These two cemeteries are noted through the county for their beauty. The old plot lies in section #26 of Green Township and the new part is just across the road in Section #35.
The above was written by the DAR in the 1940's.
I worked in this cemetery in the summer of 1996. This is one of the nicer cemeteries of the county. The easiest way to get to this cemetery is to go south of Marion on State Road 37 to 1000 South and turn right or west and proceed down 1000 S. past 700 West and within a half a mile you will see this cemetery on both sides of the road. The old church is now gone, torn down a couple of years ago. It hadn't been in use for the last 40 years. Vandalism and time had taken it's toll and with the fear of someone getting hurt in it, and a heavy heart, the decision was made to tear it down. The corner post on both sides of the walk and the walk are still there as quiet reminders of the common country church, that could be found every few miles all over our county. Now only a few remain.
While working here I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Max Leisure, the man who served this cemetery for 41 years and is still helping out. He talked to me a little bit about the changes that had occurred in his time.
He told me that when the new part of the cemetery was started it was originally called the "The New Knox Chapel Cemetery", but the New in the name was soon lost and now few people remember that it ever existed. Several years ago the old Knox Cemetery, the part that is in section #26 was put up for sale. He said he contacted a lawyer about the sale of a cemetery and was told it was perfectly legal, as they held the deed to the piece of land. They wanted $1500.00 for it, but the cemetery board couldn't raise enough money to buy it. It appears the two cemeteries are still really separate, but most people don't realize it now.
He pointed to a piece of ground where very few stones were standing and told me that it really is full. During the depression, when they were using that area, people didn't have any money for headstones for their families. He told me about a man that was in World War I or II, by the last name of Jacoby. This man was buried without a stone. He said he tried to contact the daughter, to no avail. This is really a shame as the government provides stones for all veterans, free of charge. It was a pleasure to talk to Mr. Leisure.
Following is part of an article, taken from the Chronicle Tribune of Oct. 3, 1995.
- Max Leisure is following in his father's footsteps. And his grandfather's. And two of his uncles'. And a cousin's.
The Leisure name and membership to the Knox Cemetery board go hand in hand. Generation after generation has served on the board.
But Max Leisure's tie to the community does not end there. For more than 100 years, the Leisure family has helped the area grow. Max's grandfather even had a town named after him. At 76, Max Leisure has served as the secretary/treasurer for Knox Cemetery more than half of his life; 41 years. (Now semi-retired in 1996.) He's seen the cemetery, near Point Isabel, double in size and has helped out in every way, from digging graves to selling lots to mowing grass.
The cemetery was started in 1908. In 1916, Max Leisure's grandfather, Nathan J. Leisure, became president
of the cemetery board. Then Max's father, Orange Leisure, became general superintendent. Later, Orange's brother, Bert, served as president. And his brother, Oscar, was a board member. Oscar's son, Joseph, was on the board in the 1930's.
After the Civil War, Nathan Leisure moved to a town that was then called Harmony, south of Point Isabel, and became an active citizen in the tiny community......" (This town is in Madison County, Indiana, just across the Grant and Madison county line. The town was later named Leisure in honor of Nathan Leisure, Max's grandfather.)
*Asterisk denotes a stone not found at this time.Abernathy, John Sept. 29, 1888 - Apr. 16, 1960 "Indiana Pvt. U.S. Army World War I" Baunty, William H. 1881 - 1930 Carey, Rosa (Titus) Carey 1878 - 1898 "Mother" Cassell, Arthur B. Jan. 7, 1909 - Apr. 17, 1993 S/S with Mary F. Mary F. July 19, 1913 - ___ S/S with Arthur B. "Married Mar. 1, 1930" Dickey, Melvin 1922 - 1930 Donelson, Fred 1905 - 1969 Fred Jr. 1930 - 1931 Georgia 1905 - 1968 Downs, Benjamin 1860 - 1943 S/S with Nora E. and Lucindia Lucindia 1859 - 1910 S/S with Benjamin and Nora E. Nora E. 1885 - 1919 S/S with Benjamin and Lucindia Gossam, William J. son of John & Mary Gossam died Mar. 19, 1859 aged 6m.9d. (This stone was found in the back of Section A, near a tree that had been cut down.) Greer, Dorothy (McClintock) Greer 1912 - 1970 S/S with Nannie, Charles N., Otis M. and Lova M. McClintock Helms, A.M. Dec. 5, 1841 - Feb. 22, 1906 (Footstone says Arthur) S/S with John and Rebecca Legg Knox, Maxine E. Dec. 1, 1910 - Dec. 3, 1910 Leachman, Emaline S. wife of Wm. Leachman Dec. 4, 1828 - May 26, 1919 "Mother" S/S with William William May 14, 1827 - Jan. 4, 1901 "Father" S/S with Emaline S. "At Rest" Legg, John Dec. 3, 1824 - July 11, 1917 S/S with Rebecca Legg and A.M. Helms (Arthur) Rebecca wife of John Legg June 25, 1825 - Mar. 13, 1911 S/S with John Legg and A.M. Helm (Arthur) McClintock, Charles N. 1880 - 1958 S/S with Nannie, Otis M., Lova M. McClintock and Dorothy (McClintock) Greer Dorothy (McClintock) Greer 1912 - 1970 S/S with Nannie, Charles N., Otis M. and Lova M. McClintock Lova M. 1911 - 1911 S/S with Nannie, Charles N., Otis M. McClintock and Dorothy (McClintock) Greer Nannie 1874 - 1964 S/S with Charles N., Otis M., Lova M. McClintock and Dorothy (McClintock) Greer Otis M. 1903 - 1905 S/S with Nannie, Charles N., Lova M. McClintock and Dorothy (McClintock) Greer Peterson, Infant son of J.M. & K.F. Peterson born & died May 24, 1898 James G. 1840 - 1927 S/S with Josephine Josephine 1858 - 1912 S/S with James G. Phillips, Clarence E. 1894 - 1963 S/S with Ruth M. Ruth M. 1899 - 1967 S/S with Clarence E. "Married Aug. 18, 1915" Richey, Dorothy M. 1903 - 1978 S/S with Henry N. Henry M. 1907 - 1981 S/S with Dorothy M. Scott, Harvey B. 1866 - 1938 S/S with Mary F. Mary F. 1869 - 1954 S/S with Harvey B. Sizelove, George W. 1847 - 1898 S/S with Mary J. Mary J. 1855 - 1935 S/S with George W. Sprinkle, George A. 1858 - 1930 S/S with Julia Julia wife of George A. Sprinkle 1855 - 1923 S/S with George A. Pauline dau of C.A. & M. Sprinkle died Oct. 22, 1904 aged 2m.3d. Thrawl, Amanda wife of William T. Thrawl Nov. 24, 1842 - Jan. 21, 1929 "Mother" S/S with William T. William T. Oct. 16, 1836 - Jan. 13, 1905 "Father" S/S with Amanda Titus, Josephine 1859 - 1945 Nannie B. 1865 - 1927 "Mother" Rosa (Titus) Carey 1878 - 1898 "Mother" William J. 1843 - 1924 "Father" "32 Regt 18th U.S. Inf." Trowbridge, Susan died Aug. 17, 1897 aged 85y.5m.10d. Willie C. son of F.M. & L.M. Trowbridge died Sept. 7, 1890 aged 1y.4m.13d. Willan, Jim 1905 - 1953 Wimmer, Paulina L. 1880 - 1958 "Mother" S/S with Wilbur Wilbur 1878 - 1960 "Father" S/S with Paulina L. (New) Knox Cemetery
Section A
...Original page by Sheila D. Watson
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