Brief Synopsis by Carolyn Hunt and Pat VanDierendonck

The Oak Grove Cemetery was organized in an early day, which apparently was about 1886. There is one cemetery marker dated as early as 1837.
The land was obtained from one Cobb (given name not known) for use as a cemetery. Said land was used for cemetery purposes until the year 1896
when it became necessary to enlarge the cemetery. At that time additional land was purchased from a Wm. S. Hastings and conveyed to the
Oak Grove Cemetery Association. A meeting was then held on December 13, 1897 to effect a permanent organization.
A draft of Articles of Association was prepared at this meeting. It was then voted upon and accepted. (A copy of said Articles of Incorporation
are on hand with the Pioneer Cemetery Association in LaPorte). A chairman, secretary and trustees were also elected at this meeting.

In June 1900 a plat of the cemetery was made and laid out by the Oak Grove Cemetery Association . It consisted of 332 lots.
Several parcels of additional land were purchased over a period of time until the organization accumulated 15.01 acres. A church was built in September,
1881, on the land encompassed by the cemetery, but owned at that time by Wm. S. & H. E. Hastings and was deeded
to the Oak Grove Methodist Protestant Church of LaPorte County in the state of Indiana.

The association became incorporated at a meeting in February of 1966 and became known at that time as Oak Grove Cemetery, Inc.
However, over a period of time, the organization erroneously became known as Oak Grove Cemetery Association on legal records.
It then became necessary to change the name to Oak Grove Cemetery, Wills Township, Inc. to distinguish it from
Oak Grove Cemetery Association in Dewey Township, LaCrosse, In. That name became official in January, 2001.

History Tour of Oak Grove Cemetery - June 2003

Wills Twp., LaPorte County, IN.

by Pat VanDierendonck & Carolyn A. Hunt

‘1’ Oak Grove Cemetery was established in an early day on land that was obtained from a "Cobb." (First name & burial unknown.) Bond was lost. Jacob Miller & Jacob Dawson then met with Shadrick Roysden for the purpose of getting subscriptions for the building of the Oak Grove Church and was shown a paper signed by "Cobb" which indicated that George Dawson, Peter Miller and Mathias Dawson as Trustees for the piece of ground used and occupied and known as the Oak Grove Cemetery. This land was used for cemetery purpose without any special organization until 1896 when it became necessary to enlarge said cemetery.

‘2’ George Dawson was Trustee for piece of ground used and occupied as Oak Grove Cemetery in 1898. He was elected Chairman of meeting for those interested in the burying grounds known as Oak Grove Cemetery December 13, 1897. Born February 5, 1857 March 6, 1943.

‘3’ Benjamin Elijah Miller was Secretary of Oak Grove Cemetery December 13, 1897 when Articles of Association were approved. The Annual Meeting time was chosen and is still being held the first Monday in April. Died June 11, 1930 age 71

‘4’ Irwin Dawson was elected Vice-President of Association. Died September 8, 1949 age 82

‘4’ Alexander Hastings was elected Treasurer. Died April 20, 1921 age 74

‘4’ Leonard Burden was Civil War Veteran Marcy 19, 1844 January 8, 1927

‘4’ Milton Dudley Civil War 1842- 1892

‘5’ Tillman Gilbert was a member of Association whose purpose was to purchase, acquire and hold suitable grounds for the burial of the dead and to establish and forever maintain a Cemetery which shall be cared for according to the rules of the Association. This was approved by the authority of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana. Died February 13, 1947

‘6’ Jacob L. Miller Trustee of the Cemetery when they laid out plots June 30, 1900. Died October 25, 1936 age 75

‘7’ William H. Collom member of the Association on 12-13-1897. Died 1917 age 77

‘8’ Henry Vandelsem Revolutionary War Veteran 1757-1885 Born August 12, 1757 Died March 10, 1835 Oldest known grave in cemetery

‘8’ William Maple War of 1812 1793-1855

‘9’ Daniel Petre Third Oldest known grave died November 1838 at the age of 83.

‘10’ Peter Miller Second Oldest known grave March 6, 1790 September 16, 1838

There are many graves marked as "Unknown."

‘11’ John Martin Fourth Oldest known grave 1831- February 23, 1841

‘12’ John H. Miller 1902-1991 Treasurer of the Corporation from 1947 to 1987.

‘13’ John and Golda Fuller donated $500.00 to purchased to addition to the cemetery. Golda Fuller died September 5, 1953 age 59 John Fuller died July 27, 1971 age 75

‘14’ Kenneth Hunt May 18, 1906 December 4, 1977 was President of the Cemetery from 1947 till his death in 1977.

