"Independence Cemetery is located in Section 26 Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa. Many early cemeteries started as a "burying grounds" through necessity. The first graves in this area were in 1853. By 1859 the need for an established cemetery was realized by David Halliwell and his wife Catherine.
"The original transfer of property was on the 21st of January 1854 when David Halliwell bought 80 acres, for $113.00, from Miles White of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, book 25 page 71. The 9th of June 1859 David Halliwell deeded a portion of this for a cemetery to Independence Township. The warranty deed in book 40 page 245, corrected from the original on 29 October 1895 reads as follows: "Know all men by these presents: That David Halliwell and wife Catherine Jasper County, State of Iowa in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid, do hereby sell and convey unto the Trustees of Independence Township of Jasper County and State of Iowa the following described premises, to-wit:
" 'Commencing at a point which bears north 78' west of the SE corner of Section number 26 Township 81 Range 20 and 30 chains and 42 links distant where black oak tree 10" in diameter bears north 43' east 26 1/2 links, thence north 10 rods thence west 9 rods, thence south 10 rods, thence east 9 rods to the place of beginning and lying in the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section #26 in township and range aforesaid containing 90 rods.'
"The cemetery use was most active from 1860 through 1920. Since that time a minimal number of graves have been added. After the establishment of Restland Cemetery in Baxter in 1906 several graves were moved from Independence to Restland."
Source: Jasper County, Iowa Cemeteries: Independence Township, compiled by Jasper County Genealogical Society; published by the Iowa Genealogical Society. Copyright 1994. Used with their permission. To purchase a copy of this book, contact the Iowa Genealogical Society.
| Name | Birth | Death | Source |
| Cushatt, Aquilla | 25 Dec 1816 | 15 Apr 1889 | Mari Beth Brown |
| Cushatt, Osee (Logsdon) | 13 Jan 1816 | 03 Feb 1889 | Mari Beth Brown |
| Orr, Sarah (Swihart) | 3 Mar 1837 | 22 Feb 1922 | Morgan Funeral Home Book 3 |
| Trotter, Baby | 25 Dec 1915 | 25 Dec 1915 | Morgan Funeral Home Book 2 |
| Wyatt, Shelby | 12 May 1863 | 12 Jul 1912 | Morgan Funeral Home Book 1 |
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