Archive for March, 2014

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Van Stephenson

Posted in Woodlawn Memorial Park (TN) with tags , on March 28, 2014 by Cade

stephensonNovember 4, 1953 – April 8, 2001

Van Stephenson was a notable Nashville songwriter who wrote hits for the likes of Crystal Gayle, Dan Seals, Kenny Rogers and the band Restless Heart. But, beyond writing, he also had a career as a performer and recording artist. He had a number of solo albums in the 1980’s, but is perhaps most remembered as one third of the 1990’s country act, BlackHawk.Stephenson enjoyed success with the group for the better part of the decade. He left the group in 2000 due to being diagnosed with Melanoma. He died from the disease the next year at the age of 47.

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John Hancock

Posted in Granary Burial Ground with tags on March 28, 2014 by Cade

hancock1January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793

The first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, president of the Second Continental Congress and an important figure in the American Revolutionary War, John Hancock could be remembered for a number of things. But, it is, of course, his giant signature on the Declaration of Independence (he was the first to sign it) for which is is most closely associated. So much so, that the term “John Hancock” is nearly synonymous with “signature” in the U.S. even today. Continue reading →

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Dred Scott

Posted in Calvary Cemetery (MO) with tags on March 27, 2014 by Cade

scott4Circa 1799 – September 17, 1858

Perhaps the most famous slave in American history, Dred Scott sued his owner for freedom citing time spent living in free states. Unfortunately for Scott, he filed suit in Missouri (the family’s permanent residence) which was a slave state at the time. Local courts ruled against him. His case, however, eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme court where it also went against Scott. Having unsuccessfully tried gaining his and his family’s freedom through legal avenues, it wasn’t until months after the court decision that the Scotts were sold back to their original owners, the Blow family, who subsequently freed them. Continue reading →

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Frances Bay

Posted in Mt. Sinai Memorial Park with tags , on March 25, 2014 by Cade

bay1January 23, 1919 – September 15, 2011

Frances Bay (née Goffman) was a Canadian actor whose early career involved radio programming for troops during World War II. She studied acting under famed coach, Uta Hagen in South Africa before settling in Los Angeles. Her career didn’t really take off until she landed parts in a number of movies and TV shows in the 1970’s and ’80’s including a turn as Fonzie’s grandmother on Happy Days. Continue reading →

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John Quincy Adams

Posted in United First Parish Church with tags , on March 19, 2014 by Cade

adams2July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848

John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States. While his presidency was unremarkable, even by early standards, his life in national politics was certainly impactful. He is the only U.S. President to serve in the House of Representatives AFTER leaving the presidency. He represented Massachusetts in Washington D.C. for the final 17 years of his life. Prior to being elected President, he served in the U.S. Senate and as Secretary of State under James Monroe. Despite all of this, he is probably best remembered for his service and prowess as a foreign diplomat. Continue reading →

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Sergei Rachmaninoff

Posted in Kensico Cemetery with tags , on March 18, 2014 by Cade

rachmaninoff1April 1, 1873 – March 28, 1943

The last of the great Romantic Russian composers, Sergei Rachmaninoff was born into a prominent, if broke, old-aristocratic family. He overcame a torrid childhood filled with dying siblings, a deadbeat father and multiple homes. Through it all, his love for the piano endured. Despite being a below-average student, Rachmaninoff went on to study at the Moscow Conservatory where he excelled. A gifted musician and composer who was influenced by predecessors like Tchaikovsky, he wrote the majority of his catalog before the age of 35. Continue reading →

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Wilt Chamberlain

Posted in Cremated with tags , on March 18, 2014 by Cade

wilt1August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999

Whether referred to as “Wilt the Stilt” (a name he hated) or “The Big Dipper” (a name he liked) or any of the numerous other nicknames he had, Wilton Norman Chamberlain could be called one, simple word: “Dominant.”

The 7′ 1″ basketball superstar literally changed the way the game of basketball was played. Because of Wilt, offensive goaltending became a no-no. Because of Wilt, dunking a free throw from a standing position (yes, he could do that) became a no-no. Because of Wilt, inbounding the ball OVER the backboard to a dunking big man became a no-no. He forced rule changes so that others could keep him in check. In his collegiate debut for the Kansas Jayhawks, Chamberlain scored 52 points and grabbed 31 rebounds. And that was just the beginning. Continue reading →

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James “Cool Papa” Bell

Posted in St. Peters Cemetery (MO) with tags , , on March 14, 2014 by Cade

bell1May 17, 1903 – March 7, 1991

“Cool Papa Bell was so fast that he could turn out the lights and be under the covers before the room got dark.” – Satchel Paige

James Thomas “Cool Papa” Bell was a Negro Leagues center fielder who is widely regarded as one of the fastest men to ever play the position. His 28-year career in both the U.S. and Latin America garnered plenty of attention during the height of the popularity of the Negro Leagues. A feared baserunner, Bell was known to steal 2nd and 3rd base in a single play. Pitchers tried to avoid walking him as, once he was on base, he would almost assuredly score a run. Continue reading →

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Alexander Hamilton

Posted in Trinity Churchyard with tags on March 14, 2014 by Cade

hamilton1January 11, 1757 – July 12, 1804

Along with Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton was probably the most famous non-presidential founding father of the United States. Hamilton served as the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. He was an instrumental public interpreter of the Constitution and his Federalist Papers remains one of the most important documents in American history. Hamilton was able to remain influential (despite significant disagreements) to all of the first three Presidents. He resigned from office in 1795, however, after evidence of a previous extra-marital affair surfaced. So, he was also the first political scandal in the U.S. Always the trailblazer, I guess. Continue reading →

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Eddy Arnold

Posted in Woodlawn Memorial Park (TN) with tags , , on March 13, 2014 by Cade

arnold2May 15, 1918 – May 8, 2008

In the vast landscape that is American country music, few artists – if any – had the type of unbelievable success that Richard Edward “Eddy” Arnold had in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Arnold played the radio station circuit for years before breaking into the country charts with 1945’s “Each Minute Seems a Million Years.” Over the next decade, he would chart more than 40 singles on the country charts – many of which hit and stayed at No. 1.The 1950’s brought rock and roll to the forefront and Eddy’s career waned.

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