‘15’ John Hunt was Kenneth’s father and was trustee 1878-1935

‘16’ George Hunt was Kenneth’s Grandfather and was trustee 1854-1919

I am the fourth generation of the Hunt family involved with the cemetery.

‘17’ William Evenburg was the first burial in the Golda Fuller addition on March 25, 1964. He was born on September 2, 1922.

Historical Timeline

• 12-13-1897 –Determined the "Annual Meeting" of this Association would be held on the first Monday in April of each year. This meeting is still being held on this date.
• 9-13-1900 -- The price of a lot on the South side of the church was $12.00 for six graves and the price of a lot on the North side of the church was $15.00 for seven graves. A Potters field was established near the South fence.
• 10-6-1902 -- The Rules and Regulations which would govern the Oak Grove Cemetery were drafted and a book for the Superintendent for the purpose of keeping a record of all graves of the Oak Grove Cemetery was prepared. A duplicate set of records was prepared later to insure safety of records.
• 1908 - The price to cut the briars was $1.25 and cleaning of the yard was $6.00. A profit of $22.22 was made for a supper held.
• 1921 - The Sinking Fund was established and only the interest is to be used for the upkeep of the cemetery and the principle is to remain in the bank.
• 1928 - $21.00 was received for selling lots.
• 1939 - The cost to open a grave was $6.00 and the grass was cut for $6.00
• 1940 - A new mower was purchased for $129.46 and the grass was to be cut from fence to fence. An ice cream social was held which cleared $20.40.
• 1941 - The previous mower was no good which was purchased in 1940 so another mower was $78.50. They kept the old mower to afford both mowers donations were requested. They received $66.13 to support the second mower.
• 1943 - Farm Bureau paid back $500.00 which they borrowed in 1932. A committee of three was appointed to investigate what would be best to do for the interest of the Association.
• 5-30-1944 - A refreshment stand was set up which had proceeds of $33.50 and donations of $66.00. This was the first year the traditional Memorial Day dinner was held.
• 1944 - You were paid $.85 per hour to clean the cemetery for two days only when needed.
• 1946 - Roy and Kenneth Hunt removed and cleaned up a concrete mausoleum. This mausoleum belonged to the Klinefeld family. Roy and Kenneth were given a lot for cleaning up the concrete and are buried on this mausoleum site. The 10’ X 14" tool shed was built for storing equipment.
• 1947 - Kenneth Hunt was elected President and served until his death on December 4, 1977. The price for digging a grave was increased to $15.00.
• 1950 - The three tables and benches were built to be used at the Memorial Day Dinner. They are still being used.
• 1951 - Arch was built at the front gate entrance.
• 1953 - John Fuller furnished four dozen metal trays which were to be used for the Memorial Day Dinner. We still use these trays.
• 1954 - President Kenneth Hunt reported the officers had after much work and bickering bought a plot of ground at the north end of the yard and John Fuller had donated $500.00 to pay for the plot. All members who attended the Annual Meeting were well satisfied with the deal.
• 1955 - The present fence, posts and gates were put up.
• 1955 to 1957 – The deed for the church was corrected by Attorney J. Paul Hunt.
• 1958 – New center concrete step was installed which was a great improvement.
• 1961 – 33 feet was purchased on the West Side of the cemetery to preserve the beautiful oak tree background view.
• 1962 – The Golda Fuller Addition was plotted and laid out. The price for six graves was $90.00 and the price for three graves was $50.00.
• December 1965 – The cemetery was incorporated and was known as the Oak Grove Cemetery Incorporated.
• 1966 – Aluminum siding was placed on the church building.
• 1972 – We reset many tombstones on the South side of the church to improve the appearance of the gravesites.
• 1972 – Two vapor lights were installed to prevent possible vandalism. Four additional vapor lights were installed in 1995.
• 1976 – Mill Creek Baptist Church held their July 2^nd Sunday morning service to observe the 200^th birthday of the USA. They arrived on horse drawn wagons and then enjoyed a picnic potluck. Visiting was enjoyed by all that attended.
• 1977 – Church benches were refinished by the Amish.
• 6-28-1981 – Bernice Hunt was chairman of the 100^th year church celebration. Church services were held at the Mill Creek Baptist Church followed by a potluck dinner at Oak Grove. Visiting and games for the youngsters was held and a Dedication Memorial Program was held. Rev. Arnold Westphal and Rev. Ronald Devenport participated. Rev. Westphal gave his 1^st sermon at Oak Grove in 1921.
• 1983 – The stone driveway was installed in the old cemetery for $2,300.00.
• 1984 – We offered to buy 5.5 acres of ground on the Northeast corner of the intersection of 50 North and 600 East.
• 1989 – This addition was to be named "Hunt Miller Addition of the Oak Grove Cemetery" to honor the many hours of devoted service by these families to the organization. Lots have been mappped but are not being sold at this time until more lots are sold on the West side of the road.
• 1990 – Electrical upgrade to the church was completed.
• 1990 – Purchased additional 4.5 acres of woods from Dave Schnerlein on the East Side of 600 East adjoining land purchased in 1984.
• 1992 – Driveway was paved with asphalt.
• 1993- Church flooring was repaired.
• 2001 – Church building was raised off of its foundation and moved to the North so a new cement block wall could be installed to replaced the original stone foundation. Church was the placed on new blocks at the original site of church. The original rocks were installed on outside of new block foundation. Church building weights 65 tons. New corporation papers were written to change the name of the cemetery because another at LaCrosse Indiana had the same name. The name was changed to Oak Grove Cemetery, Wills Township, Incorporated.
• October 24, 2001- A tornado storm hit cemetery and destroyed woods on Western border of cemetery. 1/3 of cemetery grounds was covered with trees and debris. Many volunteers cleared trees and brush from the grounds with heavy equipment to a simple garden rake. Whatever storm or seemingly insurmountable problem confronts us: we unite together in an effort to repair and restore our landmarks and traditions with the help of our neighbors. This is proof of our fellowship of man and it was very evident when visiting Oak Grove. Even a bountiful lunch was prepared and presented by some wonderful ladies in the community to feed the volunteers that came out to help clear and repair. Very few tombstones were damaged or upset. The fallen trees were sold. Over the next seven months over 2,000 volunteer hours were given to restore the beauty of the cemetery. New trees were planted to begin growing and restoring the beauty of the Western woods. A roof was installed on the south side of the church to repair storm damage and new vinyl siding was installed to repair damage.
• June 2002 – The church wall plaster was repaired and walls were painted, floors sanded and sealed.
• Spring 2003 – Volunteers installed new window treatments, kitchen counter tops and stove top. Church refurbishment completed.
• Memorial Day – Each year on Memorial Day, Oak grove Cemetery is the scene of daylong activities. Descendants of many of the families buried there return to decorate the graves and remain for a pleasant reunion with old neighbors and friends. A lunch is served by volunteers of the organization as a money making project and to encourage people to socialize.

