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Van Buren Township Cemetery Transcriptions
Clary, Johnson, Pleasant Grove

More Van Buren Township Cemetery transcriptions will be added to this page as they become available.



Clary (Durland or Church of the Brethren) Cemetery

Click here to view or submit gravestone photographs to the Clary Cemetery section of the Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.


Location

The Clary (Durland) Cemetery is located on the Verne Sherwood Farm (1975), which is two miles north and about one-fourth mile east of Sigourney. To reach the Sherwood Farm take the North Main Street road out of Sigourney the two and one-fourth miles. To reach the cemetery, walk through the barn lot at the farm, then south through the pasture for about one-fourth mile. The burial ground is completely enclosed with a high woven wire fence. There are a few small trees growing on the plot. The size is about 30 by 30 feet.

Land Description, History, and Headstones

Without question the Clary (Durland) Cemetery was originally a family burial ground. Though time did not permit an exhaustive search of the county recorder's office records, no record was found of a deed for the cemetery plot. There was only one deed for the surrounding real estate which mentioned the cemetery. This deed information is set out here to indicate the cemetery's location.

A. F. Durland and wife, Rebecca Durland
Warranty Deed
Consideration: $1.00
Dated June 3, 1889
Recorded June 3, 1889
Deed Record 18, 455
to
Frederick Neumann

Description: The Northwest Quarter of Section 25, Township 76 North, Range 12 West of the 5th P.M., containing according to government survey 160 acres more or less, except one-half acre off the Northeast side of the Northeast quarter of the Northwest Quarter, also one-half acre of the Southwest Quarter known as grave yard near the Southwest corner of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Township 76 North, Range 12 West of the 5th P.M., containing 159 acres be the same more or less.

When the above real estate was sold by Frederick Neumann, no mention was made of a cemetery, nor was there any mention made of a cemetery in subsequent deeds.

At a time in the cemetery's history the burial area was not fenced, but was a part of pasture ground. At a later time the stones were taken up but shortly thereafter returned to the area. Those person who knew the cemetery in the early 1900's say there were six to eight stones in the cemetery. The only stones which were found by the lister in 1975 are given below:

Clarance, son of A. F. and C. R. Durland, d. Oct. 14, 1875; age 1 mo. 11 das.
(Stone with top portion broken off and not there); d. Nov. 15, 18__
(last portion of year not there); aged 72 yrs.

Transcribed by Diane Muir.



Johnson Cemetery

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Location

Johnson Cemetery may be reached from Sigourney by three routes. The route which provides the greatest amount of paved road driving, though slightly longer, will be given here. Take Highway 92 west out of Sigourney to the Junction of V45 (Keswick Road) at the west edge of Sigourney; turn north on this highway and drive about four miles, turn west onto gravel road driving about one and three-fourths miles, then south for one-half mile. There is a slight jog to the east on this south distance. The burial ground is on the east side of the road.

Physical Features

The cemetery is on a slightly rolling area and is fenced on all sides except the entrance portion. The access drive is up grade from the graveled highway. There are only a few trees on the burial grounds, which are cared for by township funds.

Land Description

On Nov. 12, 1867, Oliver Johnson and wife, Phebey Johnson, deeded to Sub-District No. 5 Van Buren Township, one acre of land out of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 16, Township 76 North, Range 12 West of the 5th P.M. This school property was just south of the Johnson Cemetery. This acre upon which the school stood was deeded to Earl D. Noller on April 1, 1954, after the school had been closed.

No deed was found of record from Oliver Johnson for the cemetery land, but mention is made of the cemetery in the following dead:

Oliver Johnson and wife, Mary Johnson
Warranty Deed
Dated Aug. 22, 1890
Recorded Aug. 22, 1890
Deed Record 19, page 279
to
S. Sherwood

Description: The South three-fourths of the West Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 16, Township 76  North, Range 12 West of the 5th P.M., subject however to whatever rights the public may have to use the cemetery thereon situated and subject to the rights of the school district to maintain their school thereon. (Other real estate was also included.)

