Samuel Thompson Leet (1828–1890): California State Senator, Pioneer Merchant, and Landholder

 

Samuel Leet & Family Plot

Plot 26, Lot 152

Samuel Thompson Leet was a 19th-century California pioneer, merchant, and public official, best known for his contributions to the early development of Placer County and for serving as a State Senator in the California Legislature during a formative period of statehood.

Born on November 26, 1828, in DeRuyter, New York, Leet came to California soon after it became a state in 1850, accompanied by three of his brothers. He initially settled in Placer County, where he engaged in mining and mercantile pursuits during the height of the Gold Rush. He was one of the early residents of Michigan Bluff and later Dutch Flat and Colfax—important hubs in the Sierra Nevada gold region. He was also listed among the principal early traders in Auburn following the 1848 discovery of gold along the Auburn Ravine, which led to the establishment of one of the state’s earliest and most enduring mining settlements. His name appears alongside other pioneer merchants and traders such as Bailey & Kerr, Disbrow & Willment, and Wetzler & Sutter, marking him as a key figure in Auburn’s transformation into a major trading post.

Leet Oakland home at 562 East Fifteenth in 1887

Leet's role in California extended into public life when he was elected State Senator from Placer County in 1859, representing the area in the 11th Legislature (1860–61). He served during a time of political turbulence and infrastructural expansion, notably around issues like taxation of mines and support for the development of the transcontinental railroad. His vote for Lecompton Democrat Milton Latham in the U.S. Senate selection process suggested independent thinking within a fractured Democratic Party.

Outside of politics, Leet continued his work as a businessman. He operated a provision store in Colfax during the early railroad era and partnered in land acquisitions, most notably filing for a massive 10,500-acre claim in the Pleasant Grove district of western Placer County using federal land scrip. His ventures extended to real estate as co-founder of the San Francisco-based auction house Talbert & Leet, which was appointed to handle high-profile state tide land sales in the late 1860s.

Later in life, Leet relocated to Oakland, California. City directories from the 1880s list him as a resident of 562 East Fifteenth in Oakland, where he lived with his wife, Cynthia Roanne Pomeroy Leet, and several of their children. He died there on December 20, 1890. His estate was formally administered in Alameda County the following year, as confirmed by court records.

Henry Arthur Wright (1946–1968): Vietnam Casualty: Awarded Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” for heroism

Henry Wright & Burial Vault

Main Mausoleum, Section 174, Tier 3, Niche 1

Henry Wright a United States Marine Corps officer and decorated combat hero who was killed in action during the Vietnam War. A native of Oakland, California, Wright was the son of Roy E. Wright and Marjorie J. Wright. He graduated from Oakland High School in 1963 and from the United States Naval Academy in 1967, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

Wright deployed to Vietnam on January 5, 1968, and was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force. On February 6, 1968, amidst the early weeks of the communist Tet Offensive, his unit was called upon to assist a Combined Action Platoon (CAP B-4) engaged in a fierce battle in the hamlet of La Chau (2), located south of Da Nang in Quảng Nam Province.

At approximately 08:45 that morning, CAP B-4 came under intense enemy fire and requested support. A two-squad reaction force from Company D, supported by an M48A1 tank, responded from nearby Hill 47. As they approached La Chau, the tank struck a land mine and was subsequently disabled by enemy B-40 rocket fire, igniting the vehicle. The Marines immediately came under heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire from entrenched North Vietnamese Army forces.

1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment in Vietnam

Lieutenant Wright organized his platoon and led them across open terrain under heavy fire to reinforce the embattled Marines. Disregarding his own safety, he moved to an exposed vantage point to assess the battlefield and better direct his men. He then led an aggressive assault against enemy positions, personally directing fire and maneuvering across a rice paddy. When his radio operator was seriously wounded, Wright carried him to safety while continuing to provide medical aid and tactical leadership.

Returning to the fight, Wright resumed command of his platoon, providing covering fire to facilitate the evacuation of the wounded. He was mortally wounded by enemy fire during this effort. Despite the intensity of the battle, his leadership helped prevent further casualties and contributed to the Marines’ success in breaching the enemy line.

For his valor and selflessness, Second Lieutenant Henry A. Wright was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” for heroism. The citation praised his “bold initiative and fearless action,” which were instrumental in saving fellow Marines and accomplishing the mission. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and Naval Service.

Lieutenant Wright had been in Vietnam for just over a month at the time of his death. He was among nine Americans—eight Marines and one Navy corpsman—who died in the action at La Chau, with twenty others wounded.

His Bronze Star Medal was presented posthumously to his parents by Colonel Donald Kennedy, Director of the 12th Marine Corps District Headquarters in San Francisco.

Sources: Oakland Tribune, Sept 2, 1968, Bronze Star Medal Citation, U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Records, Marine Corps Command Chronologies, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - Wall of Faces, Combined Action Program After Action Reports (CAP B-4), Find a Grave, and Dept of Defense Casualty Reports

Richard Miner “Dick” Apgar (1836–1887): Civil War Veteran; Solano County Sheriff

 

Dick Apgar's Obituary and Grave Marker

Plot 24, Lot 12

Dick Apgar was an American Civil War officer, lawman, and civic figure active in both San Francisco and Oakland, California. Known for his colorful personality and broad involvement in public service and politics, Apgar’s life spanned frontier migration, military service, and the turbulent political scene of post-Gold Rush California.

