LITTLE KNOWN GEMS OF INFORMATION ABOUT
CEDARVALE CEMETERY AND EASTVIEW CEMETERY
Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas
Collected by
Kenneth L. Thames
Post Historian
Philip H. Parker VFW Post 2438
December
31, 2007, Updated November 6, 2009, August 13, 2017, March 17, 2019
Anyone who has other
“Gems
of Information”
about Cedarvale
or Eastview Cemeteries
please
email .
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Baby Girl Unknown February 15, 1960
It may have been cold on that February afternoon when they found her small lifeless body in the dry canal bed. There was no one who knew her, no one to care, no one to offer a prayer. She was gently wrapped and placed in a small casket, then taken to the County Burial Ground - there she was laid to rest. Over fifty years have passed since that terrible afternoon, and now even the location of the tiny grave that she lies in, is unknown.
In pace requiescat
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Oldest Marked Grave
The oldest marked grave at Cedarvale Cemetery belongs to John Lawson Matthews, who was born July 21, 1890 and died August 25, 1891 at the age of 1 year, 1 month and 4 days. He was the son of Sallie Lawson Matthews (b 3 -13 -1867 d 5 - 8 - 1953) and Jesse Matthews (b 4 - 13 - 1864 d 11 - 12 - 1930). They are buried next to him in Section 4A, Block 142. Master Matthews was buried at another location* and then moved at an unknown date to Cedarvale Cemetery after it was established in 1896.
*It is most likely John Lawson was originally buried in the family plot at the Caney-Matthews Cemetery east of Bay City, and when Judge Matthews died and was buried at Cedarvale the family moved his remains be near his family.
A group marker was dedicated on May 3rd, 1997 for nine Confederate soldiers who are buried in lost graves at Cedarvale Cemetery. They are Lieutenant Archelaus C. Craft who died in 1912, and Privates Evander Hubbard, died 1903; George W. Lewis, died 1903; William R. Lewis, died 1903; Felding S. Presley, died 1911; John W. Roach, died 1902; H. L. Wilson, died 1919; Fountain Winston, died 1902 and William O. Woffard, died 1903. On the back of the marker is written: Confederate Soldiers from Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia whose final resting places in this cemetery are known but to God. A cast iron Confederate Cross of Honor was placed at the foot of the grave. The property was donated by Kenneth L. Thames and gift deeded to the E. S. Rugeley Chapter No. 542, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Bay City, Texas. The marker is located in Section 2, Block 78.
Dr. Christopher Harris "Kit" Williams (1838-1916), originally entered the Confederate Army as a Captain. He resigned his commission due to difficulties back home, then later rejoined the Confederate Army as a 1st Lieutenant and was attached to Captain Jones' Light Artillery. This unit was one of several that participated in the Battle of Palmetto Ranch, near Brownsville, Texas on May 12 - 13, 1865. This was the last battle of the Civil War, which ironically the Confederates won. His father, Colonel Robert H. Williams, as a member of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old Three Hundred”, was one of the first white settlers in Matagorda County. Dr. Williams was also the first white baby born in Matagorda County and a citizen of the Republic of Texas. Dr. Williams is buried in Section 1, Block 29.
Bay
City's First Baby
Merlin Arthur Vogelsang was born to Nicholas M. and Myrtle [Collins] Vogelsang on October 30, 1895. He holds the distinction of being the first baby to be born in the new town of Bay City. His mother and father were married in 1894 in Bay City, and his father was among the organizers who were responsible for getting the county seat moved from Matagorda to Bay City in 1894. Merlin served in the US Army during World War I. At the time of his death on November 8, 1967, at the age of 72, he was employed with the Hunt Tool Company. He is buried next to his parents in Section 1, Block 26.
Texas House
of Representatives
Mr. Alexander D. Hensley was born in Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, on January 4, 1859 and died on May 13, 1947 in Bay City. He married Margaret "Maggie" Bozarth on September 29, 1901 in Llano County. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from January 12, 1897 - January 10, 1899. He and his wife Maggie (1875 - 1960) are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 6, Block 30.
