Archive for August, 2020

Frederick Vosselmann, Jr.

We asked some of our volunteers to pick their favorite monument at Eastern Cemetery. Andy Harpole volunteers because he gets to meet so many amazing people. He has seen the impact volunteering has on the people who have loved ones buried at Eastern. Andy has always loved a quick photo that he took of this headstone. When he went back to look at the photo, he saw a person formed by the light and shadows. You can see Andy’s photo in this post as well as a clearer photo of the headstone.
Frederick Vosselmann, Jr. (1854-1892) was born in Germany to Frederick and Margaret Vosselmann. Their last name was also recorded as Fusselmann in records. It is unclear when Frederick and his family immigrated to the United States. By the 1850s, thirty-five percent of the population in Louisville was German. The family moved around quite a bit as renters but always remained in the Butchertown Neighborhood. Frederick, Sr. worked as a laborer and sawyer, which was someone who sawed wood. On August 8, 1886, Frederick, Sr. died from tuberculosis and was buried in Eastern Cemetery. Frederick, Jr. worked briefly as a saddler before becoming a butcher. According to the 1884 city directory, Frederick, Jr. was a butcher for J. Pfaffinger & Co., which was a pork packing plant on E. Market Street. By the 1891 city directory Frederick, Jr. was a butcher for H.F. Vissman & Co., which was a pork packing plant on Story Avenue and Buchanan Street. Established in 1871, the company was known for its “Derby Ham.” On June 12, 1892, Frederick died from accidental drowning and was buried in Eastern Cemetery. Margaret Vosselmann lived until October 9, 1902. According to the 1900 census, she was a boarder without an occupation. Her death records state she died of old age and was buried in Eastern Cemetery. Headstones for Frederick, Sr. and Margaret Vosselmann could not be found.

Alvin M. and Catherine Elizabeth (Schiehl) Gardner

Alvin M. Gardner (1908-1984) was born on July 5, 1908 in Hodgenville, KY to William and Emily (Ward) Gardner. He was one of four siblings. William Gardner was a farmer in Hodgenville. Not many records could be found on Alvin’s life after the 1940s when he married Catherine Elizabeth Schiehl (1921-1991). Catherine was born on May 22, 1921 in Cincinnati, OH to Frank and Anna (Schaffer) Schiehl. Together, Alvin and Catherine had two sons: William and James. According to their grandson, Tim Gardner, from 1959-1973, Alvin and Catherine owned and operated the Baxter Shoe Repair and Dry Goods Store. From 1973-1989, the store became the Baxter Avenue Grocery. The store was located at 616 Baxter Avenue, which is now one of the Spinelli’s Pizza buildings. A 1978 “Courier-Journal” article reviewing the changes to the Phoenix Hill neighborhood discussed the store and the Gardners: “One thing that hasn’t closed is the Baxter Avenue grocery. Catherine and Alvin Gardner have been operating their small business for five years. Before that, Mrs. Gardner worked as a shoemaker in the same store. No matter what they’ve sold in their narrow storefront, the elderly pair has lived behind it for the last 25 years. ‘This neighborhood’s been good to us. We raised two boys here. They growed up right here on the hill,’ Mrs. Gardner said. As for changes, she said, ‘Well, in a way it’s changed and in a way it hasn’t. The people are all that change—they’ve grown older. Younger and new ones come in.’” On April 20, 1984, Alvin died at the age of 75. Seven years later, Catherine died at the age of 69 on February 12, 1991. They are buried together in Row 1 of Dogwood Circle in Eastern Cemetery. Their grandson Tim previously sent us this photograph of his grandparents and their business card.

James C. Snow

James C. Snow was born in Minter, Alabama in 1915. He was the only child of James F. and Ethel Snow. He enlisted in the Army in Jan. 1943 at 27 years of age. While in the Army he served in 3 wars WWII, the Korean, and Vietnam wars. He met and married is wife Bessie in 1948 and together they had 5 children. He was stationed in Germany, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The family later joined him while stationed in Washington, DC and Okinawa, Japan. He retired from the Army in Nov. 1964, and he and the family returned to Louisville in 1965. James enjoyed his civilian life with his family before he became ill in 1972. He passed away in 1975 at 59 years of age. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of his family. Thank you for serving your country for 21 years. This biography was written by his son James M. Snow and his granddaughter Michelle Snow. Thank you for your contribution!

