This zinc headstone marks the grave of Alvin Baird Buren and his wife Mary Lewis Buren.
Alvin's obituary:
HIS LAST BATTLE; A. B. BUREN, PIONEER MERCHANT, CAPITULATES TO A VIOLENT ATTACK OF PARALYSIS; Suffered for Two Years but Was Bed Fast Less Than Two Weeks--Served Three Years in Union Army and Has Since Led an Active Business Life Until Few Years Ago
A.B. Buren, one of Salem’s most honored and exemplary citizens, died at his home on the corner of Court and High streets, in this city, at 8:45 o’clock last night, of paralysis, after an acute illness of less than two weeks. He had been ailing and suffering from a complication of diseases for over two years, but not until February 11 was he attacked by the disease which so quickly caused the end. For several days past his life hung by a thread and the anxious watchers realized that the end was only a matter of hours, or days at best. Deceased was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, August 19, 1840, and spent the first thirty years of his life on his father’s farm, the place of his birth. In 1871 he was married and moved to Trenton, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. By his business ability and close application he soon built up a large and profitable business. In 1889 he made a tour of the Pacific coast states and was so pleased with Salem that he purchased the corner property where he has lived up to the time of his death, and returning, immediately closed out his business and moved with his family to this city where he again entered the furniture business and invested in other enterprises. During the Civil War he was a member of the Union army, serving three years as a private in a Missouri volunteer regiment, and has since been prominently identified with the G. A. R., although he never transferred his membership to the local organization. He also was a member of the Odd Fellows in Trenton, keeping up his membership until his death. The deceased was an energetic business man and was closely identified with the business interests and public enterprises of the city until his retirement from active duties of life on account of ill health in 1894, when he was succeeded in the furniture business by his son, Max, who later formed the partnership of Buren & Hamilton. Since retiring from business he has led a quiet life, enjoying some of the fruits of his early toil. His beloved wife preceded him to the better land about five years ago. The issue of the union consisted of two children, Miss Leda Buren and Max O. Buren, both of whom survive to mourn their loss, and are residents of this city. The funeral services will be held from the residence Friday, February 26 at 2 o’clock p.m., and the remains will be interred in the family burial ground in the Odd Fellows Rural Cemetery." -Oregon Statesman Feb 25, 1904
Mary's obituary:
"IN FINAL REST; Mrs. A. B. Buren Passes Away at Her Court Street Home At the age of 50 years and 25 days
Mrs. A. B. Buren of this city, breathed her last a 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the family home on the corner of Court and High streets. The sad climax came not unexpectedly, the deceased lady having been ailing seriously for some months past, with a phase of her grievous malady (consumption) that left but little hope for those whose anxious watching and loving ministrations were given with unwearied devotion. For nearly ten years decedent had combated the ravages of the affliction, bravely and patiently bearing the sufferings and deprivations incident to her trouble, and nothing that devotion could prompt or ample means supply was left undone to overcome the physical disquiet to which she was subjected. Frequent changes in climate, the highest courses of medical treatment, with two seasons at the Colorado Springs sanitarium, all were tried without avail. Mrs. Buren was a native Kentuckian, but her childhood was spent in Gentry county, Missouri, in which state, near the town of Trenton, she was married to Mr. Buren in September, 1868. She was a devoted wife and mother, and her contact with the world, beyond the home circle, won to her, through her gentle, Christian character, hosts of genuine, kindly friends, who, with the stricken husband and mourning children, Max O. and Leda, will most sincerely mourn her demise. She was an ardent and consistent follower of the Congregational faith, and a zealous member of the First church of this city." -Weekly Oregon Statesman August 19, 1898
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