Mr. William D. Wilson was born January 11, 1876 and died July 26, 1927. He married Mildred Wortham on He served in the Texas House of Representatives from January 10, 1905 – January 8, 1907. He is buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 2, Block 80.
Mr. W. C. Carpenter was born in Alabama on August 13, 1857 and died on October 8, 1934 in Bay City, Texas. He served in the Texas House of Representatives in 1921-1925 and again 1929-1933. He is buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 1, Block 20.
Mr. John Andrew Huebner, Sr. was born in Bay City, Texas on September 4, 1897 and died in Houston, Texas on February 27, 1964. He married Molly Laflin Foote on January 26, 1921 in Matagorda County. He served in the Texas House of Representatives in 1957, and again in 1959-1962. He and his wife Molly (1902-1966) are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 6, Block 29.
Mr. Donald Ray "Tom" Uher was born in Bay City, Texas on December 16, 1937, and passed away at his home in Bay City on March 9, 2019. Tom was elected as a State Representative in a special election on his birthday, December 16, 1967 and served the counties of Matagorda, Wharton and Brazoria for 36 years. He served over 3 decades, spanning 8 presidents, and was Speaker Pro Tem from 1993-2001 and upon leaving office was Dean of the House. He practiced Law in Bay City for 55 years and was married to Ann Hagaman Uher. He was a Great American. He is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 5 Block 38.
Grandfather Alamo Physician/Messenger - Cousin Alamo Defender
John Sutherland’s grandfather, Dr. John Sutherland, Jr. (1792-1867) moved to San Antonio in 1835; there the Alamo garrison hired his medical services. He was injured in a fall from a horse and could not fight, so Col William B. Travis sent him to bring help from Gonzales. Dr. Sutherland returned with a contingent of men only to see the funeral pyres; among the dead was William DePriest Sutherland (1818-1836) the seventeen year old son of his brother George. John Sutherland (1864–1965) and his wife Estelle Anderson Sutherland (1864–1933) are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery in Section 2 Block 59.
First Professional Nurse in Matagorda
County
Miss
Genevieve
Sharpless (1892-1971) a professional nurse, who was
born in New Jersey, accompanied Dr. Claude P. Jones, MD, to Bay City
in 1913 with the idea of staying three months to help establish a
hospital in town. She remained in Bay City for the rest of her life,
and married Dr. Albert S. Morton, MD at Millville, New Jersey on12
July 1917. In addition to being the first professional nurse in the
county, she was the only nurse in the county’s first hospital. She
and her husband Dr. Morton are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery in
Section 1, Block 39.
Matagorda County Tribune
Mrs. Mabel Claire (Ladd) McNabb (October 16, 1876 – February 11, 1899) wife of John Francis Allen McNabb (September 7, 1871 – August 17, 1899) was the daughter of Jacob Lenn “J L” Ladd (June 7, 1850 – June 27, 1933) and Emma Saralla (Lavalle) Ladd (February 12, 1856 – November 6, 1923). J L Ladd was the County Attorney for Matagorda County in 1897 and the first Editor of the Matagorda County Tribune, established in 1898. She and her husband Allen are buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 1, Block 39.
VFW Post 2438 Namesake
Originally named Bay City VFW Post 2438 was chartered in 1940 and
was renamed Philip H. Parker VFW Post 2438 in 1948 in honor of
Captain Philip
Hackley Parker, USAAF, who was Killed in Action in
1945 in China. Philip (1920-1945) was born in San Augustine, Texas
to Herbert H. Parker (1891-1981) and Allie [Hazle] Parker
(1892-1983). He had two siblings: Mary Elizabeth {Barnes}
(1918-1989) and Eugene Earl (1921-2005). He married Nina Josephine
Orchard {Carpenter} (1921-2002) on 5 June 1943 in McAllen, Texas.
They had no children. Philip is buried with his parents in Cedarvale
Cemetery, Section 6, Block 37.
