We have all heard the saying "It's carved in stone so it's true". This is not always true. I have been researching cemeteries for over 20 years and am publishing Multnomah County cemetery records. In doing this I have found numerous errors in monuments. Following is the story of a marker in the Columbian Cemetery that does not tell the true story.

(click on photo to see full version)

In lot 26 of the old survey there is a double marker for Fred E Palmer (1861-1906) and Jennie Palmer (1864-1942). I discovered the problem with this marker when I was helping my best friend find his step grandmother. He and his mother had been searching for her grave in Columbian for many years. I had obtained the names and locations of all the women with his grandparents surname from Jerry Roth before I knew Jennie's given name. When my friend told me her name I told him we were going to the cemetery and I would find her grave.

Fred E. Palmer was born 9 April 1861 in Illinois and died 27 october 1906 in Portland, death certificate #127. He was buried 29 October 1906. E Holman & Company handled the arrangements. He was the son of Barton Close Palmer and Sarah Jane Marsle. His full name was Fredland Elmer Palmer.

About 1928 Jennie married George Allison Patterson. Jennie P. was the daughter of David Lowery and Lid Fergusson and was born 20 June 1864 in Oledo, Illinois. She died 16 December 1942 in Portland, Oregon death certificate # 4431. Peninsula Funeral Home made the arrangements for her burial on 18 December 1942. The "Oregonian" on 17 December 1942 ran a funeral notice. "Patterson - 7541 N. Chatauqua Blvd. Dec. 16, Jennie, aged 78 yrs, beloved wife of George A., mother of Mrs. R. S. Saunder, St. Edward, NB, Mrs. A. K. Lumsden, this city; Mrs. Lona M. Dagen, Beaverton, Or. Funeral services Friday, Dec 18, at 2:30 pm at the chapel of the Peninsula Funeral Home, 3018 N. Lombard. Interment Columbian cemetery. Committal Private."

As you can see, just because it's carved in stone does not make it true!

Friends of Historic Columbian Cemetery are granted permission to post this on the web site.