBUTORS acknowledged in each issue of The Heritage. “Is it spring yet?” Fox kits, photographed by Stephen Foley James M. Edwards was fitted with new seating in a variety of Large amounts can be pledged over time and Nancy E. Foley styles and tasteful patterns, which has done Lisa Speranza designated for a specific purpose or wherever much for the comfort of grieving families. it is needed most. Other modes of support Allegheny Cemetery Board of Corporators ALLEGHENY CEMETERY include naming the A.C.H.A. as a beneficia- Torrence M. Hunt, Jr., Chairman of the Board William Duff McCrady Vice-Chairman of the Board HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION As part of the A.C.H.A.’s commitment to ry in your will, living trust, insurance policy The Association is based on a concept set forth by beautification, extensive repairs were made Mrs. George B. Berger, Jr. Lisa C. Fagan Lulu Orr William H. Simpson the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. or retirement plan. Established March 17, 1980, the Association is a to the mid-century greenhouse complex, Kay Ebbert Bissell Henry C. Flood, Jr. Martha Reed J. Brandon Snyder non-profit educational and charitable organization which supports the Cemetery’s year-round Dr. Ellsworth Bowser J. Pennock Graham Scott W. Reid William P. Snyder, V Please know that your gift to the A.C.H.A. which can accept foundation and other grants and growing season and provides the major- George E. Childs Alexander Hays, IV Fred L. Rose Ramsey C. Speer provides tax exempt status for gifts and bequests impacts not only what specific jobs we are ity of all floral décor placed throughout George B. Davis Henry Phipps Hoffstot, III Walter F. Rutkowski Mary M. Unkovic from organizations and individuals. able to do with funds available, but on a the grounds. The Historical Association Stuart Nye Hutchison, III Ellis L. Schmidlapp Joseph C. Walton Through the PH&LF’s efforts, the entire Allegheny larger scale, the quality of life for countless John H. Demmler Cemetery and its buildings were given Landmark Harmar D. Denny, IV Jay Knowles Thomas M. Schmidt H. Knox Watson, III status and placed on the National Register of residents and regional citizens who return Lisa Childs Laskow Henry C. Scully Joshua C. Whetzel, III Historic Places. time and again to these precious acres as a Roy G. Dorrance, III Individuals or organizations wishing information place of peace, beauty and cultural pride. Genevieve M. Ebbert Richard B. Meyer Edward W. Seifert on funding or supporting specific restoration James M. Edwards George B. Miller Harton S. Semple, Jr. projects are invited to contact the Office of the President at Allegheny Cemetery. Please accept my personal thanks for your A copy of the official registration and financial support and my best wishes for a happy New Emeritus Trustees information may be obtained from the Year to you and yours! Pennsylvania Department of State by calling James C. McGough toll-free, within Pennsylvania: 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Sincerely, Board of Directors Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Thomas M. Schmidt 412-682-1624 Dr. Ellsworth Bowser Stuart Nye Hutchison, III Fax: 412-622-0655 George B. Davis Lisa Childs Laskow Edward W. Seifert www.alleghenycemetery.com Harmar D. Denny, IV Harmar D. Denny, IV William Duff McCrady Mary M. Unkovic September 2015 James M. Edwards Lulu Orr Joseph C. Walton Lisa C. Fagan Scott W. Reid H. Knox Watson, III Torrence M. Hunt, Jr. Ellis L. Schmidlapp 2 7 Missing Mayors Found Pittsburgh's Coal Barons by Lisa Speranza by James M. Edwards he city of 1830. In that year, he ceded his position to (along with his five brothers), than for his unsey’s William H. Brown, the crafty one, and Water Park, on 175 acres of woodland Pittsburgh Matthew B. Lowrie, who served for just turn as mayor from 1856-1857. His business Magazine, winner of the lucrative bid for Uncle that was his primary coal loading sta- T has a storied under a year. Murray then resumed of- acumen carried weight in the election, with M Vol. 46, 1911, Sam’s war outlay, had been the “first tion early in his career. When