James Hepph Hishmeh

We enjoy sharing and celebrating the lives of the people who are laid to rest at Eastern Cemetery. Sometimes research can be tough. We wanted to feature James Hepph Hishmeh (1894-1961). He was a United States Army veteran, and he was an immigrant from Palestine. Beyond that, he seems to be a bit of a mystery.
The most information we could found on Hishmeh was from the United States Headstone Application for his military headstone at Eastern Cemetery. The applicant is listed as John Hishmeh, who identified himself as James’s brother in Horse Cave, KY. According to the application, at the time of his honorable discharge from the service Hishmeh was a Private in the 4th Pioneer Infantry during World War I. James Hishmeh died at the age of 67 in Louisville. At the time of his death, he was living at 3608 W. Market Street in the Shawnee Neighborhood. Two different versions of Hishmeh’s obituary were published in “Courier-Journal” and they do not really match. One obituary noted he was survived by 4 sisters and 2 brothers. However, the other obituary noted he was survived by a sister, Mrs. Meladeh Koury, and a brother, George Hishmeh, both of Milwaukee. Neither obituary indicated a spouse or children. Hishmeh is buried in Section 7, Row 19, Grave 17 of Eastern Cemetery.
Our research includes reviewing as many historic records we can find. These can include city directories; census records; birth, marriage, and death records; newspaper articles, etc. We were able to find records on James Hishmeh, but they don’t create a solid story as they usually do. It’s common to find incorrect spellings, birth dates, etc. but Hishmeh’s records were so different that we didn’t want to share incorrect information. Instead we see this as an opportunity to talk about the difficulties of research and to ask that if anyone knew James Hishmeh to please reach out and help us better tell his story.

SFC Clifford G. Montgomery

We are honoring SFC Clifford G. Montgomery (1933-1969) who was born on December 8, 1933 in Louisville, KY to Effie Green. She was the daughter of John and Kattie (Harris) Green, descendants of Eliza Tevis who is a founder of an early African American community known as Petersburg. His mother Effie married George R. Lyons and together they had seven children. Montgomery married Eva Delores Walters and they had five children: Barbara, Kenneth, Darrell, Warren, and Pratt. Very little information could be found on Montgomery’s life. On December 23, 1969, he died in Phuoc Long, Vietnam after the Army base where he was located was attacked. Montgomery was 36 years old. According to his headstone, SFC Montgomery was a Sergeant First Class of the Headquarters Battery, 77th Artillery, 1st Calvary Division where he worked as a cook. His headstone also says he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart. His obituary was published in the “Courier-Journal” on January 2, 1970. It stated that Montgomery had been in the Army for 20 years and was due to retire April 1970. He is buried in Section 16, Row 14, Grave 17 in Eastern Cemetery. Thank you, SFC Montgomery for your sacrifice. You will not be forgotten. Photos are from Find A Grave user Tom Reece.

George and Katherine “Katie” Zeitz

George Zeitz 12/15/1819 – 6/18/1888
Katherine “Katie” Zeitz 10/20/1823 – 9/12/1898
George and Katherine “Katie” Zeitz both immigrated from Bavaria, Germany sometime before 1847. Together the couple had ten children: Jacob, Edward, Frederick, John, George, Daniel, Joseph, Charles, Catharine, and Christena. George and Daniel were twins born June 26, 1858. Jacob, the couples first child, was born in Louisiana on April 28, 1847. His obituary noted that he was born in New Orleans and moved to Louisville as a young child. Although it is not clear if George and Katie were married in Germany and immigrated to the United States together, research into Jacob’s early life does tell us that the couple likely first settled in New Orleans and then moved to Louisville. The other nine children were born in Kentucky.
George was a gardener and Katie kept house and tended to the children. According to the 1860 Federal Census, the couple was living in Gilmans, which is known today as the St. Matthews area. There were several laborers living with the family at the time of the Census and George’s personal estate was valued at $500. In 1869, the city directory more specifically noted that George was a gardener at the Shelby Market and the family was living on Main Street Road. As the family grew, the laborers seemed to disappear. By the time of the 1880 Census, George Jr., Joseph, Charles, Catharine, and Christena were all working for the family as assistant gardeners.
George died June 18, 1888 of chronic gastric complications at the age of 68. Katie died September 12, 1898 of Bright’s Disease/kidney disease at the age of 74.

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