Tombstone Tuesday: Two Tiny Hands

This broken tombstone is in Etna Cemetery in Licking County. It is the first I’ve seen with two small hands like this. Unfortunately, the surname is missing. The ages are illegible, but judging from the lamb, the two tiny hands, and the diminutive form of the first names, I think these are two young boys. Buried together like this, they are likely brothers.

Complicating discovering their identity is the fact that their ages are unknown and they died between census years. Also, Licking County’s death records for this time period were destroyed in a courthouse fire.

Tombstone of Artie and Georgie, Etna Cemetery, Etna, Licking County, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 5 July 2009; all rights reserved.

Artie E., died June 6, 1878

Georgie E., died April 15, 1875

Joseph M. Wehrle, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Newark

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to go to Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Newark. I wasn’t able to spend a great deal of time there; I hope to go back soon and explore some more. 

At the top of the hill is the Wehrle family plot. There is a large monument in the middle, surrounded by individual tombstones. One of the things I found interesting was that all of the individual stones were identical; even the ones for people who died in the 1950s used a German-script style font.

In the Wehrle family plot is Rev. Joseph M. Wehrle. What caught my eye at first was that his tombstone includes his date of ordination. The front of the stone is an excellent example of the eucharist, chalice, grapes and wheat. As noted in Douglas Keister’s excellent book Stories in Stone, the use of all of these elements together was restricted almost exclusively to clergy. 

According to his death certificate, Joseph Michael Wehrle was the son of Joseph and Philamena (Morath) Wehrle. Joseph was a priest at Saint Mary’s Church in Columbus, which is located in the German Village section of town. 

From the tombstone: Rev. Joseph M. Wehrle/ Born October 24, 1865/ Ordained August 15, 1899/ Died April 24, 1924.

 

Rev. Joseph M. Wehrle tombstone, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Newark, Ohio. Photo by Amy Johnson Crow, 6 March 2009; all rights reserved.

Hidden Message

As I’ve noted earlier, I love celtic crosses. As I walked by this one in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark, it looked like just another celtic cross. It wasn’t until I was lining up the photo that I realized that there are words at the bottom. They blend in so well with the design!

Inscription: Edward Thomas, born Nov. 24, 1852, died Sept. 10, 1910 and his wife Jessie Clarke Thomas, born Apr. 10, 1862, died Jan. 7. 1943

 

Edward and Jessie (Clarke) Thomas tombstone, Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newark, Ohio. Photo taken 19 June 2008 by Amy Johnson Crow; all rights reserved.

Hog to Heaven

Some graveyard enthusiasts tend to gloss over contemporary tombstones, but I have to admit a certain fascination with them. Some are so personalized that future generations will be able to get a very intimate look into their lives. One stone that made my jaw drop was this one in York Street Cemetery in Licking County. Since then, I’ve seen other motorcycle tombstones, but none as large or as detailed as this Harley-Davidson. (It isn’t full-size, but it is close.)

Harris Harley-Davidson tombstone, York Street Cemetery, Licking County, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow, 31 August 2007. All rights reserved.

Twin Sons and Boys Dresses

Below is a tombstone in Pataskala Cemetery in Licking County. I searched for Atkinsons in both the 1860 and 1870 censuses of Licking County and did not find any. Note the dresses shown on the tombstone. It was normal for young boys to wear dresses in the mid 1800s. The University of Vermont has a page of links to illustrations from Godey’s Lady’s Book including a boys dress from the December 1859 issue.

Thomas P. and Samuel Mc./ twin sons of W. E. & M. P./ Atkinson/ Died Oct. 18, 1863 & Nov. 1, 1863/ Aged/ 2y 6m 4d & 2 y 6m 18d

 

Twin sons of W. E. and M. P. Atkinson, Pataskala Cemetery, Licking County, Ohio. Photo by Amy Crow 27 December 2007. All rights reserved.

Masonic Celtic Cross

I love celtic crosses, so when I found the one below in Pataskala Cemetery in Licking County, I had to take a picture.

 

Calloway monument, Pataskala Cemetery, Licking County, Ohio. Photo taken by Amy Crow, 26 December 2007. All rights reserved.

It was rather cold the day I was there, so I didn’t stand around and examine the cross very closely. Imagine my surprise when I got home and was looking at the close-up photo I took of the cross and found Masonic symbols in the celtic design.

 

Close-up of celtic cross with Masonic symbols. Calloway monument, Pataskala Cemetery, Licking County, Ohio. Photo taken by Amy Crow, 26 December 2007. All rights reserved.

It is the first and, so far, only celtic cross I’ve seen with Masonic symbols.