he died history. Many of fice, serving again from 1831-1832. the Pittsburgh Gazette noting “if unsullied carried a salacious mover” in the new business of shipping in 1875, on the young side at the age of those chapters reside character, known integrity and moral worth, story about a bidding large volumes of coal long distances on 60, his estate was inventoried at $6 mil- in long forgotten are paramount to the claims of trading politi- meeting of Pittsburgh’s rafted barges. In his 20’s, he had dug coal lion. A Brown family historian, using corners, replaced cians, he should be triumphantly elected.” in “Minersville” for the Herron family, several techniques to convert that to to- in our popular coal barons in Cairo, and had loaded it by the 100 bushel lots day’s economics, estimates it would be knowledge by the Adam Mercer Brown (1826-1910) originally IL, during the height in wagons, for the 1 hour trip down from $12.3 billion in today’s value. tales that followed. intended to become a doctor. However, the of the Civil War. They “the Hill” to Pittsburgh’s foundries and allure of the California Gold Rush called his Joseph Walton, whose great-grandson Occasionally, we read the stories again, were William [Hughey] glass manufacturers at the Point. In 1845 name, and he sought his fortunes on the west “Joe” is a Trustee of Allegheny Cem- from the beginning, and find ourselves Brown, Joseph Walton, he proposed to the Herrons that coal coast. During that time, he served in the etery, was born in Westmoreland surprised at what those details yet re- who vied with him could be floated on “floats,” the way they military, earning the rank of Major. When County in 1826. He apprenticed build- veal. Allegheny Cemetery has served for coal supremacy, moved lumber to the mills. John Her- he returned to Pittsburgh, he became the first ing boats and sawmills in Cincinnati as a steward of Pittsburgh history since ron, father, and William A. Herron, son ever president of the Allegheny County Bar Thomas Fawcett and and as a boat builder he frequently took our inception in 1844. Counted amongst and partner, told Brown, “There’s too Association, and became our 39th mayor (for John A. Wood. William coal as payment and, quickly, he was in those we watch over are many Pittsburgh much risk in rafting coal; if you want to a term of six months) in May of 1901. Brown won the contract do that, buy us out,” whereupon Brown the coal business! By 1858, his business mayors. Our list was long thought to be was thriving, just in time for the lucra- complete, until a review of some of our with a bid of one penny did exactly that. Within ten years, he The lesson we take as we turn these pag- tive Civil War period. His company oldest records indicated otherwise. less than his cheapest was rafting coal using bigger and bet- es is that time may forget - but we never competitor – a crucial ter barges over ever greater distances; in received the largest single order of coal ever made by the U.S. government; by In conjunction with a recent effort to should. These stories do not die with these fact gained at luncheon 1858 his son, Captain Samuel S. Brown locate descendants of former Pittsburgh men - they live within us. Each of these together on the day of mayors, research was conducted on Magnus Miller Murray (1787-1838) Pittsburgh mayors laid a stone in the foun- the bidding. the 22 known mayors buried at dations upon which others stood. Those foundations, in turn, built the story of a city Allegheny. That search proved fruitful, One can almost see, and savor, the heavy, William Wallace Irwin (1803-1856) had that is still thriving almost 200 years after as it was soon discovered that there were southern-style meal, the soon-to-be smoke- several distinguishing characteristics. He its founding. We must always question, SIX additional mayors which we were filled room, the feeling of crafty collegiality was a graduate of the Western Univer- always learn, always continue to read the not previously aware of: John Darragh among the Pittsburgh competitors, all well- sity of Pennsylvania and Allegheny Col- stories of those who came before us. For in (2nd