Distinguished Educator
Professor Jordan Thomas Washington, Sr., (18 Jan 1897*-10 Jan 1958) was born in Matagorda County to Frank Washington (1875-1943) and Ellen (Allen) Washington (1876-1946). He enlisted in the US Army during WWI (1918-1919). He married Ruby Ruth [Spencer] {Sims} (1904-1991) in Harris County, Texas. They had four children: Jordan, Jr., George M., Ruth E., and Phyllis C. He served as dean of instruction at Royal collage in Conroe, principal of Bessmay Junior High School, superintendent of the Forestville School District, dean of Mary Allen College and was acting president at the time of his death; member 1st Baptist Church [Lufkin], teacher of the Men’s Bible Class, chairman of the Board of Trustees, teacher of Brotherhood and a member of the Board of Deacons. Professor Washington is buried in Eastview Cemetery, Section A1. *Birth year variously given as 1897 & 1900.
Cared For
the Sick and Injured & Midwife
Margaret Snadden Cook Harris was born in Scotland on March 3, 1846. She cared for the sick and the injured, and attended to the birthing of babies. She kept her doctor bag packed with medicines and remedies of the day, and her big doctor book close at hand for easy reference. Doctors were few and far between in those early days in the county, so her skills and knowledge of medicine were much in demand. She married Thomas Jefferson Harris in Matagorda County on October 10, 1880. Mr. Harris, a Confederate veteran who served in the Caney Rifles, Mounted Company, 22 Brigade, Texas Militia died October 7, 1907 and was buried in the Harris Family Cemetery in Matagorda County. Mrs. Harris is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 3, Block 98.
Earliest
Military Service
Mr. John Lee was born May 17, 1828 in Union District, South Carolina and died September 9th, 1907 in Bay City. He is buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 1, Block 18.
Mr. Lee served in the United States Army during the Mexican War between 1846 and 1848 on the border between Texas and Mexico.
Captain E. S. Rugeley Chapter No. 542 United Daughters of the Confederacy
The local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was chartered in 1901. Mrs. Elizabeth Elmore Rugeley (1846 - 1923), wife of Henry Lowndes “HL” Rugeley, was elected the first president, and she retained that office for 21 years until her death in 1923. She and her husband, Henry, are buried in Section 1, Block 11 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Founding Fathers
Mr. Nicholas M. “N. M.” Vogelsang (1870 - 1934) one of two men considered to be the founding fathers of Bay City (Mr. Guilford M. Magill being the other) is buried in Section 1, Block 26 of Cedarvale Cemetery. From The Daily Tribune, December 20, 1934: “In 1894 he (Mr. Vogelsang) in company with Mr. G. M. Magill, now of Houston, came to Matagorda County, started a little newspaper (Bay City Breeze) in the vicinity of this now beautiful little city and began a county-wide campaign for the removal of the county seat from Matagorda to Bay City. This campaign was highly successful, whereupon Vogelsang, Magill and Klipstein bought of D. P. Moore 300 acres more or less West of Ave. G, and approximately 500 acres from the Bay Prairie Cattle Company, and laid out the town of Bay City, giving the place the name it has after its location, Bay Prairie.” Mr. Vogelsang was also involved in banking, milling, town building and many other civic enterprises. Mr. Magill (1862 - 1938) is also buried in Section 1, Block 10 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Prisoners of War
There are three identified former Prisoners of War buried at Cedarvale Cemetery. Mr. F. L. Nelson, (1911 - 1987), is buried in Section 9, Block 70. Mr. Gerald W. Rowland, (1918 - 2007), is buried in Section 9, Block 400. Mr. Burnett J. Schulz, (1923 - 1995), is buried in Section 9, Block 87. All three men were prisoners of Nazi Germany in WWII.
Bay City’s First Postmaster
Mr. Joseph D. Moore (1863 - 1946) served as Bay City’s first Postmaster from 1894 to 1898. He and his wife, Susan, are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 4, Block 119.
