Glenwood Cemetery Lockport, New York

10/20/2025

10/16/2025

In the "spirit" of keeping things restful, and respectful, for our dearly departed, the cemetery gates will be closing a bit earlier for the remainder of October. Why, you ask? Well.... let's just say we're taking preventive measures against moonlit mischief and graveyard shenanigans.
As the time change looms, remember, we're open dawn to dusk.

10/15/2025

James Van Horn Jr.
March 13, 1808 - March 11, 1873
Section 7 Lot 6

James was born on March 13th 1808, the first son of James Van Horn Sr. and his second wife Abagail Carpenter. James Jr. would be raised as a farmer and trained in the family mills. His earliest business was a distillery in 1825, when he was just 17 years old. When his father retired in the 1840s, James took over the family's mill businesses.

In 1836, James married Malinda Niles, but less than a year later, she would die. Many local tales tell of James murdering his young wife, or her tragically dying by her own hand. Although there are many mysteries surrounding her death, it was likely she died from giving birth to James Jr's firstborn, James C. Van Horn. But you would have a hard time finding someone from this area that hasn’t heard the stories of her ghost still haunting the family mansion. Malinda died January 13, 1837, only ten days after her 21st birthday. She is buried in their estate graveyard. Malinda has become a legendary figure within the Van Horn Mansion walls, and remains arguably one of the most well-known of the Van Horns.

Later in 1837, the mansion was burned in a fire, and the family had it rebuilt. James Jr. also had to deal with the loss of the mills in a great fire, but he wasted no time to rebuild and continue the businesses. He also grew his business dealings, opening a Woolen factory in 1842.

In 1852, James built his own home on the family estate, just west of his parent's home. He married again in 1861 to Cecilia Davis and they had two boys. In their lifetimes, James Jr. and wife Cecilia were considered beloved Christians and great leaders in the community.

James Jr. represented his district in the State Assembly and would serve four terms as Town Supervisor. He was also involved in the many family businesses, although to what extent is unknown. By 1782 he decided to sell the family grist mill to a Mr. Arrowsmith (who changed the building's name to "Lake Shore Mills"). After Cecilia’s death, James Jr. moved in with son James C. on Ridge Road in Newfane, and he passed away on March 11, 1873.

Malinda is buried at the family home, Newfane, NY
-Read more about the stories of hauntings-
https://www.newfanehistoricalsociety.com/vanhornmansion_history.html

Sources- Newfane Historical Society

10/08/2025

The 2025 Wreath & Poinsettia Sale starts NOW!
The leaves are falling! That means it's time for our Wreath & Poinsettia Fundraiser. Wreaths can be placed graveside or taken home. Poinsettias can be picked up and brought home.
Wreaths $30.00
Wreath w/tripod stand $35.00.
6" Poinsettias $15.00
4" Poinsettias $12.00
Call 716-433-3060. *Orders are due by November 3rd.* Prices listed are cash/ check. Please inquire for credit card prices.

09/19/2025

Visit our website to view the 1892 map of our cemetery sections, from sections 1-17, and view a piece of Glenwood’s history.

https://glenwoodlockport.com/photo-galleries-1

09/15/2025

UPDATE: Union Ave is open to vehicle traffic.

UPDATE: Water service is restored, however Union Ave will remain closed to vehicle traffic for at least 24 hours due to ground conditions.

🚩Notice🚩
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th
Due to a water line break, Glenwood's Union Avenue is closed until further notice and there is no water service on cemetery grounds. Our crew is working to get this repaired and we apologize for the inconvenience.

07/29/2025

Our inaugural golf tournament and basket raffle is Saturday, August 2nd at Gothic Hill Golf Course. Golf is sold out, but the basket raffle is open to the public!! Look at this amazing assortment of items. Stop in at Gothic Hill from 10am-1pm to buy basket raffle tickets. You can also come for lunch! $25 donation gets you a delicious lunch!

07/28/2025

🚩Reminder🚩 The gates will be closed tomorrow (7/29) due to paving operations. We'll need to restrict vehicle access for at least 36-48 hours. Please call the office if you have an urgent need or to schedule a funeral service.

07/24/2025

🚩NOTICE🚩 Please be advised that the cemetery's paved roadways will undergo sealing on Tuesday, July 29th. Consequently, the gate will be closed, and vehicles will not be allowed to enter. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your patience as we strive to maintain Glenwood's beauty.