Born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in April 1836 to Jacob and Hannah Apgar—both of New Jersey origin—Apgar journeyed westward as a teenager. At the age of 16, he joined a wagon train bound for California, arriving in 1854 and initially trying his fortune in the goldfields before settling in Solano County.

During the Civil War, Apgar was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in Company F of the 7th California Infantry Regiment at the Presidio of San Francisco on November 30, 1864. He was stationed at Fort McDowell in the Arizona Territory before mustering out with his unit on April 13, 1866, also at the Presidio. After the war, he returned to Solano County and married Lois Marie Marston in Suisun, California, on July 4, 1869.

Fort McDowell in the Arizona Territory

Apgar embarked on a career in law enforcement and public service. In 1871, he was elected Sheriff of Solano County. Following his term, he served for four years as a turnkey at San Quentin State Prison. He later moved to San Francisco, where he became deeply involved in local politics. He lobbied the State Legislature in Sacramento and played a key role in the establishment of Police Court No. 2, serving for several years as its bailiff. He was appointed doorkeeper of the California State Assembly during the 1881–82 legislative session.

In the early 1880s, Apgar relocated to Oakland, where he was admitted to the bar, though he did not practice law. He ran unsuccessfully as the Republican nominee for the State Assembly from the 53rd District in 1884. At the time of his death, he was described as a wealthy man, having made astute investments in land and stocks, with his estate estimated at $100,000—a considerable sum for the time.

Apgar was deeply involved in fraternal and veterans’ organizations, including the Freemasons and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a member of Mount Moriah Lodge in San Francisco, and his funeral was conducted with Masonic honors in Oakland by Live Oak Lodge. Members of Lincoln Post No. 1 and delegations from other Grand Army posts were in attendance.

Richard M. Apgar died suddenly on December 21, 1887, in Oakland due to heart failure. He was 51 years old. His widow, Lois, survived him until her death in 1903 and received a widow’s pension under the 1890 federal pension act. 

The land where he resided in Oakland is known as the Apgar Tract and a street still bears his name. The Apgar Tract is a historic residential subdivision situated in the Longfellow neighborhood of North Oakland. It encompasses the area around Apgar Street, which runs between Market Street and San Pablo Avenue. The tract was developed during a period of significant growth in Oakland, as the city expanded to accommodate a burgeoning population and increased demand for housing. Today, the Apgar Tract is characterized by a mix of residential properties, including single-family homes and multi-unit buildings. Many of these structures date back to the early 20th century, reflecting the architectural styles prevalent during that era. The neighborhood's proximity to transportation hubs, such as the MacArthur BART station, and its location near major thoroughfares have made it an attractive area for residents seeking convenient access to the broader Bay Area.

Margaret Burrows “Margy” Sanford Oldenburg (1909–1943): First Casualty of WWII WASP Program

Margy Oldenburg & Grave Marker

Plot 65, Grave 2573

Margy Oldenburg was a pioneering aviator and one of the earliest members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. Born on July 29, 1909, she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1931. Her passion for aviation was ignited in 1933 after meeting legendary pilot Amelia Earhart, inspiring her to take up flying during a time when few women had access to the cockpit.

PT-19 Aircraft

Oldenburg joined the WASP program as part of Class 43-W-4, which began training in February 1943. In early March, the weather in Houston had been poor and training flights were grounded. When skies cleared, the students of 43-W-4 were eager to resume flight training and practice spin maneuvers in the PT-19 aircraft. Tragically, something went wrong on one of the flights, and Oldenburg and her instructor dove straight into the ground. She was killed on March 7, 1943, during that routine training flight, becoming the first fatality of the WASP program. The Army Air Forces Training Command reportedly ordered that the accident be kept quiet to avoid public scrutiny.

Because WASP pilots were considered civilians at the time, Oldenburg was not afforded military honors or benefits. Program director Jacqueline Cochran and fellow pilots personally covered the costs of returning her body to Oakland, California, for burial.

Major Bernard Thomas “B.T.” Kelly (1918–2004): WWII hero during sinking of USS Helena

 

Major B.T. Kelly and Grave marker

Major Bernard Thomas “B.T.” Kelly (1918–2004) was a decorated United States Marine Corps officer best known for his heroism during World War II, particularly during the sinking of the USS Helena (CL-50). Born on July 9, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, Kelly graduated from Northwestern University before commissioning into the U.S. Marine Corps. Over a 26-year military career, he served with distinction in multiple theaters of operation, including World War II and the Korean War.

As commander of the Marine detachment aboard the USS Helena, Kelly was stationed on the ship during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The Helena was damaged but survived the assault, later returning to combat duty in the Pacific. On July 6, 1943, during the Battle of Kula Gulf, the Helena was struck by three Japanese torpedoes and sank. In the aftermath, Kelly played a critical role in organizing the evacuation and ensuring the survival of many sailors and Marines. His leadership under extreme duress—coordinating rescue efforts, caring for the wounded, and maintaining discipline—was widely praised and later documented in several books on naval warfare and the Pacific campaign.

