Iowa County Cemetery Stones and History 1844-1975 (manuscript) by Pauline Lillie

                    MARENGO  DEPOT  CEMETERY                          p. 1
                      History by Pauline Lillie     (MARENGO TWP)




Location
Section 36, Marengo 81 township, Range 11 just south east of the 
railroad depot in town of Marengo.


History
Page 503 Iowa County History 1881 -- "The first graves in this 
vicinity were made just south east of the railroad depot, but there 
were not over half dozen graves." -- 


No one has ever said who they were, or where they were moved, or when; 
Those graves must have been people buried there before 1850 otherwise
would have been placed at either the old Marengo, or Titler Cemetery.

The Railroad did not come into Marengo until 1860 (Iowa City 1850s) 
Crenshaw owned the land, some of which he gave the Railroad for a Depot 
with the right of way, for enterances to all streets.

                       Only a possibility

It is my opinion that the depot graves were those of Crenshaws, and 
moved to Koszta cemetery about 6 miles west of town. I have tried 
to find out, or figure why -- for they are out of contex with the early 
farmers who were buried there at that point of time.

There is Crenshaws addition to town of Marengo, which comes form this 
general area; With land purchased from them: Crenshaw families were 
part of the overflow which came up from early Iowa City. They were 
men of influence, education and business ability; In real-estate, as 
merchants, postmasters, and operated a newspaper (Marengo Republican). 
They do not appear in the 1850 Census of Iowa County, and probably were 
back and forth from Iowa City.

There was no town of Marengo in 1844, only a few settlers, one best
known was McKee who came from Iowa City (His son was born here in 1843) 
Does not seem logical that any one would come off the beaten path, and 
bury some one unless they intended to live in the vicinity . And since 
it is reported bodies were removed, only some one who cared would bother, 
and if they cared that much would errect stones. There is no stone for 
B.F.Crenshaw up there. Benjamin F. is a common family name for each 
generation. (not the Ben. F. listed in the Ia. Co. History.)

Stones at Koszta - are in good condition, and the township trustees 
last year put them on a new bases.

Crenshaw      Rebecca A. dau of B.F. & S    d. Oct, 11, 1844  ae 1 yr
              Sarah dau of B.F. & S.        b. Mar. 14, 1851  d. May 25, 1852
              Orpha dau of B.F. & S         d. Feb. 22, 1856  ae 9mo. 27da
              Orrabella dau of B.F. & S.    b. Sept. 29, 1847 d. July 25, 1850
              Sarah wife of B.F.            b. May 12, 1823   d. Feb. 27, 1858

Remarks: I simply cant see the depot burials as transients. 

Researched by Pauline Lillie -



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