On Nov. 28, 1932, there was filed and recorded in Plat Book 3, page 560, in the Recorder's Office of Keokuk County, a plat of Johnson Cemetery, showing an addition to the burial ground. The survey was made Oct. 22, 1932, by A. H. Brunt, Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, Iowa 409. The following notes appear on the plat of record:

"Notes: An addition to cemetery in S. 16, T. 76 N., R. 12 W. in Keokuk County, Iowa, consisting of 28 lots, numbered from 1 to 28, inclusive, with dimensions, shown in feet, as indicated hereon. Alleys are 4 ft. wide. Point "A" shown hereon is the South West corner of lot No. 22 and is situated 825 feet North and 55.5 feet East of the Quarter Section Corner between S. 16 and 21, T. 76 No., R. 12 W. 5th P.M. in Keokuk County and State of Iowa."

Below is a copy of the plat:

Johson Cemetery Plat
Click photo to enlarge

In deeds from S. Sherwood to James W. Junkins, and subsequent real estate transactions, the description of the adjacent real estate is given as the South 60 acres of the West Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 16, Township 76 North, Range 12 West of the 5th P.M., except school grounds and cemetery lots.

Earl D. Noller sold on contract March 20, 1958, to Cloyd Fisher, Jr., and Mabel Fisher, husband and wife, (Misc. Rec. 11, page 210), the South 60 acres of the West Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 16, Township 76 North, Range 12 West of the 5th P.M., except the cemetery lots. The school house and school house site were included in the contract purchase as Earl D. Noller became the owner of the school ground in 1954. (Other land not relevant here was included in the contract.)

In the Estate and Probate Records in the Clerk's Office, the land of which Earl D. Noller died seized is described, among other real estate, as "The South 60 acres of the West Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 16 and Cemetery Lot, 2 acres" all in Township 76 North, Range 12 West off the 5th P.M. This same descrip­tion was used in the Earl D. Noller Trust.

Though no deed directly to the Township Trustees had been given in the early history of the cemetery, the cemetery boundaries have been established by use and established fence lines which have been acquiesed in by adjoining owners and also evidenced by the plat heretofore set out. To clear the title to the cemetery real estate and correct the description error, a Quit Claim Deed is in the process of being executed by the Earl D. Noller Trust to the Van Buren Township Trustees and will soon be made of record.

History and Plat

There is no history available other than as revealed in the foregoing land descriptions. No plat of the cemetery was located other then the one recorded in the Recorder's Office and set out herein.

Headstones

Because no plat was available to follow, the headstones in Johnson Cemetery were read by rows from north to south, beginning at the east side. V in the margin before a name designates a veteran. M in the margin before a name designates that there is no stone, but a funeral home metal marker indicates a burial plot. No attempt was made to estimate the number of vacant spaces in the rows between the headstones read. Those spaces may represent unused burial plots or burials without headstones.

Row 1
Jonathan A. Eaton, d. Nov. 26, 1860; age 23 yrs. 10 mos. 29 das.
Hannah E., wife of I. Westerfield, d. Aug. 5, 1863; age 81 yrs. 8 mos. 27 das.
Mary M. Hollingsworth, d. Nov. 14, 1873; age 23 yrs. 5 mos. 21 das.
Samantha E., dau. of  W. L. and M. J. Clark, d. Oct. 4, 1865; age 4 yrs. 3 mos.
Rosa F., dau. of  W- L. and M. J. Clark, d. June 5, 1863; age 4 mos. 21 das.
V–George W., son of L. and E. Nelson, d. Oct. 27, 1862; age 22 yrs. 6 mos. 8 das.; Co. F. 8th Regt. Iowa Inf.
V–(G.A.R. Marker; no stone)
Marcus, son of (not readable); d. Oct. 19, 1868; age 22 yrs. 29 das. (stone broken at line of parents' names)

Row 2
Catharine M., wife of F. C. J. Cole, d. Feb. 28, 1871; age 42 yrs. 4 mos. 4 das.
Orris A., son of J. C. and M. E. Eaton, d. Nov. 3, 1875; age 5 yrs. 11 mos. 18 das.
(Small stone; no name or dates)
V–Edwin J. McAdams, d. Dec. 26, 1885; age 34 yrs. 5 mos. 16 das.

