Sculpted by J. J. Horgan, the John J. Kelly monument pays tribute to John J. Kelly (1818-1872), a businessman and a leader in the Irish community in Savannah. The marker was erected by the Hibernian Society, a fraternal society offering aid and support to Irish citizens.
This monument is listed on the Smithsonian’s Save Outdoor Sculpture database and can be found in Laurel Grove North Cemetery in Savannah.
Joseph (1823-1906) and Clara (1830-1905) Herschbach were German immigrants. Joseph was a cigar maker.
John Walz made their marker.
Memorialized as two cherubs are Pearce (1892-1895) and Julia (1904-1906) Wheless. This was carved by John Walz and is located in Bonaventure Cemetery.
Known as the “Cemetery Jogger,” Julia Denise Backus Smith (1946-2003) was a city commissioner and philanthropist in Savannah, Georgia. She was an avid runner who completed several marathons. Her mother commissioned this bronze grave marker that celebrates her love of running.
There’s only one Victorian sculpture in Laurel Grove South Cemetery, the historic Black cemetery in Savannah. It happens to be a John Walz, of Gracie fame. I am unable to confirm much about John and Clara Davis. At one point, I read they were shopkeepers, but I cannot recall the source.
John Walz was a German-American sculptor who moved to Savannah after visiting to help install monuments his company made for the Telfair Museum. My understanding is that no one is certain how many monuments he made for cemeteries, but it’s well-above 80.
This is one of the John Walz monuments in Catholic Cemetery. Notice the hallmark cherubs and lettering at the base of the coping.