U.S.S. Helena in WWII

Kelly continued to serve in major Pacific operations, including the amphibious assaults on Peleliu and Okinawa, two of the war’s bloodiest battles. After Japan's surrender, he was assigned to Tientsin, China, where he helped oversee the formal turnover from Japanese forces. He later served in the Korean conflict, extending his service in active combat roles into a second major war.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Kelly pursued several civilian leadership roles. He was the director of the Service Department at Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, California, and later served as director of the Northern California Laborers’ Union Training Center in Dublin, California. He also worked as the financial manager at Kelly World Travel in Lafayette. In retirement, he remained an avid traveler, photographer, and student of history, and took up golf with enthusiasm.

Major Bernard T. Kelly died on June 28, 2004, at the U.C. Davis Medical Center. His actions aboard the USS Helena and throughout his military service continue to be recognized in historical accounts of the Pacific War.

Sources:

• U.S. Navy historical records and USS Helena rescue reports (usshelena.org)

• Public obituary, Sacramento Bee, July 2004

• Various books and accounts of the Pacific theater, including Cruiser: The Life and Loss of HMAS Perth and Her Crew and The Lost Ships of Guadalcanal (Richard Frank)

• Naval History and Heritage Command archives

Colonel Livingston Gilson Irving (1895–1983): Decorated Aviator who flew in WWI and WWII

 

Colonel Irving & Burial Vault

Main Mausoleum - Section 8, 104, T4

Livingston Irving (1895–1983) was an American aviator, decorated war hero, and aviation pioneer whose flying career spanned more than six decades. Born in San Francisco, he was the son of Samuel C. Irving, mayor of Berkeley, California, and owner of the Paraffine Companies Inc., where Livingston also worked.

Irving began flying as a barnstormer in 1915 and joined the Lafayette Escadrille in 1918, later serving in the 103rd Aero Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Service during World War I. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in combat near Bantheville, France, where he attacked a formation of 11 enemy aircraft, downing one and forcing another to land. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre and is credited with one official aerial victory.

After the war, Irving remained active in aviation and became the first entrant in the ill-fated 1927 Dole Air Derby, a transpacific air race from California to Hawaii. Sponsored by Paraffine Companies employees, he flew a custom-built Breese-Wilde monoplane named Pabco Pacific Flyer, decorated with the Indian head insignia of his wartime unit. Though qualified as both pilot and navigator, his overloaded aircraft stalled and crashed during takeoff, disqualifying him from the race. Irving later donated his radio to fellow pilot William Portwood Erwin, who perished in a rescue attempt during the event that claimed ten lives.

The Irving Family and the Pabco Flyer

Irving later repurchased and rebuilt his plane into the Irving Cabin Monoplane "Redwing", which he planned to use as an airborne radio station. Under the call signs KHAC and later KFBI, he briefly broadcast from the skies over Hayward, California, until the Federal Radio Commission discontinued licenses for portable stations in 1928.

Recalled to active duty during World War II, Irving served as a squadron commander and B-17 pilot, attaining the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, he logged more than 10,000 flight hours without serious injury. He died in 1983 at the age of 87,

Lt. William Parker "Billy" Cook (1917–1944): MIA WWII Pilot whose remains were finally identified

 

Lt. Billy Cook and Burial Vault

Outdoor Garden Mausoleum - 2, Crypt 319, Tier 1

First Lieutenant William Parker “Billy” Cook was a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot and World War II casualty whose remains were identified nearly 70 years after his aircraft was shot down. Born in 1917 in Alameda, California, Cook was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and worked for United Airlines before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Forces in June 1942.

Following flight training at Ellington Field in Texas, Cook earned his pilot’s wings and commission in 1943. By 1944, he was flying missions over Europe in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. On December 23, 1944, during a mission over the Germany-Belgium border, his aircraft was shot down. Six of the crew members, including Lt. Cook, were killed in the crash, and their remains were never recovered at the time. Cook was officially listed as missing in action.

B-17 Flying Fortress bomber

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engine heavy bomber renowned for its durability and resilience in combat. Developed by Boeing in the 1930s and nicknamed the “Flying Fortress” upon its 1935 debut, the aircraft became a symbol of American air power in the European Theater. Between 1936 and 1945, more than 12,000 B-17s were produced, with the type dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft during the war. Ironically, crews often credited the B-17’s rugged design with saving lives, as it could absorb substantial damage and still return to base.

Decades later, in 2012, amateur historians discovered the crash site, including the wreckage and remains. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) used DNA analysis and other forensic tools to positively identify Cook's remains in August 2014.

According to an article published by the San Francisco Chronicle on October 19, 2014, Cook’s niece, Jill McCabe, who had worked for years to locate his remains, was instrumental in helping make the identification possible by submitting a DNA sample. She noted that her uncle was "a family hero," and the identification brought long-awaited closure. His remains were returned to California, and he was buried with full military honors at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland on October 25, 2014.

