Tombstone Tuesday: Bernhardt Pinke

Bernhardt Pinke

July 16, 1917

Photo taken March 2009
Location: Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky

This very simple grave marker belongs to Mr. Bernhardt Pinke, a carpenter who emigrated from Germany and in 1910 was making his living as an employee of a hotel located at what was 417 Main Street in Frankfort (and also served as his residence).  On July 14th, 1917, Mr. Pinke had the misfortune of being run over by an automobile in downtown Frankfort, resulting in his death.  His grave marker lists the 16th of July as the date Mr. Pinke died, but according to his death certificate he passed on the 14th and was buried on the 16th.  It seems he had no family nearby, and little about his history is recorded on his death certificate other than he was about 68 years old at the time of his death and that he was originally from Munster, Germany.  What was known for sure, however, was the date that he died and you'd think that those in charge of providing this marker would have at least got that right.

Tombstone Tuesday: John Brislan

In Memory Of

John Brislan

Born

May 19, 1800.

Died

Mar. 6, 1876.

May he rest in peace.

Erected by thine Son.

Father.

Location: Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky
Photo taken 23 March 2009

For my first Tombstone Tuesday contribution, and the inaugural post for this blog, I profiled the grave marker of a Ms. Hanora Canty and mentioned that in 1880 she was living with her son John's family, which included John's father-in-law James Brislan.  This week I'd like to introduce Mr. John Brislan, whose relationship to James is unclear but there is likely a familial tie of some kind.  None of the Brislans appear in the 1870 census for any county in Kentucky, or the United States for that matter.  In 1880, however, they are clearly established in Franklin County.  Jerry Brislan, a reputable 47-year-old grocer, appears likely to be the son of John who erected the monument in the photo and whose own son Jerry Jr. went on to be elected Sheriff in 1890.  Alas, I can't declare this mystery solved until more in-depth research is done.

Tombstone Tuesday: Ellen Callahan

Ellen

Wife of

Michael Callahan

Born 1806 in Co. Cork

Ireland

Died Jan. 2 1880

Rest in peace

Location: Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky

Photo taken:  March 2009

Ellen Callahan is, unfortunately, largely anonymous to history.  While no Ellen, married to Michael, can be found living in Franklin County around 1880, there is such a family recorded in Owenton, Owen County, as far back as 1850.  While it's not impossible that Ellen would have been buried in the (at that time) new State Cemetery at Frankfort - 30 miles distant from her home - it does seem unlikely.  The fact that the Ellen in Owenton lists her age such that a birth year of 1810 seems more reasonable than 1806 further lessens the likelihood that this is indeed her resting place.

Tombstone Tuesday: Hanora Canty

In Memory of

Hanora

Wife of

Owen Canty

A native of Ireland

Born Mar. 7, 1799.

Died Jan. 11, 1887

May her soul rest in peace.

Amen.

Location:  Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky

Photo taken 6 March 2009.

Not having delved too deep into the Canty family history, information on the clan prior to 1880 is thin.  Seven years before her passing, Hanora was living in the small village of Millville, Woodford Co., Kentucky just 7 miles southeast of Frankfort.  Owen, her husband, had already passed and she was living with her sons John (45), Patrick (46), and Owen (41).  Also occupying the homestead was John's wife Hanna (40), their son Owen (8 months), Hanna's father James Brislan (70), and an unknown relation named Ellen Tarpy (68).  The entire household, with the exception of the newly-arrived Owen, had been born in Ireland.