Row 3
Lucy, wife of Benjamin Eaton, d. Nov, 5, 1889: age 81 yrs. 6 mos. 28 das.
Benjamin Eaton, d. May 20, 1879; age 84 yrs. 27 das.
V–(G.A.R. Marker; small foot stone, but no headstone; no name or dates)
William D., son of W. end M. A. Heath, Oct. 26, 1876; age 84 yrs. 9 mos. 10 das. (Stone lying down)

Row 4
Elias Decker, 1817-1851
Arena Decker, 1828-1883
Eliza Decker, 1863-1881
Sarah Decker, 1853-1864
William L., son of L. and M. B. Eberhard, d. Apr. 27, 1857; age 4 mos. 17 das.
Fanny, wife of A. Bocton, d. July 27, 1865; age 68 yrs. 9 mos. 19 das. (stone lying down)
Children of N. and M. J. Cole:
Cornelia E., d. Feb. 29, 1880; age 6 yrs. 1 mo. 1 da.
Elva M., d. Feb. 27, 1880; age 3 yrs. 5 mos.

Row 5
Arthur Morrison, b. Aug. 30, 1880; d. Oct. 6, 1962
"Our Babe", d. Mar. 14, 1878
David Morrison, d. July 8, 1882; age 37 yrs.
Sarah E., wife of R. J. Coop, d. Oct. 10, 1874; age 24 yrs. 2 mos. 11 das. (stone lying down)

Row 6
(White stone, broken; only words readable are "died", "ago 31 yrs. 11 mos.3 das.")
"Little Flora", dau. of A. B. and F. B. Childs, d. Oct. 31, 1854; age 1 yr. 5 mos. 17 das.
Emanuel L., son of S. and E. Day, d. June 16, 1861; age 26 yrs. 7 mos.

Row 7
M. J. Shaw, d. July 31, 1916, ago 91 yrs. 9 mos. 5 das.
Emily M. Shaw, d. Mar. 21, 1908; age 60 yrs. S mos. 29 das.
Son of M. J. and E. M. Shaw, d. Dec. 1, 1876; age 2 yrs. 9 mos. 27 das.
Carrie C., dau. of M. J. and E. M. Shaw, d. May 23, 1867; age 6 yrs. 11 mos. 17 das. (stone lying down)
Isaac, husband of Rebecca Waltze, b. Sept. 5, 1815; d. Sept. 16, 1873; age 56 yrs. 11 das.

Row 8
Amanda Peck, b. Sept. 4, 1798; d. Jan. 10, 1887
V–Marion Alasco Peck, d. June 5, 1864; age 22 yrs. 5 mos. 21 das. Co. H 33 Reg. Iowa Inf.
Mary J. Horton, b. Aug. 25, 1832; d. Oct. 30, 1921
Harley Peck, b. Dec. 15, 1799; d. Jan. 10, 1865
Amanda Peck, b. Sept. 4, 1798; d. Jan. 10, 1887
Marion A. Peck, b. Jan. 14, 1842; d. June 5, 1864 (This is a duplicate stone. See the Marion Alasco Peck headstone listed above)
Melvin, son of  Z. C. and Melissa Smith, d. Feb. 21, 1892; age 22 yrs. 5 mos. 2 das.
Blanchie, dau. of  Z. C. and M. Smith, (death date not readable)
Malisa, dau. of  Z. C. and M. Smith, d. Dec. 27, 1872; age 27 yrs. 1 mo.
V–Ezekiel C. Smith (no dates) Co. 8 33 Reg. Iowa Inf.
Matthias Hatter, d. Aug. 26, 1854; age 60 yrs. 2 mos. 19 das.
Malinda, wife of Matthias Hatter, d. Sept. 31, 1862; age 54 yrs. 6 mos. 2 das.
Rachel, wife of J. Knox, b. 1787; d. Sept. 11, 1871

