Chief Tecumseh (1768 - 1813)

Early 19th Century Native American Leader. He is remembered as the chief of a large tribal Native American confederacy which opposed the United States during Tecumseh’s War (the conflict between the US and Native Americans in the area of the Northwest Territory from about 1809 to late 1811) and the War of 1812. It is […]

Chief Young Man Afraid of His Horses (1970 - 1893)

Oglala Chief. Born Tasunka Kokipapi which roughly translates to ‘the man of whose horse we are afraid’ meaning that the bearer of the name was so feared in battle that the mere sight of his horse inspired fear. During the Red Cloud War of 1866, he was one of the leading lieutenants for Red Cloud. […]

Frederick William Sievers (1872 - 1966)

Sculptor. Known for his busts and statues of famous Americans which are displayed in various cities. (bio by: Laurie)

Edward Cole “Eddie” Oatman (1889 - 1973)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Springford, Ontario, Oatman played for teams in the PCHA, WCHL, AHA, CAHL, and the CHL Hockey Leagues. He played for the Victoria Aristocrats from 1920 to 1922, Victoria Cougars from 1922 to 1923, Calgary Tigers from 1923 to 1926, Minneapolis Millers from 1926 to 1927, Boston Tigers from 1927 […]

Madame Sul-Te-Wan (1873 - 1959)

American actress. The daughter of freed slaves, she began her career in entertainment touring the east coast with various theatrical companies and moved to California to become a member of the fledgling film community. She became known as a character actress, appeared in high profile films such as Birth of a Nation (1915) and Intolerance […]

Thomas William Sweeny (1820 - 1892)

Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Ireland, he moved to America in 1832 and settled in New York City. He joined the Baxter Blues, militia company in 1843, his unit fought in the Mexican War and his right arm was amputated after being wounded. After he recuperated, he fought against Native Americans in the […]

Alexander “Boots” Smith (1902 - 1963)

Professional Hockey Player. Smith who was a native of Bootle, England, played for teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), International Hockey League (IHL), Eastern Hockey League (EHL), Quebec Senior Hockey League (QSHL), and the IAHL. Smith played the position of Defense for the Ottawa Senators from 1924 to 1931, 1932 to 1933, and 1945 […]

Art Chapman (1906 - 1962)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, he played the position of Center for the Natonal Hockey League’s Boston Bruins from 1930 to 1934, and the New York Americans from 1933 to 1941. He was a member of the 1937 NHL Second All-Star Team, and played in the 1937 NHL All-Star Game. He retired […]

Asher Tyler (1798 - 1875)

US Congressman. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1817, studied law and became a lawyer in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County. He was Agent for the Devereaux Land Company and then the Erie Railroad, and was also involved in local politics and government. In 1842 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Whig […]

Pompey Factor (1970 - 1928)

Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the Indian Wars as a Private in the Indian Scouts, which were Native Americans in the United States Army service. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Pecos River, Texas on April 25, 1875. His citation reads “With 3 other men, he participated […]

Marty Barry (1905 - 1969)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Quebec City, Quebec, Barry played for teams in the CAHL, NHL, AHA, and the IAHL hockey leagues. At 6’00”, and 195lbs, he played the position of Center for the Philadelphia Arrows from 1927 to 1928, New York Americans from 1927 to 1928, New Haven Eagles from 1928 to 1929, […]

Clifford Joseph “Fido” Purpur (1912 - 2001)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Purpur played for teams in the CHL, NHL, USHL, AHA, USHL, and the NCAA hockey leagues. At 5’5″, and 157lbs, Purpur played for the Grand Forks Falcons from 1931 to 1932, Minneapolis Millers from 1933 to 1935, St. Louis Eagles from 1934 to 1935, St. […]

Hank Edward “Coon” Ciesla (1934 - 1976)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Ciesla played the position of Center for teams in the OHA, NHL, and the AHL. At 6’02”, and 190lbs, Ciesla played for the St. Catharines Teepees from 1951 to 1952, 1954 to 1955, Chicago Blackhawks from 1955 to 1957, New York Rangers from 1957 to 1959, […]

Benjamin Alden Bidlack (1804 - 1849)

US Congressman. Elected to represent Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1841 to 1845. He also served as a Member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in 1835, and as the United States Charge d’Affaires to New Grenada from 1845 until his death in 1849. This monument with the […]

Edmund Francis Cooke (1885 - 1967)

US Congressman. Born in Prescott, Arizona, he moved with his parents to Alden, New York, in 1887. There he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1910, practiced law in Alden and served as a member of the New York Assembly, (1923-28). In 1929, he was elected as a Republican to the Seventy-first and […]

Hugh Edward “Yug” Bolton (1929 - 1999)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Bolton played the position of Defense for teams in the NHL, AHL, QHL, OHA-JR, OHA-SR, and the Al-Cup hockey leagues. At 6’03”, and 192lbs, Bolton played for the Toronto Young Rangers from 1945 to 1947, Toronto Marlboros from 1947 to 1950, Toronto Maple Leafs from 1949 to […]

