Charles Grandison Hopkins - Elmwood Cemetery

Charles Grandison Hopkins came to Kansas City in 1852 after successful mining efforts out west during the Gold Rush.   His first foray into real estate was the purchase of the Gillis Hotel.  He later became good friends with Kersey Coates  (Coates House Hotel) and they formed the Coates Hopkins Real Estate Company.  He ended up with vast holdings in Kansas City and became its richest citizen.  

Above, the Gillis Hotel.   Below an article from the KC STAR which describes his monument in Elmwood Cemetery.   He set aside $4,000 for its creation and $200 of that was to go to ongoing maintenance. It ended up - lot and monument - costing $11,000. 

 

Charles lived in the units he owned at 418 West 10th Street.  He died in this home at age 76.   Also living with him for a time was Sands Hopkins his nephew.  Sands had quite the story and it's worth your time to read about him.  https://martincitytelegraph.com/2021/10/24/scarier-than-a-ghost-story-the-haunted-life-of-a-kansas-city-socialite/

Edward A. Stevens - Elmwood Cemetery

 Edward A. Stevens was an attorney who also worked in real estate.  He constructed a mansion at

Indiana and Gladstone Boulevard  in Northeast Kansas City which was completed in 1902.  However, he only lived for six months after it was completed.  His wife Ellen continued living in it after his death.  He had a son and a daughter.

His Daughter, Aileen, married a James....the Treasurer of the T.M. James and Sons China Company.  

This link will take you to images of his home at Christmas...lovingly restored by the new owners.  

https://hyperblogal.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-halls-are-decked-stevens-home.html

Elmwood Cemetery is celebrating it's 150th Anniversary on October 1st of this year.  Get more information using this link:  https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodcemkc

Major Edward Sidney Worth Drought - Elmwood Cemetery

Major Drought was born in Canada in 1843...he was a Union Soldier, a businessman, Post Trader, and Sheriff.  In 1887 he was superintendent of construction for the Kansas City stockyards and he built the first Exchange Building.  His Mother, Mary Ann Barry, was related to Commodore John Barry who was the first Commodore of the United States Navy.  In 1862 the Major was living in Leavenworth County when he enlisted as a private and became a member of Williams Mounted Rifles.  Drought then joins the Fifth Kansas Cavalry until he was mustered out in 1864.  He owned his own general store from 1865-1867 when he was appointed post trader.  He was elected Sheriff of Wyandotte County, Ks. from 1871 to 1875.  1879-1883 he represented Wyandotte County in the state legislature.   His wife, Emma E. Drought, is interred with him. 

October 1st Elmwood Cemetery will celebrate its 150th Anniversary.  For more information on the celebration use this link:   https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=elmwood%20cemetery%20society

 

Sarah Ann Rickard Barret - A Love Of Lincoln's In Elmwood Cemetery

 When Abraham Lincoln met Sarah Ann Rickard she was but nine years old.  Sarah was Elizabeth Butler's sister and Lincoln was staying the the Butler household.     As she grew older into womanhood Lincoln became quite captivated with her; he took her to the first show she ever saw inside a theatre and many plays afterward.  Sarah was on his arm at many social engagements.  Finally, in the parlor of her home, Abe said "Now Sarah, you know your bible well enough to know that Sarah was Abraham's wife."  She figured where this was headed and got up and left.    Later in life she said, "If I had known he was going to be President, I'd have paid more attention."    Lincoln began seeing Mary Todd but his heart was elsewhere.  As he told Elizabeth Butler,"  Mrs. Butler, it would just kill me to marry Mary Todd. There are plenty of nice girls and there's one that I would much rather marry than Mary.  I'd rather have Sarah for my wife than any girl I know."   Some  things are just not meant to be.  

Elmwood Cemetery is celebrating its 150th Anniversary on October 1st, this year.   For more information use this link:  https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodcemkc

William J. "Cable Car" Smith

William J. Smith, buried in Elmwood Cemetery, was a real estate investor and street railway and construction industry executive.  Born near New York City in 1836 he came to Kansas City in 1866 as founder of "the first store here for the sale of wagons, agricultural implements and seeds" located on the east side of Market Square.  He became president of the Kansas City Railway Company.

Elmwood Cemetery is celebrating its 150th Anniversary on October 1st, 2022.  Use the link to get more information.   https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodcemkc

His extraordinary house on Troost. 

Maintaining the Honor

My good friend Brad Finch has  a new line of work that helps people maintain the appearance of their ancestors' graves.    He, with the most modern methods, cleans tombstones.   He let me watch in Elmwood Cemetery as two stones belonging to veterans of the First World War were restored to near perfect condition. 

                                       The process starts with a good soaking, front and back. 

Above, next a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaning solution is applied.  It has to sit then for 10 minutes with constant refreshing to keep it moist. 

                                                               Next is a gentle scraping. 

  

                                                        Then a soft brush is used. 

A good rinse , front and back. 

                                        Above, more brush, below, small brush for crevasses . 

Another good rinse, final touchups and allow to dry.   The remarkable thing about this process is that the stone keeps looking better and better the more time passes.  Brad's website is:  https://www.gravematterskc.com

Before above, after below.  The soldiers will be remembered. 

 

A Tale Of Two Houses

 Two of the latest renovations in Historic Northeast...these in the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood. Both homes were taken down to the studs for a total remodel.  

                                                        3422 Saint John Avenue  1900

Listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3422-Saint-John-Ave-Kansas-City-MO-64123/2286199_zpid/

                                                         3426 Saint John Avenue  1920

3422 and 3426 share the garage complex in back...each have two-car garage and a studio sized space above each garage which can be built out as needed.. 

Listing:  https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3426-Saint-John-Ave-Kansas-City-MO-64123/2286200_zpid/