Where is Joe Root?
Back in April we posted a story about “The King of the Peninsula”, Joe Root. It was at that time we launched our AskJoeRoot column. The column is intended for readers to ask questions about Presque Isle that “Joe Root”, the foremost expert on Presque Isle, would then answer. Well, we recently had a question that we …I mean, Joe, has not been able to answer. So, we turn to you, dear readers, for any possible help you can give to answer the inquirer’s question. The inquiry is “Where is Joe Root’s final resting place?” Here is an excerpt from the e-mail we received: I have been trying to locate Joe Root’s final resting place. I have sent e-mails to the Warren and Erie Historical Society. I also dropped an email to the head of the Erie cemetery association. He did not find Joe.
So, does anyone know where Joe Root is buried, or if he has any remaining family? Please post any information or suggestions in our comments section or e-mail us at PINaturally@gmail.com Thanks in advance for any assistance you are able to provide.
Joe Root was placed in North Warren State Hospital circa 1910, where he died. Maybe the records at NWSH may have a clue to where he is buried. There may have been a burial area on the grounds.
Thanks for your comment, Dale. I do have an e-mail and phone call into the administrator at NWSH and have been told by a friend who used to work there that there is a cemetery on the grounds. I suspect that that is where he is laid to rest. We’ll keep everyone posted as to what we find out.
Re: Joe Roots Final Resting Place:
The PA Office of Mental Health suggested I write a formal request to Dr. Aiden Altenor. He is the Director of Community and Hosp. Operations at OMHSAS…In PA.
I included all the background and dates I could find.
Regards,
Brian
Where he is not: North Warren State Hospital Cemetery. Where he might be: I have one respondent who states that Joe Root is buried in the North Orwell Cemetery. I have yet to confirm but that is a good place to go from here.
I feel that there should be a monument or state historical sign post to honor Joe and also to tell his story as Presque Isle’s first care taker. We are fast approaching 100 years since his departch in 1910 and Death in 1912.I thnk it would be grand to have a life size bronze of him like I have seen in other places in my travels.
Still no word for the State…
The Warren Historical Society reports they can not find Joe Root. Hmmmm.
The information I received by word of mouth is that the State of Pa was not so kind to Old Joe. Word has it he was driven off the peninsula as a squatter and fears he would claim the land as his own. Since they determined he was a pauper and homeless he was sent to the “poor house” which at that time was somewhere west on Rte 5. It would be interesting to find out what really happened to this man.
We agree that it would be interesting and important to find out what happened to this man. It appears that he was born and lived at several different times at the “poor house” you mentioned. It will be 100 years ago next year that he was allegedly sent to North Warren where he died two years later. It would be nice to have this solved sometime before then.
I am left wondering if Joe ever returned to Erie. If he did he may have taken shelter at the old Alms house located at 23rd and Pittsburgh Avenue.((( He had lived their with his monther off and on.))If so he would have been burried in the Alms house cemetery. To complicate matters this cemetery was moved to Girard. However I read that some gaves were left in place as they were under railroad lines and paved areas. I did see a listing of names assocated with the old Alms house cemetery. Joe Root was not listed. They relocated in 1977. I recall watching the workers unearth the graves as a youth.
Still no word from the PA OMHSAS. I wrote a fromal request as instructed to do so my Warren and Others.
I agree it would have ben good to be able to do something for Joe on the 100th year of his banishment.
The PA historical soc. sent me an application for a state historical sing. However they suggest Joe was more a regional figure…not a state wide or national figure. So they would not grant him a sign. Thye suggest perhaps something could be done locally.
We found out what happned to Joe Root.I got an e-mail from Brian Gula and Environmental Ed Spec. at PI. He said that the practice of the time was to send bodys to the the anatomical board in Philly for scientic study. The remains of several people were placed together in a box and burried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Philly.
Now we know. Sad.
Brian perhaps we can still see if it would be possible to do some kind of a memorial or marker for Joe Root on a local level. He is a legend and has an interesting story.
Perhaps…However I imagine some might not want to be reminded of what are community did to Joe.
Interesting My wife and I took a drive to Warren, early Summer This Year. We actually look for his grave at the State Hosp Cemetary. were unable to find it. I think It would be great to find him and have him placed on Presque Isle. Where He truly belongs. Also have often Thought there should be a statue of him standing beteen the entrance and exit of the Park Greeting people. Joe Was railroaded by the State and Community…….
I agree with David. While finding Joe’s remains does not seem possible a statue welcoming folks to the park would be grand.
One writer shared that often folks who died at the state hosp….having no attachements…were sent to philly for medical use. Then when they were done with the bodies they was burried in the odd fellows (name less) cemetery…which I think has been since relocated. uhg!
I did contact the state about perhaps placing one of those historical signs up. However they said Joe Root was more a local…and not state wide persons of historical interest.
Again Dave’s idea sound great.Now all we need is money.
I am so happy yo find this thread. I have long discussed among friends that we should bring Joe home. They brought Harry Burleigh back to Erie in the 1990s. He was in NYC. Let’s bring Joe back. I think we can find him. I am going to speak to some people. If you guys are serious, I am in…
Angus, thank you for your comment. We are serious and thanks to Brian who spearheaded this quest. We know it will take time and we just need the right contacts.
I wrote a letter to the editor of the Erie Times today. Perhaps he will print it or investigate further. This group seems to feel a plaque or something is good ideas, Maybe those within the large community might make things happen.