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Support the Preservation of Pioneers Rest Cemetery Preserving history is a community effort, and your contributions help us maintain the legacy of Fort Worth's oldest public cemetery. Together, we can honor the pioneers who shaped our city and ensure their stories live on. Preserve History Today! To donate, please use the following methods: Zelle: 817-332-8515 Venmo: @PioneersRestCemetery Mail a check to: Pioneers Rest Cemetery Association PO Box 100294 Fort Worth, TX 76185 PayPal: Donate with PayPal Why Donate? Your generous donation helps us: Maintain and restore historical gravesites and monuments. Offer educational programs and guided tours to share the rich history of Fort Worth. Host events like Fall Fest and Wreaths Across America to bring the community together. Provide necessary tools and supplies for monthly volunteer clean-ups. How You Can Help We offer several ways to contribute: One-Time Donations – Every dollar makes a difference. Monthly Giving – Become a Cemetery Sustainer and support us year-round. Memorial Gifts – Honor a loved one by preserving history in their name. Where Your Money Goes We are committed to transparency. Your donation will directly support: Grounds maintenance and landscaping. Gravestone restoration and preservation efforts. Public history events and educational programs. Thank You for Supporting Our Legacy Your support ensures the stories of our city's past continue to inspire future generations. Together, we can preserve Pioneers Rest Cemetery for years to come. DONATE NOW!

Robert Alvis “Bobby” Ryan September 17, 1883 - September 24, 1950 Robert Alvis Ryan was born September 7, 1883 to parents Capt. Alvis and Josephine H. Ryan . He was born in the first brick home built in Fort Worth. Robert received an education from the “old Fort Worth University”¹ , which was operational from 1881-1911.² The campus consisted of four buildings that spanned a 10 acre tract of land just south of Downtown.³ By 1915, the Fort Worth School District purchased the land and the buildings were later razed.⁴ Today, Trimble Technical High School sits on part of the land that belonged to the former university. By trade, Robert was an architect which he did until his retirement in 1940.⁵ However, in his youth Robert was also known to perform on the stage doing comedic Vaudeville acts under the stage name of Bobby Ryan. Robert’s first marriage was to Effie Kratz. Effie also had ties to Vaudeville performing. They would have one daughter together in 1920, but by the early 1930’s their marriage ended in divorce. In 1933, Robert would remarry to Alene Smith in Carter County, Oklahoma.⁶ They would remain married until his death on September 24, 1950. Robert is buried in Pioneer Rest Cemetery near the grave of his mother and several half-siblings. __________________________ [1] “Robert A. Ryan Funeral Will Be Held Tuesday.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sept 1950, pg. 4. [2] "Historical Statement". Annual Catalog - Methodist University of Oklahoma. July 1, 1915. p. 13. https://books.google.com/books?id=li5HAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA13 ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. [3] “Catalogue of Fort Worth University.” Keystone Printing Co, Fort Worth, Texas. Vol. 1905-1906, Pgs. [14]-15, https://archive.org/details/catalogueoffortw19fort_0/page/n15/mode/2up?view=theater ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [4] “Fort Worth University.” Lost Colleges, N.D. https://www.lostcolleges.com/fort-worth-university ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [5] “Robert A. Ryan Funeral Will Be Held Tuesday.” 1950. [6] “Marriage Record: R.A. Ryan.” Ancestry.com. Oklahoma, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1890-1995, Carter County, 1931-1943, Pg. 89 ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. Block 4, Lot 85 [Explore the Map ]

George Washington Chapman November 2, 1872 - April 7, 1934 George Washington Chapman was born to William and Sarah Chapman in Coffee County, TN. George was one of 7 children and shares the same name as his grandfather. By 1876, the family had moved to Texas.¹ In 1902, at the age of 30, George married Anabel Wilson in Fort Worth, TX. This is also the first year George is documented to have a connection to Fort Worth. George was a Peace Officer and also listed himself as a Detective and Special Agent. He once was the City Detective for Fort Worth.² By 1918, George stated that he was in fact missing his right eye³ , but this never appeared to hold him back from being successful in his career field. On April 7, 1934, George fell suddenly to the ground while shooting his gun at a local gun range. The cause of his death was related to heart disease. At the time of his death, he was a Special Officer working for the railroad.⁴ George is buried next to his wife Anabel. They had no documented children. __________________________ [1] 1880 United States Federal Census; Census Place: Precinct 3, Fannin, Texas; Roll: 1302; Page: 395D; Enumeration District: 025. Retrieved 12 Aug 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4244722-00799?pId=40434953 . [2] “Special Agent Off. W. & D. Dies.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 9 Apr. 1934, p. 4. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, Accessed 12 Aug. 2023. [3] U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Retrieved 12 Aug 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6482/images/005152959_03520?pId=15634115 . [4] “Special Agent Off. W. & D. Dies.” , 9 Apr. 1934. Block 3, Lot 14 [Explore the Map ]

