...I will make thee an eternal excellency,
a joy of many generations.
Isaiah 60:15 

The

Leon Cemetery

Original Section

of

Decatur County, Iowa

The information on this page was transcribed from the original records, without corrections. Although, if you believe there should be any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact Stacey Dietiker and your submissions will be noted with the original information.
Page copyright Carla Rae Perks 1999-2002, Stacey Dietiker 2003-2006. Page information is public domain.

Center Township, Section 29
Source: Cemeteries of Decatur Co. IA; compiled by Lois Slade and transcribed for our site by Janice Lira.

History of the Leon Cemetery

The oldest know cemetery of Leon was located about one mile east of Leon on Highway #2. The old road went straight east instead of curving north, and this cemetery was on the south side of the road. There were reported about 20 graves there.

Later a Leon Cemetery was established in it's present location (Center Township. Section 29) and burials were made in the section to the east of the main gate. (This section is now known as "Original Cemetery." Some donations were given to the city to remove the bodies from the bodies from the old original cemetery east of Leon and for their interment in the Leon Cemetery. Supposedly they were buried just west of the main gate. Probably the whole original Leon Cemetery was Original Section and the east one-half of Section D.

Much of the information in this history is from the "History of Leon Cemetery Association" written by Edgar H. Epperly, President, in 1974. In 1912 the Leon Cemetery Association was organized for one purpose only, to assist the city in the beautification and upkeep of the cemetery.

An iron fence and two iron gate entrances were built about 1912. This was done to keep the cemetery from being used as a pasture for livestock. Back in the horse and buggy days there were very few cars and livestock was not in danger of being hit by cars, so they were turned loose to forage for themselves, and often entered the cemetery for grazing. In 1914 the association "destroyed gopher mounds and skunk dens."