First Santa Fe Train Into Bay City
Mr. John R. Castleton was the conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad train when it made its first trip into Bay City in 1901. John Rutland Castleton (01-17-1876 – 05-14-1942) and his wife Imogene (Whitfield) (07-24-1882 – 03-31-1979) are buried in Section 6, Block 4.
Texas City Disaster
Mr. Harold “Hal” Lawrence Steel (07-14-1902 - 04-16-1947), a veteran of WWI, was killed in an industrial accident that occurred on April 16, 1947 in the Texas City port on Galveston Bay. It was the deadliest industrial accident in the United States, and one of the largest non-nuclear explosions to ever occur. A fire onboard the French registered vessel SS Grandcamp, which was loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate and ammunition, detonated the cargo. This started a chain reaction of fires and explosions in other ships, nearby oil storage facilities, refineries and the Monsanto Chemical Co., ultimately killing at least 581 people. He is buried in Section 5, Block 15.
Oldest Birth Year
The oldest identified birth year in Cedarvale Cemetery is 1825. Mrs. Sarah Gordon was born November 14, 1825, and died aged 82, on February 7, 1908. She is buried in Section 1, Block 23. Mrs. Louisa (Grandma) Schrader was also born in 1825 in Germany, and died at the age of 88, c. January 17, 1913. She is buried in Section 2, Block 43.
John Quincy Adams became the 6th US president in 1825 - Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president in 1908 and William Howard Taft was the 27th president in 1913 - Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated on March 4, 1913.
The oldest identified birth year in Eastview Cemetery is 1843. Mr. Ben Lewis was born January 23, 1843 and died age 72, on October 28, 1915. He is buried in Section A-1.
John Tyler was the 10th President of the United States in 1843.
Great-Great
Niece of Patrick Henry
Mrs.
Helen Dabney Smith (1844-1911), wife of
Dr. Bat Smith
(1845-1916) was maternally a great-great niece of Patrick Henry, and
was also a descendent of Sir Alexander Spottswood, the Colonial
Governor of Virginia. Mrs. Smith was a member of the E. S. Rugeley
Chapter, UDC, of Bay City. At the time of her death her casket
was draped with a Confederate flag for her burial services. She is buried in an unmarked grave beside
her husband in Sec. 1, Block 29.
Bay City Rotary Club
The Bay City Rotary Club was established in Bay City on February 7, 1924 with Dr. Sam R. Sholars, DDS (1885 - 1974) elected as the club’s first president. He was also instrumental in getting the Rotary Club started in Bay City. He and his wife, Annie, are buried in Section 4-A, Block 165 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Citizen of the Republic of Texas 1845
There are four known citizens of the Republic of Texas buried at Cedarvale Cemetery:
Mr. Johann Conrad Franz (1831 - 1904) and his family arrived in Texas in 1845. He married Miss Demis Mariah Baxter on May 16, 1856. Demis was born in Matagorda County on April 3, 1838. Both are Citizens of the Republic of Texas. They are buried in Section 1, Block 2.
Mr. John Wesley Mc Mahan, a Sergeant Major in the Confederate States Army, was born September 3, 1845 in Richmond, Texas and died May 21, 1916 in Bay City. He was born a citizen of the Republic of Texas in 1845, served in McMahan’s Battery of Artillery during the Civil War and was a retired Methodist minister. He is buried in Section 4, Block 109.
Dr.
Christopher Harris Williams - see
Battle of
Palmeto Ranch entry.
Texas officially entered United States statehood on December 29, 1845, when President James K. Polk signed the Texas Admissions Act.
Old County Potters Field
On February 10th, 1904 Mr. D. P. Moore sold to Matagorda County ½ acre of land to be used for a Potters Field (a Potters Field was used for indigent burials). County Judge Jesse Matthews purchased the property for $50.00 on behalf of the county.
The Potters Field or County Cemetery is located on the East side of the cemetery, across the road from Sections 4A, 1, 2 & 3. No records were maintained by the county or by the Cedarvale Cemetery Association that would indicate where an indigent individual was buried in the Potters Field. The Matagorda County Genealogical Society inventoried the burials in Cedarvale Cemetery and also in the County Cemetery between 1991 and 1994. It was determined at that time there were over 100 lost graves in the County Cemetery. The County Cemetery was closed to all future burials in 1993.
