Midwest Taphophile
@midwest-taphophile.bsky.social
Historian. Genealogist. Midwesterner. Among other things.
Sharing random cemetery and other historical research
And also anything else I like.
Sharing random cemetery and other historical research
And also anything else I like.
I love Avondale. Glenwood Cemetery gets all the love, but I think Avondale is more interesting. And my family is there.
And so is the Bump Family, including the unfortunately named Love Bump. More on her someday.
But I never realized that the Bump family has a zinc marker with inverted torches!
And so is the Bump Family, including the unfortunately named Love Bump. More on her someday.
But I never realized that the Bump family has a zinc marker with inverted torches!
April 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I love Avondale. Glenwood Cemetery gets all the love, but I think Avondale is more interesting. And my family is there.
And so is the Bump Family, including the unfortunately named Love Bump. More on her someday.
But I never realized that the Bump family has a zinc marker with inverted torches!
And so is the Bump Family, including the unfortunately named Love Bump. More on her someday.
But I never realized that the Bump family has a zinc marker with inverted torches!
I decided to go through all of my cemetery photos and find images of inverted torches.
I haven't gone through all of them yet, but after going through most, I've only found one.
One!
And I found it in the very first cemetery I started exploring as a teen:
Avondale Cemetery in Flint, Michigan
I haven't gone through all of them yet, but after going through most, I've only found one.
One!
And I found it in the very first cemetery I started exploring as a teen:
Avondale Cemetery in Flint, Michigan
April 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I decided to go through all of my cemetery photos and find images of inverted torches.
I haven't gone through all of them yet, but after going through most, I've only found one.
One!
And I found it in the very first cemetery I started exploring as a teen:
Avondale Cemetery in Flint, Michigan
I haven't gone through all of them yet, but after going through most, I've only found one.
One!
And I found it in the very first cemetery I started exploring as a teen:
Avondale Cemetery in Flint, Michigan
For the record, I requested changes to the first design but approved the revised design (even though I still wasn't crazy about it), but I promise the drawing looked neater than this.
Anyway, I ended up getting it fixed by someone else and am very happy with the result:
Anyway, I ended up getting it fixed by someone else and am very happy with the result:
April 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
For the record, I requested changes to the first design but approved the revised design (even though I still wasn't crazy about it), but I promise the drawing looked neater than this.
Anyway, I ended up getting it fixed by someone else and am very happy with the result:
Anyway, I ended up getting it fixed by someone else and am very happy with the result:
One of my favorite cemetery symbols is the inverted torch. An upside-down torch symbolizes death, and one with the flame still burning symbolizes the soul continuing to exist after death.
So I decided to get a tattoo of one!
But the first attempt didn't go great.
So I decided to get a tattoo of one!
But the first attempt didn't go great.
April 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
One of my favorite cemetery symbols is the inverted torch. An upside-down torch symbolizes death, and one with the flame still burning symbolizes the soul continuing to exist after death.
So I decided to get a tattoo of one!
But the first attempt didn't go great.
So I decided to get a tattoo of one!
But the first attempt didn't go great.
Adelia is buried in the Bond family plot. Most of the Bond grave markers are thick, uniform marble tablets. Adelia's is the exception. If you look closely in the photo below, you can see her light gray grave markers splayed out amongst the other reddish-brown grave markers.
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March 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Adelia is buried in the Bond family plot. Most of the Bond grave markers are thick, uniform marble tablets. Adelia's is the exception. If you look closely in the photo below, you can see her light gray grave markers splayed out amongst the other reddish-brown grave markers.
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We found Adelia's grave on Saturday. It's collapsed but still in good shape. The stones don't appear broken, and it would be pretty easy to repair. The carving seems a bit more worn, though, and you can barely make out "Asleep in Jesus." As is, water will collect and freeze, causing more damage.
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March 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
We found Adelia's grave on Saturday. It's collapsed but still in good shape. The stones don't appear broken, and it would be pretty easy to repair. The carving seems a bit more worn, though, and you can barely make out "Asleep in Jesus." As is, water will collect and freeze, causing more damage.
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Find a Grave has a 2018 photo of Adelia Mary Bond's grave, showing it as a cradle style marker. The headstone also has a carving of an angel carrying a child to heaven, similar to the motif on the Trinity Episcopal window. Her full name "Adelia Mary Bond" is displayed on the top.
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March 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Find a Grave has a 2018 photo of Adelia Mary Bond's grave, showing it as a cradle style marker. The headstone also has a carving of an angel carrying a child to heaven, similar to the motif on the Trinity Episcopal window. Her full name "Adelia Mary Bond" is displayed on the top.