Charles Leroy “Tex” Pruiett (1883–1953): Major League Baseball player; Cy Young's teammate

Burial Vault, Tex Pruiett

Main Mausoleum, 2nd Floor, Section 100, Tier 4, 1 from left

 “Tex” Pruiett was an American professional baseball pitcher best known for his time with the Boston Americans (later the Red Sox) during the early 20th century. Born on July 10, 1883, in Osgood, Indiana, Pruiett later became associated with Texas, earning him the nickname “Tex.”

A right-handed pitcher, Pruiett made his Major League Baseball debut on April 17, 1907, with the Boston Americans. He appeared in parts of two seasons (1907–1908), compiling a career record of 4 wins and 18 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.83 and 74 strikeouts over 216 innings pitched. Despite his losing record, Pruiett was considered a capable and durable arm on a struggling Boston team during the tail end of the Deadball Era.

In his rookie season of 1907, Pruiett had the distinction of sharing the pitching staff with the legendary Cy Young, who was then in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. At 40 years old, Young was still a dominant presence on the mound, and Pruiett, as a young hurler, had the rare opportunity to learn alongside the game's all-time wins leader. Their brief overlap on the Boston Americans connected Pruiett to one of baseball's most storied eras and figures.

Following his brief major league stint, Pruiett continued his baseball career in the minor leagues, playing for teams such as the San Antonio Bronchos, Galveston Sand Crabs, and Fort Worth Panthers, among others. He became a familiar name in Texas baseball circles, both as a player and eventually as a mentor to younger pitchers.

Pruiett passed away on March 6, 1953, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sources: Society for American Baseball Research, Baseball Reference, Baseball Almanac, Wikipedia, Find a Grave

Helen Hyde (1868–1919): Artist Inspired by Japanese Art and Design

Helen Hyde and Grave Marker

Plot 16, Lot 7

Helen Hyde was an American artist whose pioneering work in printmaking and Japonist aesthetics earned her international acclaim in the early 20th century. Best known today for her delicate color woodblock prints, Hyde’s artistic vision bridged the cultural worlds of East and West at a time when such synthesis was rare, particularly for Western women artists.

Born in Lima, New York, and raised in San Francisco, Helen Hyde pursued rigorous artistic training across the United States and Europe. She studied painting, sketching, and printmaking in institutions and under private tutelage in New York, Berlin, and Paris. A major influence during her European education was the French artist Félix Régamey, a prominent Japonist whose own work and collection introduced Hyde to the aesthetics and philosophy of Japanese art. She was also inspired by Mary Cassatt, the American Impressionist who used Japanese composition and color in her own work.

Full page feature in San Francisco Call, Oct 23, 1910

Hyde was deeply influenced by Japonism—the Western craze for Japanese art and design—and she eventually moved to Japan in the late 1890s to study traditional techniques firsthand. Immersing herself in Japanese life, Hyde studied under masters of brushwork and later apprenticed with printmakers to learn the demanding art of color woodblock printing. She lived in Japan for more than a decade, capturing the nuances of daily life, particularly women and children, through compositions rich in empathy and technical grace.

The 1904 San Francisco Call praised her as a “fair compatriot” whose prints stood beside Rembrandt’s etchings in terms of emotional resonance and visual delicacy. Her exhibition of forty-two watercolors and woodblock prints in San Francisco drew critical acclaim for capturing “the delicacy of watercolors and the depth and richness of oil, but not neither.” Among her most noted pieces were The Lantern Lighter, Yellow Umbrellas, Rainy Day Tokyo, and Cherry Blossom Time. She was awarded first prize and a gold medal at a major Tokyo exhibition, a rare honor for a foreign woman artist.

Helen Hyde and Japanese inspired woodblock

Her 1901 book Jingles from Japan, a collaboration with her sister Mabel Hyde, showcased her whimsical side, combining humorous verses with her striking illustrations. The book, wrapped in Japanese paper and featuring red-and-black images, offered American audiences a playful and affectionate view of Japanese domestic scenes.

Hyde’s travels were not limited to Japan. She ventured to China, India, and later Mexico, always with sketchbook in hand, seeking to capture everyday life with quiet dignity. Despite being a globe-trotter, her work remained deeply personal, often portraying mothers and children in tender moments, rendered with refined lines and subtle coloring.

Article with artwork from San Francisco Sunday Call, Nov 10, 1901

Hyde’s work was collected by major institutions, including the U.S. Library of Congress and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Her prints offered Western audiences a respectful and humanizing window into Japanese culture, free from caricature or exoticism. Though she died young at 51 in 1919, her legacy endures as a testament to cross-cultural understanding, technical mastery, and artistic curiosity.

Helen Hyde remains a singular figure in American art history—an artist who transcended geographic and cultural boundaries, crafting a visual language rooted in reverence, observation, and shared humanity.

