Join us November 20, 2025, at Ridglea Country Club to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Pioneers Rest Cemetery! Dinner, entertainment, and historic charm await. Join us for the 175th Anniversary Celebration Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring the 175-year legacy of Pioneers Rest Cemetery — Fort Worth’s oldest public burial ground and a cornerstone of local history. Hats Off to Pioneers Rest Cemetery! Evening Highlights: Cocktail Reception: 6:00 PM —Cash Bar Dinner: 6:45 PM — A delicious meal with non-alcoholic beverages included. Master of Ceremonies and performer: Quentin McGown Dinner Theater Entertainment directed by Sharon Benge: 7:30 PM —Period music and theatrical performances celebrating Pioneer Rest Cemetery’s rich past. 💛 Sponsorship Opportunities Support the preservation and legacy of Fort Worth’s oldest cemetery by becoming a sponsor of our 175th Anniversary Celebration. Ticket and Sponsorship Information Individual Ticket (Dinner and Entertainment): $75 Friend of Pioneers Rest Cemetery (Donation only): $175 Bronze Sponsorship (Includes 2 Guest Tickets): $500+ Copper Sponsorship (Includes 4 Guest Tickets): $1,000+ Silver Sponsorship (Includes 1 Table of 8 Guests): $2,500+ Gold Sponsorship (Includes 2 Tables of 8 Guests – 16 Total): $5,000+ Diamond Sponsorship (Includes 3 Tables of 8 Guests – 24 Total): $10,000+ Seating is limited. All sponsorship levels include event admission. [Purchase Tickets Now] To remit, please use one of 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 (use any credit card): Donate with PayPal 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. JOIN US NOW!

Pioneers Rest Cemetery Pioneers Rest Cemetery was created in 1850, a year after the military outpost known as Fort Worth was established on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River. It served as the fort’s primary burial ground and then the city’s, until 1879 when other cemeteries were established in the city. However, burials continued at Pioneers Rest and it remained the cemetery of choice for many early Fort Worth residents and their descendants. Pioneers Rest Cemetery's grave markers reflect mid-19th to early 20th-century sentiments regarding death and mourning through their funerary motifs and Gothic, Egyptian, Classical Revival, and Rustic designs. The cemetery is approximately seven acres. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. 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. 1861-1987 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.

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. __________________________ [1] Kline, Susan. “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form,” United States Department of Interior, 6 Dec 2020, pgs 7, 11, 13. Accessed 2 Oct 2023 ; https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/National-Register-Application-for-Pioneers-Rest.pdf

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 ]