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a sleeping child, with the words "He shall give His Angels charge over thee."
Naturally, I started doing research on my phone in the church pew.
Little Adelia Mary Bond was born October 9, 1859, to Charles Douglas Bond and Anna Lavina Ewing. Adelia died September 1, 1861. 1yr 10m 24d
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Naturally, I started doing research on my phone in the church pew.
Little Adelia Mary Bond was born October 9, 1859, to Charles Douglas Bond and Anna Lavina Ewing. Adelia died September 1, 1861. 1yr 10m 24d
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March 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
a sleeping child, with the words "He shall give His Angels charge over thee."
Naturally, I started doing research on my phone in the church pew.
Little Adelia Mary Bond was born October 9, 1859, to Charles Douglas Bond and Anna Lavina Ewing. Adelia died September 1, 1861. 1yr 10m 24d
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Naturally, I started doing research on my phone in the church pew.
Little Adelia Mary Bond was born October 9, 1859, to Charles Douglas Bond and Anna Lavina Ewing. Adelia died September 1, 1861. 1yr 10m 24d
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Adelia Mary Bond - Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in Trinity Episcopal Church for a choir performance and noticed this beautiful window.
At the bottom, it reads "In Memoriam" and "Adelia Mary," while the middle has a lovely image of two angels overlooking
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A few weeks ago, I was sitting in Trinity Episcopal Church for a choir performance and noticed this beautiful window.
At the bottom, it reads "In Memoriam" and "Adelia Mary," while the middle has a lovely image of two angels overlooking
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March 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Adelia Mary Bond - Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in Trinity Episcopal Church for a choir performance and noticed this beautiful window.
At the bottom, it reads "In Memoriam" and "Adelia Mary," while the middle has a lovely image of two angels overlooking
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A few weeks ago, I was sitting in Trinity Episcopal Church for a choir performance and noticed this beautiful window.
At the bottom, it reads "In Memoriam" and "Adelia Mary," while the middle has a lovely image of two angels overlooking
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After a bit of a hiatus, the weather is turning, and my thoughts are also turning once again to cemeteries.
This is Carrie R., who died in 1877 at the age of 4 months and 5 days. Carrie is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The surrounding graves give no indication as to
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This is Carrie R., who died in 1877 at the age of 4 months and 5 days. Carrie is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The surrounding graves give no indication as to
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March 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
After a bit of a hiatus, the weather is turning, and my thoughts are also turning once again to cemeteries.
This is Carrie R., who died in 1877 at the age of 4 months and 5 days. Carrie is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The surrounding graves give no indication as to
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This is Carrie R., who died in 1877 at the age of 4 months and 5 days. Carrie is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The surrounding graves give no indication as to
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Also, side note.
I took my photo in 2012 and the findagrave photo is from 2016.
Are the graves at Langdale Cemetery sinking? Or did this one just get pushed down a bit?
I took my photo in 2012 and the findagrave photo is from 2016.
Are the graves at Langdale Cemetery sinking? Or did this one just get pushed down a bit?
January 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Also, side note.
I took my photo in 2012 and the findagrave photo is from 2016.
Are the graves at Langdale Cemetery sinking? Or did this one just get pushed down a bit?
I took my photo in 2012 and the findagrave photo is from 2016.
Are the graves at Langdale Cemetery sinking? Or did this one just get pushed down a bit?
Littie Rowton
These rounded concrete stones date from b/w 1910 - 1940. A few do have dates, and some have been further identified on findagrave, but not Littie Rowton or (her likely mother) "Mrs. Rowton" nearby.
(I never got a photo of Mrs. Rowton. The one below is from findagrave.)
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These rounded concrete stones date from b/w 1910 - 1940. A few do have dates, and some have been further identified on findagrave, but not Littie Rowton or (her likely mother) "Mrs. Rowton" nearby.
(I never got a photo of Mrs. Rowton. The one below is from findagrave.)
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January 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Littie Rowton
These rounded concrete stones date from b/w 1910 - 1940. A few do have dates, and some have been further identified on findagrave, but not Littie Rowton or (her likely mother) "Mrs. Rowton" nearby.
(I never got a photo of Mrs. Rowton. The one below is from findagrave.)
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These rounded concrete stones date from b/w 1910 - 1940. A few do have dates, and some have been further identified on findagrave, but not Littie Rowton or (her likely mother) "Mrs. Rowton" nearby.
(I never got a photo of Mrs. Rowton. The one below is from findagrave.)
