07/04/2026
As we continue our Heroes at Rest series in honor of America's 250th anniversary, we remember Benjamin Gratz Brown (1826–1885), one of the most influential figures laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Brown served as a Colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War, raising and commanding the 4th U.S. Reserve Corps in Missouri. After his military service, he went on to become Missouri's 20th Governor, served in the United States Senate, and was the 1872 Democratic and Liberal Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States.
His life was defined by leadership, public service, and a commitment to shaping Missouri's future. Today, we are honored to preserve the final resting place of a man whose impact reached far beyond Kirkwood and whose legacy remains an important part of both Missouri and American history.
Heroes at Rest is a special series honoring the veterans and historic figures who rest at Oak Hill Cemetery as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary.