Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery

Today's Walk Through the Tombstones is at Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the front of the cemetery as it was extremely busy the day that we drove in.

GPS Coordinates: 39.73234, -86.15978

This cemetery is massive and is definitely the largest that I have been to.  There are listed as being just over 33,000 interments at this cemetery.  We pulled in the main entrance just off of Meridian Street and drove through just to take a look around at first.  There are so many lovely monuments here and a large mausoleum.  It is surrounded by a black iron fence and gate that keeps it separated from another cemetery nearby.  I am not sure if that cemetery was part of this one or if it is associated with the Friendship Apostolic Church.

There are many famous burials in this cemetery, including the Chevrolet brothers, which will be discussed further below.  There is a memorial to those that served in the Indiana 35th Infantry in the Civil War.  Unfortunately, I didn't see that when we drove through.  To see more of the famous memorials at the Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, click here.

~~~~~~~~

Our first stop is at the grave of Abigail Houlihan.
Born: 1842
Died: December 29, 1917

I am not sure who her parents were or if she had any siblings.

She was married to Timothy Houlihan (1840-1917) and he is buried next her.

They had at least one son, Timothy Houlihan (?-1943).  He is buried next to his parents.

Her gravestone says "Mother" at the top of it and has a cross separating the dates.

~~~~~~~~

The next grave is that of Timothy Houlihan.
Born: 1840
Died: 1917

I am not sure of his parentage or of any siblings.

He was the husband of Abigail Houlihan (1842-1917) who is buried next to him in Holy Cross Cemetery.

They had at least one child, a son, Timothy Houlihan (?-1943).  He is buried next to them.

Timothy has the word "Father" at the top of his gravestone and a cross separating the dates.

From the Indianapolis News, March 21, 1917: "Houlihan - Timothy Houlihan will be buried from the vault at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thursday March 22, 1917 at 2pm. Friends invited."

~~~~~~~~~

 Here we have the grave of Timothy J. Houlihan.
Born: ?
Died: November 19, 1943

He was the son of Abigail Houlihan (1842-1917) and Timothy Houlihan (1840-1917).  They are buried near him in Holy Cross Cemetery.

I don't know if he had any siblings.  The word "Son" is carved at the top of his headstone.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we have the Burke grave.

First is Sadie Burke.
Born: 1897
Died: 1918

Next is Mary Burke.
Born: 1892
Died: March 1, 1919

I am unsure as to who their parents were or if they had any other siblings.  I can only assume that they were sisters, but there is no listing for Sadie Burke.

~~~~~~~~~~

We now stop at the graves of the Chevrolet Family.

A beautiful historic sign was erected next to their graves as part of the State of Indiana Bicentennial Project.  It says the following:
"The brother immersed themselves in automotive technology as designers, mechanics and racing drivers.  All three raced multiple times in the famed Indianapolis 500, with Gaston winning the 1920 classic.  Capitalizing on their huge popularity, Louis founded the Chevrolet Motor Company in 1911.  And, despite leaving the firm in 1916, the automotive giant still retains the name.  Memorialized also here in Saint Joseph are early racing greats, Harry Endicott Sec C and Charles "Dutch" Baumann, Sec 3G."

Our first stop is at the grave of Arthur Chevrolet, Jr.
Born: 1908
Died: November 1931

He was the young son of Arthur Chevrolet (1884-1946), whose name is at the other end of the headstone.  I am unsure who his mother was.

Next on the headstone is that of Charles Louis Chevrolet.
Born: 1906
Died: May 25, 1934

He was the eldest son of Louis Chevrolet (1878-1941), who is also buried nearby.  His mother was Suzanne Treyvoux Chevrolet (1888-1966).  She married Louis Chevrolet in 1905.  She is buried in Mount Elliott Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.  He had one brother that I know of:
Alfred J. Chevrolet (1912-1971) - buried in Mount Elliott Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan

The last name on the headstone is actually a Cenotaph for Arthur Chevrolet.
Born: April 21, 1884, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Died: April 16, 1946, Slidell, Louisiana.

Arthur Chevrolet's parents are unknown at this time, though I do know that he had two brothers, both of which are listed on the headstones:
Louis Chevrolet (1878-1941) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana
Gaston Chevrolet (1892-1920) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana

Here we have the grave of Louis Chevrolet.
Born: December 25, 1878, La Choux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Died: June 6, 1941, Detroit, Michigan

He was married three times as far as I have been able to find.  His first wife was Suzanne Treyvoux Chevrolet (1888-1966).  She is buried in Mount Elliott Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.  They had two sons:
Charles Louis Chevrolet (1906-1934) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana
Alfred J. Chevrolet (1912-1971) - buried in Mount Elliott Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan

His second wife was Bertha Alice Hash Chevrolet Polk (1887-1941).  She is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  I am unsure if they had any children together.

