Marion National Cemetery/
V.A. Hospital


	Marion National Cemetery Records now ONLINE.  The records were obtained from
the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration database dated
15 June 2006.  Extracted by Joy Fisher & Tina Vickery and contributed to USGenWeb
Archives.  Click here and scroll to alpha section you wish to examine.


For a little history of the cemetery read the following.
This is what I have on the National Soldiers Home. The article below was 
written by Agnes Kendall in about 1944.

	'up the Mississinewa probably ten miles is the resting place of other 
of the Nation's Heroes.  Established by an act of Congress July 23, 1888 
and given the name of Marion Branch National Military Home, Indiana.  Plans 
for the establishing of this hospital were consummated in 1890.  A burial 
ground was set aside at some distance from the buildings which we for years 
have called "THE HOME".  Here Governor Campbell, first Governor of the home, 
planned "The Silent Circle".  Number 1 in this plat is Thomas Jefferson, 
Co. B 2nd N.Y. Cav., number 1345 is John W. Stewart Indiana Serg't 9 Cav.  
This Silent Circle is designated as Section 1.  The numbers are in 
succession but do not indicate the order of death.  A section has been 
reserved in this part for the burial of civilian employees and members of 
officer's families.  All others who are buried in this cemetery are those 
who have participated in Military Services of the United States and who have 
received honorable discharge.

	Seven concentric rows of graves form Section 1.  Each grave has a 
plain marble marker with the name of the deceased his rank and regiment.  
The graves in the center circle is that of the first Governor of the Home, 
Justin Chapman and his wife Kate.  An iron fence surrounds the two graves 
which have a large granite stone bearing this inscription:
	"Justin H. Chapman born Oct. 7, 1839 died Nov. 3, 1904, enlisted Apr. 
17, 1861, discharged Jan. 1, 1868.  Services being no longer required.  
Governor Marion Branch N.H.D.V.S. Feb. 1891 to Nov. 1904."
	"Kate M. Chapman wife of Justin H. Chapman died Feb. 11, 1914."				
	In the segment reserved for officers and their wives is the marker 
for the first surgeon of the hospital.
	"Abner D. Kimball born January 24, 1839, died Nov. 4, 1904"
His wife who was Henrietta Haupt is buried beside him but no data is on the 
stone.

	Before the original plat was fully occupied the need for more space 
became apparent.  A larger section was provided to the north of the Silent 
Circle.  The total population is now 3342 as of July 25, 1944.
	The graves are in the customary formal rows and on many of them 
vigorous plants of peony bushes grow.  On Decoration Day these bloom in a 
most glorious showing, every kind and color and all varieties making it a 
most beautiful place on that day.  Native trees, some cedars and hedge rows 
outline the cemetery.
	Driveways radiate from the central park which contains a most 
impressive group of statuary.  Captain Steele greatly admired the original 
which stands on the Battlefield of Chicamauga.  The figures are of heroic 
proportions and are cast in bronze at a cost of $10,000.  The three figures 
appear in Civil War costumes and are posed as if in action.  The central 
figure, whose boyish face seems turned toward the enemy, holds the American 
Flag.  To his right is an older, bearded man with his rifle poised, his eyes 
looking into the distance as if waiting for his target.  To the left, a man 
has fallen to both knees, his musket is still in his hand as he draws open 
his blouse with his left hand, his head sags, the Flag drapes itself about 
him and we are left to draw our own conclusion.  On the gray granite base in 
bold relief are these words:
		IN MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO OFFERED THEIR LIVES IN
				DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY.
On the east face are these words:
		Marion BRANCH NATIONAL MILITARY HOME INDIANA
			ACT OF CONGRESS JULY 23, 1868.


	The roadway entering THE SILENT CIRCLE from the statuary group is 
bordered on the east side by seven plaques on which is found the poem 
"The Bivouac of the Dead"  This information was furnished by Mr. Will C. 
Sturgis who is Secretary to Colonel Botts.


	This cemetery has probably more than doubled it's size by this date 
(1999).  Very well taken care. Records for the burials are kept at the Home. 
Also a copy of burials to 1991/2 are located in the Marion Public Library - 
Indiana Room.


Directions: 
	When you go to the cemetery there is an office and someone there will 
direct you straight to the proper area. They even have handout maps to help 
you. I will try to explain to you where it is located. State Rd 9 is our 
bypass sort of around Marion. At least that was the original intention. Now 
Marion kind of grew up around it. State Rd 9 runs north and south, and 
what you need to look for is 38th St., which is near the south edge of Marion. 
There is a stoplight there. Turn east and go about a mile which will take 
you across several small side streets, and then still proceeding east, 
staying on 38th street, where it intersects with Lincoln Blvd. is where the 
Veterans Hospital is. The cemetery is in the east part of their grounds.  
There are I think 3 entrances on 38th street. If you pass the first one I 
believe the cemetery office is at the 2nd entrance or maybe the 3rd. I am 
pretty sure that where 38th street intersects the bypass (St. Rd. #9) there 
are green signs that direct you to the Veterans Hospital. 


...Original page by Sheila D. Watson
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