Pioneers Rest Cemetery Welcome to Pioneers Rest Cemetery A Historic Landmark in Fort Worth - Established in 1850, just a year after Fort Worth was founded by Major Ripley Arnold, Pioneers Rest Cemetery holds a significant place in the city's history. Overlooking the confluence of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River, it originally served as the primary burial ground for the military outpost and later for the burgeoning city. Even after other cemeteries were established in 1879, Pioneers Rest remained a vital resting place for Fort Worth's early residents and their descendants. The cemetery is the final resting place for numerous notable figures, including two of Major Arnold’s young children, eleven soldiers from the fort, and some of Fort Worth’s earliest pioneers, such as General Tarrant, the namesake of Tarrant County. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of grave markers that showcase funerary motifs and designs from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, including Gothic, Egyptian, Classical Revival, and Rustic styles. Spanning approximately seven acres, Pioneers Rest Cemetery was proudly listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, cementing its status as a cherished historical site in Fort Worth. WHAT'S HAPPENING? Join us at Pioneers Rest Cemetery for our monthly volunteer cleanup days! It's a great way to give back to the community, preserve our historic grounds, and connect with fellow history enthusiasts. Read More Our Valued Benefactors Honoring Those Who Support Pioneers Rest We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our benefactors, whose generous contributions help us preserve the rich history and heritage of Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX. Their support enables us to continue our mission of maintaining this historic site and hosting community events such as Fall Fest. Below are the esteemed benenfactors who have made a significant impact through their generosity. Diamond - $1,000 + Marcia Fuller French Cecelia Van Donselaar Matt Dixon Michael Darter Platinum - $500-$999 Paul and Wendy Blanton Virginia Brown Melissa and Paul Hunter Karen Stetler Janey & James Korth Nan & Mark Matson Gold - $300-$499 Sam A. ‘Alex’ Denny Madeline and Jim McLain David Hart, Painting Silver - $100-$299 Loretta Black Mary Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Buckley Sam B. Cantey Family Jo Carpenter William ‘Bill’ Collins, Jr. Lane Crabtree Matt Dixon JoAnn Mouser Allen & Charmaine Williams Malinda and Dennis Crumly Megan Salas Silver - $100-$299 Diana Lussier Jerry Wallace Donna and Tim Weddle Julia Jackson Chapter - (United Daughters of the Confederacy) Roots Garden Center Christy Cruz Susie and Douglas Pritchett Fred Cheek Monuments Merrell Daggett Michele Elekes Loretta Shumway National Credit Finance Corporation With deep appreciation, we honor our benefactors for their vital support in safeguarding the legacy of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Their generosity preserves our past and nurtures our community’s future. Preserve Our Heritage: Donate to Pioneers Rest Cemetery Your generous donations help preserve the historic Pioneers Rest Cemetery, ensuring it remains a cherished landmark for future generations. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact in honoring and maintaining Fort Worth’s rich history. Please join us in our mission by donating today and help us continue this vital work. Ground Maintenance We need your support to hire maintenance workers for mowing and upkeep of the grounds, $20,000 of tree trimming across the seven acres, and ensuring proper watering and care. Your donations directly contribute to preserving the beauty and history of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Join us in keeping this cherished landmark well-maintained for future generations. Support Restoration and Preservation Efforts Your donations are vital for repairing hundreds of headstones and antique wrought iron fencing, replacing markers for missing or deteriorated headstones, and undertaking essential tree removal and trimming. We urgently need support for new projects at Pioneers Rest Cemetery: restoring the Zane-Cetti monument and storm-damaged fencing, upgrading our water, electricity, and security systems, and launching a Native Plantings Initiative to beautify open spaces. Your contributions preserve the history and beauty of our cemetery for future generations. Please donate today to help make these projects possible. Completed Projects Thanks to your generous support, we are proud to announce the completion of several key projects at Pioneers Rest Cemetery. We have beautified the maintenance shed, restored and enhanced the sexton's cottage, expanded our QR Code Program, installed two new benches, replaced 33 headstones for individuals who previously lacked markers, and revitalized the main entrance by restoring the gates. Your continued support makes these achievements possible and helps preserve the historic charm of our cemetery. How to Donate 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 Your support is greatly appreciated and makes a significant impact on preserving the history and beauty of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. QR Codes - Gone but not Forgotten Lamont at Large, a prominent YouTuber known for his "Forgotten in Death" series, recently caught wind of our QR Codes through a news broadcast. Taking advantage of his proximity, he chose Pioneers Rest Cemetery as the centerpiece of one of his latest video features. Through our QR Codes, countless stories that might otherwise have been consigned to obscurity in death are now vividly recalled and celebrated. This project still needs expanding to incorporate as many stories as possible.