Keeping History Alive: 2026 Volunteer Workdays & Events Join Us to Preserve Pioneers Rest! We invite you to join our monthly cleanup events at Pioneers Rest Cemetery, where volunteers help keep this historic resting place beautiful and well-maintained. Each month, we tackle tasks like weeding, mulching, picking up trash, trimming trees, managing overgrown vegetation, and cleaning headstones. We also treat fire ant beds to ensure a safer environment for all visitors. 📍 Location: 620 Samuels Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76102 📅 Upcoming Workdays & Events (In case of inclement weather, events may be canceled or rescheduled. Check Facebook, your email, or call 817-332-8515 for updates.) Saturday, January 24 – Volunteer Workday (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) Saturday, February 28 – Volunteer Workday (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) Saturday, March 28 - Volunteer Workday (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Saturday, April 25 – Volunteer Workday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Saturday, May 16 – Volunteer Workday (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Saturday, June 27 – Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, July 25 – Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, August 22 - Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, September 19 – Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, October 17– Volunteer Workday (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Saturday, November 14 – Volunteer Workday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) 🔨 What to Bring & How to Help Please bring work gloves, scoop shovels, rakes, spades, and, if desired, equipment for tree and shrub trimming. Volunteers are needed to rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs, transplant irises, pick up trash and fallen limbs, and help with general cemetery upkeep. Complimentary granola bars and water will be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own tools, sunscreen, and insect repellent. ☎️ Want to help at our next event? or have Questions? Contact Melanie at 682-225-6921. ⚠️ Important Notice: Each individual who enters the grounds of Pioneers Rest Cemetery does so at his or her own risk. The cemetery association is not responsible for injury or accidents. Your time and effort help keep this historic cemetery beautiful and well-maintained. Thank you for being part of our preservation efforts!

John T. Wilkes 1848 - May 30, 1894 John T. Wilkes was born in Florida in 1848, just a few short years after Florda was given statehood. In his youth, John lived in south Texas and eventually moved to Fort Worth in 1875.¹ John served with the volunteer Fort Worth Fire Department with his brother, Richard “Dick” Wilkes. Both John and his brother served as Chief of the department.² John was elected to the rank of Chief in 1886 and served two terms. He was an active fireman for nearly 20 years in Fort Worth. In addition to his fireman career, John was also a business owner. He ran a livery, a stable for horses and carriages, named Wilkes & Gauze .³ He ran the business with his lifelong friend, George L. Gauze.⁴ John was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias - Queen City Lodge in Downtown Fort Worth. This lodge, located at the corner of Main and 3rd St., was built in 1881. The building featured a distinctive Knight in a suit of armor on the outside of the building. A replacement lodge was built on the same location in 1901 with the Knight feature remaining. The building stands today at 315 Main St. and the Knight can be seen at the top of the building, still standing guard.⁵ On May 30, 1894, John unexpectedly died after complications with a stroke. John was given a hero’s sendoff as he was buried in his official Knights of Pythias uniform. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His funeral featured a horse drawn procession to the cemetery with a band playing along the way even though the weather that day was described as “bad.” People lined up on the sidewalks along the procession route, paying their respects to a well beloved man.⁶ John is buried in an unmarked grave next to his brother Richard. John never married and has no known children. In 2024, Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Association purchased and dedicated the current headstone at this grave. The grave went unmarked for 130 years. __________________________ [1] “John T. Wilkes Dead.” Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 189, Ed. 1, Thursday, May 31, 1894 - Page_ 6 of 8. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth109849/ [2] “Burial of Richard Wilkes.” Fort Worth Daily Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 12, No. 262, Ed. 1, Tuesday, April 19, 1887 Page: 8 of 8. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth85411 . [3] “John T. Wilkes Dead.” 1894. [4] “Funeral of John Wilkes.” Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 190, Ed. 1, Friday, June 1, 1894 Page: 6 of 8. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth109850/m1/6/ . [5] “Opening Knight: Pythian Cornerstone Is Laid.” Hometown By Handlebar, 5 Dec 2018. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=4145 . [6] “Funeral of John Wilkes.” 1894. Block 4, Lot 42 [Explore the Map ]