Sources: San Francisco Call, Wikipedia, Find a Grave, 

Joseph C. Laney (1881–1948): Oakland's Laney College Named in His Honor

 

Joseph Laney & Mausoleum Vault

Main Mausoleum Section 6, 514, T1

Joseph Clarence Laney was born on June 22, 1881, near Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph Samuel Laney and his family. He graduated from Arizona State Normal College (now Arizona State University) in 1900, then launched his journalism career at the Phoenix Republic. In 1904, he moved to Oakland, California, with his wife, Grace Saylor, where he worked for several newspapers, including the Alameda Argus, Oakland Herald, San Francisco Chronicle, and Oakland Enquirer. In 1909, Laney co-founded the Inter-City Express, a legal publication serving law and construction professionals, and established Inter-City Printing.

Laney’s most enduring legacy was in vocational education. In 1927, he founded the Oakland Central Trade School, an innovative institution providing free vocational training at a time when such opportunities were rare. Despite initial resistance from labor unions, Laney successfully built partnerships with both labor and management, creating programs that benefited apprentices and experienced workers alike. His commitment to education led to his appointment to the Oakland School Board in 1938, where he served for a decade, including a term as president.

Beyond his professional achievements, Laney was deeply involved in civic life. He participated in organizations such as the Masons, Athenian-Nile Club, and Kiwanis Club, and served as president of the California Typothetae.

Laney College in Oakland

Following his death, the Oakland Central Trade School was renamed the Joseph C. Laney Trade and Technical Institute in his honor in 1948. The institution later became part of Oakland Junior College in 1953, serving as the vocational training campus, while the Merritt campus focused on liberal arts and business. The college was renamed Oakland City College in 1958, and with the creation of the Peralta Community College District in 1964, Laney College emerged as an independent institution. The current campus at 900 Fallon Street opened in 1970-71.

Today, Laney College is the largest of the four colleges in the Peralta Community College District, serving around 16,500 students annually. It offers a broad range of programs, including liberal arts, sciences, and career and technical education. The college is especially known for its programs in journalism, culinary arts, mathematics, machine technology, and ethnic studies, and continues to play a vital role in providing accessible education and promoting social justice in Oakland and the greater Bay Area.

Laney passed away on August 16, 1948, and was laid to rest with his wife in the Main Mausoleum at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.

Natalie Howard aka Natalie De Lontan (1885-1942): Silent Film Era Actress

Burial Vault of Natalie De Lontan

Mausoleum, Section 172, tier 4, 7th from left

Natalie De Lontan, born Natalie Lewis Howard in 1885, was a silent film actress active in the early 20th century. She is known for her roles in films such as The Chalice of Courage (1915), The Hindoo's Prize (1912), and The Dream Dance (1915). In The Chalice of Courage, she portrayed Louise Rosser Newbold, a mountain girl whose tragic storyline includes a controversial mercy killing, marking the film as one of the earliest to depict assisted suicide. De Lontan's performances contributed to the silent film era's exploration of complex emotional narratives. 

Natalie's father bore the surname De Lontan, which she adopted as her stage name. In 1901, she and her mother attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York—the site where President William McKinley was assassinated. Unbeknownst to them, a beauty contest was underway, and Natalie's striking appearance led to her selection for the "Fountain of Beauty" exhibit. In this display, she stood near the center of a grand fountain, adorned in garments designed to highlight her beauty.

NY's Victoria Theater and Movie Poster for "The Chalice of Courage"

In New York City, Natalie met the renowned performer Anna Held, wife of Florenz Ziegfeld, the creator of the Ziegfeld Follies. Around 1903, Natalie adopted the stage name De Lontan and appeared in The Fisher Maiden at the Victoria Theater. She later starred in productions such as Parisian Model and Innocence Abroad, performing alongside Anna Held. In 1906, she was chosen to sing "San Francisco Bay" in a show featuring Held.

She is interred with Howard/Stickels, as she was married to Alfred H. Howard of Berkeley at the time of her death.

Sources: IMDb, Find a Grave, Wikipedia, Turner Classic Movies - Silent Era, Pinterest, San Marino Times

Fay Elinora Lanphier (1905-1959): California's First "Miss America"

Fay Lamphier Daniels & Outdoor Mausoleum grave marker

Outdoor Mausoleum Garden I. Section A, Crypt 9, Tier 1

Fay Elinora Lanphier was an American model, actress, and pageant winner, best known as the first Californian to be crowned Miss America. Her rise to fame in the 1920s made her a national celebrity and a symbol of the era's fascination with beauty, film, and modern womanhood.

Born in Greenwood, El Dorado County, California, Lanphier was the eldest of six children. After her father's death in 1920, her family relocated to Alameda, and she graduated from Oakland High School in 1924. Initially aspiring to become a secretary, she worked as a typist while saving for business college.

Fay Lanphier as Miss America (1925)

Lanphier's pageant journey began in 1924 when she won the title of Miss Santa Cruz and placed third in the Miss America competition. In 1925, she was crowned both Miss California and Miss America, becoming the first contestant to represent an entire state and the only person to simultaneously hold the titles of Miss America and Rose Queen.

