Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Encyclopedia
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres (1 km²) and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States and the last member of the Whig Party to hold the office of president...
, singer Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell. Forest Lawn is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Overview
Since its inception, Forest Lawn has served as a cemetery, park, arboretumArboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
, and outdoor museum. Monuments, mausoleums, and sculptures have attracted visitors for over 150 years. The first sculpture of Seneca Indian chief Red Jacket
Red Jacket
Red Jacket was a Native American Seneca orator and chief of the Wolf clan...
was erected in 1851. Red Jacket is depicted wearing the richly embroidered scarlet coat presented to him by a British officer, while on his breast is displayed the large silver peace medal awarded to him by President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
.
Every summer Forest Lawn offers "Sundays in the Cemetery" tours, each with a particular theme. Past examples have included the Pan-American Exposition
Pan-American Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
Bus Tour, Forest Lawn History Bus Tour, Forest Lawn History Walk, African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
Bus Tour, Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Bus Tour, and the Forest Lawn Nature Walk.
In 2004, Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1928 design for the Blue Sky Mausoleum
Blue Sky Mausoleum
Blue Sky Mausoleum, in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York, is the recent completion of a 1928 design by Frank Lloyd Wright as a commercial cemetery project...
was realized. The Mausoleum contains 24 crypts, which can be purchased and memorialized by individual owners. The Blue Sky Mausoleum is one of three Frank Lloyd Wright memorial sculptures in the world. Sculptor David P. Dowler created a Steuben Glass piece in a limited edition of 26, of which 24 are reserved for those who purchase crypts in the Mausoleum. Crypt clients also receive a copy of architectural historian Richard O. Reisem's book, Blue Sky Mausoleum of Frank Lloyd Wright (2005).
Other mausoleums in the cemetery include:
- Burgess-Little Mausoleum, designed by H. H. (Henry Harrison) Little.
- Butler Mausoleum, constructed for Edward H. Butler, proprietor of the Buffalo Evening News.
- Buswell-Hochstetter Mausoleum
- Good Mausoleum, constructed for Daniel B. Good, who established the Seibert-Good Company in Chicago, which later consolidated with the Seymour H.Knox stores of Buffalo, N.Y. and finally amalgamated with the F.W. Woolworth Company.
- Goodyear (Frank) Mausoleum, constructed for Frank Henry Goodyear, who, with his brother, Charles Waterhouse Goodyear, started the lumber company F. H. & C. W. Goodyear.
- Kellner Mausoleum, constructed for John. S. Kellner, president of the Crystal Ice and Storage Company.
- Knox Mausoleum, constructed for Seymour H. Knox, co-founder of F. W. Woolworth CompanyF. W. Woolworth CompanyThe F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. The first successful Woolworth store was opened on July 18, 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store"...
. - Laub Mausoleum
- Letchworth-Skinner Mausoleum
- Mark (Mitchel H) Mausoleum, constructed for Mitchell MarkMitchell MarkMitchell Mark aka Mitchell H. Mark was a pioneer of motion picture exhibition in the United States.-Biography:...
, founder of the Vitascope Theater Company - Oberkircher Mausoleum, constructed for Caroline Oberkircher and family.
- Pierce (George) Mausoleum, constructed for George N. Pierce who co-founded a company known as Heinz, Pierce and Munshauer for the manufacture of refrigerators, birdcages, iceboxes and bathtubs, until leaving to establish the Pierce Cycle Company, which later became the Pierce-ArrowPierce-ArrowPierce-Arrow was an American automobile manufacturer based in Buffalo, New York, which was active from 1901-1938. Although best known for its expensive luxury cars, Pierce-Arrow also manufactured commercial trucks, fire trucks, camp trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles.-Early history:The forerunner...
Motor Car Co. - Stachura Mausoleum, constructed for Chester and Gloria Stachura.
- Steuernagel Mausoleum, constructed for John Steuernagel, president and board chairman of Kleinhans department store.
- Vars Mausoleum, designed by Lawrence Bley and Duane LymanDuane LymanDuane Lyman was a Buffalo, New York-based architect considered the "dean of Western New York Architecture." He was born in Lockport, New York and attended Lafayette High School in Buffalo. He graduated in 1908 from Yale University 's Sheffield Scientific School where he studied architecture and...