Present at Appomattox 1865
Mr. Benjamin H. Hubbard, a Private in the Confederate States Army, was born in 1849 and died in 1926. He served in Company B, 44th Alabama Infantry, enlisting at the age of 15. He was present at General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865. He is buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 3, Block 104.
Pilot Club of Bay City
The Pilot Club of Bay City was organized November 22, 1950. The first president of the organization was Mrs. Bernice Milner (1899 - 1984), wife of Mr. Joe Milner. She and Joe, her husband, are buried in Section 5, Block 22 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Highest Military Award
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena, born November 6, 1924, died September 5, 1950 in Korea. MSGT Pena was attached to the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was cited for leading a counter attack on September 4, 1950 near Waegwan, Korea, that regained lost positions. When ammunition ran low he ordered his men back, then alone covered their withdrawal with a machine gun. He held off attacking "Reds" until early the next morning when his position was overrun and he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the U. S. Army Distinguished Service Cross for his gallantry. On March 18, 2014 this award was superseded, and MSGT Pena was awarded the Medal of Honor. He is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 8, Block 25.
Mr. Hartman A. Soli, born June 14, 1919, died October 9, 2000. Lt. Hartman Soli was attached to Air Group 7 aboard the USS Hancock CV-19 during WWII. He piloted a Grumman Hellcat. He was credited with shooting down two Japanese aircraft. During the second battle of the Philippine Sea he damaged a Japanese cruiser with rocket hits and 50 caliber machine gun fire. In addition he helped destroy two cargo ships and a destroyer escort and participated in numerous attacks on such targets as Nausei Shoto, the Philippines, Formosa and the China Sea area. He flew a total of 42 combat sorties. He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism and two Air Medals in June 1945. He and his wife, Fay, are buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 9, Block 7.
Brangus
Cattle
Frank G. Cobb (1886-1968) with the inspirational support of his
wife
Anna Dunn Cobb (1887-1976) established one of the first
herds of Brangus cattle and was awarded the Outstanding
Cattleman Award by the Brangus Association in 1967. Frank and
Anna are buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 9, Block 21.
The
Melody Six
Anna Jay Hamilton Sholars (1888-1962),
Lurline Wadsworth
(1892-1990) and others formed an all girl band (c. 1911) called
the "Melody Six." They played for dances in Bay City and
traveled to neighboring towns to play. Anna Jay and Lurline are
buried with their husbands,
Dr. Sam R. Sholars (1885-1974) &
Albert H. Wadsworth Sr. (1887-1968) in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section
4A, Block 165.
Rhode
Island Red Chickens
William Henry Head (1885-1956) was the third person in Texas to
raise Rhode Island Red Chickens. He and his wife
Mary Celeste
Sansing Head (1888-1950) are buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 1,
Block 32.
First Saddle
Shop In Bay City
Alexander Robert "Alex" Benge (1853-1927) had been asked by the
founders of Bay City to relocate from Seymour, Baylor Co., Texas
to Bay City because of the dire need for a leather craftsman in
the county. He and the family moved by covered wagon to Bay City
in 1905 and the F. Benge Saddle Shop was established on Ave. H &
7th Street. Alex and his wife
Emmaline "Emma" Williams
(1859-1943) are buried in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 4, Block
110.
Eccentric
Artist's Parents
The first born son of
Arnold "Butch" Bess (1888-1954) and
Minta
Lee Farrell Bess (1893-1969) was named Forrest Clemenger Bess
who was born in 1911 in Bay City. Forrest picked up his love of
art from his mother. He was an artist who cannot be grouped with
any one school of painting. After his death on November 10,1977
his body was donated to medical science. His parents are buried
in Cedarvale Cemetery, Section 5, Block 11.