 

Movie Still of "The American Venus"

Following her Miss America win, Lanphier starred in the 1926 silent film "The American Venus" alongside Louise Brooks. She also performed briefly on stage with the Henry Duffy Players in San Francisco. Her celebrity status led to a 16-week national tour, during which she earned approximately $50,000 through personal appearances and endorsements.

A significant portion of Lanphier's earnings came from her endorsement of the newly launched Underwood four-bank portable typewriter. As a skilled typist and former stenographer, she was a natural fit for the campaign, which capitalized on her Miss America fame. She made promotional appearances at Underwood branch offices across the country, contributing to the company's marketing success.

Ad from St. Louis Post Dispatch (May 13, 1926)

In 1925, she earned approximately $25,000 from this endorsement deal. Adjusted for inflation, this amount would be equivalent to about $450,000 in 2025 dollars, highlighting the lucrative nature of her partnership with Underwood.

Lanphier's first marriage to Sidney M. Spiegel in 1928 ended in divorce after six months. In 1931, she married her high school sweetheart, Winfield Daniels, and they had two daughters. The family settled in Orinda, California, where Lanphier lived a private life until her death from hepatitis and viral pneumonia at age 53.

Sources: Wikipedia, St Louis Post Dispatch, Oakland High School Memorial, eBay, Find a Grave, IMBd 

Dorcas Matthews & Robert McKim: Husband and Wife Silent Film Stars

 

Robert McKim & Dorcas Matthews

Main Mausoleum, Section 149, Tier 7, Niche 1 (Matthews) & Unmarked (McKim)

Robert McKim (1886–1927) and Dorcas Matthews (1890–1969) were a husband-and-wife pair of American silent film actors whose careers bridged the stage and early Hollywood. Both had notable collaborations with major production studios of the silent era and shared the screen in multiple films. Their legacy lies in the foundational years of American cinema, when vaudeville, repertory theatre, and silent film intersected.

Claire Adams, Eugenia Gilbert, and Robert McKim in Man of the Forest (1921)

Robert McKim

Born in 1886, Robert McKim began performing at a remarkably young age. By 14, he was already entertaining as a singing and dancing waiter in Chicago. His natural flair for performance soon propelled him into the theater world, where he joined the Alcazar stock company in San Francisco, a training ground for many early Hollywood talents. McKim developed his craft further in vaudeville, where he teamed with comic actor Johnny Cantwell in a longstanding act. His commitment to the stage world was reflected in his co-founding of the National Vaudeville Artists, an organization that provided mutual support to entertainers.

William Desmond, Robert McKim, and Clara Williams in Paws of the Bear (1917)

McKim's transition to film came during the 1910s, coinciding with the rapid rise of the American silent film industry. He worked extensively with the Triangle Film Corporation and with producer Thomas H. Ince, one of the era’s major cinematic innovators. His on-screen presence—often intense and commanding—made him a favored villain or antagonist. McKim is perhaps best remembered for his role as the chief rival to Douglas Fairbanks in The Mark of Zorro (1920), a seminal swashbuckler film that helped define the adventure genre.

Douglas Fairbanks, Marguerite De La Motte, and Robert McKim in The Mark of Zorro (1920)

Over the course of his career, McKim appeared in 96 films. These included notable titles such as The Captive God (1916), The Apostle of Vengeance (1916), The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin (1918), The Woman in the Suitcase (1920), and The Market of Souls (1919). His characters were often intense, menacing, or morally ambiguous, and he brought to them a gravitas shaped by his years in theater.

Tragically, McKim's life and career were cut short when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while performing on stage in Salt Lake City. He was brought back to Hollywood, where he died on June 4, 1927. He was survived by his wife, Dorcas Matthews, and their two young children.

Dorcas Matthews & Urn Niche

Dorcas Matthews

Dorcas Matthews was born in 1890 and came to prominence during the 1910s as an actress in silent films, particularly under the Triangle Studios banner. Like her husband, she had a background in stage performance before moving into film, where she often played secondary female leads. Her poised, expressive acting style was well-suited to the medium of silent cinema, where gestures and facial expression carried the emotional weight.

Matthews' screen credits include a number of significant productions. She appeared alongside her husband in The Captive God (1916), one of several films the couple worked on together. Her performance as Senora Nacional in Blood and Sand (1922), a film starring Rudolph Valentino, remains among her best-known roles. Matthews also played Lady Jane in Vanity Fair (1923), and appeared in such titles as The Virtuous Thief (1919), Honor Thy Name (1916), The Claws of the Hun (1918), The Price Mark (1917), and The Luck of Geraldine Laird (1920).

Dorcas Matthews, Enid Bennett, and Rowland Lee in "The Woman in the Suitcase" (1920)

Despite often being cast in supporting roles, Matthews left a distinct impression with audiences and filmmakers alike. She was praised for her quiet strength and nuanced screen presence—qualities that made her an asset to the studio system of the time. She continued acting into the mid-1920s, after which she retired from the screen following the death of her husband.

Matthews lived a private life in her later years, eventually settling in Berkeley, California. She died on November 24, 1969, at the age of 78, from a coronary occlusion. 