Etta O. (Price) Newby May 28, 1862 - June 23, 1936 Etta O. (Price) Newby was born during the Civil War on May 28, 1862 to William and Macklin Price in Enterprise, Mississippi. She was the youngest of 3 children, all of which were girls. The family moved to Fort Worth in 1874.¹ Just a few years after coming to the city, Etta’s father died leaving her fatherless at the age of 15.² The family remained an active part of Fort Worth society and on December 14, 1882 she married William G. Newby. Her new husband was a banker and would evidently become the president of American National Bank in Fort Worth. William was very philanthropic toward the community and was a member of the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias. Toward the end of his life, William became chronically ill and was in poor health for a lengthy period of time. On April 29, 1916, William committed suicide in their home at 1801 W. Magnolia (present day site of All Saints Hospital.) Etta now found herself a widow and longed to continue the philanthropic efforts of her late husband. She actively searched for a way to memorialize the life of her husband and did so through The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth. In 1923, she bought the former home of Heinrich Frerichs located at 1613 Pennsylvania Ave. The home had sat empty since 1914 when the Frerichs family fled back to Germany after Heinrich was found to be the head of German intelligence in the Southwest. In 1917, the U.S. Government confiscated the residence to help house army personnel during World War I. Mrs. Newby was able to purchase the home from the government and deeded the property to The Woman’s Club.³ The residence for the club was named the “William G. Newby Memorial Building” and still stands today. It became a Texas Historic Landmark in 1967.⁴ In addition to her generous donation to The Woman’s Club, Etta also established the Etta Newby Student Loan Fund at Texas Christian University and furnished the chimes at the Fort Worth First Methodist Church. She also provided a large endowment to the Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Mrs. Newby died on June 23, 1936 and is buried in the Price family plot at Pioneers Rest Cemetery next to her husband, parents, and two siblings. She has no known children. On the day of her memorial service, the chimes she provided to the Methodist Church rang in memory of her. Each year on the anniversary of her birthday, members of The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth travel to the cemetery to place flowers on her grave and also fly their flag at half-staff at the club headquarters in her honor.⁵ __________________________ [1] “Died.” Fort Worth Daily Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 253, Ed. 1, Thursday, September 13, 1883, newspaper, September 13, 1883; Fort Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth114537/m1/4/?q=%20date%3A1877-1883 : accessed August 29, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu ; . [2] Hudson, Weldon and Barbara Knox. Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Fort Worth Genealogical Society. 2001. Pg 114. [3] Sherrod, Katie. Grace & Gumption : Stories of Fort Worth Women. TCU Press. 2007, Pgs. 89-90. [4] “William G. Newby Memorial Building.” Historical marker Database. 2023. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=224810 ; Accessed 29 Aug 2023. [5] Sherrod, Katie. 2007, Pgs. 89-90. Block 2, Lot 30 [Explore the Map ]

Contact Us Physical Address 620 Samuels Ave Fort Worth 76102 817-332-8515 infopioneersrest@gmail.com Mailing Address P. O. Box 100294 Fort Worth, TX 76185 Leave your message here First name* Last name* Email* Message By checking this box and submitting your information, you are granting us permission to email you. Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. I may unsubscribe at any time. SEND

Pioneers Rest Cemetery Established in 1850, just one year after Fort Worth was founded, Pioneers Rest Cemetery is the city's oldest cemetery and one of its most treasured historic landmarks. Perched above the meeting of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River, it became the final resting place for soldiers from the frontier fort, pioneering families, civic leaders, veterans, and generations of Fort Worth residents. Today, this seven-acre cemetery preserves not only remarkable monuments and historic grave markers, but also the stories of the people whose lives helped shape our city. Designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, Pioneers Rest continues to honor Fort Worth's past while welcoming visitors to explore its history, discover its people, and experience the legacy they left behind. Whether you're walking the peaceful grounds of Pioneers Rest Cemetery or visiting from across the country, this page is your gateway to discovering the people who helped shape Fort Worth's history. Throughout the cemetery, you'll find QR codes on selected monuments that connect you to the stories, photographs, and historical information preserved here. Can't visit in person? You can still explore these remarkable lives from wherever you are by browsing the burials and featured stories below. Every name has a story. Every monument preserves a piece of Fort Worth's past. We invite you to explore, discover, and remember. Explore From Anywhere Links to Burials at Pioneers Rest Go Map and Historic Burial Index View Layout of the Cemetery and Access a Comprehensive Searchable Burial Listing Spreadsheet Go Miss Belle S. Andrews 1853-1882 Go Maj. Ripley Allen Arnold 1817-1853 Go Martha Celinda (Utley) Bridgess 1846-1928 Go Gen. James J. Byrne 1841-1880 Go George Washington Chapman 1872 - 1934 Go AddRan Clark 1869-1872 Go Ephraim Merrill "Eph" Daggett 1810 - 1883 Go Dr. Isaac Michael Darter 1851 - 1893 Go Charles “Chas” David Ferguson 1877-1942 Go Jesse “Jess” Robert Ferguson 1880-1952 Go Christopher Columbus Fitzgerald 1848 - 1877 Go Col. Abraham “Abe” Harris 1824 - 1915 Go George William Isbell 1921 - 1945 Go Charles J. Louckx 1846 - 1913 Go Robert E. Maddox 1849 - 1907 Go Mary May (Morgan) McGuire 1881 - 1946 Go Etta (Price) Newby 1862 - 1936 Go Harry Palmer Jr. 1911 - 1952 Go Carroll M. Peak 1828 - 1885 Go Josephine Hirschfield Ryan 1851 - 1931 Go Robert Alvis Ryan 1883 - 1950 Go Anna Shelton 1861 - 1936 Go Sydney Smith 1888 - 1944 Go Charles J. Swasey 1847 - 1939 Go May (Hendricks) Swayne 1856-1940 Go Gen. Edward Hampton Tarrant 1796 - 1858 Go Rowan Hardin Tucker Sr. 1855-1920 Go William “Bony” Tucker Jr. 1861-1887 Go William “Bony” Tucker Sr. 1824-1900 Go Clara (Peak) Walden 1854 - 1914 Go George Henry White 1857 - 1879 Go John T. Wilkes 1848 - 1894 Go Jesse Shenton Zane-Cetti 1844-1922 The Sexton's Cottage also known as a tool house, was constructed around 1922. The Greene family is cited as contributing to the construction of the structure. The wood-framed stucco-covered building was designed in the Classical Revival style and features a front gabled roof and unadorned pediment. A hood over the door also features a Greek key design and is supported by scrolled brackets. Curving cast stone balustrades extend from its north and south sides. For over 50 years, the Sexton’s cottage was the only tool house on the property, until the addition for a larger green structure near the southwest corner of the cemetery in the 1980’s.