Bay City Public Library
The Bay City Public Library originated in 1912. The first librarian on record was Mrs. Josephine E. Williams (1893 - 1972), wife of Mr. Talbot A. “TA” Williams. She and her husband, Talbot, are buried in Section 6, Block 50 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Carillon Bell Tower
The beautiful carillon bell tower was donated to Cedarvale Cemetery through the benevolence of Mr. William H. Frontz, Jr. and his wife Jeanette in 1996 in memory of their beloved children Leigh Ann (6-1-1975 / 4-14-1990) and William Wesley (3-9-1978 / 3-16-1996).
The tower is forty feet in height and the state of the art control system has a 99 year clock that automatically adjusts for seasonal time changes, a battery back-up and is programmable. It can be remotely controlled from anywhere in the cemetery.
Union Soldiers
Five Union Soldiers have been identified at Cedarvale Cemetery. Mr. Theron Francis Carr was born on April 25, 1842 at Cedarvale, Herkimer County, New York. He died on January 1, 1929 in Bay City. Mr. Carr served as a Private in Company Q, 8th Volunteer Minnesota Cavalry. He and his wife Harriett Emeline Kirkpatrick Carr (1842 - 1928) are buried in Section 4, Block 111.
Mr. Isaac Samuel Large was born on November 9, 1830 at Lawrence, Marion County, Indiana. He died on November 20, 1916 in Bay City. Mr. Large served as a Principal Musician in Company A, 21st Iowa Infantry Regiment. He and his wife Hannah Elizabeth Worseldine Large (1843 - 1926) are buried in Section 2, Block 66.
Mr. James William Huntington Miller was born October 11, 1847 at New York City, New York. He died on November 2, 1921 in Bay City. Mr. Miller served as a Union Army Drummer Boy during the Civil War; it is unknown to which military unit he was attached. He and his wife Jennie Lorena Freeman Miller are buried in Section 3, Block 94.
Mr. Henry Clay "H. C." Miller was born on December 24, 1842 at York, Darke County, Ohio. He died on March 30, 1914 in Bay City. Mr. Miller served as a Private in Company A, Ohio 81st Infantry Regiment. He and his wife Elizabeth Ann Elliott Miller (1856 - 1928) are buried in Section 1, Block 39.
Mr. Richard G. "R.G." Horsman was born on November 23, 1843 at Wyoming, Bath County, Kentucky. He died on December 17, 1926 in Bay City. Mr. Horsman served as a Private in the 2nd Regiment, Minnesota Infantry. He is buried in Section 3, Block 102. His wife, Maranda Lee Honaker Hors[e]man (1846 - 1896) is buried at the Owingsville Cemetery, Bath County, Kentucky.
Bay City
Masonic Lodge No. 865, A. F. & A. M.
The Bay City Masonic Lodge was organized in 1902 with
Judge
W. C. Carpenter (1857 - 1934) elected as the first Worshipful
Master. He is buried in Section 1, Block 20 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Centenarians
Centenarians are those people who have attained the age of 100 or more. These are the centenarians who have been identified to date and are buried at Cedarvale and Eastview Cemeteries.