Important Dates


Leon Cemetery
Original Section


SURNAME GIVEN NAME DATES ROW & STONE

(broken stone; buried)(4-3)
ADAIR, Ella R. 1890-1956(12-5)
ADAIR, Hymenia dau. of G.W. & G. Sep 3, 1898 May 6, 1901(12-6)
ADAIR, Jesse A. 1883-1943(12-5)
AMMONS, Isabel Consort of J.W. Ammons died Sept28, 1865 aged 40y 9d(1-11)
AVERY, Francis N. Aug 9, 1826May 17, 1902(8-1)
AVERY, Martha E. wife of F.N. May 29, 1829 Feb 28, 1904(8-1)
AYOSTA, Jacob W. died Sept 12, 1893 aged 71y 6m 6d (3-9)
BALDWIN, John, D. born Jan 31, 1831 died Nov 23, 1894 B1-25)
BALDWIN, Sarah J. born June 5, 1843 died Mar 12, 1882(B1-24)
BARNEY, Horace son of M. & M. died Nov 13, 1873 aged 16y 3m 13d(9-1)
BEAL, John died Mar 16, 1877 aged 71y 9m 25d (2-21)
BELL, Frankie dau. of J.& M. died Jun 12, 1871 aged 1y 7m 13d(12-1)
BELL, H.P. 1870-1916(12-3)
BELL, Ralph R. Apr 19, 1878 Aug 25, 1898(12-2)
BLAIR, Curtis son of W.P. & M.A. Mar 17, 1866 aged 3y 5m 11d (2-16)
BOBBITT, Ella J. 1847-1891(8-4)
BOBBITT, George E. 1873-1875(8-5)
BOBBITT, John P. 1848-1874 9th Ia. Vol. Cav.(8-3)
BOBBITT, Lee Roy 1871-1943(8-7)
BOBBITT Alta G. 1877-1943(8-6)
BOONE, Robert T. son of W. & R. died July 7, 1858 aged 15y 3m 11d (4-4)
BOONE, W. A. 1841-1933(4-7)
BOWMAN, Chester C. son of E. & L. Mar 20, 1898 Feb 13, 1913 (2-14)
BREECE, Joseph C. died Dec. 26, 1864 aged 25y 11m 19d(14-3)
BURNS, Abner M. born Oct 13, 1815 died June 19, 1893 (interestingtree-shaped monument)(1-22)
BURNS, Emma D. dau of A.M. & E. died Mar 22, 1875 aged 17y 2m 28d(broken)(1-19)
BURNS, H.B. died Aug 11, 1867 aged 25y 1m 10d (1-18)
BURNS, Hallie M dau of H.B. & C.M. died Mar 31, 1866 aged 10m 5d (1-16)
BURNS, Jennie D. dau of H.B. & C.M. died Feb 16, 1867 aged 5wks 4d (1-17)
BURNS, ---rbert U. son of --- & E. died ---- 29, 1875 aged öy & 2m(broken)(1-23)
BURNS, William F. son of A.M.& E. died Oct 2, 1855 aged 3y 1m 1d (1-20)
CAMERON, Arthur W. son of W.P. & J. died Dec 6, 1876 age 2y 3m(7-6)
CAMPBELL, Phiena E. --(broken) M.F. Campbell --(broken)(W.P.A. "Phiena E.(Mrs. M.E.) died 1870 aged 32") (7-1)
CHASTAIN, Eva M. 1872-1934 (3-7)
CHASTAIN, John M. 1868-1933(3-7)
CHASTAIN, Wayne F. 1912 - (uncut) (3-8)
COOVER, IOOF Samuel died May 26, 1884 aged 44y 9m 8d(1-6)
COOVER, James H. husb. Of Mary died Apr 25, 1875 aged 63y 5m 1d(broken)(5-7)
COOVER, James son of J. & M. died Jan 30, 1870 aged 18y 10m 14d(5-8)
COOVER, John C. husb. Of S.M. died July 20, 1872 aged 23y 7m 9d(5-9)
COOVER, Mary E. Infant dau. of S. & R. died Feb 9, 1876(1-6)
COOVER, Rebecca J. wife of Samuel died June 18, 1874 aged 37y 4m 1d(1-6)
COOVER, Samuella dau. of S. & R.J. died Feb 5, 1881 aged 18Y 6d (1-6)
CULVER, Phoebe Ann born in Rutland Co. VT Dec 31, 1818 died in St Joseph,Mo. Feb 14, 1908 (footstone Mother)(5-17)
DAILY, Helen Finley 1869-1921 (2-8)
ELLIS, Jennie 1828-1923 (2-7)
ELLIS, John M. son of J.R. & G.E. died Oct 13, 1871 aged 20 days (3-14)