Row 9
Elizabeth Combos, b. Mar. 26, 1795; d. Oct. 15, 1869 (stone lying by tree)
Samuel H., son of W. and M. Combes, d. June 21, 1868; age 20 yrs. 1 mo. 3 das. (stone lying down)
Eva A., dau. of W. and N. Combes, d. Mar. 21, 1868; age 8 mos. 2 das.
Emma, dau. of W. end M. Combes, d. Aug. 23, 1868 (stone broken)
Wesley M., son of W. and M. Combes, d. Feb. 19, 1862; age 3 yrs. 1 mo. 23 das.
Margaret C., dau. of W. and M. Combes, d. Feb. 22, 1862; age 1 yr. S mos. 26 das.
Harriet, dau. of F. W. and M. Combes, d. Feb. 12, 1862, age 6 yrs. 8 mos. 29 das.
Alice A., dau. of W. and M. Combes, d. Feb. 2, 1862; age 21 das.
Thomas W., son of Ira and A. Hudson, d. Sept. 15, 1859; age 1 mo. 21 das.
(Stone top broken off; only age portion there: "78 yrs. 3 mos. 13 das.")
Jacob Legg, b. Jan. 13, 1821; d. Sept. 4, 1892
Nancy A. Legg, b. Oct. 12, 1837; d. Apr. 27, 1926
Mary A. Legg, b. Doc. 7, 1826; d. Apr. 16, 1855
Lodima Legg, b. Mar. 19, 1862; d. Jan. 12, 1864
Infant Legg (no dates)
Willie Legg, b. Feb. 28, 1869; d. Apr. 15, 1869
Eldora Legg, b. Get. 19, 1860; d. Apr. 27, 1863
Augustus, infant son of D. and C. King, d. Nov. 22, 1855

Row 10
Caroline, wife of R. T. (last name not readable); d. June 1, 1881; age 27 yrs. 8 mos. 2 das.
William, son of D. and P. A. Johnson, d. Mar. 27, 1868; age 9 yrs. 8 mos. 6 das.
Abner Johnson (no dates)
Yankee and Margaret Johnson (no dates)
William H., son of H. and M. J. Parke, d. Sept. 24, 1865; age 11 mos. 28 das.
Bertha, dau. of Harrison and Mary Parke, d. Jan. 27, 1873; age 6 yrs. 11 mos. 26 das.
Jessie, dau. of H. and M. Parke, d. Oct. 12, 1890; age 10 yrs. 2 mos. 15 das.
Thompson Parke, d. June 8, 1857; age 58 yrs.

Row 11
V–Aaron B. Smith, d. Jan. 26, 1864; age 19 yrs. 5 mos. 19 das. Co. H 33 Reg. Iowa Inf.
Lester Smith, d. Mar. 2, 1885; age 66 yrs. 2 mos. 8 das.
Mary Smith, wife of Lester Smith, d. Apr. 27, 1890; age 73 yrs. 2 mos. 3 das.
Elizabeth, wife. of J. C. Johnson, d. Apr. 28, 1868; age 57 yrs. 6 mos. 20 das.
Harry Bunnell (Small square marker; no dates)
V–Benjamin F. Waltz, d. Dec. 20, 1882; age 39 yrs. 1 mo. 14 das. (G.A.R. Marker)
Charley Waltz, d. Feb. 27, 1872; ago 2 yrs. 2 mos. 18 das.
Louis, son of A. and G. D. Clemons, d. July 19, 1879; age 2 yrs.
(Limestone head and foot stone; no name or dates)
J. Bringman, d. May 13, 1892; age 74 yrs. 4 mos. 24 das.
Mahala Bringman, d. Mar. 14, 1888; age 56 yrs. 3 mos. 16 das.
Infant,   born and died Oct. 10, 1860
Infant, born and died Oct. 19, 1863
Rosalee B. Waltz, d. June 9, 1868; age 23 yrs. 7 mos. 14 das.

