Site updated on 10th October 2013 by D. West
A brief history on Patton Cemetery:
The oldest section was
once
known as Walker Cemetery. This is from an article that
appeared in the La Porte Herald
Argus,
May 27, 1932:
"One pillar bears
a plate with
inscription in gold lettering,
"Patton Cemetery, 1841-1932." "It was started in 1841 by John
Walker, one of the founders of the city of La Porte, and a few years
later was
taken over by Davidson Patton, in memory of whom it was named.
The Patton Cemetery Association was formed in 1888, with Mr. Patton,
Joseph C. Cummings and Andrew B. Batson as the shareholders."
This pillar would have been close to the old entrance which came off of
Clement Street adjacent to the East side of Walker "A" section.
Our readers have not been able to locate this pillar and it has probably weathered away and no longer visible.
From an undated brochure on Walker,
Patton and
Jewish Cemeteries: "A part of John Walker's farm had been set apart for
the burial of members
of the closely allied families of John Walker and Dr. G. A. Rose."
"After Pine Lake Cemetery Association was organized
on
August 6, 1856,
Mr. Walker, who had earlier refused to lay out a cemetery and sell
lots, reconsidered and commenced selling lots. ... Many years later
after the financial
collapse of Mr. Walker, the property fell into the hands of Davidson
Patton, who devoted the latter years of his life to its care and
improvement."
Webmaster
note: the Walker mentioned in the previous paragraph as having
laid out a cemetery in 1856. To read more
about the Walker family and a possible
reason for their "financial collapse" read the Walker biography.
According to a newspaper
item dated
August 21, 1952, the old Walker Cemetery
was not
maintained for many years and the charter had expired in 1937.
The land was leased from the State for fifty years and the last and
only charter was adopted in 1887. At a meeting at the Civic Auditorium
August 20, 1952,
"a petition for the renewal of the old Patton Cemetery was voted on and
adopted in an effort to revive interest in the long-neglected grounds."
"The burial grounds were the first in the area and
hold
many of the pioneers of La Porte County."
"In the far northeast edge of the cemetery is the
Jewish
Cemetery. On one pillar in the gateway is inscribed B'ne Zion
Congregation. Founded in 1854."
The congregation purchased the land for the cemetery in 1859. -
Information supplied by Patricia Gruse Harris
Web master Note: Davidson
Patton died 26 Jan 1890 at the age
of 77 years. He married three times.:(1) Abinade CLARKSON, died 18 Feb
1844,
(2) Harriet KNAPP, died 30 Nov 1860, (3) Eliza GREGORY, died 30
Jul 1888. His family burial area is lots 226 and 233 on our "older" cemetery map.
Today Patton has grown to
40 acres with asphalt drives running through out the cemetery. This is
a city owned cemetery.
The
cemetery, not only consists of the Walker Sections but also
several older burial areas along with newer ones known as Garden areas.
Garden areas are named and known as Meditation, Devotion, Memories, Good Shepard, Gethsemane and
Blessing.
There is also a Catholic section known as Sacred Heart section of the
cemetery. The newest burial area added to the cemetery is the Brady Section which
was named after Christine
Brady, who was the Sexton before Scott Harris took on this enormous
responsibility. Please view our Patton Maps on the Patton Map Page.
La Porte County Donated Obituaries
Return to La Porte County Cemeteries