|
NAME |
DOB |
DOD |
AGE |
CEM |
LOCATION |
| Geneva Edison Abbage | 15 Mar 1888 | 02 Sep 1996 | 108 | EV | |
| Wilma Kathryn Bickham | 04 Jan 1905 | 26 Jul 2005 | 100 | CV | Sec 5 Blk 30 |
|
13 Jan 1897 |
29 Apr 1998 |
101 |
CV |
Sec 1 Blk 31 |
|
|
24 Apr 1882 |
09 Nov 1982 |
100 |
CV |
Sec 6 Blk 45 |
|
|
12 Sep 1849 |
02 Jun 1956 |
106 |
CV |
Sec 8 Blk 10 |
|
| Hettie Hinman Carroll | 13 Jul 1895 | 31 Dec 1995 | 100 | CV | Sec. 6 Blk 61 |
|
02 Jun 1868 |
13 Oct 1971 |
103 |
CV |
Sec 1 Blk 11 |
|
| Leatha Burdett Collins | 09 Oct 1906 | 25 May 2009 | 102 | EV | Sec B-1 |
| Rose Scott Cook | Apr 2014 | 100 | EV | ||
| Ann Gillett Cox | 03 Jun 1893 | 18 Aug 1993 | 100 | CV | Sec 4A Blk 166 |
| Carrie Bell Starks Crosson | 04 Dec 1896 | 26 Jan 1998 | 101 | CV | Sec 6 Blk 26 |
|
14 Oct 1875 |
30 Dec 1978 |
103 |
EV |
Sec C-2 |
|
| Panfilo P. Enriquez, Jr. | 24 Mar 1914 | 23 Jun 2020 | 106 | CV | Sec. 8 Blk 15 |
|
10 Jul 1876 |
13 Feb 1977 |
100 |
CV |
Sec 2 Blk 44 |
|
| Lettie Allen Green Giles | Nov 2016 | 101 | EV | ||
| Mary Agusta Glaze | 18 Nov 1900 | 08 Oct 2005 | 104 | CV | Sec 6 Blk 46 |
|
24 Jun 1872 |
01 Mar 1973 |
100 |
CV |
Sec 4A Blk 157 |
|
| Cody Davis Harkless | 30 Jan 1910 | 25 Apr 2011 | 101 | EV | Sec C-2 |
| Mary Jane Hill Horn | 29 Sep 1899 | 30 Sep 2001 | 103 | CV | Sec 2 Blk 60 |
|
21 Aug 1894 |
23 Mar 1996 |
101 |
CV |
Sec 6 Blk 29 |
|
|
06 Dec 1887 |
16 May 1988 |
100 |
CV |
Sec 2 Blk 68 |
|
| Sallie Johnson | 1822 | 15 May 1930 | 108 | EV | |
|
14 Jun 1861 |
30 Dec 1962 |
101 |
CV |
Sec 4 Blk 120 |
|
| Roy Eugene McGlaun | 11 Sep 1912 | 11 Nov 2012 | 100 | CV | Sec 9 Blk 23 |
| Julian Mendoza | 22 Jun 1839 | 12 Oct 1940 | 101 | CV | Unknown |
| Lela Ethel Newton Milstead | 08 Feb 1892 | 12 Jan 1994 | 101 | CV | Sec 6 Blk 17 |
| Otilia Hernandez Mora | 24 Apr 1913 | 28 May 2013 | 100 | CV | Sec 7 Bls 19 |
|
07 Aug 1902 |
20 Feb 2005 |
102 |
CV |
Sec 6 Blk 32 |
|
|
25 Feb 1907 |
21 Jul 2009 |
102 |
CV |
Sec 6 Blk 56 |
|
| Frieda Martha "Smokie" Kettler Oliver | 29 Dec 1898 | 09 Jan 1999 | 100 | CV | Sec 9 Blk 55 |
| Maria Oros | 15 Aug 1910 | 05 Apr 2015 | 104 | CV | Sec 8 Blk 26 |
|
06 Nov 1857 |
21 Aug 1961 |
103 |
CV |
Sec 8 Blk 23 |
|
|
27 Mar 1862 |
28 Sep 1963 |
101 |
CV |
Sec 8 Blk 22 |
|
| Marguerite "Muggie" Huebner Poole | 15 Aug 1896 | 03 Jun 1997 | 100 | CV | Sec 6 Blk 38 |
|
12 Feb 1861 |
07 May 1863 |
102 |
CV |
Sec 8 Blk 21 |
|
| Cora Mae Anderson Sears | 18 Apr 1898 | 23 May 2000 | 102 | CV | Sec 9 Blk 11 |
| Lenore Hall Simons | 30 Jan 1911 | 28 Jul 2014 | 103 | CV | Sec 1 Blk 40 |
| Alva Lee Stanford |
30 Sep 1905 |
18 Dec 2006 |
101 |
CV | Sec 5 Blk 23 |
|
27 Oct 1906 |
03 Dec 2006 |
100 |
CV |
Sec 6 Blk 64 |
|
|
23 Jun 1864 |
26 Jun 1965 |
101 |
CV |
Sec 2 Blk 59 |
|
|
16 Sep 1886 |
20 Feb 1988 |
101 |
CV |
Sec 2 Blk 80 |
|
|
30 Apr 1891 |
15 Aug 1995 |
104 |
EV |
Sec C-2 |
|
|
28 Jun 1885 |
30 Mar 1991 |
105 |
CV |
Sec 3 Blk 81 |
|
| Martha Jane Barnett Wheat | 03 Jun 1919 | 30 Mar 2020 | 100 | CV | Sec 9 Blk 88 |
| Nellie White | c1848 | 31 Jan 1956 | 107 | EV |
Gold Star
Mothers Ceremony
The first Gold Star Mothers ceremony was held in Cedarvale Cemetery on Sunday, September 28, 2003 at the grave of GSM Allie H. Parker, mother of Captain Philip H. Parker. Six living Gold Star Mothers were honored and twenty-two deceased Gold Star Mothers were also recognized. A reception was held at the VFW Post Home after the ceremony. There were over 120 people who attended the ceremony.