ELLIS, Lucinda 1820-1867 (2-6)
ELLIS, W.W. 1813-1890 (2-5)
Emma B. (broken; last name unknown; footstone type, but does not match any stone close by)(4-15)
Father (B1-27)
Father (1-3)
FEUQUAY, Mary A. wife of A.L. 1852-1923(8-2)
FINLEY, J.P. Co. D. 4th Inf. Sep 17, 1837 Apr 10, 1903 (2-9)
FINLEY, Jennie C. wife of J.P. Dec 1, 1841 June 16, 1877(2-9)
FISHBURN, Flora 1847-1916 (A1-30)
FISHBURN, John born July 4, 1838 died Jan 23, 1879 (A1-27)
FISHBURN, Sarah G. died June 5, 1888 aged 66 y 1m 14d (A1-29)
FISHBURN, William T. died Sept 11, 1880 aged 70y 2m 7d (A1-28)footstone) BCS (1-1)
FORREY, Jessie F. Stookey 1861-1934(1-7)
FORREY, Samuel 1825-1914 Born in Columbia, PA (1-7)
FREEMAN, Mary B. dau of E.& R. died May 1, 1860 aged ö (broken)(4-5)
FREEMAN, Eli 1825 to 1914 Listed in W.P.A. but no tombstone row 4
FULTON, Harriet E. dau of A.J. & A.E. Dec 31, 1902 Apr 2, 1903(5-16)
FULTON, Harriett M. his wife 1830-1919(8-9)
FULTON, Josephene L. dau of W.H. & H.M. born Sep 17, 1867 died Dec 24,1870(5-14)
FULTON, Kittie J. wife of T.P. born Oct 19, 1855 died May 26, 1890(5-15)
FULTON, T.P. 1853-1923(8-10)
FULTON, Wade H. 1830-1914(8-9)
GIBSON, (top broken off) died Jan 16, 1869 aged 45y 11m 20d (W.P.A. "wifeof Caselton Gibson")(3-4)
GIBSON, Capt, Garratt Feb 3, 1826 Jan 27, 1908 (3-6)
GIBSON, Caselton husb of M.E. died Mar 11, 1883 aged 64y 2m 3d (3-5)
GIBSON, Elizabeth A. wife of Garrett Jan 9, 1828 July 11, 1901(3-6)
GIBSON, Infant son of C. & M.E. 1877 (3-2)
GIBSON, Margaret E. wife of C. 1847-1887 (3-3)
HARRIS, William, A. son of J.& C. died May 3, 1866 lived 19 days(15-1)
HARVEY, Jerome L. 1844-1922(1-14)
HARVEY, M. Belle his wife 1855-1931(1-14)
HARVEY, R. Floyd son of J.L. & M.B. Apr 15, 1875 Feb 2, 1893 (1-15)
HAWKINS, Rhoda "Mother" Jan 26, 1819 - June 28, 1910(4-6)
HAWKINS, William died Mar 23, 1872 aged -- -- 18d (broken; W.P.A."54y")(4-8)
HEBENER, Orlando W. (10-4)
HILLIKER, Maud dau of H.A. & Adella May 30, 1878 Aug 20, 1878(A1-25)
HINKST, Elizzabeth M. wife of S. born June 28, 1830 died Apr 14, 1894(5-3)
HINKST, Lafayette son of S. & E.M. died Sep 10, 1869 aged 22y 7m 6d(5-1)
HINKST, Lewis C. 1858-1934(5-4)
HINKST, Samuel died Feb 20, 1889 aged 70y 4m 9d(5-2)
HOLDEN, John 1840-1911(8-11)
HOLDEN, Mary A. his wife 1845-1923(8-11)
HOLDEN, W.W., Co. I 51st Iowa Inf. (W.P.A. "Wm. H. died 1898 Sp. Am.War")(8-12)
HOLLINGER, Elizabeth wife of Wm. Died Apr 20, 1871 aged 68y 5m 12d (4-11)
HOLLINGER, Elmer E. "Our Brother" died Apr 11, 1893 aged 26y 2m 22d (4-9)
HOLLINGER, Mellisa wife of A. died Dec 4, 1876 aged 31y 7m 20d (4-10)
HOLLINGER, William W. born Mar 6, 1798 died July 21, 1880(4-12)
HOLLINGER, William W. son of J.S. & E. born Nov 6, 1859 died Apr 15,1879(4-12)
HORNER, Charlie son of G.W. & V. died Sept 20, 1873 aged 10m 17d(10-1)
HORNER, Georgie, H. son of G.W. & V. died Nov 20, 1872 aged 10m 11d(10-2)
HORNER, Virginia Ray wife of G.W. May 25, 1840 Aug 23, 1892(10-3)