07/23/2025

Jonathon R. Bass
“The Ossified Man”
(November 25th, 1830 – September 13th, 1892)
Section 1 Lot 85 Grave 5- Unmarked

Jonathan Bass was born to William Bass and Fannie Richardson Bass in Cambria, NY. Jonathan suffered bouts of rheumatism while young but he managed to work on his family farm for the majority of his life.
In 1848, his health began to deteriorate and eventually he could only walk with a cane or crutches. He saw several doctors but the rheumatism led to ankyloses of all his joints. The International Journal of Surgery featured Bass, explaining his condition, and proclaimed, “He boasts the best of health, and, though on his back all the time, eats and sleeps well.” “All the muscles, tendons and joints have been converted into solid bone; he is incapable of any motion whatever, being a prisoner in his own frame.” He ate by sucking food into his mouth and swallowing it whole. A specially made bed helped him sleep at night. In general, he did not suffer from pain. Dr. J.M. Reed of New York City examined Bass and called him "a living wonder," while Dr. D.F. Smith of Plymouth, Pennsylvania said Bass was "the greatest freak of nature I ever saw."

Unable to work and support himself, Jonathan allowed himself to be exhibited at dime museums and sideshows. All over the country, people would come to look at his frozen, emaciated form, which was usually propped up and strapped to a board. He only weighed 75 pounds. Life was relatively good, until 1892, when Bass became frustrated with his weekly $25 earnings. So he fired his manager and hired his remaining brother. Later that year, he reportedly caught pneumonia while on display at Huber’s 14th Street Museum in New York City. Jonathan made it back to Lewiston by train on September 11 and the famous ossified man died two days later. Due to threats of body theft, his family refused an autopsy and buried him in a “burglar-proof” vault in Glenwood Cemetery in an unmarked grave on his family’s plot.

Sources
http://www.sideshowworld.com/13-TGOD/2007/tgodBS-JonathanBass.html
https://travsd.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/jonathan-r-bass-the-ossified-man/
http://www.weirdhistorian.com/ossified-people/

07/23/2025

This photograph is of Charley Dole’s Home on the corner of Hawley Street and Ontario Street. Charley, usually referred to as Charles, was born on December 25, 1859 to Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Dole. Charles lived in Lockport, for the majority of his life but wasn’t shy about traveling. During the 1880s, in his early professional life, he was a dancing instructor. He worked in many different halls at this time, creating dance schools and academies between Medina, NY and Lockport, NY. He would travel to New York City every few years to learn the newest dances he would go on to teach them in Lockport. In 1899 he married Elizabeth Jackman, and they adopted a son, Ralph. During most of this time Dole was also working on his garden and greenhouses. His flowers were such a big hit that he opened up a shop at 88 Main Street in 1910 to officially sell his plants. The most popular flowers that he produced were his chrysanthemums, specifically his white ones. They garnished almost every display, bouquet, and garden he created. Charles passed away in 1928 while tending to his beloved garden.

07/18/2025

Theadore H. Van Horn
August 11th, 1832 – 1916
Section 3 Lot 1-10 Grave 14

Theadore H. Van Horn, a popular and successful druggist of Lockport, and a well-known and useful citizen of the county of Niagara, is a son of Daniel Van Horn, and was born August 11, 1832, in Newburg, Orange County, New York. Daniel Van Horn (father) was a son of Judge James Van Horn, and a brother of Hon. Burt Van Horn. Daniel Van Horn was born in Seneca County, New York, but removed to the town of Hartland, Niagara County, and died near Middleport, New York. He studied law, and practiced for a time, but later engaged in milling and various other pursuits. He was a democrat in politics, and held the offices of supervisor, justice of the peace, and judge in Niagara County.
Theadore H. Van Horn was educated in the common schools of his native county, and after completing his studies, worked for a time as a laborer. In 1855, he entered a drug store in the City of Lockport and began learning the drug business, remaining there four years. He then spent one year in the west, when he returned to Lockport and embarked in the drug business on his own account. For an entire decade he successfully conducted a large trade in drugs, and then sold out and engaged in tanning and oil refining. After spending five years in these occupations, he returned to the drug business in 1878, since which he has devoted his entire time and attention to this line. He has a large storeroom on Main Street, which is handsomely furnished, and contains a complete assortment of pure drugs of all kinds, and where anything in his line can be procured at shortest notice. Particular attention is given to the com pounding of physician's prescriptions.
On October 28th, 1859, Mr. Van Horn was married to Loraine Mather, a daughter of David M. Mather, of the city of Lockport, and to them have been born an only daughter, Maud L.
In politics he is a republican, giving his party a loyal support on all leading questions, and has served one term as city assessor of Lockport. He is a member of a number of the fraternal and benevolent organizations of the city, and is very popular in society circles. By energy, industry, and fine business ability he has accumulated considerable property and won a lasting place in the esteem and regard of his neighbors and fellow citizens.

From Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York edited by Samuel T. Wiley, Winfield Scott Garner. 1892.