A still from "The Captive God" (1916) which featured McKim and Matthews

Together, Robert McKim and Dorcas Matthews exemplify the transitional generation of performers who helped bridge the worlds of theater, vaudeville, and early cinema. While neither achieved the enduring stardom of some contemporaries, their work remains part of the rich tapestry of silent film history. Their joint appearance in several productions and enduring marriage reflect a rare partnership in an industry already known for its volatility.

Selected Filmography – Robert McKim:

• The Mark of Zorro (1920) – as the villain, Captain Ramon

• The Captive God (1916)

• The Apostle of Vengeance (1916)

• The Woman in the Suitcase (1920)

• The Market of Souls (1919)

Selected Filmography – Dorcas Matthews:

• Blood and Sand (1922) – as Senora Nacional

• Vanity Fair (1923) – as Lady Jane

• The Captive God (1916)

• The Luck of Geraldine Laird (1920)

• The Woman in the Suitcase (1920)

• The Virtuous Thief (1919)

Sources: IMDb, Silent Era filmographies, Family and obituary records, San Francisco Chronicle, Grant Miller Mortuaries and Mountain View Crematorium records, The Mark of Zorro (1920) and Blood and Sand (1922) production notes and reviews

Tom Hunt (1879–1942): UC Berkeley Professor Who Passed as White

Tom Hunt and grave marker

Plot 45

Tom Hunt was a professor of agriculture at the University of California, Berkeley, whose story intersects with both scientific achievement and the painful realities of race in early 20th-century America.

Born in Tennessee to a family of African American descent, Hunt was light-skinned enough to pass as white. In a deeply segregated society that systematically denied Black Americans access to education and professional advancement, he made the difficult and ultimately isolating decision to conceal his racial background. Doing so enabled him to pursue a successful academic career otherwise unavailable to him.

UC Berkeley College of Agriculture circa 1912

After earning advanced degrees in agricultural science, Hunt joined UC Berkeley's College of Agriculture, where he rose to the rank of associate professor. His primary area of expertise was plant pathology, with a particular focus on the effects of mold and fungi on crops, including tomatoes and citrus — vital agricultural sectors in California. Hunt conducted groundbreaking studies on Phytophthora species and stem-end rot, helping farmers understand and mitigate devastating plant diseases. He published extensively in scientific journals, and his work was noted for its rigor and practical applications. His research contributed significantly to the growing body of agricultural knowledge that supported California’s emergence as an agricultural powerhouse.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Hunt remained socially isolated, avoiding public recognition that might expose his background. He died in 1942 with few knowing the full truth of his heritage. In later years, his story became a striking example of the costs of racial passing and the hidden contributions of African Americans to American academic and scientific life.

Sources:

• Burzell, R. M. A Curious Career: The Life and Work of Tom Hunt, California Historical Society Quarterly (1958)

• Kelley, Robin D.G. Race Rebels: Culture, Politics, and the Black Working Class (Free Press, 1994)

• Pascoe, Peggy. What Comes Naturally: Miscegenation Law and the Making of Race in America (Oxford University Press, 2009)

• UC Berkeley Archives, Agricultural Experiment Station Reports, 1910–1940

• California Digital Newspaper Collection (cdnc.ucr.edu)

Raoul Auernheimer (1876–1948): Viennese writer who survived Dachau

Bertha Czegka's caricature of Raoul_Auernheimer (1902)

Plot 48

Raoul Auernheimer (April 15, 1876 – January 6, 1948) was an Austrian-Jewish writer, dramatist, essayist, and literary critic best known for his work with Die Neue Freie Presse and his association with the Jung-Wien (Young Vienna) literary circle. He frequently wrote under the pseudonyms Raoul Heimern and Raoul Othmar.

Born in Vienna on April 15, 1876, Auernheimer earned a doctorate in law but devoted most of his life to literature and journalism. As a cultural critic and theater reviewer for Die Neue Freie Presse, he was a prominent voice in Viennese intellectual life during the early 20th century. His notable works include Kaiser Franz Joseph (1914), a reflective biography of the Habsburg monarch; Freundschaft mit Goethe (1926), a study of Goethe’s personal relationships; and Das neue Burgtheater (1923), a cultural examination of Vienna’s national theater.

Raoul Auernheimer's grave

He was closely associated with the Jung-Wien literary circle, which included figures such as Arthur Schnitzler, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Karl Kraus, Felix Salten, and Peter Altenberg. The group was known for its modernist aesthetics, psychological realism, and sharp critique of Viennese bourgeois society.

Following the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938, Auernheimer was arrested due to his Jewish heritage and interned at Dachau concentration camp. Although he was released later that year through outside intervention, the experience left a lasting mark on his life and work. He fled Austria and eventually immigrated to the United States, settling first in New York and later in California.

Autographed copy of "Casanova in Wien"

Auernheimer’s writing style—marked by irony, refinement, and cultural specificity—did not resonate with American audiences. His attempt to publish an account of his imprisonment at Dachau was rejected by American publishers for lacking sensationalism. Although a short excerpt appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, the complete narrative was only published posthumously in 1948 as part of his autobiography. Unable or unwilling to alter his literary style or adapt to topics with broader appeal in the American market, he remained largely unrecognized in exile and produced little in his final years.

