Philadelphia's O. V. Catto Recognized
on 136th Anniversary of his Death
 Philadelphia City Council member James Kenney explains the importance of Catto as members of the O. V. Catto Lodge look on. |
 Color Guard, U.S. Colored Troop 3rd Infantry Regiment. O. V. Catto advocated for the rights of African Americans to fight for the Union during the American Civil War. |
PHILADELPHIA (October 10, 2007)--On October 10 at 10 a.m., the Octavius V. Catto Memorial Fund honored Philadelphia's forgotten hero, O. V. Catto, on the anniversary of his death, by unveiling a headstone at his burial site at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale PA. Because of his outspoken advocacy of voting rights for African Americans, Catto's life was cut tragically short on Election Day, October 10, 1871. "As we head into the important election season, we believe this ceremony is a fitting tribute as well as a way to call attention to the right to vote and the responsibility for each of us to exercise that right," said Carol Clark Lawrence, Catto Fund Co-Chair.
Originally burried in Lebanon Cemetery, O. V. Catto's remains were transferred to Eden Cemetery on May 14, 1903. The site never had a proper marker. Members of the Memorial Fund, currently in the midst of a $2 million fundraising campaign to erect a stratue on the grounds of City Hall and to educate the public about this slain hero, made the decision to appropriately identify Catto's final resting place with a headstone.
Councilman Jim Kenney, a board member of the O. V. Catto Fund who has been instrumental in initiating the effort to bring Catto's life to the attention of the public, stated, "Civil Rights leader, Octavius V. Catto was among Philadelphia's most courgeous heroes. Providing the proper grave marker is one way we are able to further honor and celebrate Catto's contributions to education, political freedom and equal access for African Americans in our city."
Members of the O. V. Catto Board of Directors in attendance included co-chairs Jim Straw and Carol Clark Lawrence, Councilman James Kenney and Raymond Jumper (O. V. Catto Lodge). A color guard from the U. S. Colored Troops 3rd Infantry Regiment was also present.