Matagorda County’s Oldest Gold Star Mothers
At 102 years of age, Mrs. Edna E. [Mangum] {Long} Muller was one of two of the oldest Gold Star Mothers from Matagorda County. Her son, Gunners Mate 3rd Class William F. “Billy” Long, was Killed In Action onboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB 38) during the Marshall Islands Campaign on February 11, 1944. She died on February 20, 2005 and is buried between her first husband, Jacob H. Long, and her son, Billy, at Cedarvale Cemetery Section 6, Block 32.
Mrs. Alice Clara [Quinney] Hardy, who died at the age of 106, holds the distinction of being the oldest Gold Star Mother from Matagorda County. She also lost her son, Private First Class John Jasper Hardy (June 6, 1917 - August 1, 1945), US Army as a result of a plane crash. She is buried at Ashby Cemetery.
Luminaria Ceremony
The first Memorial Day Weekend Luminaria Ceremony was held on Saturday May 29, 2004 from 8:00PM to 11:00PM in Cedarvale and Eastview Cemeteries. Luminaries were placed on each veteran’s grave to serve as a reminder of the sacrifices these men and women made for this great Nation of ours during times of peace and times of war. Taps was played each half hour during the evening. There were 794 luminaries used in Cedarvale and 214 in Eastview for a total of 1008 luminaries.
African American
Monument Maker
Mr.
Lawyer Patterson, Jr. (March 28, 1912 - February 2, 1993) created
affordable hand-crafted concrete cemetery markers in his garage for use
in African American cemeteries. His custom made markers stand over
hundreds of graves in Matagorda County. Many excellent examples may be
seen in Eastview Cemetery, and their distinctive style make them easy to
recognize. Mr. Patterson is buried at Matagorda Cemetery near his
Father.
Bay City Study
Club
Mrs. Matilda Moseley Rugeley ( 1899 - 1981) was elected in 1947 as the first president of the Bay City Study Club. She and her husband, William W., are buried in Section 1, Block 20 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Founder of Girls Softball in Bay City
Ira Elton “Jack” Rice (1907 - 1992) was one of the founders of the Girls Softball Association of Bay City. Rice Field, on the corner of Grace Street and Ave. M, was named in his honor. He and his wife, Rena, are buried in Section 7, Block 19 of Cedarvale Cemetery.
Born in Matagorda County Jail
Mary Frank Burnell
nee Mary Frank Carr
(November 21, 1921 - August 31, 1996) was the grand daughter of Sheriff
Frank Carr and the daughter of Thorton “Tony”
Francis and Mildred Walker Carr. She was born in the Sheriff’s
apartment in the jail - the only child ever born in the Matagorda County
Jail. Source: Historic Matagorda County, Vol. II. She and her husband
William are buried in Section 4A, Block 147, Cedarvale Cemetery.
