Spring Grove Cemetery in Spring Grove Village is one of the most historic cemeteries in the United States.
It is a National Historic Landmark that has been around since 1845 and features lakes, statuary and an arboretum. Many prominent people from local and national history are buried there. The first interment was made Sept. 1, 1845.
There are tours available and the cemetery grounds are popular with walkers. The walkers are welcome, but fur babies are not. Pets of any kind are prohibited on the property. However, service dogs are permitted when providing support services.
That made us wonder: Are there animals buried at Spring Grove Cemetery?
Well, a 121-year-old article in The Cincinnati Enquirer said at least one was interred there.
The article said a carriage bearing two women and a tiny flower-covered casket rolled up to the gates of the cemetery Dec. 7, 1905, meeting cemetery superintendent William Salway. One was the widow of George E. Turner, who died in 1899, and the other his daughter Kitty.
Salway had the casket opened to verify its contents. Within the casket was a dog, an old slipper folded in its paws. The burial proceeded and the casket was covered with earth.
A promise made, a promise kept
The news story says the burial was in fulfillment of a promise made by Salway when Turner, his lifelong friend had died.
George Turner was much attached to his little dog, and when he died, his widow called upon the superintendent and asked as a special favor that when the animal came to its end, it too would be buried in Spring Grove beside its master in the Turner lot. The story says he agreed. No stone marks the dog’s grave.
The dog’s name was Old Man. The story said the 14-year-old dog could count change, and correctly sort coins on command.
Spring Grove historian Debbie Brandt said that tale can’t be confirmed with cemetery records. She is suspicious of the 1905 report, and said pets are generally prohibited in human cemeteries for health reasons.
No dogs allowed?
Pets of any kind are prohibited on the property at any time. But there are inanimate pets in the cemetery.
William Boon Redman’s marker is under the watchful eye of one such faithful companion, but the model for the stone dog lying alongside Redman’s grave is not buried beneath the canine monument.
Visitors to the cemetery often leave sticks for the pup as he guards the family plot where William, who died at the age of 8 in 1854, is buried. He and his grandfather, Josiah Redman who died in 1860, share a large, book-shaped marker in Spring Grove.
Brandt said Josiah Redman is buried under the dog marker, which does not have a name inscribed.
According to his burial record, Josiah Redman died April 19, 1860, but was buried in Spring Grove on April 20, 1904. His burial record doesn’t indicate where he had been buried prior to this. Brandt said she suspects Josiah is the father of the lot owner, Benjamin, given the dates of births and deaths.
Have a question for Just Askin’? Email us.
The Just Askin’ series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, except maybe Google.