Jesse Shenton Zane-Cetti January 21, 1844 - February 8, 1922 Jesse Shenton Zane-Cetti was born on January 21, 1844 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to William and Harriet Zane. After the death of his father in 1853, his mother Harriet remarried to Andrew Cetti. Out of respect for both his father and step-father, Jesse decided to hyphenate his last name to create the unusual surname of Zane-Cetti. By the age of 15, Jesse was sent to Germany to study civil engineering. After graduation, he returned to the United States in 1870 and worked for the government. With his new job, he became acquainted with Gen. Grenville Dodge, a pioneer in railroad expansion in the south. Jesse went to work for Gen. Dodge where he secured a job working with the Corp of Engineers in Alabama. As the railroad expanded westward, Jesse was sent to Texas to survey land spanning all the way to El Paso. On May 9, 1873, “Black Friday” occurred ensuing what would become known as the “Panic of 1873.” As the United States economy was in turmoil, the railroad ceased work and Jesse found himself unemployed and in Fort Worth. With limited options, Jesse decided to stay in Fort Worth as he felt the “little town” was very inviting. Quickly, Jesse began to make connections with civic leaders in town and he reinvented himself by opening a real estate and insurance office. Since his early days with the railroad, Jesse had been corresponding with Emma Hoeflin, a love interest he met back in Germany. After 7 years of writing, and with his new found stability in Fort Worth, Emma agreed to come to Texas.¹ The two were married in 1874 in New Orleans, Louisiana.² The couple would have 7 children but only 4 would survive to adulthood. All of the children were taught to be bilingual in German and English. Also in 1874, Fort Worth was incorporated and officially became a city. Jesse was tasked as being the first City Engineer and created the city street layout. Jesse was instrumental in convincing the railroad to complete the tracks to Fort Worth in 1876. It is said that as the first train engine rolled into Fort Worth and blew its whistle, Jesse’s first child was born at that very moment. By the 1880’s, Zane-Cetti was a top real estate developer and was held to high esteem. When Anheuser-Busch built their first brewery in Texas, Jesse became very interested in bringing a brewery to Fort Worth.³ In 1890, Zane-Cetti along with 3 others, declared the water of Fort Worth to be of fine quality for brewing and they began building the Texas Brewing Company in what was known as “Hell’s Half Acre.” The brewery was located at the site of the present day Fort Worth Central Station. Jesse was the President of the brewery. By 1907, the brewery claimed to be the largest in Texas, creating 250,000 barrels of beer a year, Unfortunately in 1918, the brewery would shutter its doors as the temperance movement was taking hold and talks of prohibition were on the horizon.⁴ Although the brewery closed, the facility transitioned into the Texas Ice & Refrigeration Company and Jesse was yet again the President. Zane-Cetti was eager to bring music to Fort Worth. With his real estate connections, he provided a building that became the first music hall in the city. Later the Fort Worth Symphony would be born of this creation. Later in life, Jesse would help provide capital that would bring street cars to Downtown. He was also a member of the Freemasons where he was a Grand Master of his Masonic Lodge. On February 8, 1922, Jesse passed away at the age of 78. He was described as “immaculately-dressed, reliable, capable, and a modest man.”⁵ His funeral was held in the mansion he built in 1910 at 500 S. Adams.⁶ The home was razed in 1967.⁷ Jesse is buried in a large family plot at Pioneers Rest Cemetery next to his wife, mother, and 6 children. __________________________ [1] Pruitt, Betty. “Zane-Cetti, Civic Leader,” The Junior Historian, , Volume 16, Number 3, December 1955, Pg 16. Texas State Historical Association ; Austin, Texas. Accessed 26 Sept 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391438/m1/18 . [2] “Thenton Zane Cette [SIC],” New Orleans, Louisiana, Marriage Records Index, 1831-1964, Vol 4, Pg 597. Ancestry.com. Accessed 26 Sept 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryuicontent/view/11853:6500?ssrc=pt&tid=32371210&pid=242036084208 . [3] Pruitt, 1955, Pgs 16-17. [4] “Texas Brewing Company Gave Cowtown Very Near Beer.” Hometown by Handlebar, 3 Sept 2019. Accessed 26 Sept 2023; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=4348 . [5] Pruitt, 1955, Pgs.17-18. [6] “Body of Zane-Cetti in Pioneers’ Rest.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Home Edition ed., vol. XLII, no. 8, 9 Feb. 1922, p. 6. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 26 Sept 2023. [7] "Jesse Shenton Zane-Cetti mansion to be torn down, 500 South Adams Street, Fort Worth, Texas." Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. UTA Libraries Digital Gallery. 1967. Accessed 26 Sept 26, 2023 ; https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery/img/20059989 . Block 3, Lot 3 [Explore the Map ]

Clara Peak Walden January 4, 1854 - October 13, 1914 Clara Peak Walden , early pioneer of Fort Worth education, was the first born child of Dr. Carroll Peak and Mrs. Florence Peak on January 4, 1854, in Fort Worth. She came into the world in one of the abandoned military post buildings. Growing up, Clara had access to the impressive personal library of her father, and this helped fuel her early desire to become an educator. Promident resident, R.L. Paschal reflected on Clara’s unique childhood by stating “Colonel John Peter Smith, who lived eight years in the Peak home, was a constant help and inspiration in her study of Latin, Greek, and higher mathematics. At this time she began the study of Hebrew and later read the Old Testament in that language.” During her early years, schools in Fort Worth were all private institutions. Clara and her brother Howard attended the “Fort Worth High School,” which was located inside the Masonic Lodge at the corner of Jones and Belknap. Clara began her teaching career at this location and remained until its closure in 1869. She was only 15 years old at the time of the closure, and her youthful age shows her advanced educational aptitude. At the age of 16, in 1870, Clara married LeGrande Walden who was a farmer but became a school teacher. The couple taught for a couple of years in country and rural schools. In 1871, Clara gave birth to their first child named Florence. A second child was born in 1873 named Lucile. Sadly, just 16 days apart, both of her children would pass away in August of 1873. The couple would have no additional children. The decade would close with the death of her husband, leaving her a young widow. Around 1872, Clara joined the faculty at The Fort Worth School, which was established by brothers Addison and Randolph Clark. This school would later become the modern day Texas Christian University (TCU). She taught there until late 1873 when the school relocated outside of the Fort Worth area. Clara continued to work in local schools and The Fort Worth Standard (1876) called Mrs. Walden “a lady of superior intellectual endowments, first rate literary qualifications, and large experience as a teacher.” By age 21, Clara and Miss E. R. Arnold established the Arnold-Walden Institute, originally located in the First Christian Church building and later to its own building. The Arnold-Walden Institute later merged with the Fort Worth public school system and became a ward school; it stood until 1939.¹ By 1894, Clara retired from teaching. On October 13, 1914, after being released from the hospital that day, Clara was struck and killed by an automobile outside of the home where she lived with her mother. She was 60 years old.² Clara is buried in the Peak Family plot with her parents, siblings and children. __________________________ [1] Clara Peak Walden: A Life in Education,” Hometown by Handlebar, 4 Jan 2021; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=32953 : accessed 4 Oct 2024. [2] "Chauffeur Whose Auto Killed Women Released…" Fort Worth Star-Telegram, vol. XXXIV, no. 267, 14 Oct. 1914, p. Page 13. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 4 Oct. 2024. Block 3, Lot 7 [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 ]

