Alice Hatry and a Place for Jewish Burials in Defiance

  Because of the death of an eight year old Jewish girl, Alice Hatry, in June, 1898, a movement was made to designate a special section of Riverside Cemetery for Jewish burials.

"DEATH OF ALICE HATRY

Untimely Demise Of An Attractive Daughter of L. Hatry.

Alice, youngest daughter of Leopold and Caroline Hatry, of this city, died at the family residence, corner of Wayne and First streets, Wednesday afternoon, June 1, between 4 and 5 o'clock.

Her sickness was of short duration, only from Sunday, May 22, but in that time, Alice proved herself a heroic sufferer, brave beyond her years.

She was born March 14, 1890, in this city, the youngest of the two daughters, and all her little life has been lived in Defiance.  As a child, she has won a place in the affection of older hearts, outside that bereaved homestead, in which she has been the light and sunshine.  With a happy smile and a kind word for all she knew; patient, obedient and affectionate at home and at school.  

Alice has become a favorite with many, and older people feel a sense of personal loss in her early death, and universal regret is expressed by the community for her afflicted grandmother, parents and only sister."

Defiance Democrat  June, 1898

"THE FUNERAL

Of Little Alice Hatry With Impressive Ceremonies

A large concourse of people assembled Friday morning at 10 o'clock at the Hatry homestead to attend the funeral services of little Alice, the youngest daughter.  The profusion of flowers attested the estimation of the child by her own and her parents' friends.  Flowers and floral emblems were more numerous than ever before in Defiance.

All the stores with proprietors of the Jewish faith were closed until after the ceremonies.

Rabbi Myer, of Toledo, had charge of the services.  He is a splendid orator and his sermon was most appropriate.  One portion of the services was in the original Hebrew.

The beautiful white casket was covered with flowers, and the entire rooms filled with these tender expressions of sympathy sent by friends.

The pall bearers were Ferd. Kittner, Dave Phillips, Isadore Wertheimer and Mr. Mickelson.

Mr. and Mrs. Hatry have received telegrams of condolence from friends in all parts of the country, and Mrs. Shoal, of Toledo, and other friends from away attended the services.

At the cemetery, after the solemn and beautiful burial services for the dead, conducted by Rabbi Myers partly in Hebrew, the body was left in the chapel vault until the new burial grounds are dedicated, when the interment will occur."  

And so the grounds were chosen and dedicated appropriately.  Today in the regulations for Riverside, we can read: "Designated areas are reserved for the exclusive use of the Catholic and Jewish faith when religious beliefs require burial in segregated grounds."

"A JEWISH BURIAL SITE.

The members of the Jewish faith have decided to purchase a burying ground in Riverside and those of their people, who die here in the future, will be laid to rest at home, the same as members of other faiths.  This will be a great addition to the beauties of Riverside...as it will give to the city of the dead, a number of lots that will be most exquisitely kept according to the belief of these citizens."

Defiance Democrat - June, 1898