THE DeKALB COUNTY, INDIANA GENWEB PROJECT
ALTON CEMETERY
AN UPDATED HISTORY & SURVEY - SUMMER / FALL 2002
Alton Cemetery
Alton Cemetery is located in Concord Township, DeKalb County, State of Indiana. It is located on State Road 101, 1/3 mile north of the Spencer Township line and CSX railroad. The following is an attempt to combine the history and background of the cemetery with a complete survey of the burial sites.
A new survey of the plots and tombstones in the Alton Cemetery was undertaken in the summer and fall of 2002. The last survey of just the tombstones was taken by Fayne E. Harter on August 21, 1971. This survey is located on the internet list of cemeteries. Since that time, 31 years have passed and it was noted that there were more interments as well as some known discrepancies in the listing. Thus a new survey was undertaken by Lavon Hart in cooperation with the present caretaker, Harold Curie. They also checked the memories of the older members of the church, as well as documentation that was available. This account is published for those that are interested in the historic significance of the Alton Cemetery, located in Concord township on State Road 101.
The real beginnings are established in the founding history of the Coburn Corners Church of Christ. Therefore as the church developed, so did the cemetery history.
The earliest record of the church at Coburn Corners is found in a leather bound, plain ruled note book with a leather slide fastener. On the outside is lettered the words "Church Record Book". The earliest writing is in ink now faded brown but still legible. In later entries the ink is still black and easy to read. The last entry is in pencil. The date of the first entry is not known. The oldest date must have been after March 5, 1838 for it was written after the changing of the name of the township from DeKalb to Concord. This occurred on the date given above. It was probably written before July 1, 1846, for a revision is made of the roll at that date. The last entry was made in 1890.
We quote the first entry as follows:
"A record of the origin and proceedings of the Church of the Deciples (writer's spelling) in Concord Township formerly called DeKalb. (Ed. note: This township is now divided. The Alton home was in what is now Concord. The "corners" are in Spencer.)"
"In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, a few deciples having moved into the township from Trumbull Co., Ohio, facing (or possibly 'feeling') their obligation to God to keep his institutions and commandments and to exhibit Christianity as far as was in their power, met accordingly at the house of Benj. Alton and formed into that order which we believed the scriptures require in the month of February 1836".
... "It was organized in the house of Brother Alton, a little log cabin, about 16 x 20, one and one half miles north of the corners on the bank of the St. Joe River".
ALTON CEMETERY ESTABLISHED
Part of the land obtained by Benjamin Alton was decided to be used for a "real" church building and as a final resting place for the members. Therefore Benjamin Alton sold to the members an acre and a half for those purposes.
The following handwritten deed conveyed the property identified as the original Alton Cemetery.
Deed to Alton Cemetery - 1839
This Indenture, made this Thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine. Benjamin Alton and Fanny Alton, his wife of the County of DeKalb and State of Indiana of the first part and the Trustees of the first Church of Disciples in Concord Township, DeKalb County and State of Indiana of the second part. Witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of twenty-five dollars to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part of receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by the said party of the first part hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell unto the said party of the second part and to their successors in office forever for the us of burying ground and a meeting house for said Society or Church. All the part or parcel of land known and described as follows:
To Wit: Situated on Section Thirteen Township DeKalb county number Thirty-three north of Range Fourteen East commencing on the west line of said section a little north of the center between the section corner and the quarter section stake at a stone in middle of the highway running south. From thence east to a stake and stone twelve rods. From thence South Twenty rods. From thence West Twelve rods from thence North on the said section line. Twenty rods to plan of beginning containing one acre and half. To have and to hold the above described premises hereby sold and conveyed unto the said Trustees and their successors forever for the sole use and purposes above expressed and the said Benjamin Alton and Fanny Alton and their heirs, executors and administrators. The above said lot or part of land and appurtenances to the said Trustees of said Church and their successors against all claims or claims of all and every persons will warrant and forever defend.
In testimony whereof the said Benjamin and Fanny Alton have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Benjamin Alton (seal)
Fanny Alton (seal
Written, signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
John Blair
Lavell Flint
Personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Peace of said County, Benjamin Alton and acknowledges the Deed of Conveyance to which this is announce to be his voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein named. And also the wife Fanny Alton of the said Benj. Alton who bring separately examined apart from her said husband and the full contents and purpose of the above Deed being made known to him she declares that she does voluntarily and of her own free will and (?) and as her act and deed, seal and deliver the said Deed of Conveyance without any coercion or compulsion from her said husband.
