Who Else is Buried Here?
While Oak Woods has an endless list of notable figures who shaped history, the lives of ordinary people are incredibly important, as it helps us better understand what the world was like for everyday people during their time. Below are a few stories of everyday, less renown individuals, whose lives intersect with with the events of their time.
Alexander Duke Bailie
Lieutenant Alexander D. Bailie was a member of the 23rd Pennsylvania Colored Infantry and the 65th US Colored Infantry. Born in Pennsylvania, he was a dedicated Union solider who rose to serve as a captain. He was seen as a well respected black leader by many in the military, and was also a writer.
During the Civil War, he was injured in a battle in Virginia and sustained life altering wounds (many of which were on his face), as a result he would experience great stigma through the rest of his days.
In 1890, he committee suicide in a Chicago hotel. He was then buried in Oak Woods Cemetery. He lies in a soldiers grave a few yards from the “Lincoln at Gettysburg” monument. Learn more about Alexander Duke Bailie here.
Bertha L Rimes
Born in 1860, Bertha Rimes was the mother of 4 when she lost her life in the Iroquois Theater Fire in 1903. Her three sons and husband perished in the fire that would claim the lives of over 600 Chicagoans. Bertha’s three year old daughter, Ora, was at home with her grandmother when the fire occurred. Ora was left an orphan.
The Iroquois Theater Fire went down in history as the deadliest theater fire and the deadliest single-building fire in U.S. history.
Mr. Charles H. Hinman.
Charles H. Hinman, secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Travelling Men’s Association, died Sunday morning at 3:15 o’clock, at his residence, No. 2949 Indiana avenue, of Bright’s disease. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, at his residence.
Mr. Hinman was born in Mount Morris, N.Y., in 1843. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Infantry, from which he was transferred to the cavalry. He served three years with this branch of the service. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was wounded in both legs and the right arm, taken prisoner by the Confederates and recaptured the same day by the Union cavalry.
His wounds, from which he never completely recovered, kept him in a hospital for over a year. In 1871 M. Hinman came to Chicago, and soon after became connected with the wholesale house of Cragin Brothers & Chandler, remaining with them five years. He then entered the employ of A. F. Seeberger & Co., and for ten years represented that firm in the West and Northwest, resigning his position in 1886 to enter upon his duties as secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Travelling Men’s Association.
Mr. Hinman was a great angler, and caught more big fish in the Michigan lakes than any man of his day. His friendly disposition and agreeable manners made him popular, and his premature death is universally lamented.
Oscar Spindler
Born August 31st, 1861 in Germany, Oscar Spindler died on the 12th of July, 1961 in Cook County, IL and was buried at Oak Wood Cemetery.
He is known for his work with the Decorators Supply Corporation in its formative years from the 1890s to 1920s.
He strongly appreciated the arts and partook in its study as a member of the Palette and Chisel Club of Chicago in the mid 1900s.
He was married to Salome Spindler whose grave was laid next to his own when she died.
Columbia Susan Manak
During the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, Columbia Susan Manak, would be the first baby born on the grounds. She lived with her family in the Esquimaux Village which showcased what their life would have been like in Labrador. Columbia Susan Manak would sadly only survive for 7 days after her birth. People believed her death was related to the climate being so different in Chicago than in the family’s county of origin. Columbia Susan Manak would be buried in Oak Woods Cemetery.
Story Submissions from the hydeparkhistory.com visitors
Jepsen Family
Linda Jensen wrote into us about her husband’s Family who is buried at Oak Woods (10/26/2022):
“My husband David Jensen’s great grandparents Peter and Kirstine Jepsen, along with a grand-daughter Katherine Jensen, are buried in Oak Woods. They were immigrants from Denmark and two of their sons fought for the US in World War 1.”
In 1908, Kristine and her children immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island.
Left to right
Peter, Helen, Walter, Emil, Kirstine (seated), Edward, Harold and Elfreida
Image of grave from findagrave.com