Row 12
S. E. Conklin, d. Apr. 29, 1881; age 29 yrs. 3 mos. 15 das.
J. C. Conklin, d. May 4, 1880; age 84 yrs. 1 mo.
S., wife of J. C. Conklin, d. Feb. 15, 1871; age 59 yrs. 1 mo. 9 das.
W. W. Conklin, d. Aug. 4, 1875; age 22 yrs. 3 mos. 8 das. John E. Wright, 1854-1942
Elizabeth Wright, b. Nov. 25, 1844; d. Apr. 10, 1875; age 30 yrs. 1 mo. 15 das.
Samuel Wright, d. Apr. 1, 1888; age 71 yrs.
Lucy Wright, d. Aug. 29, 1902; age 52 yrs. 4 mos. 23 das.

Row 13
Catharine (remainder not readable)
Thomas Thompson (remainder of stone gone)
Cyrena Sutton, d. Nov. 21, 1867; age 11 yrs. 3 mos. 7 das.
Thomas. H. Thompson, d. Dec. 15, 1871; age 10 das.; son of T. J. and H. N. Thompson
Francis L. Thompson, dau. of  T. J. and H. N. Thompson, d. Mar. 1, 1863

Row 14
Emily (remainder of stone is gone)
Andrew E. Johnson, 1900-1945
Anna Meyer Johnson, b. Mar. 24, 1874; d. Dec. 12, 1940
Benjamin Johnson, Sr., b. Mar. 22, 1872; d. Jan. 17, 1947

Row 15
V–Benjamin Bunnell (no dates); Co. H 103 Ohio Inf.
Phoebe Bunnell (no dates)
Lieuvera C. Bunnell, 1853-1919
Margaret, wife of R. Pilkington, d. Mar. 1, 1867; age 33 yrs. 5 mos. 11 das.
Margaret P. Lane, b. Apr. 11, 1885; d. Sept. 17, 1965
Thomas C. Lane, b. Nov. 13, 1880; d. Jan. 12, 1965

Row 16
M.C. (remainder not readable)
Mollie, wife of Armstead Johnson, d. Nov. 21, 1899 age 60 yrs. 4 mos. 4 das.
Julia A., wife of J. W. Lightfoot, d. Oct. 5, 1867; age 33 yrs. 2 mos. 26 das.
V–(Civil War marker; no name)

Row 17
Mary, wife of I. W. Coghlan, d. Feb. 14, 1858; age 49 yrs. 11 mos. 3 das.
Hattie, dau. of L. U. and N. Hurt, d. Mar. 20, 1867; age 1 mo. 11 das.
James B., son of J.W. and J. A. Lightfoot, d. Oct. 30, 1865; age 1 yr. 3 mos.' 22 das. (stone lying down)
Children of M. C. and Rachel Clark:
      Orson, b. Aug. 2, 1874; d. July 22, 1876
      Jessy 8., b. Nov. 3, 1876; d. Aug. 12, 1878

Row 18
Willie, son of J. P. and C. H. Hedge, d. Oct. 26, 1876; age 2 mos. 15 das.
Phebe A. Johnson, b. May 2, 1839; d. June 27, 1919
Celia A. Johnson, b. Jan. 11, 1860; d. Jan. 27, 1879
Alfaretta, dau. of I and L. Coghlan, d. Sept. 12, 1879; age 1 yr. 7 mos. 14 das.
Minerva Jane, dau. of Isaac and Lucinda Coghlan, d. Dec. 22, 1888; age 1 yr. 9 mos. 4 das.
Isaac, husband of Lucinda Coghlan, b. Mar. 20, 1847; d. Apr. 11, 1894; age 60 yrs. 7 mos.20 das.
Lucinda, wife of Isaac Coghlan, b. Mar. 20, 1847; d. June 3, 1912; age 60 yrs. 7 mos. 20 das.

