Tree Stump Monument at Mount Pleasant Cemetery

At Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD stands this large tree stump monument. It is carved from limestone. It measures approximately 6ft (1.83m) in height. The top of the monument appears to be broken. If damaged, it occurred long ago as it has lichen and weathering matching the rest of the surface. It should have the name and birth date and death date of the person and truncate with stylized tree rings at the top. It is another example of the Woodsmen of the World monument style. Initially the Woodsmen of the World would supply a monument in the style of a tree stump for its members after death. The monuments were free but later came with a fee as the cost of the monuments became prohibitive. The style of the monument caught on with the public and numerous stonework companies began offering variations of the design in different sizes and appearances. Sears & Roebuck along with Montgomery Wards offered tree stump-style monuments in their catalogs as well. An iconography developed around the style to indicate to a viewer more information. Anchors, doves, nests, sometimes the height and maturity of the stump gave information about the deceased. The tree stump style began to lose its popularity as the costs became prohibitive. Tree stump monuments had been a reminder of death, but people began to prefer more monuments that were less direct about death. Instead, minimalistic and less expensive designs that reduced death to an abstract became the norm. John C. Hout might be the gentleman for whom this monument was erected. He died in Denver, CO of throat problems. For more information about Mount Pleasant Cemetery: http://www.mtpleasantsf.com For more information about tree stumps as monuments: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/why-gravestones-are-shaped-like-tree-stumps