Even though the Altons had deeded this property for a burial ground, neither one of them were interred in it. It seems that the "exhaustive toil, and the malaria of the rich opening soil, undermined his naturally hardy constitution. He sank gradually to a feeble state from which he could not rally. His wife, Fanny (Hoyt) Alton, the faithful sharer of his life and fortunes, sank with him and before him." 1 She died March 24, 1847, and is buried in Wabash. Benjamin died April 7, 1847 and is interred in Wabash, Wabash Co. There is no real explanation why the two of them died within two weeks of each other.
It should be noted that "during the month of October, 1906, Benjamin Altons youngest son Cyrus went to visit the burial place of his parents near Wabash, Indiana with the intention of having their remains returned to DeKalb County for re-interment in the cemetery; of the Coburntown Church of Christ, the site having been deeded long before by Benjamin Alton to the church. At that moment in 1906, the church trustees were planning to incorporate the grounds, naming it the Alton Cemetery. After Cyrus Altons visit to Wabash, he reported his parents graves in such a beautiful cemetery that he decided to leave them at that place and accordingly ordered a monument to mark their resting place there." 1
1 Some Pioneer Settlers of Coburntown, compiled by Charles E. Benjamin, 1985, p.p. 309, 310
OLDEST BURIAL DATE IN CEMETERY
The oldest readable burial tombstone is that of Minerva Coburn, dated October 8, 1840. This was soon after the land was set aside for a cemetery in 1839. There are missing tombstones and so this is the only source found.
FIRST CEMETERY ADDITION
In 1907, it was determined that the cemetery should expand to the east. It is unknown why the width of one rod of land was added, but it may possibly have been for a driveway behind the old part of the cemetery. The following Real Estate transfer took place.
This Indenture Witnesseth, The Wm. Howard Northrop and Mintie G. Northrop, his wife, of DeKalb county, in the State of Indiana Convey and Warrant to The Trustees of the First Church of Diciples (sic) of Concord Township of DeKalb county, in the State of Indiana for the sum of One ($1.00) the following Real Estate, situated in DeKalb county, and State of Indiana and described as follows, to-wit:
Commencing at the North East corner of the Old Plot of Cemetery, situated in Section Thirteen (13) Township Thirty-three (33) north of Range fourteen (14) East thence South Seventeen (17) rods and thirteen and one half (13½) feet, thence East one (1) Rod thence North Seventeen (17) ) rods and thirteen and one half (13½) feet, thence West one (1) rod to place of beginning the fractional part of one acre.
In Witness Whereof, The said Wm. Howard Northrop and Mintie G. Northrop, his five have hereunto set their hands and seals, this 11th day of May, 1907.
Wm Howard Northrop
Mintie Northrop
Change of Plans for Cemetery
The small congregation was growing and had started to meet in an old school house. Whether this was the Cheesetown or Coburntown school is uncertain. The center of the community was soon seen to be nearer the corner that became to be known as Coburns Corners. This modified the original plans to have a church and cemetery on the same plot. In 1860 the need of a separate place of worship was necessary. A small frame building was erected on the corner of what is now State Road 101 and County Road 64. In 1903, the need for a larger and remodeled building was determined so a plot of land was sold to the Church of Christ at Coburn's Corners for the building. The old building was turned 90 degrees and the new one built around it. More information is available in the "History of Coburn Corners Church of Christ".
The deed for the church property stated:
This Indenture Witnesseth, That Wilmot P. Coburn and Sarah L. Coburn, his wife,... give quit claim to the Church of Christ at Coburn's Corners ... for the sum of ($35) thirty-five dollars the following Real Estate, ...and described as follows, to-wit:
Starting at the southwest corner of section (24) twenty-four, township 33 (thirty-three), range (14) fourteen and running north ten (10) rods; thence east sixteen (16) rods, thence south ten (10) rods, and thence west sixteen (16) rods, to place of beginning, said land comprising one acre.
In Witness Whereof, the said Wilmot P. Coburn and Sarah L. Coburn, his wife, have hereunto set their hands and seals , this 17th day of June, 1903.
Wilmot P. Coburn
Sarah L. Coburn
Plotting the Cemetery Property
The original part of the existing cemetery was plotted in some manner, no longer available. The rest of the area was plotted into groups of 5 burial spaces. This was done on June 21, 1904 by Frank Scholes, surveyor.
The old map was lost and never returned. Since the cemetery needed to be renumbered to correctly identify the actual location of the plots, Karl Hart drew up a new map, on Feb. 6, 1960. The lots were renumbered with another row along the south end being added. This replaced a previous driveway along that end. Those lots were only 4 burial spaces wide.