mayor), Magnus Miller Murray (4th known to each other. All were Masons and lege. He served as Allegheny County doing so, we may one day discover that we, & 6th), William Irwin (10th), Gabriel loyal Methodists who became influential District Attorney in 1838. Subsequent to too, have become a part of that history. Adams (15th), William Bingham (21st), donors to their denomination; all were mar- the death of his first wife,Frances Everal- and Adam Brown (39th). More pieces of ried with big families, and all had worked up lyn Rose Irwin, he married Sophia Ara- Pittsburgh’s puzzle had fallen into place. from digging coal themselves, or building bella Bache (who just so happened to be boats. Two had even walked to Pittsburgh the great granddaughter of one Benjamin John Darragh (1772-1828) served as the in the 1830’s to find their fortunes--Brown Franklin). Aside from that, he served as second mayor of Pittsburgh from 1817- from Westmoreland County, and Walton Pittsburgh’s first whig mayor, with his 1825. His term would last until he re- from Cincinnati! Together, they ran the in- term initiating in 1840. One of the steamboats owned by coal baron Joseph Walton signed in June of 1825 (24 June 1825, Pitts- land coal business from Pittsburgh to New burgh Weekly Gazette). An illustrious Orleans in the 1850’s and ‘60’s, which had 1892 at his untimely death as a resident footnote to his tenure is that he held of- Gabriel Adams (1790-1864) was mayor of completed the first transportation of sprung up quickly due to steam-powered of Allegheny City, he employed 1,000 fice during Pittsburgh’s first presidential Pittsburgh from 1847-1849. During that coal from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. boats and rafted river barges. These four men, owned and operated 11 steam- visit. President James Monroe visited tenure, the city got its very first depart- Back in 1840, Brown had established his were the “Mr. Bigs” of U.S. inland coal. boats, and worked 2,000 acres of coal Pittsburgh on September 5, 1817, during ment store - the Joseph Horne Co. - and residence up the Mon from Pittsburgh a lands up the Monongahela. He also which a tour of the Allegheny Arsenal Mercy Hospital was founded. After his Of the four, three of them (excepting only few miles to “Browns landing” nestled operated an extensive lumber business also took place. term, Adams was appointed as a Judge of Captain Wood) have family burial plots at the bottom of what today we call and sat on the boards of many banks. the Court of Common Pleas. contained in a small space sharing the same Brown’s Hill Road. His growing family He outlived his wife by 10 years, but Magnus Miller Murray (1787-1838) holds lane in Allegheny Cemetery at the top of lived at a home he called “Rock Cottage” left 6 children, including a 14 year-old the honor of being the first mayor of William Bingham (1808-1873) was per- Sections 13 and 16, within a line of sight on the north side of the Monongahela, daughter, Elsie. Pittsburgh to hold two non-consecutive haps better known for his numerous years from one another, a few hundred feet apart, across from what is now Sandcastle in the “Six Brothers” boating company terms. His initial term was from 1828- as if it were planned. continued on Page 5 6 William Wallace Irwin (1803-1856) 3 Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Contributors Honor and Memory Gifts Individuals, Companies and Foundations October 2014 Campaign to Present October 2014 Campaign to September 2015 In Memory Of... Roy A. Hunt Foundation The Walden Trust Simpson Family Foundation Richard W. Abel Mr. & Mrs. Henry P. Hoffstot, Sr. John T. Vollmer Mary Murtland Berger Colvin McCrady by Jeannine E. Abel by Lora H. Jenkins by Rosemary Questiaux G. William & Kay Bissell Mr. & Mrs. William Duff McCrady Charles & Florence Wessel Wilson & Kenney Families Walter F. & Frieda Dudt Rutkowski Harmar D. Denny, IV Mr. & Mrs. W. Ford Moreland, III by Marilyn J. Archuleta by Charles C. & Audine F. Kenney by Walter F. Rutkowski Mr. & Mrs. Roy G. Dorrance, III John C. Oliver, III James M. Edwards Prentiss & Lulu Orr Susan Scott Schmidt Donald Craig Kerr Bessie Dunseath