Row 19
Herman Hackert, 1900-1943
Olive Hackert,  1911- (no death date)
Joseph Hackert, b. June 13, 1893; d. Jan. 18,   1911
Martin  Hackert, b. Oct. 9, 1885; d. Dec. 14, 1885
August Hackert, b. Dec. 12, 1883; d. Sept. 3, 1895
John R. Hackert, b. Jan 21, 1849; d. Apr. 28, 1907
Pauline Hackert, b. Aug. 30, 1857; d. Nov. 26, 1927

Row 20
Lulu E. Waltz, b. Apr. 14, 1879; d. June 2, 1896
Mary A. Waltz, 1853-1916

Row 21
Jane, wife of Benjamin Junkins, d. June 4, 1891; age 72 yrs. 5 mos. 24 das.
John S. Junkins, d. July 28, 1900; age 48 yrs. 3 mos. 24 das.

Row 22
Children of J. W. and C. H. Junkins:
      Earl, d. Mar. 3, 1880; age 2 yrs. 10 mos. 14 das.
      Gertrude M., d. Mar. 11, 1880; age 4 mos. 15 das.
W. H. Decker, 1861-1891
Mary, wife of W. H. Decker, 1866-1914
Clarence Decker, son, 1890-1890
Louise A. Geno, d. May 29, 1904; age 60 yrs. 9 mos. 29 das.
William F. Geno, d. Sept. 12, 1912; age 76 yrs. 3 mos. 19 das.
V–(Civil War marker; no name or stone)
Frank, son of J. W. and M. J. Landers, d. May 30, 1885; age 19 yrs. 5 mos. 17 das.
Mary J., wife of J. W. Landers, d. May 1, 1881; age 38 yrs. 1 mo. 11 das.

Row 23
Homer 8. Bringman, d. Oct. 2, 1890; age 31 yrs. 7 mos. 13 das.
Lydia, wife of E. Clemons, b. July 11, 1837; d. Aug. 19, 1899
Children of J. L. and M. D. Armstrong:
Mable, b. June 22, 1883; d. July 15, 1884
Jesse, b. Jan. 9, 1882; d. July 20, 1882

Row 24
James B. Harvey, d. Aug. 22, 1893; age 83 yrs. 2 mos. 12 das.
Mary E.J. Harvey, d. Dec. 4, 1900; age 87 yrs. 1 mo. 11 das.
Jimmie Harvey, d. Aug. 16, 1895; age 7 yrs. 10 mos. 14 das.
Augusta L., father of Mary and Elsie Harvey, d. Aug. 18, 1910; age 57 yrs. 4 mos. 16 das.
Ruth, wife of Geo. Bunnell, b. June 16, 1896; d. June 20, 1915
Harry A., son of J. C. and A. Bunnell, b. Oct. 3, 1900; d, Jar. 29, 1903
John Bunnoll (Father), 1874-1938
Hester, wife of W. A. Cornwell, d. Oct. 14, 1881; age 30 yrs.
Clary, dau. of W. A. and H. J. Cornwell, 5. Aug. 11, 1881; age 1 yr.

Row 25
Samuel G., son of Gottleb and Caroline Schlaser, b. Dec. 29, 1873; d. Nov. 30, 1895
Gottlieb Schlaser, b. Apr. 30, 1840; d. Nov. 19, 1927
Caroline Schlaser, b. Sept. 24, 1844; d. Nov. 10, 1915
John G. Schlaser, b. Jan. 22, 1883; d. May 7, 1943
Roy O., son of F. H. and S. J. Schlaser, d. June 10, 1897; age 13 das.
Henry, son of J. W. and L. E. Martin, d. Jan. 19, 1899; age 2 yrs. 3 das.
Wm. Albert McCartney, b. Sept. 13, 1869; d. Mar. 17, 1920
Daughter of B. and S. L. Morgan, d. June 27, 1881; age 11 das.

Transcribed by Barbara Rogge.



Pleasant Grove Cemetery

Click here to view or submit gravestone photographs to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery section of the Iowa Gravestone Photo Project.


Location
Pleasant Grove Cemetery is located at the northwest edge of Sigourney. It may be reached by going west on Highway 92, turning north one-fourth mile west of the V-45 turn off. It is the first turn to the north after crossing the old railroad overpass.