His third wife was Georgia Ellen Watkins Davis (1911-1985).  She is buried in Bowers Cemetery, Empire, Georgia.  I haven't found any listings for children.

The final grave, which is the original gravestone, is for Gaston Chevrolet.
Born: October 4, 1892, La Choux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Died: November 20, 1920, Beverly Hills, California

He was only twenty years old when he died and I show no information for any other family for him besides his brothers.

Arthur and his brothers were born in Switzerland and by the early 1900s, the three brothers had left Europe and moved to America, where they became interested in auto racing.  Their father was a watchmaker and Louis showed an aptitude for mechanical objects early on.  He worked as a chauffeur early on in Montreal before heading to New York.  In 1905, Louis defeated racing legend Barney Oldfield in New York on a cinder track in Morris Park.  This win brought the attention of William C. Durant, who in 1908, found General Motors.  Louis began competing and designing cars for the Buick racing team and in 1911, Louis teamed up with William Durant to produce the first Chevrolet car.  They clashed over ideas and cost bringing Louis to sell his interest in the company to Durant in 1915.  The following year, the Chevrolet Motor Company became part of General Motors.

Throughout this time, his brothers, Arthur and Gaston were racing and building cars. Gaston and his wife, Margaret, lived not too far away from Crown Hill Cemetry.  Arthur drove in the inaugural Indianapolis 500, held in 1911, although he didn't get to finish the race due to mechanical problems.  He made another attempt in 1916, but once again was forced out due to mechanical issues.  Gaston won the Indy 500 in 1920 in a Monroe car designed by his brothers, but he died later that year in a racing accident in Beverly Hills, California.

Despite Louis and Arthur's talent for racing and design (they also built aircraft engines), they didn't have much luck with money.  By the 1930s, both men were broke and their careers were over.  Louis returned to Detroit to work in GM's Chevrolet division, but finally was forced to retire in 1938 due to illness.  Arthur, however, fell on much harder times and committed suicide in 1946 in Slidell, Louisiana.

The modern graves that are seen here were placed in 2011 by the Chevrolet Motor Company, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the local mortuary.  But confusion occurred when the headstone that was originally there was marked with different dates than those that were known for Arthur.  It was finally determined that the Arthur that was buried there was actually Arthur Jr.  A search for Arthur Sr. shows a death certificate entered into record in Slidell, Louisiana, on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain.  Cause of death was listed as strangulation due to hanging.  It was thought that after World War II was over and his career of building Higgins boats was ended, he became despondent and took his own life.

Information on exactly what part of the Slidell Catholic Cemetery Arthur was buried in was lost when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 and the records were destroyed.  The cemetery was completely submerged.

There is so much information about the lives of the Chevrolet brothers.  If you are interested in reading more, please check out the following links:
The Story of the Chevrolet Brothers
The Chevrolet Brothers
The Hemmings Daily
Yahoo News - Please note that this article incorrectly states his burial place as being in Indianapolis.  I am sharing this for the video imbedded in the article.

~~~~~~~~

We now stop at the grave of Johanna Leary Lucid.
Born: 1832, Ballyheigue, County Kerry, Ireland
Died: March 1, 1878, Indianapolis, Indiana

She was the wife of Maurice Lucid (1817-1905).  I believe that this monument is also his headstone as it says at the bottom "M. Lucid".

She is not listed as having any children, though Maurice is listed as having several children with a woman named Catherine White Lucid (1832-1889) who is also buried in this cemetery.  And since I believe that this may also be Maurice's grave, I am going to list the children of Maurice and Catherine below.

Maurice Lucid (1863-1892) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.
James Lucid (1866-1887) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.
John Lucid (1867-1924) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.
Michael Lucid (1869-1942) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.
Catherine Lucid (1872-1959) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.
Richard C. Lucid (1875-1915) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.

I found a newspaper clipping from September 29, 1893 that states the following: "Foreman McGettigan, of the street repairs department, has given out that he proposes to give work to as many of the "unemployed" as possible.  Mike Harrold, former street commissioner, against whom many complaints were made by the Board of Public Works, appears on the list.  The Americans, negroes, and Germans say that the Irish are the most successful applicants.  The list of employees follows:"  (See the picture)

I also found a notice of his death.  "Lucid - Maurice Lucid; who died Thursday, will be buried Monday at 9 am, from St. John's church.  Friends invited."  From the Indianapolis News, Saturday, May 6, 1905.








~~~~~~~~~~

Here we have the grave of Margaret Quinn.
Born: ?
Died: May ?, 1878

Her headstone says that she was the wife of Frances Quinn, Born in Co. ???, Ireland???