. Interred are Harry Thorp Vars, Gertrude Waltho Vars , Mary G. Vars, Addison Foster Vars, Addison F. Vars, Jr., Aline Vars, Carlton J. Balliett, Evelyn Waltho Balliett, Jr., Rose Waltho Brown, Bertha W. Barker, and Estelle Noell Reavis. - Walden-Myer Mausoleum, designed by Richard A. WaiteRichard A. WaiteRichard A. Waite was a British-born American architect in the late 19th century.Richard Waite's father arrived in America in 1856 with his wife and children and settled in Buffalo, New York to work in a printing company. His son Richard, like many early architects, learned building design as an...
for Buffalo’s mayor from 1838-39, Ebenezer WaldenEbenezer WaldenEbenezer Walden was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1838–1839. He was born in 1777 in Massachusetts. In 1799, he graduated from Williams College, then made his way to Oneida County, New York where he studied law. In 1806, he was admitted to the New York State bar and moved to Buffalo. For...
, and son-in law, Albert J. Myer, recognized by many as the "founder and father" of the US Weather Bureau. - Willams-Pratt Mausoleum
Others buried here
- Major Andre AndrewsMajor Andre AndrewsMajor Andre Andrews was the second mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving 1833–1834. He was born at Cornwall, Connecticut on July 8, 1792, and named after Major John André. He studied law and became a lawyer, practicing in Middletown, Connecticut before moving to Buffalo about 1820...
, 2nd Mayor of Buffalo - William Farquhar BarryWilliam Farquhar BarryWilliam Farquhar Barry was a career officer in the United States Army, serving as an artillery commander during the Mexican-American War and Civil War.-Birth and early years:...
- Hiram BartonHiram BartonHiram Barton was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1849–1850 and 1852–1853. He was born in Hebron, New York on May 20, 1810. He attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where he studied law. He moved to Buffalo in 1835 and formed a law partnership...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1849–1850, 1852–1853 - Lyman K. BassLyman K. BassLyman Kidder Bass was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in the town of Alden, New York, Bass attended the common schools and was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1856.He studied law....
- Philip BeckerPhilip BeckerPhilip Becker was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1876–1877 and 1886–1889. He was born in Oberotterbach, Bavaria, Germany, on April 25, 1830. He graduated from college in Germany at sixteen years of age. In 1847, Philip and his older brother were provided the means to pay the...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1876–1877, 1886–1889 - Al BoasbergAl BoasbergAl Boasberg was a American comedy writer in vaudeville, radio, and film, as well as being a film director....
, comedy writer - Louise Blanchard BethuneLouise Blanchard BethuneLouise Bethune , born Jennie Louise Blanchard in Waterloo, New York, was the first American woman known to have worked as a professional architect. The Blanchard family moved to Buffalo, New York when Louise was a child. She graduated from the Buffalo High School in 1874 and was planning on going...
- John Brent
- Willis CarrierWillis CarrierWillis Haviland Carrier was an American engineer and inventor, and is known as the man who invented modern air conditioning....
- Shirley ChisholmShirley ChisholmShirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress...
- George William ClintonGeorge William ClintonGeorge William Clinton was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1842–1843. He was born in New Town, New York, now part of Brooklyn, on April 21, 1807; a grandnephew of George Clinton and son of DeWitt Clinton. He grew up in Albany, New York, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1825. He was...
, Mayor of Buffalo - Eli CookEli CookEli Cook was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1853 and 1854–1855. He was born in Palatine Bridge, New York on January 23, 1814. He took up law in 1830, passed the bar exam, and in 1837 he practiced in Tennessee and Mississippi with rebel General Simon B. Buckner. In 1838, he moved...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1853, 1854–1855 - Frederick CookFrederick CookFrederick Albert Cook was an American explorer and physician, noted for his claim of having reached the North Pole on April 21, 1908. This would have been a year before April 6, 1909, the date claimed by Robert Peary....
- Lewis P. DaytonLewis P. DaytonLewis P. Dayton was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1874–1875. He was born at Eden, New York on the family farm in 1821. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. Timothy T. Lockwood and moved to Buffalo. He graduated in 1846 from the Geneva Medical College, in Geneva, New York. ...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1874–1875 - William DorsheimerWilliam DorsheimerWilliam Dorsheimer was an American lawyer, journalist and politician.-Life:...