John Boyle O’Reilly (1844 - 1890)

Social Reformer. Irish Republican Brotherhood member who enlisted in the British Army in Dublin in 1865 to recruit Irish rebels. Convicted of treason by a Dublin court martial in 1866, he was transported to Australia in 1867, in the last group of convicts sent there from England. He escaped on an American whaling ship to […]

Bertram Harold “Bert” McInenly (1906 - 1993)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Montreal, Quebec, McInenly was 5’07”, and played the position of Defense for teams in the CPHL, IHL, NHL, CAHL, IAHL, and the AHL Hockey Leagues. He played for the Detroit Olympics from 1928 to 1930, Detroit Falcons from 1930 to 1932, New York Americans from 1931 to 1932, Ottawa […]

Ronald John Howell (1935 - 1992)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, and the brother of Hockey Hall of Famer Harry Howell, he played for teams in the AHL, EHL, NHL, OHA, and the OHASR Hockey Leagues. At 6’00”, and 185lbs, Howell played for the Guelph Biltmores from 1954 to 1955, New York Rangers from 1954 to 1956, Kitchener-Waterloo […]

Anna Keaveney (1949 - 2004)

Actress. A native of Runcorn, Cheshire, England, she is best remembered for her role as ‘Marie Jackson’ on the television soap opera series, “Brookside” from 1983 to 1995. Among her other television appearances were on, “Within These Walls,” “Enemy At The Door,” “Chiller,” “Emmerdale Farm,” “Birds Of A Feather,” “Heartbeat,” “Mersey Beat,” “Footballers’ Wives,” “Divided […]

Richard Wright (1908 - 1960)

Author.  His powerful,  eloquent work examined the injustices African-Americans face in a white society.  He won immediate fame for his first novel,  “Native Son” (1940).  It tells the story of Bigger Thomas,  a young chauffeur whose inarticulate rage over his lot ultimately erupts into violence.  “Native Son” was adapted into a play directed by Orson […]

Chief White Cloud (1970 - 1970)

Native American Leader. Also known as Mahaska, he was chief of the Iowa Native American tribe. Born near present-day Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of Iowa Chief Mauhawgaw (or Wounding Arrow), who was ambushed by members of the Sioux tribe during a feast. After he avenged his father’s death by killing several of the […]

Leonard Freed (1929 - 2006)

Photojournalist. Born in Brooklyn, he was a member of the Magnum Photography Collective, well known for his in-depth coverage of African-Americans in the era of the civil rights movement. Freed made classic photo essays on assignments for Life, Look, Paris-Match, Der Spiegel, Stern and Libération, among many others, from Asian immigrants in England to Spain […]

Davie Kerr (1909 - 1978)

Professional Hockey Player. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Kerr was 5’10”, and 162lbs, and played the position of Goalie for teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), International Hockey League (IHL), and the Canadian Amateur Hockey League (CAHL). He played for the Montreal Maroons from 1930 to 1931, and 1932 to 1933, Windsor Bulldogs from […]

Roland Joseph “Mighty Mite” McLenahan (1921 - 1984)

Professional Hockey Player. Also known as ‘Rollie.’ A native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, he played the position of Defense in the National Hockey League. At 5’07, and 170lbs, he played with th Detroit Red Wings from 1945 to 1946. Inthe Minor Leagues he was a member of the AHL First-All Star Team in 1950, and […]

Joel Haworth Elliott (1840 - 1868)

Civil War Union Army Officer. He entered the Civil War as a Private in the 2nd Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and was commissioned in the 7th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry in 1863.  He commanded his regiment in Grierson’s Mississippi Raid in 1864.  After the Civil War, he received a commission as Major, 7th United States Cavalry, whose […]

David Thomson (1592 - 1970)

English Explorer.  David Thomson (sometimes spelled Thompson) was the first non-Native American settler of, and founder of, the State of New Hampshire. He also founded the city of Piscataqua, New Hampshire. David was apprenticed as a seaman as a youth, and made frequent trips to America. His first journey to America was in 1607, well […]

Ralph Lawrence Carr (1887 - 1950)

U.S. District Attorney. Republican governor of Colorado 1939 to 1943. Spearheaded fiscal reforms by transferring state income taxes from school districts to the General Fund. Also worked with the General Assembly to pass the State Reorganization Act resulting in a more efficient state government. Known for his opposition to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World […]

Battle of Tippecanoe Memorial (1970 - 1970)

Concerned about the possible extinction of their race brought on by advancing expansion of white settlers into the midwest, the Shawnee chief Tecumseh and his brother, Tenskwatawa (The Shawnee Prophet) left their native Ohio and, with permission of the Potawatomi and Kickapoo tribes, established Prophet’s Town in 1808 to serve as a capital of a […]

Wendell Phillips (1811 - 1884)

Abolitionist, Lawyer, and Orator. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where his father was a successful lawyer, politician, and philanthropist. He graduated from Harvard University in 1831 and from Harvard Law School in 1833. He was admitted to the Massachusetts state bar in 1834 and opened a law practice in Boston. In 1835, he was […]