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 ]

Col. Abraham “Abe” Harris October 21, 1824 - March 28, 1915 Abraham "Abe" Harris , Mexican War veteran, Confederate military officer, and president of the Texas Association of Mexican War Veterans, was born on October 21, 1824, in England. In 1829, when he was five, Abe and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York. Harris was employed as a cabinetmaker during the 1840’s until, at the age of 22, he left his new hometown and enlisted in the United States Army at Utica, New York. He mustered at Governor's Island, New York, as a sergeant and was placed in Company F of the Eighth United States Infantry. From there, his unit left for Vera Cruz, Mexico, to serve during the Mexican War. Following the Mexican War, Harris served as sergeant major to Maj. Ripley A. Arnold (also buried at Pioneers Rest Cemetery) of the Second Dragoons. They were dispatched to North Texas to establish a military post in order to protect the territory from Native American advances. Because of his background in cabinetry, Harris helped build the barracks and officers’ headquarters for the newly established Army post known as Fort Worth. On January 20, 1852, Harris's term of military service came to a close, and he was formally discharged at Fort Worth. He remained in the Fort Worth area. The abandoned buildings of the camp were used as stores and homes by settlers and former soldiers that remained in the area, including Harris. From this outcropping of abandoned military buildings, the city of Fort Worth would emerge. During the 1850s, while Harris lived in Tarrant County, he met and married Margaret Conner and the couple had five children—four boys and one girl. However, Margaret died on February 23, 1861. With the onset of the Civil War, Harris enrolled in the Confederate Army on January 26, 1862, in Tarrant County. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant and was in the The Fourteenth Texas Cavalry. The Fourteenth saw action at Murfreesboro, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and Nashville. While serving in Georgia, Harris remarried on August 23, 1863, to Sally Lavina Logan. The couple had one child. On May 9, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Harris surrendered his command at Meridian, Mississippi. By 1880 Harris had returned to Tarrant County. He continued to practice his craft in cabinetry and in 1888 purchased land in Arlington, though Fort Worth remained his primary residence.¹ On March 28,1915, Abraham Harris passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, the city he helped establish. He was buried in his Confederate uniform² with the American flag that had flown over his porch for over 50 years.³ His funeral procession was lined by veterans from all generations, and he was buried with military honors.⁴ __________________________ [1] Matthew K. Hamilton, “Harris, Abraham,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed September 28, 2024, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/harris-abraham . [2] “Veterans Form Guard of Honor at Funeral of Col. Abe Harris.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, vol. XXXV, no. 65, 29 Mar. 1915, p. Page Four. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : Accessed 28 September 2024. [3] “Military Funeral for Col. Abe Harris,” Fort Worth Record-Telegram, March 30, 1915, FindAGrave.com : Accessed September 28, 2024. [4] Veterans, 1915. Block 3, Lot 16 [Explore the Map ]