Physical Features
Pleasant Grove is the largest cemetery in Keokuk County. The main slope is toward the south which provides an excellent view of the greater portion of the cemetery from Highway 92 and from the cemetery entrance drive. There are numerous trees and evergreens in the older portions of the burial grounds. It is fenced on all sides except at the entrance area. It is well cared for by a supervisor and assistants employed during the growing season.

There is one main road entering the cemetery from the south and paved drives branch from it to west and east making all parts of the cemetery easily accessible. There are restroom facilities and maintenance building on the grounds.

Transactions
Alexander P. Moody, a former resident of Sigourney, Iowa, died testate. July 29, 1935. In his will recorded in Will Record 8, page 55, is the following section pertaining to Pleasant Grove Cemetery:

"I hereby give and bequeath the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) unto the Judge of the County Court of Keokuk County, Iowa, to be used by the said Trustees for the purpose of erecting a public restroom and comfort station in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, at Sigourney, Iowa, which said fund if not sufficient for such purpose may be used as a part of a general fund to be raised for the erection of the said restroom and comfort station in the said cemetery, and the Trustees are authorized to purchase from the owners of the said cemetery, if they shall refuse to donate the came, a sufficient lot for the erection of this building in said cemetery, and they may do any and all other things necessary in their discretion in executing this provision of my last will and testament."

On December 7, 1936, C. E. Baylor and R. C. Yoder were appointed by the Judge of the District Court of Keokuk County as trustees in the trusteeship of certain funds provided for by Sections 2, 3, and 8 of the last will and testament of Alexander P. Moody, deceased. The trusteeship of Section 3, dealing with the erection of the restroom and comfort station in Pleasant Grove Cemetery was termina­ted after the completion of the restroom and comfort station and the trustees were discharged by order of the judge on August 30, 1938.

Geo. B. Baker and Elle Baker, husband and wife, and Nannie T. Stockman, widow.
Cemetery Deed
Consideration $1.00 and other valuable consideration
Dated July 12, 1937,Recorded Aug. 23, 1937
to
Cem. Deed Record 1, page 374
C. E. Baylor and R. C. Yoder, Trustees under Section 3 of the Last Will and Testament of Alexander P. Moody, deceased, and their successor or successors in office

Description: Beginning at the Northeast corner of Lot 1, Block 59, in West Pleasant Grove Cemetery also known at West Cemetery and as Pleasant Grove Cemetery, thence East 18 feet, thence South 78 feet, thence West 18 feet, thence North 78 feet to place of beginning.

Wallace Iosbaker and wife Alice Iosbaker
Dated Aug. 21, 1937
Recorded Aug. 23, 1937
Easement
Consideration $1.00
to
Deed Record 65, page 204
C. E. Baylor and R. C. Yoder,
Trustees under Section 3 of the
last will and testament of Alexander
P. Moody, deceased, and to
The public generally

Description:
An easement over and across the following described real estate in - Keokuk County, Iowa, beginning at the Northeast corner of Lot 1, Block 77, in West Pleasant Grove Cemetery, also known as West Cemetery and as Pleasant Grove Cemetery, thence East 26 feet, thence South 24 feet, thence West 26 feet, thence North 24 feet to place of beginning the use of said grantees and the public generally in the erection, enjoyment, beautification, and maintenance of a public restroom and comfort station to be constructed by C. E. Baylor and R. C. Yoder, trustees as aforesaid, on the land adjoining that hereinbefore described, said easement to be in force and effect so long as said comfort station is in existence.

History
The first lot in Pleasant Grove Cemetery was sold to Jennie Shufflebarger for $5.00 in June, 1858. This was Lot 5 in Block 14 in the Lander Addition as shown on the original plat.b

Much of the history of Pleasant Grove Cemetery may be gleaned from the information on preceding pages showing the succession of additions to the cemetery ground. The bequest of Alexander P. Moody provided for the construction of restroom facilities. The building which was erected was well planned and designed.