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The 1880 census shows the same: save for Charles' mother Elizabeth, everyone in the family from 30yo Margaret to 14yo Ida worked as a cotton factory hand.
On January 15, 1882, Charles married Carrie Rosalie Duncan in Troup County, Georgia.
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January 1, 2025 at 12:19 AM
The 1880 census shows the same: save for Charles' mother Elizabeth, everyone in the family from 30yo Margaret to 14yo Ida worked as a cotton factory hand.
On January 15, 1882, Charles married Carrie Rosalie Duncan in Troup County, Georgia.
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Charles worked in a cotton mill along with most of his family. The 1870 census records 14yo Charles working in the cotton mill with his 9yo brother Lucius, 12yo sister Mary, 16yo sister Ellen, 18yo sister Ann, and 21yo sister Margaret. Only 4yo Ida and 7yo John stayed at home.
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January 1, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Charles worked in a cotton mill along with most of his family. The 1870 census records 14yo Charles working in the cotton mill with his 9yo brother Lucius, 12yo sister Mary, 16yo sister Ellen, 18yo sister Ann, and 21yo sister Margaret. Only 4yo Ida and 7yo John stayed at home.
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Everage Bowles was born February 25, 1883, to Charles Henry Bowles and Carrie Rosalie Duncan.
Charles H. Bowles was born near LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia circa 1857. He lived in "Troup Factory" in 1870 and Rough Edge in 1880 with his parents Jesse and Elizabeth Bowles and 7 siblings.
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Charles H. Bowles was born near LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia circa 1857. He lived in "Troup Factory" in 1870 and Rough Edge in 1880 with his parents Jesse and Elizabeth Bowles and 7 siblings.
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January 1, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Everage Bowles was born February 25, 1883, to Charles Henry Bowles and Carrie Rosalie Duncan.
Charles H. Bowles was born near LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia circa 1857. He lived in "Troup Factory" in 1870 and Rough Edge in 1880 with his parents Jesse and Elizabeth Bowles and 7 siblings.
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Charles H. Bowles was born near LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia circa 1857. He lived in "Troup Factory" in 1870 and Rough Edge in 1880 with his parents Jesse and Elizabeth Bowles and 7 siblings.
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There are also a lot of kids. A lot. Moreso, it seemed, than typical.
Most of the brown stones simply say "baby," but there are also a lot of older kids, too.
It felt odd being there with my own 2yo, who I had to crop out of Everage's photo. 😬
Most of the brown stones simply say "baby," but there are also a lot of older kids, too.
It felt odd being there with my own 2yo, who I had to crop out of Everage's photo. 😬
December 31, 2024 at 3:56 PM
There are also a lot of kids. A lot. Moreso, it seemed, than typical.
Most of the brown stones simply say "baby," but there are also a lot of older kids, too.
It felt odd being there with my own 2yo, who I had to crop out of Everage's photo. 😬
Most of the brown stones simply say "baby," but there are also a lot of older kids, too.
It felt odd being there with my own 2yo, who I had to crop out of Everage's photo. 😬
My photos aren't the greatest, but there are Street Views, too.
There are a lot of these simple rounded stones, usually with the minimum amount of information on them. Sometimes just a name. Sometimes there's a date.
I think they might be for those who couldn't necessarily afford a lot.
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There are a lot of these simple rounded stones, usually with the minimum amount of information on them. Sometimes just a name. Sometimes there's a date.
I think they might be for those who couldn't necessarily afford a lot.
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December 31, 2024 at 3:56 PM
My photos aren't the greatest, but there are Street Views, too.
There are a lot of these simple rounded stones, usually with the minimum amount of information on them. Sometimes just a name. Sometimes there's a date.
I think they might be for those who couldn't necessarily afford a lot.
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There are a lot of these simple rounded stones, usually with the minimum amount of information on them. Sometimes just a name. Sometimes there's a date.
I think they might be for those who couldn't necessarily afford a lot.
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I'm planning on sharing a new post today, but first, I need to quickly knock out a historical context for the transcontinental railroad through Donner Pass. Easy peasy.
Library of Congress
Lawrence & Houseworth Collection
1866
Library of Congress
Lawrence & Houseworth Collection
1866
November 25, 2024 at 4:27 PM
I'm planning on sharing a new post today, but first, I need to quickly knock out a historical context for the transcontinental railroad through Donner Pass. Easy peasy.
Library of Congress
Lawrence & Houseworth Collection
1866
Library of Congress
Lawrence & Houseworth Collection
1866
oral history inaccuracy, since Mott isn't shown as owning that property, but...