PIONEERS REST CEMETERY - PHOTO GALLARY Event Archive A guided walk through the shadowed paths of history, recounting the lives of those who built Fort Worth from the riverbanks up. Group Title Date Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Christopher Columbus Fitzgerald abt. 1848 - August 26, 1877 Christopher Columbus Fitzgerald was born in Georgia about 1848 to parents Rev. Asa and Mary Fitzgerald. He commonly went by his middle name of Columbus, but early records show a combination of the use of both names. Sometime around 1864, the Fitzgerald family moved to Fort Worth. Columbus’ father, Asa Fitzgerald, was a preacher, a prospector, and a frequent litigant in lawsuits.¹ In 1868, Asa was the co-founding preacher of what would become the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth.² By early 1874, at the age of 26, Columbus was already active in his law enforcement career and was appointed to the role of a Deputy City Marshal. Later that same year, he was elected City Marshal on December 16, 1874. He replaced the sitting T. M. Ewing who had resigned. By 1876, Columbus ran for reelection to the City Marshal position, however Jim Courtright won the position by just 3 votes. Columbus was appointed to the Deputy City Marshal position after his loss to Courtright and he remained in this position for the rest of his short career. In addition to his police work, he was also a volunteer fireman and worked with Hook and Ladder Company #1,³ which was established in 1873.⁴ On August 25, 1877, Columbus was killed in the line of duty after responding to a dispute over the possession of a horse in a stable behind the Trans-Continental Hotel in Downtown Fort Worth. In this altercation, Mr. Fitzgerald received a gunshot wound to the face. He also was shot a second time during the dispute, which would ultimately prove fatal.⁵ Columbus died the next day on August 26, 1877 and his funeral was well attended.⁶ Although his headstone reads simply the year “1859,” there are no records that indicate this was a birth or death year. It also has nothing to do with his career as a marshal. In addition to this inaccuracy, it also appears Columbus was not the first City Marshal of Fort Worth, but rather one of the early marshals of the city. He is the first known officer to die in the line of duty in Fort Worth.⁷ __________________________ [1] “Churches, Mines, Courtrooms–and a Place in Panther City Lore” Hometown by Handlebar, 24 Oct 2022.; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=34823 : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [2] Bullock, Karen, “First Baptist Church, Fort Worth,” Texas State Historical Association, 26 Sept 2019; https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/first-baptist-church-fort-worth : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [3] “A Solemn Funeral,” The Daily Fort Worth Democrat, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 2, No. 49, Ed. 1 Tuesday, August 28, 1877, [Pg. 4], Portal to Texas History : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [4] Wolf, Emily, “Fort Worth’s firefighters have a rich history, but not a museum. It’s a matter of money,” 8 Mar 2023, Fort Worth Report : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [5] Churches, 2022. [6] Solemn, 1877. [7] “Fort Worth Marshal's Office,” Officer Down Memorial Page, 2024; https://www.odmp.org/agency/4468-fort-worth-marshals-office-texas : accessed 24 Oct 2024. Block 2, Lot 76 [Explore the Map ]

Restoration Projects Through the Years at Pioneers Rest Cemetery Preserving history, honoring stories, and celebrating community through every project. Dec. 14, 2024