I have looked through several burial databases for Marion County as well as newspaper clippings, but have been unable to find any information about either her or Frances.


~~~~~~~

Our next stop is at the Looney Memorial.  I photographed the two sides that had names carved in.  We will start with the top of this side.

First is Edward Looney.
Born: unknown
Died: January 22, 1878

I am unsure as to who his parents were or whether or not he had any siblings.  He is listed as having been a firefighter in Engine Company 3 and also, as shown on his headstone, in the Civil War in Company F 3frd Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

He was married to Elizabeth A. O'Mara Looney (1846-1926).  Her name is listed on the opposite side of the monument, but her name is listed as Elizabeth A. Miller, so it is possible that she remarried after Edward's death.

They had three children:
Nellie Looney (?-1885) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana
Nora Nonie Looney (?-1890) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana
May Looney (?-1898) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana

Nonie and May are listed on the opposite side of the monument, as shown here.


~~~~~~~


Here we have the Lux monument.

This monument has several smaller named stones in front of it. 

We have those of Frank, Frances and Mary.  We will take a look at each one of them in turn. 

Our first stop will be at Frank Lux.
Born: October 9, 1874, Shelby County, Indiana
Died: June 6, 1930, Indianapolis, Indiana

He was the son of John T. Lux (1841-1894) and Elizabeth Mary Schaf Lux (1844-1928).  His father was born in New York and his mother was born in Indiana, but both are buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Shelby County, Indiana.

He had many siblings:
Mathias Lux (1868-1932) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
Veronica Lux (1869-1870) - buried in Holy Family Cemetery, Franklin County, Indiana
Anna Marie Lux (1871-1889) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
John N. Lux (1873-1957) - buried in Calvary Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana
Elizabeth Lux Runnebohm (1876-1942) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
George W. Lux (1877-1913) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
Nicholas John Lux (1879-1943) - buried in Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana
Joseph William Lux (1880-1918) - buried in Saint Josephs Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
Peter Joseph Lux (1882-1956) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
Antonis Lux (1883-1971) - buried in Saint Josephs Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
Mary Magdelena Lux (1885-1890) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana
Edward Nicholas Lux (1889-1968) - buried in Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Cemetery, Shelby County, Indiana

He was buried next to his wife, Mary Lux.
Born: unknown
Died: January 28, 1925

I have no information on her family.

Buried on the other side of Frank is Frances Myrtle Mattingly.
Born: December 9, 1887, Marion County, Indiana
Died: November 16, 1929, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

From what I have found, there is some confusion as to who she is in relation to Frank Lux.  I found information stating that her father was a man named James Thomas (?-?) and her mother was Catherine Jane Miles (?-?), though a birth record shows that her father was named Allie Hall (?-?).  Some family believe that the name Allie Hall was a made up name, but trying to determine what the truth is, is a little hard.  There is also a family rumor that the made up name was to hide the fact that she was Frank's daughter. 

There is some information stating that she had a daughter named Mary Catherine Mattingly Lux Keller (1913-1953) and she was adopted by Frank Lux.  Frances may have been Frank and Mary's housekeeper.
Mary Catherine Mattingly Lux Keller (1913-1953) - buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Marion County, Indiana.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we have the memorial stone for Michael J. McGlynn.
Born: unknown
Died: April 21, 1962

He served in the US Navy.







His mother has a stone next to him, Mary McGlynn.
Born: 1848
Died: 1921

I haven't found any reference to her burial anywhere.








~~~~~~~~~~

Here we have the Moriarty Monument.

There are several Moriarity's buried at this cemetery, but I only had time to snap a couple of shots.

This is one of the two that I took pictures of, Mary E. Moriarity.
Born: 1908
Died: 1991

I haven't found anything about her family.








Buried near her is Cynthia E. Moriarity.
Born: 1884
Died: 1957

There is no information about her family either.  In fact, I can't even find burial records for either of them.





~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we have the headstone for Joseph V. Riesbeck.
Born: 1879
Died: October 9, 1918

He was the son of Peter Riesbeck (1847-1918) and Otilla/Otillia/Otilda Riesbeck (1854-1928).  He has a headstone in Mount Olive Cemetery in Monroe County, Ohio next to his wife, Otilla, though her name has been spelled differently in various places.  There is also a stone listed as being in Mount Olive Cemetery in Muskingum County, Ohio near his sisters.

He had a few siblings:
Clement Leo Riesbeck (1882-1921) - buried in Saint Sylvester Catholic Church Cemetery, Monroe County, Ohio
Elizabeth Isabella Riesbeck Neuhart (1884-1966) - buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Muskingum County, Ohio
Laura Catherine Riesbeck Staudt (1889-1979) - buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Muskingum County, Ohio

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we have the memorial placard for Eugene L. Pluckebaum.
Born:  November 20,1897
Died: December 8, 1989

He served in the US Army in World War II, but I have no further information about him or his service.

There are several Pluckebaums buried in this cemetery, but I haven't been able to link any of them.



~~~~~~~~

I hope that you have enjoyed your walk through Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery.

Please visit the listing at Find-A-Grave.