O’Neill by Allegheny Cemetery by Nora L. Kerr by Margaret C. Satell Ellen W. Griggs Thomas M. Schmidt Henry Phipps Hoffstot, III Edward W. & Anita Seifert Henry Phipps Hoffstot, Jr. Virginia B., Lottie Lucile & Arthur J. Kerr The Forgotten Mr. & Mrs. Torrence M. Hunt, Jr. Harton S. Semple, Jr. by Allegheny Cemetery by Arthur John Kerr, Jr. by Lee B. Simon Robert S. Johnson William H. Simpson Charles E. Ahl, Jr. Joseph Pavlick Norma Owens David M. Bruce Linda M. Kemmerling Mr. & Mrs. Ellis Schmidlapp by Allegheny Cemetery by Charles & Angeline Kline by Sara Stout Susan Curry Cadwalader Joseph H. Knowles Janet K. Seapker Robert F. Benson Frank & Melba Kryl Loved Ones George Childs F. Gordon Kraft Jeanne Thompson by Bruce B. Benson by Virginia Kryl by Myrna L. Sumpter Betty M. Chorba Mark & Lisa Childs Laskow Ruth M. Timberlake Mr. & Mrs. Robert Coleman Ethel M. Lunney Mr. & Mrs. Richard Trocchio Felix & Lilly Krautmacher John Abdell Louis & Caroline Miller Helen A. Coyner James Cooke McGough Mr. & Mrs. John Unkovic by William A. Boney by Eileen Lyndall Livezey by Elizabeth Verterano George B. Davis John M. McHugh Carolyn L. Vivaldi Charles W. & Amelia Callen Walter & Mary Damon Anna K. Weber Mr. & Mrs. John P. Davis, Jr. Glenn E. McMurdy Joseph C. Walton by Charlotte N. Callen by Craig Damon & Ms. Lois Sherry by Harry P. Weber Terrell H. Delorey David J. Michener H. Knox Watson, III Genevieve M. Ebbert William Moreland James Wudarczyk Stephen C. & Charlotte Susanna Foster Jean Marie Lowry Charles & Amelia Callen Barbara A. Ezdebski Patricia Oliver Janis L. Zimmer Bernice I. Carfagna by Janyce E. Lowry by Cynthia Zaber Robert K. Flack Rebecca Oliver The Arnold Family The Magee Family Mr. & Mrs. Robert Young Richard D. Flinn Caroline O’Nan by Karlene Darby by Miwako M. Magee by Barbara A. Zenk Mr. & Mrs. Donald Goldstrom Daniel R. Pagath Henry E. Haller, III John T. Radelet Horace & Cora Bikle Louis & Lillian Oswald Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Halyak Mr. & Mrs. Scott Reid by Janet H. Davis by Carole O. Markus Caroline M. Hass Walter F. Rutkowski Gyorgyi N. Easler Mary Copley Thaw In Honor of… Mr. & Mrs. F.W. Henninger Philip & Carolyn Ryan by Richard E. Easler by Jane Whitney Marshall Gerald Janusz Virginia W. Schatz Roger Galbraith Christine McKelvy, William Dosh Steve Mazur by Genevieve M. Ebbert and William KcKelvy Bickel by Ronald A. Mazur Pittsburgh Coal Barons continued from Page 3 by Blythe Bickel Edwards Walter Klingensmith The McGrew Family by Mark Klingensmith Nancy Brown Fagan by Verne M. & Captain Thomas Fawcett, brought as a boy The “Coal Barons” had had their day by C.A. Fagan, III Margaret I. McGrew, Jr. Harmar D. Denny, IV by his father, a boat builder, from England and grasped their era but, by 1890, the by Gayle & Bill Simpson when he was just 6, learned boat-building, business had changed. Midwest sources Emma, Anna, Herman and William Felbinger Charles S. & Myra Lindsay Boyd Bell and the grocery business, as a boy on the of coal competed with sources up the by Lee J. Felbinger by Nonnye Fanelli Meier South Side of Pittsburgh, in Birmingham. Monongahela, coke was increasingly Marjorie Flood John Mellor Family and Berka Liska His sister, Annie Fawcett, became Joseph prevalent and railroad shipment be- by Suzanne Flood by Amy L. Mellor Walton’s wife! Fawcett and his father, in came more advantageous economically. 1848, first floated, and soon after steam- Clyde A. Garland Marguerite, Albert and Nancy Muse powered, local loads of coal long distances by Joan M. Garland by Eileen & Albert Muse competing with Brown, and offered an alter- John W. & Mary Holmes Nick Pappaterra native to Brown’s relative dominance. Cap- by Gwendolyn H. Goffe by Patricia Pappaterra tain Fawcett lived in a magnificent home on Olive & Donald Jackson Charles Kimpel Craft Avenue in Oakland. Some time in the by Ellen D. Jackson by Reed & Alissa Poderis 1880’s his business reversed and failed, but with more and bigger coal speculation, his The steamboat Alice Brown, named for coal fortunes somewhat returned, and at his death baron William H. Brown’s daughter he owned the Cheat Haven Coal Company. 4 5