HOWARD, Charlie P. son of O. & L. died Mar 23, 1866 aged 2y(14-1)
HOWARD, James H. son of O.& L. Apr 22, 1864 aged 12y 5m 17÷(broken)(14-2)
HUSTON, Francis M. Jan 3, 1837 Feb 9, 1911 Co. K 9th MO. Reg. S.M. CAL.(6-6)
HUSTON, Suffrona , 1860-1911 (6-6)
JACKSON, Edwin, D. son of W.C. & E.R. died Aug 2, 1876 aged 2y 7m 10d(2-19)
JACKSON, John A. son of W.C. & E.R. died June 30, 1871 aged 1y 1m 29d(2-17)
JACKSON, William C. died Feb 21, 1880 aged 43y 1m 11d (2-20)
JACKSON, William C. son of W.C. & E.R. died Aug 26, 1872 aged 1y 4m 2d(2-18)
JACO, Elizabeth Ann (footstone) (Mother June14, 1820 died after1886)(4-13)
JACO, Treca (footstone)(the above information from Jaco familyhistory)(4-13)
JACO Samuel (footstone) (Father Feb 22, 1815 Aug 29, 1874)(4-13)
JOHNSON, Clem died Sep 17, 1887 aged 84y(16-1)
JOHNSON, Tiller born Mar 1814 died Mar 16, 1894(16-1)
KIER, Amanda J. born June 20, 1859 died May 6, 1876(6-5)
KINNEAR, H. Belle dau of J.A. & M.A. died May 13, 1873 aged 8y 11m26d(1-13)
KINNEAR, Keturah wife of Robert died Aug 19, 1875 aged 77y 10m 13d(1-12)
KINNEAR, Robert died June 27, 1877 aged 82y 4m 26d(1-12)
KINNEAR, Ruhamah dau. of R. & K. died Oct. 8, 1859 aged 18y 2m 24D(1-10)
KIRKPATRICK, John 1812-1899 (A1-24)
KIRKPATRICK, Mary Ann 1828-1911 (A1-24)
LAYTON, James P. Nov 26, 1832 May 25, 1903 (4-1)
LAYTON, Mary E (4-2)
LINDSEY, Hiram A. born Nov 21, 1853 died Mar 11, 1897 (2-12)
LINDSEY, Josie dau of H.A. & M.P. died Dec 18, 1887 aged 3y 7m 2d(A1-26)
LINDSEY, Laura, dau. of H.A. & M.P. 1881-1914 (2-13)
LINDSEY, Mettie Pitman wife of H.A.1856-1921 (2-15)
LOE, Icey May dau. of M. & E.D. died Aug 12, 1866 (6-4)
LOE, Madison hus of E.D. died July 29, 1874 aged ö(repair work coversage.W.P.A. "aged 40")(6-3)
LUNBECK, Charlotte wife of L.S. died Nov 11, 1869 aged 23y 4m 21d(5-6)
LUNBECK, L. S. born feb 14, 1841 died Aug 20, 1873 aged 32y 6m 6d(5-5)
MANNING, Arvila J. wife of J. died Oct 23, 1890 aged 39y 6d(5-13)
MANNING, Johnnie son of J. & A.J. Mar 11, 1890 Feb 15, 1903(5-12)
MILLER, Libbie, J. dau of S.A. & J. died Oct 12, 1869 aged 9m 12d(6-1)
MILLER, Samuel A. died May 28, 1889 aged 72y 11m 12d(6-2)
MILLS, Erma M. 1878-1879 (2-3)
MILLS, George W. 1833-1907 (2-4)
MILLS, Isabell M. 1850-1888 (2-4)
MILLS, John D. 1810-1877(8-13)
MILLS, Lenna M. 1873-1875 (2-2)
MILLS, Lillie M. 1870-1870 (2-3)
MILLS, Matilda his wife 1809-1892(8-13)
MILLS, Stella E. 1875-1877 (2-2)
MOORE, Wm. W. died Nov 1869 aged 72y(15-2)
Mother (B1-26)
O.E.S. Leon Chapter 352 1939 In Remembrance (stone sits diagonally)(8-8)
PENNIWELL, Barbara W. wife of J.F. Dec 25, 1840 Aug 10, 1910 (3-13)
PENNIWELL, Edward R son of S.C. & H.A. died Feb 8, 1876 aged 1y 7m 11d(B1-31)
PENNIWELL, Edward R. son of S.C. & H. 1874-1876 (B1-30)
PENNIWELL, Hila A. wife OF S.C. 1854-1918(B1-30)
PENNIWELL, J.F. July 27, 1835 Aug 20, 1914 (3-13)
PENNIWELL, John E. 1862-1940 (3-12)