- William FargoWilliam FargoWilliam George Fargo , pioneer American expressman, was born in Pompey, New York. From the age of thirteen he had to support himself, obtaining little schooling, and for several years he was a clerk in grocery stores in Syracuse....
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1862–1865 - Abigail FillmoreAbigail FillmoreAbigail Powers Fillmore , wife of Millard Fillmore, was First Lady of the United States from 1850 to 1853.Abigail was born in Stillwater, New York, 1798, in Saratoga County, New York. She was the daughter of the Reverend Lemuel Powers, a Baptist minister, and Abigail Newland-Powers, Abigail grew...
- Caroline C. Fillmore
- Barbara Franklin, mother of singer Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
- Dorothy GoetzDorothy GoetzDorothy Goetz was the first wife of the famous songwriter, Irving Berlin.She was twenty years old when she met Berlin in New York City where her older brother singer and lyricist Ray Goetz had been collaborating on some tunes with Berlin...
, first wife of Irving BerlinIrving BerlinIrving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous... - Anna Katharine GreenAnna Katharine GreenAnna Katharine Green was an American poet and novelist. She was one of the first writers of detective fiction in America and distinguished herself by writing well plotted, legally accurate stories.-Life and work:...
- Nathan K. HallNathan K. HallNathan Kelsey Hall was an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as U.S. Postmaster General.-Biography:...
- Red JacketRed JacketRed Jacket was a Native American Seneca orator and chief of the Wolf clan...
- Rick JamesRick JamesJames Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
- Edward Austin KentEdward Austin KentEdward Austin Kent was a prominent architect in Buffalo, New York. Born in Bangor, Maine, Kent moved with his family to Buffalo after the Civil War, where his father opened a successful department store, Flint & Kent. Kent was educated at Yale and then at the L'Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris. ...
- William KetchumWilliam Ketchum (mayor)William Ketchum was the 14th Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1844 to 1845. He was born on March 2, 1798 in Bloomfield, New York. He moved to Buffalo in 1819, and became a partner at a merchant house that handled furs and hats. He was one of the founders of the original Bank of...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1844–1845 - Timothy T. LockwoodTimothy T. LockwoodTimothy T. Lockwood was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1858–1859. He was born in North East, New York in 1810. In the early 1830s, he studied medicine at Philadelphia Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He returned to Buffalo around 1842 and became a member of the...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1858–1859 - Mitchell MarkMitchell MarkMitchell Mark aka Mitchell H. Mark was a pioneer of motion picture exhibition in the United States.-Biography:...
- Darwin D. MartinDarwin D. MartinDarwin D. Martin was an early 20th Century New York State businessman best known for the house he commissioned from Frank Lloyd Wright.-Early life:...
- Joseph G. MastenJoseph G. MastenJoseph Griffiths Masten was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1843–1844 and 1845–1846. He was born in Red Hook, New York on June 24, 1809. He graduated from Union College in 1828, then went on to study law and pass the bar. In 1836 Masten moved to Buffalo and established a law...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1843-1844 & 1845-1846 - Dr. Roswell ParkDr. Roswell ParkDr. Roswell Park is best known for starting Gratwick Research Laboratory, which is now known as Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He was also a professor of surgery at the University of Buffalo Medical School and a surgeon at Buffalo General Hospital.When Dr. Park was thirty-one he came to Buffalo,...
, founder of Roswell Park Cancer InstituteRoswell Park Cancer InstituteThe Roswell Park Cancer Institute is a comprehensive cancer research and treatment center located in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Roswell Park, it was the first dedicated medical facility for cancer treatment and research in the United States. The facility is involved in drug... - Ely S. ParkerEly S. ParkerEly Samuel Parker , was a Seneca attorney, engineer, and tribal diplomat. He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel during the American Civil War, when he served as adjutant to General Ulysses S. Grant. He wrote the final draft of the Confederate surrender terms at Appomattox...
- Kristen PfaffKristen PfaffKristen Marie Pfaff was an American bass guitarist, best known for her work with Hole.-Early life and career:Pfaff was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, attending Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. She spent a short time in Europe and briefly attended Boston College before ultimately...
- Hiram PrattHiram PrattHiram Pratt was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving 1835–1836 and 1839–1840. He was born in Westminster, Vermont on June 28, 1800, a son of Captain Samuel Pratt, an early settler of Buffalo. He married Maria Fowle on November 3, 1825. They had three daughters. With Orlando Allen he built a...