Harry Palmer Jr. May 13, 1911 - July 24, 1952 Harry Palmer Jr. was born in Fort Worth on May 13, 1911 to parents Harry and Florence Palmer.¹ He was the last of 8 children born to the family. Harry was a member of the graduating class of 1929 of Central High School at 1003 W. Cannon St., now occupied by Trimble Technical High School. While in high school, Harry embraced his love for music and was a member of the R.O.T.C. Band.² His musical talents would continue into young adulthood, allowing him to be a professional trumpet player in several orchestras throughout Fort Worth.³ By 1940, Harry had married Glena Ruby Varnell. They had one child together, Teresa Ann. On July 24, 1952, Harry underwent a surgical procedure at St. Joseph's Hospital. He died during the surgery due to complications with anesthesia. At the time of his death, he was a cement contractor.⁴ Harry is buried in the large Palmer Family plot next to his spouse, both of his parents, his paternal grandmother and several siblings. __________________________ [1] “Certificate of Death, Mr, Harry Palmer Jr..” Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982, 29 Jul 1952. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2272/images/40394_b062407-02871?pId=22646005 . [2] "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Central High School; Year: 1929. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/230377535:1265?tid=&pid=&queryId=dcd2efc913a6d36096208d621214daf7&_phsrc=lPS7665&_phstart=successSource . [3] “Harry Palmer.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas , Fri, Jul 25, 1952, Page 26. [4] “Certificate of Death, Mr, Harry Palmer Jr.,” 1952. Block 3, Lot 52 [Explore the Map ]

Dr. Isaac Michael Darter January 19, 1851 - October 11,1893 Dr. Isaac MIchael Darter was born on January 19,1851 to parents Francis and Mary Darter in Alabama. By 1859, the family moved to Stephenville, Texas¹ where his father was a farmer.² In Darter’s late teenage years, the family moved to Fort Worth.³ Isaac married Annie Gordon on April 8, 1877, and their wedding was officiated by Rev. W.Y. Taylor of the First Christian Church in Fort Worth.⁴ Early in their marriage, Isaac worked as a carpenter and they had their first son, Joseph, in 1879.⁵ Around this time Isaac makes a major career change. He enrolled in college in late 1880 in St. Louis, Missouri and later the University of Louisville Medical School. He graduated from medical school in Louisville, Kentucky on February 27, 1883.⁶ While in college, Isaac and Mary mourned the loss of their son, Joseph, on July 18, 1881. He died of cholera⁷ and is the only family member buried in St. Louis, Missouri. Annie was pregnant at the time with their second child, Francis, born on November 27, 1881.⁸ After graduation, Isaac and family returned back to Fort Worth where he practiced medicine for 10 years. He became the City Physician for Fort Worth in 1888 and also developed a special Laryngeal Catheter that was patented in 1892. In addition to his success in medicine, Isaac and Annie had two more sons, William and Issac. Writings provided by his grandson indicate Isaac was a talented musician and played violin for his family and friends.⁹ On October 11, 1893, Dr. Darter passed away in his home at the corner of Lipscomb and Jarvis St. (home no longer standing.) He was only 42 years old.¹⁰ In addition to Isaac, his parents and and three siblings are also buried at Pioneers Rest Cemetery. __________________________ [1] “Dr. I.M. Darter Dead,” Fort Worth Daily Gazette, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 17, No. 322, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 11, 1893, newspaper, October 11, 1893; Fort Worth, Texas. Portal to Texas History : accessed September 27, 2024) [2] “Michael Darter,” 1860 United States Federal Census, Stephenville, Erath, Texas, Pg. 9, Ancestry.com ;: accessed September 27, 2024. [3] “Isaac M Darter,” 1870 United States Federal Census, Precinct 4, Tarrant, Texas, Pg. 23, Ancestry.com : accessed September 27, 2024. [4] “I.M.Darter,” Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965, Tarrant, 1876-1879, Pg. 121, Ancestry.com : accessed September 27, 2024. [5] “Mike Darter” 1880 United States Federal Census, Dist. 88, Tarrant, Texas, Pg. 15A, Ancestry.com : accessed September 27, 2024. [6] Darter, Dr. Michael, A Brief History of Isaac Michael Darter, MD & Annie Mary Gorden Darter of Fort Worth, Texas, 1 Aug 2007, RootsWeb.com ; accessed September 27, 2024. [7] “Joseph F Darter,” Missouri, U.S., Death Records, 1850-1931, St. Louis, 1880-1881, Pg. 245, Ancestry.com : accessed September 27, 2024. [8] “Francis Micheal Darter,” U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Utah, All, Bridge, Harry - Fox Ward, [Pg. 900], Ancestry.com : accessed September 27, 2024. [9] Darter, Dr. Michael, “Life & Medical Practice In Fort Worth, Texas,” N.D. , The TXGe Web Project : accessed September 27, 2024. [10] “Dr. I.M. Darter Dead.” 1893. Block 2, Lot 17 [Explore the Map ]