An article appearing in the Sigourney newspaper May 29, 1952 is quoted here as it gives interesting history of the honoring of Union Veterans. "For the first time in more than 20 years, Lew Pennell is unable to continue his self-assumed duty of placing small American flags on the graves of all the Union veterans of the Civil War in the two Sigourney and eight outlying cemeteries at Memorial Day time.

This custom was started many years ago by his father, the late J. S. Pennell, a Veteran of the Civil War, in honor of his comrades, of whom he compiled a complete list. His sons, Lew and Harvey, assisted him. As the number of required flags were increased, local patriotic organizations paid for them and as many as 19 dozen flags have been placed in a single year. Lew continued the work after the death of his father 18 years ago. For the past several years, Sherman Brown, also a son of a Civil War veteran, Rezin Brown, assisted, furnishing the transportation.

"This year it was impossible for them to perform this service. The American Legion has taken over the duty of placing the flags on the graves of Union veterans in West and East cemeteries in Sigourney, only."

Cemetery plats have been set out in the "Land Description" section hereof; however, a sketch of the cemetery layout appears on the following page, showing the relationship of the various cemetery additions to each other in the total layout.
Layout
Pleasant Grove Cemetery Layout
Click image to enlarge.


Additional Information

Pearl Voltmer Barron gives the following additional information.

Block 8, Lander's Addition:
Birth date for Matilda Strohman Blaise, Jan. 14, 1876; death date, Aug. 25, 1965.
Birth date for Albert Blaise Jan. 27, 1867; death date, Dec. (?) 1928. (There are stones for these two persons on their lot.)

Buried without stones on the family lot in Block B are the following:
Catharine Diesbo Blaise, d. Jan, 1869
Frank Blaise, 1865-1872
Zeno Blaise, b. May 16, 1859; d. 1912 (?)
Charles Blaise, b. Oct. 10, 1853; d. Nov. 25, 1939
Glenn, son of Peter Blaise, died in early 1900's
Fixmer child, brother of Felix Fixmer, dates not known

Per Pearl Voltmer Barron, buried in Block 69, Oelmeyer's Addition with no stones are:

Baby son of Agnes Reck and Charles Voltmer, grandson of David and Christena Voltmer, d. 1902 (?)
Anna Sophia Katherina Voltmer, dau. of David and Christena Voltmer, b. Dec. 17, 1873; d. Aug. 18, 1912
Lawrence Standfield, son of Lucy and John Standfield, date of death not known.
Ed Strohman, son of Frederick and Christena Strohman, death in early 1900's, exact date not known
Frederick Strohman, death date not known
Christena Voltmer Strohman, wife of Frederick, b. Aug. 13, 1851; d. Dec, (?), 1928

Grace Iosbaker Sanderson reports that Fred Iosbaker is buried in Block 7 or 8 of the Peter Iosbaker group of lots, near the east cemetery fence, but with no stone. Date of death is not known.

Kathy Grant reports that Georgia Isminger Nicola, the wife of her uncle, Clarence Nicola, born May 7, 1918; died Dec. 19, 1937, is buried in Lot 95, Iosbaker's Second Addition, just south of Lottie Nicole's grave.


Land Descriptions and Headstone Information

V in the margin before a name designates a veteran.
M in the margin before a name designates that there is no stone at the grave,
but a funeral home metal marker marks the grave site.

Iosbaker's First Addition
Iosbaker's Second Addition
Iosbaker's Third Addition
Lander's Addition
Oelmeyer Addition
Peter Iosbaker Lots
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Addition

Silverwood First Addition
Silverwood Second Addition Silverwood Third Addition

Transcribed by Ralph Leonard



Contributed

Name
Birth Date or Year
Death Date
Inscription
Submitter Info
Mullinix, David
October 28, 1829 November 29, 1909
Debbie Schmidt
Mullinix, Sarah August 11, 1831 February 13, 1873 wife of David Mullinix "
Healy, Daniel
1843
September 7, 1901
Yolanda/Ken McDonald


Cemetery stones transcribed from iowagravestones.org, familysearch.org, 1975 Cemetery Book, What Cheer - 125 Years - 1865-1990, and findagrave.com.