PENNIWELL, S.C. 1847-1938 (B1-30)
PENNY, Jesse W. who departed this life Aug 14, 1874(7-2)
PICKERING, Abigail 1844-1936(11-3)
PICKERING, Allie son of J.M. & A. died Sep 20, 1870 aged 2y 5m 5d(11-2)
PICKERING, Clyde 1886-1952(11-1)
PICKERING, Jeremiah 1844-1924(11-3)
PITMAN, Edward Kinkaid Mar 15, 1835 Aug 25, 1902 (B1-29)
PITMAN, Louisa died Jan 31, 1874 aged 37y(B1-29)
PITMAN, William H. son of E.K. & L. died Sep 19, 1859 aged 1y 10m 16d(B1-28)
POTTS, Georgia Snyder 1886-1927(7-5)
POTTS, John Warder 1873-1948 Co. K 51 Reg. Ill. Inf. Vol.(7-3)
POTTS, Susannah wife of W.W. 1849-1931(7-4)
POTTS, Wm. Warder 1834-1912 Co. K 86 Reg. Ill. Inf. Vol.
PRIEST, Alexander son of W.H. & I. born Feb 6, 1862 died Feb 27, 1868(2-10)
PRIEST, Isabella born July 24, 1822 died Apr 29, 1905 (2-10)
PRIEST, Wm. H. born Aug 5, 1818 died Apr 10, 1896 (2-10)
RAIFF, Nancy A wife of Dr. B.F. died Feb 14, 1866 Aged 39y 6m 7d (2-1)
REEFY, Elizabeth "Sister' born Oct 14, 1836 died June 6, 1896(12-4)
SALES, Electa born in Rutland, VT Mar 31, 1794 died Mar 11, 1877 aged83y?m 11d(5-18)
SALES, Frank Knox born in Iowa City, Ia. Mar 20, 1853 died in St. Joseph, Mo.Dec 13, 1909 (FOOTSTONE Frank)(5-17)
SALES, L.H. Mar 28, 1819 Mar 9, 1887 (FOOTSTONE Father) (5-17)
SALES, Mary Ann born Muskingum, O. May 13, 1827 died in St. Joseph, Mo. Feb13, 1910 (FOOTSTONE SISTER?)(5-17)
SANFORD, H. Clay M.D. died Aug 17, 1875 aged 55y 3m 5d (broken) (1-2)
SHANK, Addie M. wife of B.M. died Mar 8, 1888 aged 27y 2m 2d (1-21)
SHARP, Bert son of J.L. & M.J. died Mar 20, 1875 aged 2m 12d(9-2)
SMITH,Catherine 1847-1909 (footstone)(4-14)
SMITH,Freddie 1876-1878 (footstone)(4-14)
SMITH, Richard 1851-1935 (footstone)(4-14)
SNYDER, Celeata day. Of J.A. & S.A. died July 20, 1867 aged 18y 4m 7d(3-1)
SOAPER, James A son of B.U. & L.H. died Sep 1, 1871 aged 7y 10m 13d(5-10)
SOAPER, Uriah B. husb. Of L.H. born Hyattstown, Md born Jan 18, 1834 died Dec 18, 1881(5-11)
STONE, Kittie dau. of W.P. & M. died Jan 31, 1878 aged 19y 6m 19d(1-9)
STONE, Mary H. dau. of W.P. & M. died Mar 20, 1866 aged 1y 3m 14d(1-9)
STOOKEY, Millard F. 1849-1934(1-8)
VON ENDE, Ferdinand Sep 18, 1843 died the 27 Aug 1876(13-1)
WADSWORTH, George W. 1845-1916 (footstone) (3-11)
WADSWORTH, John C. 1799-1871 (footstone)(3-11)
WADSWORTH, Margaret 1801-1889 (footstone)(3-11)
WADSWORTH, Margaret A. Lunbeck 1828-1917(footstone)(3-11)
WALLS, Elizabeth his wife 1854-19 (uncut)(13-2)
WALLS, J.J. 1850-1916(13-2)
WISE, Isa D. dau. of Wm. & K. died Aug 13, 1871 aged 15y 7m 28d (1-5)
WISE, Katharine wife of William died Jan 21, 1887 aged 64y 11m 21d(1-4)
WISE, Mary F. dau. of Wm. & K. died Jan5, 1884 aged 28y 4m 19d(1-4)
WISE, William died June 28, 1897 aged 75y 8m 24d(1-4)
WOOD, William A. died May 30, 1894 age 20y 7m 22d(6-7)
WOODBURY, Frankie D. son of G. & K.M. Apr 11, 1867 (2-11)
YOAST. Clarinda V. wife of J.W. Yoast died June 28, 1870 aged 35y 5m 28d(3-10)