Tree Monuments in the Cemetery

The Cemetery is not just a home for live trees in the Ratrie Arboretum but has plenty of cement/concrete and stone grave markers. In funerary art a tree stump monument can sometimes mean a life cut short. In these examples a tree marker was often chosen because of a family name or business interest. Also, there are many markers in the cemetery because of the deceased having a Woodman of the World Insurance Policy. Another tree related touch are the log borders surrounding family plots.

John Dickinson Lewis (1800-1882) was born in Cow Pasture River, Bath, Virginia. He was the son of Charles Cameron Lewis and Jane Dickinson. His father died in September 1803, in Point Pleasant. In 1807 his mother married Captain James Wilson. In 1810 the family moved to the Kanawha valley to an area called The Kanawha Salines, (Malden). Around 1814, they made a swap of their property with another longtime resident for the old Fort Lee building in Charleston and moved there. James tried to drill for salt brine on his new property, but struck natural gas with an explosive result, leading to an end to the drilling. This is commemorated with a sign on the Boulevard. Captain Wilson also represented Charleston in Virginia Legislature. (Captain Wilson is not buried at Spring Hill but Jane is buried in the Lewis plot).

Growing up, John attended schools in Charleston and in Bath County. In 1826, he began his business life clerking for Dickinson & Shrewsbury, salt-makers. After three years, he became a salesman for another salt-maker, before opening his own salt manufacturing in 1831.

John was married four times. He married Sallie Lee Shrewsbury (daughter of his employer) on November 8, 1826, they had one son - Joel Shrewsbury. Sallie sadly died only one month after her son's birth, in May 1830.

In 1831, John married Ann Dickinson, sister of William Dickinson, his first employer. They had four children - Sally Jane, Charles Cameron, Mary Dickinson, and William Dickinson (died in infancy). Ann died in August 1844.

On May 7, 1846, John married Elizabeth (Betsy or Billie) Darneal, the couple had two children - Julia Darneal and William Dickinson. Elizabeth died in 1851.

On December 10, 1874, John married Sallie J. Gray Spears, a widow with one daughter. John and Sallie had no children together.

In his later years, with the decline in the Salt Industry John is listed as a farmer and grazer in the census. In 1871 he was elected to the House of Delegates and served as justice of the peace for a number of years. He was remembered thus:

"John D. Lewis was a man true to his distinguished ancestry in his private and business life.... He was truly a giant in his day and one of the "Salt Kings" of the olden days and reputed to be the wealthiest man in Kanawha. His was a character that commanded total respect of all as a man of wonderful energy, the highest probity and sturdy manliness under all conditions. As the progenitor of a very numerous family his memory will be ever recalled with the admiration of all his friends and the love of his children's children for generations to come."[6]

His large tree stump monument sits on top of a small knoll in Historic Section 26, easily visible from Middleton Road.

Rebecca Tendael Wood Littlepage (1823 - 1896)

From the 'West Virginia Star Tribune'

‘Mrs. Rebecca T. Littlepage died at 12 o'clock Saturday, after an illness of about 10 days, at the old stone mansion, near the mouth of Kanawha 2 mile, which is one of the landmarks of the county and has been the family residence for about 50 years.

Mrs. Littlepage was 73 years of age and was born near the upper falls of Cool, being the daughter of William Woods, one of the most prominent citizens of the county in his day. She married Adam P. Littlepage, also one of Kanawha's prominent citizens, who died in 1862, leaving 7 children - 5 sons and 2 daughters, all of whom, with one exception, are still living and are among the most highly respected residents of the community. They are John W., Charles F., Dr. Alex B., Samuel D., and Adam B. Littlepage, and Mrs. Rebecca N. Putney, wife of A.M. Putney of Malden. The other daughter, Fannie Littlepage, who married George D. Bennett, who is quite well known in various parts of the south, died some 4 years ago.

Mrs. Littlepage was a most estimable lady, and by her sterling character and many kind actions endearing herself to all with whom she came in contact during her long and useful life. No one ever passed to the better world more universally loved or whose death was so universally regretted’.

During the Civil War she stood on the porch of her house with her children, defying Confederate General Henry Wise who wanted to use her home for his headquarters or blow it up. This was while her husband was serving with the Confederate Army. He was reportedly killed in a camp, dueling a man who he accused of stealing a horse from him several years earlier. Her son Adam became a US Congressman.

The large acorn monument placed in the plot symbolizes life and immortality, the acorn a symbol of the potential to come of the strength of the oak. The Littlepage farm also supported a barrel making business made from the property’s oak trees.

The family home still stands on West Washington Street, where it is used by The Charleston Housing Authority.

The Littlepage Plot is found on Kinney Drive.

Dr John L. Stump (1852 -1916) was born in Gilmer County to the Rev. John and Mahala (Huffman) Stump. Rev Stump (1823-1897) was a well-known Baptist minister of over 40 years, who ended preaching at West Charleston Baptist Church. The Stump family had a long association with Central WV with his great grandfather Colonel Michael Stump having been awarded a large piece of land there for his service in the Revolutionary War. Colonel Stump fought with George Washington at Valley Forge. His grandfather, also, Michael Stump (1787- 1884) often told tales of hunting with Washington as a young man. He served as a Justice of the Peace for 40 years and a Lewis Co. Sherriff for 6 years. The family were of German descent.

Dr Stump spent the early years of his life in that area before moving to Kanawha Co. in 1871. In 1876 he began studying medicine under Drs L.L. Comstock and W.P. Ewing. He also attended medical college in Richmond graduating in 1888. His career progressed and he became a prominent member of the West Viriginia Medical Association.

In 1875 he married Ella Copenhaver, and the couple had 3 children, Charles, Wilber and Erra D. Ms Copenhaver’s grandfather was, Alexander Huffman, also of German descent who represented Gilmer and Calhoun Counties in the Legislature.

Sadly, Dr Stump lost his life fighting a forest fire near his winter residence in Florida.

The large tree stump monument as you drive up Settle Road between the Mausoleum and Office Administration Building always peeks at visitors’ curiosity.

In 1890 Joseph Cullen Root founded Woodmen of the World, a fraternal benefit organization, the purpose of which was to make life insurance affordable to everyone. From 1890 until 1900 the policy included a tombstone. For adults the stones were made to look like tree stumps and came in a variety of styles and heights. For children a stack of three logs was typical. Members could select from a variety of headstones offered by the Organization. Plans would be sent to a stonemason near the cemetery where the Woodman was to be buried.