On the plans, the oldest area was designated as the "OLD SECTION". Since it is not consistent with the rest of the cemetery plot plan, a grid plan sections off the area and the tombstones were arbitrarily place within a designated grid space. (See cemetery plot plans)
Another Cemetery Enlargement
In 1975, since the majority of the lots in the cemetery were sold, and land north of the original cemetery boundaries was available, an additional 1.23 acres was added and plotted. The land was donated by Ruth and Willard Maxwell and was designated as the Maxwell addition.. (See plot maps for survey map)
LAND SURVEY - DESCRIPTION OF REAL ESTATE - Maxwell Addition
The undersigned Land Surveyor, registered as provided by Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, hereby certifies that he has made a re-survey of the real estate depicted and described below. Measurements were made in feet and decimals and the corners were perpetuated as shown, in conformity with the plat and deed record thereof in the office of the Recorder of Allen County, IN. No encroachment existed, except as noted. The description of the real estate is as follows, to wit:
Part of the Southwest quarter, Section 13, Township 33 North, Range 14 East, DeKalb County, Indiana; more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Southwest corner of the Southwest quarter, Section 13, Township 233 North, Range 14 East, DeKalb county, Indiana; thence North 01 degrees 11 minutes West (assumed) along the West line of said Southwest quarter said line also being the centerline of State Road #101 a distance of 1553.58 feet to the point of beginning said point being the Northwest corner of Alton Cemetery; thence continuing North 01 degrees 11 minutes West along said West line a distance of 214.50 feet; thence South 01 degrees 11 minutes East a distance of 249.65 feet to the Northeast corner of Alton Cemetery; thence South 88 degrees 38 minutes West along the North line of said cemetery a distance of 2l4.5 feet to the point of beginning containing 1.23 acres of land more or less and subject to right-of-way over the Westerly 40 feet thereof for State Road #101 and all other easements of record.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto place my hand and Keith E. Smith
seal this 20th day of January, 1975 Turnbell-Green and Assoc., Inc.
In the survey, it is to be noted that a county drain, (known as the R. & H. Bearss #433) (underground) goes through the property, at an angle. In order to be able to use the property, a variance from the County was needed in order to proceed. (see attachment for language used in variance). The variance was granted and the development of that area proceeded.
On October 15, 1981, the newly acquired parcel of land was surveyed for burial plots to be identified. The "numbering" of the lots were changed to an alphabetical prefix for the different north and south rows. (For example: M1, M2, N1, N2, etc.) (see plot maps attachment)
Activities at the Cemetery
Prior to each Memorial Day, flags are placed on the graves of those having served in the armed forces of the United States. A service is also planned and executed. The present person designated to put the flags in place is Robert Wilder. (A listing of the veterans interred in the cemetery is attached)
in addition . . .
At some point in time, the church purchased the Cheesetown Schoolhouse, located directly west of the cemetery. The Trustees of the church were now mandated to be the principal legal agents for the three properties. In an old ledger book, the meetings of the trustees relative to the Alton cemetery are recorded. They met a few times in the year to go over the books and approve expenses. The first entry in this book is dated May 19, 1933.
On May 19, 1933 the Trustees of the church and cemetery met at the community house for the purpose of revising the cemetery records. The Trustees who met for this purpose were Abner Trostel, Fred Hart and Claude Laub. Clyde Hart as helper in this work.
The aforementioned community house was the old Cheesetown Schoolhouse. It had been designated as a building that various groups could rent or use for reunions, weddings, meetings, etc. It seems that it was referred to as Alton Park. The money obtained was also used to help maintain the cemetery.
Sept. 6, 1933
The church Board met at the Community house for the purpose of electing a supt. of the Alton cemetery. A motion was made and seconded by Clyde Hart that Fred Hart be elected Supt. Motion carried. It was decided by the Board that Supt. should hire labor by the day when needs.
Bill of Abner Trostel previous caretaker presented and accepted by board. Amt. $29.45 + $3.00 for last mowing. Total $32.45
It is noted at several places in this record book, that money was loaned to members of the church at an interest rate that would also help the fund to grow.
Additional general information:
January 18, 1935
...A discussion of bond of $300 for treas. followed. Motion made and seconded that the price of all lots sold hereafter must include endowment fund of $25. Motion carried.
Motion to sell unoccupied fractions of lots not paid for. Motion carried.
Motion ... to set aside lots no. 114-115 at N. E,. corner of cemetery for potter's field...
The change of the Potter's Field area to the present site was recorded on March 1942.
...A motion to change lots for poor from N. E. part of cemetery to S. E. corner, was made. . .