If you look at the 1859 map, you can see that 4 acres with a dwelling are set off from the rest of the parcel, and because there isn't enough space, the landowner isn't labeled. These 4 acres were likely Mott's
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If you look at the 1859 map, you can see that 4 acres with a dwelling are set off from the rest of the parcel, and because there isn't enough space, the landowner isn't labeled. These 4 acres were likely Mott's
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
oral history inaccuracy, since Mott isn't shown as owning that property, but...
If you look at the 1859 map, you can see that 4 acres with a dwelling are set off from the rest of the parcel, and because there isn't enough space, the landowner isn't labeled. These 4 acres were likely Mott's
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If you look at the 1859 map, you can see that 4 acres with a dwelling are set off from the rest of the parcel, and because there isn't enough space, the landowner isn't labeled. These 4 acres were likely Mott's
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Edith and John owned a cottage up north on Torch Lake, and Edith continued to summer there.
In 1934, she and another Lansing woman spent 3 months in Detroit serving on a "Federal Traverse jury" (it's just a trial jury). Michigan allowed women to serve on juries in 1918.
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In 1934, she and another Lansing woman spent 3 months in Detroit serving on a "Federal Traverse jury" (it's just a trial jury). Michigan allowed women to serve on juries in 1918.
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Edith and John owned a cottage up north on Torch Lake, and Edith continued to summer there.
In 1934, she and another Lansing woman spent 3 months in Detroit serving on a "Federal Traverse jury" (it's just a trial jury). Michigan allowed women to serve on juries in 1918.
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In 1934, she and another Lansing woman spent 3 months in Detroit serving on a "Federal Traverse jury" (it's just a trial jury). Michigan allowed women to serve on juries in 1918.
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Edith also enjoyed performing readings at social events, fundraisers, Mira's recitals, and the Fortnightly Club, of which she was a member. In 1932, John Rulison was elected to the State House of Representatives but died less than a year into his term on Sept. 3, 1933. He was 57 years old.
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Edith also enjoyed performing readings at social events, fundraisers, Mira's recitals, and the Fortnightly Club, of which she was a member. In 1932, John Rulison was elected to the State House of Representatives but died less than a year into his term on Sept. 3, 1933. He was 57 years old.
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John initially worked as a physician, but they appeared to be fairly involved with public service. John was the president of the Ingham County Medical Society in 1918, and in 1919, Edith Rulison was elected as a 3rd Ward Democratic delegate, among several other local women entering politics.
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
John initially worked as a physician, but they appeared to be fairly involved with public service. John was the president of the Ingham County Medical Society in 1918, and in 1919, Edith Rulison was elected as a 3rd Ward Democratic delegate, among several other local women entering politics.
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Percy and Anna lived near Mott and Electa in 1910 on a ~50a parcel that he previously purchased from his father. While Percy is recorded as a telegrapher, he likely also farmed. Neither the 1919 topo map nor the 1937 landownership map (below) show dwellings on Percy's property, though.
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Percy and Anna lived near Mott and Electa in 1910 on a ~50a parcel that he previously purchased from his father. While Percy is recorded as a telegrapher, he likely also farmed. Neither the 1919 topo map nor the 1937 landownership map (below) show dwellings on Percy's property, though.
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Elsie continued to teach until the 1940s. She also visited the Bahamas in 1937 with friend and fellow schoolteacher Edith Pettee. Edith grew up in Montrose, near Flushing, and also graduated from UofM. Like Mira, Elsie never married.
Elsie died Jan 31, 1954, and is buried in Flushing Cemetery.
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Elsie died Jan 31, 1954, and is buried in Flushing Cemetery.
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Elsie continued to teach until the 1940s. She also visited the Bahamas in 1937 with friend and fellow schoolteacher Edith Pettee. Edith grew up in Montrose, near Flushing, and also graduated from UofM. Like Mira, Elsie never married.
Elsie died Jan 31, 1954, and is buried in Flushing Cemetery.
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Elsie died Jan 31, 1954, and is buried in Flushing Cemetery.
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After Mira's death in 1925, Elsie moved into an apt at W 500 Genesee St with Jessie Ingersoll, whom she met while teaching in Mason. Jessie was a former teacher, but in 1925 was a bookkeeper for the Bailey real estate co. Jessie accompanied Elsie to several social outings and family events.
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November 22, 2024 at 4:47 PM
After Mira's death in 1925, Elsie moved into an apt at W 500 Genesee St with Jessie Ingersoll, whom she met while teaching in Mason. Jessie was a former teacher, but in 1925 was a bookkeeper for the Bailey real estate co. Jessie accompanied Elsie to several social outings and family events.
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