Voices of the Past will showcase an interesting person or family within the Cemetery each week.
Peter Grafen
Born: 1868
Died: January 18, 1935, aged 78
Peter Grafen, a German bachelor of 78, knew when his time was up. Following a career at the Carnegie Steel Company, he was a lonely and ailing man, who, according to his family, told them, "I think I"m going to die soon now."
Despite protests of his family, Peter hurried off to say his goodbyes to his family and old friends.
He rode to Clairton to visit with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beattie of Van Kirk Street, before returning to his home. He then walked to to 208 Sixth Avenue, to visit his old friends, Frank Smith and Andrew Dale, at their home.
As he sat in a rocking chair of their third floor apartment, flanked by his friends, he reminisced about their younger days. He told them of his premonition of death, and his want of company prior to his departure.
Soon, his eyes closed and his head drooped forward. His friends tip-toed out, not wanting to disturb Peter in his slumber. It wasn't until later they had found he had peacefully passed in the rocking-chair, with a smile still on his lips.
His funeral arrangements were handled by R. V. Anderson Funeral Home. He was buried on Hanuary 21, 1935 in the Homestead Cemetery.
Information gathered from:
"His Last Wish Come True, Aged Man Dies With Smile," Pittsburgh Press, 18 January 1935, p. 12