In looking through the older records, it seems that in order to buy a lot, a $25 endowment fee was needed. Since the times were "hard", each lot owner was required to pay at least $1.00 per year to add to the required endowment until that sum was reached. Each lot was also assessed $1.00 per year for upkeep (mowing and weeding) The reader also must remember that the mowing was done by using the old push reel type of mower. Any clipping of weeds was usually done using a pair of "sheep shears". It should be remembered that the caretaker had to keep accurate records of payments on each lot. This required quite a bit of work for him. The caretaker was paid as secretary and he was also the one that cut the grass.
The collection of yearly fees became difficult due to people passing away and the moving of those that were indebted to pay. As wages also increased it became necessary to assess a fee for each lot that would help in its maintenance. The interest from the wise investment of the endowment funds was also used for the upkeep as needed. The money coming in from the rental of the Alton Park was also used for upkeep. The old schoolhouse always seemed to require repair and upkeep. At first anyone using the building would donate money into a gift box located in the building. As the requests for use increased, a fee for use was instituted. The fee would help pay for repairs, mowing and cleaning.
In 1961 an offer was made to purchase the old Cheesetown school house. Since the building required much repair and the front door was so close to State Road 101 causing fear for the youngsters that attended functions there, the offer was accepted. The sale price was $1426.94. At the January 1, 1962 board meeting, the following motion was made about the sale funds.
Motion was made and passed that money from the sale of the school house be put in the cemetery fund with interest to be used to keep up same. (money was not put in as an endowment.).
Chester Davis, chairman
Harold Goldsmith, Sec.
In 1952 the church board changed the price per lot to be $50 for the lot and $50 to the endowment fund for a total of $100 per lot.
In 1977 the lot prices were again changed. The new price was $150 ($75 for lot and $75 for endowment) for a lot of two in the new part and the remaining 4 or 5 plots in the other part.
In 2003 the change in pricing was $150 for each grave space ($75 per space and $75 for endowment) which means a standard lot of two would cost $300. (note: each space is 4 x 12. A standard lot of two is 8 x 12)
SEXTONS / CARETAKERS
The earliest record of the cemetery caretakers is in a ledger book of sold plots with the name of A. W. Trostel listed as taking charge of the cemetery on August 9th, 1932. He relieved Ella Wilmot.
The known sextons or caretakers of the cemetery are:
Abner Trostel
Fred Hart - Appointed on Sept. 6, 1933. (served 22 years)
In 1955, the trustees began rotating the responsibility among themselves.
1955 - 56 Harold Kagey
1957 Harold Curie
1958 Harold Goldsmith
1959 Merwin Place
This became very difficult for the funeral homes to know who to call in case of a burial. Thus the Trustees decided to appoint one person to oversee the cemetery funds and caretaking needs.
1960 Harold Curie
2002 Survey
In 2002 a survey of each lot was taken and the lot number and names and dates of burials was recorded for future reference. They are a part of this report as prepared by Lavon Hart and Harold Curie. Some of the names were only initials. Whenever possible, full names were added to make the name more recognizable in case of a genealogical research was instituted. The Coburn and Alton names as well as a few others were found in a privately published book "Some Pioneer Settlers of Coburntown" as compiled by Charles E. Benjamin in 1985.
ALTON PARK CEMETERY
Rules and Regulations
1. All graves shall be opened, closed, leveled, sodded and cared for by or under the direction of the sexton. All work, repairs, erection of buildings, monuments, bases and base extensions shall be under his supervision.
2. No lot lines shall be defined by any fence, hedge, plants, shrubs, stones or curbing of any kind, and no seats, benches, or trellis will be allowed on any lot.
3. No monument, mausoleum or other building shall be over 42 inches high unless approval is given by the Alton Park Trustees. Foundations for monuments shall extend 3 feet below the surface of the ground and be finished level with the ground and shall be 6 inches wider than the monument on all sides.
4. Shrubbery, flowers, plants or trees shall not be planted on any grave or lot. A common area shall be provided for planting by Alton Park Cemetery as per the master landscape plan.
5. Urns and containers will be permitted in line with the monuments on bases built for them. Base extensions shall be at least 12 inches long or to the lot line. Cut flowers will be permitted at any time in containers which stand alone in line with monuments.
6. Permanent sprays, toys, cases, boxes, globes, shells, jugs, buckets, wire baskets tripods or metal hooks shall not be place on lots or graves except on special occasions, such as Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day and Christmas. The above restrictions are waived for a period of 10 days before and 10 days after these occasions. After this period of time any vase or decoration may be removed by the Sexton. Memorial Day flags shall be placed prior to Memorial Day and remain until July 4.