Financially strained, Auernheimer relied on the support of his daughter and son-in-law, who had immigrated to California in the late 1920s. He spent his final years in Oakland, living modestly and in relative obscurity. He died on January 6, 1948, while planning a return to Austria—a journey he would never complete.

Sources: Österreichisches Biographisches Lexikon, Jewish Virtual Library, Christian Science Monitor, Raoul Auernheimer: Ein Leben in Wien und im Exil by Elisabeth Lebensaft, Die Furche: Ein Buch gegen Hitler, Wikimedia Commons, and Lexikon Literatur in Österreich.

Herbert Bashford (1871–1928): Notable American Poet, Novelist, Playwright, and Editor

Herbert Bashford and Grave Marker

 Plot 56, Grave 1758

Herbert Bashford (1871–1928) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, and editor whose writings helped shape the literary identity of the American West in the early twentieth century. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on March 4, 1871, Bashford moved west during childhood, settling in Tacoma, Washington, where he began publishing poetry and essays at a young age. His early work, marked by a lyrical reverence for the natural world, reflected the influence of the Pacific Northwest landscape and established him as a regional literary voice.

In 1897, at the age of 26, Bashford was appointed State Librarian of Washington. During his tenure, which lasted until 1901, he oversaw significant growth in the state library's collection and infrastructure. Simultaneously, he continued his literary output, publishing his first major poetry collection, Songs from Puget Sea (1898), which cemented his reputation as a nature poet. The volume was praised for its evocation of Pacific coastal imagery and its celebration of wilderness.

Bashford relocated to California around 1901, settling in the San Francisco Bay Area. There, he expanded his literary repertoire to include fiction and drama. His poetry collections included The Wolves of the Sea and Other Poems (1901), which featured one of his most enduring works, "The Song of the Forest Ranger," and At the Shrine of Song (1909), introduced by George Wharton James. These volumes continued to explore his central themes of nature, solitude, and the spiritual resonance of the western landscape.

Herbert Bashford and Songs from Puget Sea

He also published fiction, including Beyond the Gates of Care (1901), a reflective prose work, and The Tenting of the Tillicums (1906), a juvenile adventure novel set in the Pacific Northwest. The latter, published by Thomas Y. Crowell, was widely circulated and favorably reviewed. The title refers to the Chinook jargon word for "friends," and the story chronicles four boys on a wilderness camping trip, blending regional folklore with themes of camaraderie and exploration. Bashford also wrote several plays, including The Woman He Married, which was later adapted into a silent film released in 1922.

In 1921, Bashford served as editor of Overland Monthly, the influential San Francisco literary magazine originally founded by Bret Harte. Although the publication no longer commanded the national prominence it had in the late 19th century, it remained a vital forum for western voices. Bashford's brief tenure was marked by efforts to preserve the magazine's legacy while attracting contemporary talent. During his editorship, notable writers such as Mary Austin contributed to its pages. Austin, a prominent California author and advocate of environmental and indigenous issues, published fiction and commentary in Overland Monthly during this period. Bashford also curated retrospective essays on western literature, maintaining the magazine's connection to its literary past.

"The Woman He Married" from Photoplay, July 1922

One of Bashford's most ambitious later projects was A Man Unafraid: The Story of John Charles Frémont, co-authored with publisher Harr Wagner and published in 1927. This biography chronicled the life of the explorer, politician, and Civil War general, casting Frémont as a heroic figure in the American West. The book presented a celebratory narrative, emphasizing Frémont's courage and visionary spirit. Though later historians criticized the work for lacking critical depth, it contributed to popular interest in Western history during a time of growing nostalgia for frontier figures.

Bashford remained active in California literary and civic life through the 1920s. He continued writing, mentoring younger authors, and lecturing on western history and literature. He died on July 13, 1928, in Piedmont, California, at the age of 57. His death was noted in regional newspapers, which remembered him as a distinguished poet and dramatist whose work had helped define the cultural landscape of the West.

Bashford's literary legacy is rooted in his role as an interpreter of the natural and historical character of the Pacific Coast. Through poetry, fiction, biography, and editorial work, he captured both the majesty of the wilderness and the mythos of the American frontier. Though no longer widely read, his work remains a valuable window into the early twentieth-century imagination of the West.

Sources: University of Washington Libraries, Herbert Bashford Papers, 1899–1907; Library Journal, vol. 24 (1899), p. 38;  "Iowa Authors and Their Works," The Annals of Iowa 9:6 (1910); Nuwer, Hank. Overland Monthly editor timeline;  Fink, Augusta. Papers on Mary Austin; California Historical Society Quarterly, vol. 17 no. 1 (March 1938), pp. 87-89; Bashford, Herbert & Wagner, Harr. A Man Unafraid: The Story of John Charles Frémont. San Francisco: Harr Wagner Publishing Co., 1927;  Find A Grave; IMDb entry for The Woman He Married (1922 film); and, Monrovia Daily News, July 14, 1928.