, Mayor of Buffalo - Charles RohlfsCharles RohlfsCharles Rohlfs , was an American actor, stove designer and furniture maker. Rohlfs is a representative of the Arts and Crafts Movement, and is most famous for his skill as a furniture designer and maker.-Life and career:...
- Charles Cary RumseyCharles Cary RumseyCharles Cary Rumsey was an American sculptor and an eight goal polo player.Born in Buffalo, New York, Charles Rumsey was the son of Laurence Dana Rumsey, a successful local businessman. His mother, Jennie Cary Rumsey, was the sister of sculptor, Seward Cary...
, sculptor - Henry K. SmithHenry K. SmithHenry Kendall Smith was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1850–1851. He was born on April 2, 1811 in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. In 1819, he was sent to Baltimore, Maryland for education and then moved to New York City in 1828. Shortly thereafter he moved to Johnstown, New York to...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1850–1851 - Alfred P. Southwick
- Elbridge G. SpauldingElbridge G. SpauldingElbridge Gerry Spaulding Elbridge Gerry Spaulding Elbridge Gerry Spaulding (February 24, 1809 - May 5, 1897 was an American lawyer, banker, and politician. He supported the idea for the first U.S...
- Alfred P. StoneAlfred P. StoneAlfred Parish Stone was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.-Biography:Born in Worthington, Massachusetts, Stone attended the common schools. He married Anna Townsend of Buffalo, New York...
- Mary Burnett TalbertMary Burnett TalbertMary Burnett Talbert was an American orator, activist, suffragist and reformer. Called "the best known Colored Woman in the United States," Talbert was among the most prominent African Americans of her time....
- Sheldon ThompsonSheldon ThompsonSheldon Thompson was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1840–1841. He was born in Derby, Connecticut on July 2, 1785. In early 1810, he moved to Lewiston, New York where he entered into the shipbuilding business and mercantile trade along the Great Lakes. He also entered the salt trade from...
, Mayor of Buffalo - Josiah TrowbridgeJosiah TrowbridgeJosiah Trowbridge was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving in 1837. He was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on September 29, 1785. In 1808 or 1809, he was licensed to practice as a physician and began work in Weathersfield, Vermont. He arrived at Buffalo in 1811...
, physician and Mayor of Buffalo - John B. WeberJohn B. WeberJohn Baptiste Weber was a U.S. Representative from New York.-Early life:John Weber was born at his parents cottage on Oak Street in Buffalo, New York. His parents, Philippe Jacob Weber and Mary Anne Weber , had emigrated to the United States in 1833 from Leutenheim, Alsace and settled in Buffalo...
, Civil War colonel and United States CongressmanNew York's 33rd congressional districtThe 33rd Congressional District of New York was a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in New York. It was eliminated as a result of the 1990 Census. It was last represented by Henry J. Nowak...
, 1885–1889 - Chandler J. WellsChandler J. WellsChandler J. "Chan" Wells was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1866–1867. He was born in Utica, New York on June 10, 1814, where his mother had gone to recuperate, while Buffalo was being rebuilt after the December 1813 burning. Not long after that they returned to Buffalo. He...
, Mayor of Buffalo, 1866–1867 - Samuel WilkesonSamuel WilkesonSamuel Wilkeson was mayor of Buffalo, New York, serving 1836–1837. He was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on June 1, 1781, a child of immigrants from Northern Ireland. Around 1802 he married Jane Oram and moved to Mahoning County, Ohio where he built a farm and the first grist mill in the area. He...
, industrialist and Mayor of Buffalo - Joseph WillcocksJoseph WillcocksJoseph Willcocks was a publisher, a political figure and ultimately, a traitor in Upper Canada.He was born in Palmerstown, Ireland in 1773. He came to York at the age of 27, staying initially with his second cousin once removed, William Willcocks...
, former member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper CanadaLegislative Assembly of Upper CanadaThe Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was the elected legislature for the province of Upper Canada and functioned as the province's lower house in the Parliament of Upper Canada...
and MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Canadian VolunteersCanadian VolunteersThe Canadian Volunteers was a unit composed of pro-American citizens or inhabitants of Upper Canada which fought for the United States of America during the Anglo-American War of 1812.-Background:...
(US Army) during the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
External links
- Forest Lawn Group, the official cemetery website
- Forest Lawn Cemetery on the Web