7. All decorations must be removed before March 1 or they will be removed by the Sexton.
8. All lots are sold under perpetual care. Perpetual care includes cutting of grass at reasonable intervals, filling of sunken graves and such other work as may be necessary to keep lots in good and neat condition.
9. The Clerk Treasurer of Alton Park Cemetery is authorized to execute Deeds of Conveyance to purchasers of lots upon receipt of the price thereof, securing the grounds to them and their families and heirs for a burial place forever, subject to such rules and regulations as are now in force, or may be hereafter adopted for the government of the cemetery.
- Alton Park Trustees will take reasonable precaution to protect the property of lot and grave owners, but it disclaims liability for loss or damage beyond reasonable control, such as thieves, vandals, rioters and all acts of God, such as wind, tornado, hail, frost, etc., whether damage is direct or indirect.
Veterans Buried at Alton Cemetery
War
Rank
Name
Branch of Service
notes
War of 1812
Major
Daniel
Abel
Ohio Militia
CPL
Ebenezer
Coburn
New York Militia
Civil War
PVT.
Henry
J.
Abel
Co. F, 44th Ind. Infantry Reg.
PVT.
David
Andress
Co. F, 44th Ind. Infantry Reg.
Q.M.SC
Jacob
Osborn
Coburn
Co. I, 6th Michigan Cavalry
died POW, Belle Isle Prison, Richmond, Va.
PVT.
Wm. Henry
Harrison
Milliman
Co. F, 44th Ind.. Infantry Reg.
PVT.
John
Bryant
Milliman
co. G. 53rd Ind. Infantry Reg.
CPL
James
Mortimer
Milliman
Co. F, 44th Ind.. Infantry Reg.
PVT.
Warren
H.
Milliman
Co. F, 44th Ind.. Infantry Reg.
PVT.
Curtis
Perry
Co. G, 14th Ohio Infantry Reg.
CPL
George
W.
TrosteI
Co. F. 48th Ohio Vol. Inf. Reg.
Spanish-American War
PVT.
Arthur
Woodcox
Co. K, 3rd Ind.. Vol. Inf. Reg.
Spanish-American War Navy
Floyd
J.
Coburn
U. S. Navy
World War I
PVT.
Donel
O.
Ayres
U.S. Army
Lester
Columbus
Coburn
U. S. Army
MiIo
W.
Frain
U. S. Army
S. SGT.
George
Burner
Hart
U. S. Army
PVT.
Charles
Owen
Headley
U. S. Army
died on board Seattle coming home
Roy
E.
Maxwell
U. S. Army
CPL
Paul
A.
Perry
U. S. Army
decorated with Croix de Guerre
Wilbur
R.
Perry
U. S. Army
PVT.
W
Lehr
Wilder
U. S. Army
PVT.
Faye
Arthur
Wilmot
U. S. Army, Corp. of Engineers
PVT.
George
Winkler
U. S. Army
World War I & II
Chaplain
Walter
Hildebrand
Coburn
U. S. Army
World War II
Richard
H.
Brase
U. S. Army
CPL
Cecil
Jim
Brand
U. S. Army
Lloyd
Paul
Coburn
U. S. Army
severely wounded & captured during Batrtle of the Bulge
Wilbur
Ching
Coburn
U. S. Army
SGT.
Robert
E.
Davis
U. S. Marine Corp.
TSGT
Otha
D.
Greenfield
U. S. Air Force
PVT.
Paul
C.
Hensley
U. S. Army
William
A.
Hubbard
U. S. Navy
S 1
Harold
Russell
Inlow
U. S. Navy
LT. JG.
Harold
J.
Kagey
U. S. Navy
TEC 5
William
G.
Means
U. S. Army
TEC 4
Gerald
E
Miller
U. S. Army
1st Lt.
John
Neil
Munro
U. S. Army Air Corp.
Glenn
Shaffer
U.S. Army
Doris
M.
Stuck
Women's Army Corp.
PFC.
Mark
E.
Stuck
U. S. Army
Military Police
SS MC 1
Franklin
P.
Taylor
U. S. Navy
Seaman
Harold
E.
Tilghman
U. S. Navy
PVT.
Robert
L.
Wade
U. S. Army
KIA Leyte, Phillipines
WW II & Korean War
T SGT.
George
Thurman
Hart
U. S. Air Force
Korean War
SGT.
Earle
Lewis
Kelsey
U. S. Marine Corp.
GMT3
Norval
Eugene
Withrow
U. S. Navy
Peace Time Army
SP3
R. G.
Wayne
Gee
U. S. Army
Died, U. S. Army Hospital, Frankfort, Germany
PVT.
John
L..
Shull
U. S. Army