From the notes of - Carolyn Hunt, Vice-President Oak Grove Cemetery
      This information appeared in the LaPorte Herald Argus but I don't know what year.
The grave of a soldier of the Revolutionary War, Henry Vandelsem, will be spotlighted at the ceremonies at the Oak Grove Cemetery, located in Wills Township on County Road 600 East.
  Daughters of the American Revolution will take part as well as a legion unit. At Oak Grove there are graves of veterans of all the American Wars. According to information reported by Gene McDonald, LaPorten Henry Vandelsem enlisted in the fall or winter of 1775 and served until June 1776, as a private under Captain William W. Gilbert, New York troops. He reenlisted in June 1776 for five months a private under Captain Hogencamp, New York troops and then served another year as orderly sergeant under Captain Abraham Haring, Major Goetschinsm, New Jersey troops.
  He was taken prisoner, December 5, 1777, but escaped June 19, 1778 and reenlisted for six months in 1778 and 1779 as a private under Captain Thomas Blanch and Captain Haring of Col. Dey's regiment, New Jersey troops. Vandelsem was born in New York City August 12, 1757 and died March 10, 1835 in LaPorte County. He married May 10, 1787 to Eunice Zabriske, daughter of Hendrick O. Zabriskie. A son, William H. VanDelsem was living in New York in 1844 and another son, Samuel, was living in LaPorte in 1850 according to county census.
  This grave is in the southwest corner of the cemetery and is marked with a marble slab that has been broken from its base but firmly reset. Oak Grove Cemetery each year is the scene of daylong activities. Descendants of many of the families buried there return to decorate the graves and remain for a pleasant reunion with old neighbors and friends.

Donated Information

Carrie (Wiltfong) Harness: Carrie was born Caroline Wiltfong Sources: ID: I34046
Name: Caroline WILTFONG Sex: F
Birth: 28 APR 1858 Death: August 1927
Event: Nickname Carrie
Father: Samuel WILTFONG b: Abt 1822
Mother: Barbara HOSTETLER b: 26 APR 1823
Marriage 1 Simon HARNESS 17 October 1880 in La Porte County, IN
Children
Elia HARNESS b: 8 SEP 1881
Cora HARNESS b: 18 DEC 1887