Monuments, tombstones and grave markers

In a book, “In Small Things Forgotten”, about archaeological excavations of sites of 171” and 18th century New England, a statement was made that there were some 127 gravestone carvers in that area during that period. It almost seems too many Wonder how many would there be in our area of the world? A search of several cemeteries in Cass, Marion and Titus Counties have revealed several. Most of the carving was most likely done out-of-state and probably ordered from catalogs offered by local dealers.

In searching the cemetery in Hughes Springs for “signed” markers I was hailed down by Wayne Hall who has dug graves for Reeder-Davis Funeral home for 32 years. Wayne was a great help to CCGS when the society surveyed the cemeteries of Cass and Morris Counties. Wayne asked. “Watcha doin’* When I told him his response was, “I should have known”

Many carvers “signed” their work by placing their name or company in small letters in the bottom left or right-hand corner of the marker as stated many markers were most likely ordered until after 1900 as no other “signed’ markers were found. The technique of sandblasting the lettering onto a grave marker was patented as the “abrasive blasting process” in 1870. A template (mostly rubber) was made and placed onto the marble or granite and pellets or sand blasted into the openings leaving an incised engraving on the marker

This technique may have been used locally after 1900 but would need some energy to power the compressor to blast the abrasive. Steam could have been used for that power element was used for practical purposes in the late 18th century and into the late 20’” century. Gasoline or petrol-powered engines were used by the late 19th century and into modern times.

These are some of the early carvers found in local cemeteries; Anderson Venns, Memphis; T A. Fisher, Memphis; W B. Bradberry, Holly Springs, Mississippi; John-A. Taber, Shreveport, Louisiana; G. Douglas, St. Louis, Missouri; D A Berill (no location); Texarkana Marble Works (on an 1889 marker); N. Stroud (no location on an 1859 marker); Ed A Bergin, Jefferson; J. Brenner, Sherman, Texas; Taney, New Orleans; Barrett & Co., New Orleans; Henderson & Son, Pittsburg, Texas; F Foy, New Orleans, J. Reynolds, New Orleans. Holly Springs Marble Company of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Webb Mc Cullock, St Louis and Ed A. Bergin of Jefferson, Texas.

On Ed. A. Bergin’s marker for Allen Urquhart (1792-1866) in Daingerfield, he carved, “He was one of Texas pioneers” Urquhart was a Republic of Texas surveyor and co-founded the town of Jefferson. Texas.

Ed (Edward) A. Bergin was born in Ireland about 1832. His wife, Mary, was also from Ireland Their six children were born in Louisiana as represented on the 1880 US census for Marion County, Texas. Edward Bergin was listed as “marble cutter”. Bergin advertised in the Linden Standard on April 23, 1889 as “Ed A. Bergin Marble Works, Jefferson, Texas with George (son) A. Bergin as manager” A branch office was in Hughes Springs. On January 15, 1870, he advertised in the Jefferson Radical as “Bergin’s Marble Works near the graveyard in Jefferson, Texas Monuments, tombstones & mantles. Bergin, the man to see” His ad In the Linden Standard for April 1, 1889, read “Ed A. Bergin Marble works, Jefferson, Texas” Mrs. Bergin along with sons William and Joseph were buried in the Catholic Section of Oakwood Cemetery in Jefferson with no dates on their grave markers.

The Holly Springs Marble Works of Holly Springs, Mississippi ran an ad in the Cass County Sun in August of 1889 listing D W. Bartlett of Linden as their local agent.

The Bloomburg Marble Company dealing in foreign and domestic marble and granite with J. T (John Thomas) Hopkins proprietor placed ads in the Cass County Sun from 1924 to 1932.

T J. Hopkins Memorial Studio was established in Atlanta in 1910. What relation he was to J. T isn’t known. His son-in-law Toland Meridith was a later owner

The Hughes Springs Marble Works ‘’finishers of marble & granite”, K. T Harris proprietor advertised In the Cass County Sun in September 1930

The Allen Marble & Granite works of Texarkana placed ads in the Citizen’s Journal in 1926.

The Four States Marble & Granite Works of Texarkana placed ads in the Journal in 1924. They had placed a marker in Cass County as early as 1869.