Monroe Cemetery

Monroe Cemetery. Photo by Anne Allen.

Original location: Section 21, Township 5N, Range 10E
Current location: Section 26, Township 4N, Range 10E

By Ruth Hoggatt, © 2001, 2002

The Monroe Cemetery was affiliated with the Monroe Presbyterian Church. For further information on the history of the church, see A Brief History of the Monroe Presbyterian Church and Sessional Records of the Monroe Presbyterian Church, by Anne E. Allen.

The church's early history began at a meeting which was held at the home of Robert Elliott, Senior, on Sep. 24, 1830. The Middle Fork Church was established the following day. On March 30, 1833, by order of the Presbytery Church, it was renamed Lancaster Presbyterian Church. The members met in their homes for several years, until Robert Elliott, Sr. provided a log meeting house in 1838, located in the NW corner of section 28, on Paper Mill Road, in what was then called Lancaster Township -in 1842 it became Monroe Township. (Elliott donated the land and meeting house on May 29, 1840).

As Anne Allen reported in her history of the Monroe Church, conflicts over doctrine and social issues came to a head within the Presbyterian Church, nationally and locally. Members were divided into “Old Style” and “New Style” theology and practices. On June 22, 1839, the two factions at Lancaster Presbyterian Church separated. Robert Elliott, Sr. remained with the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church (Old Style), while his two sons Robert, Jr. and Anthony L. Elliott joined the Lancaster Church, New Style, later renamed the Monroe Church. The New Style members hired Nathan Yost to build a stone church, which was completed in 1844. It was located on the southwest corner of section 21, Monroe Township, on land donated by Anthony L. and Elizabeth J. Elliott. The land transfer was made official the following year, to the trustees of the Monroe Church. The deed record reads to the: “Branch of Church commonly called by the world & by other denominations of Christians, the New School Presbyterian Church, by themselves denominated the Constitutional Presbyterian Church.” The trustees were John C. Salisbury, Thurston Wood & Robert Elliott, Junior.

On Oct. 20, 1856, Anthony and Elizabeth Elliott, sold a parcel of land on the east side of the meeting house which became the Monroe Cemetery to John M. Patton, Thurston Wood, Robt. Elliott, Jr., trustees of Monroe Church & Cemetery. Anthony L. Elliott was buried here a few months later on Dec. 16, 1856. In addition to Anthony Elliott's contribution to the Monroe Church & Cemetery, he donated land for the Middlefork School, which was to be located immediately north of the church lot. His brother, Robert Elliott, Jr., who was also buried here, was a member of the Underground Railroad.

The two churches were reunited in 1870, and continued to grow until early 1941, when the U.S. Government established the Jefferson Proving Ground. As the Monroe Church and Cemetery were on part of the land needed by the War Department, the cemetery was relocated to a site south of the Fairmount Cemetery, more specifically south of the then newly relocated Bayless Cemetery, and east of the relocated Baxter Cemetery, on the east side of Michigan Road, at Madison. Trustees of the Monroe Cemetery at the time of relocation were Lelia Smart, James A. Elliott, and George Bayless.

The earliest surviving tombstone was dated Apr. 26, 1837, for Rev. Simeon Salisbury. On the same stone was a partially illegible inscription for his mother, Mary, who died in 1854. These burials predate the establishment of the cemetery, and per George B. Bayless were most likely moved here later from the Salisbury farm.

Current Monroe Cemetery Board Members (2002) are George B. Bayless, Secretary & Treasurer; Wanda Blair and Nancy Barker. The cemetery board recently lost two members due to death: Richard Facemire, in 2001, and Anne E. Allen, April 1, 2002.

Single stone = ss    Foot stone = fs

Allen, Anne E.
  [Wife of James D. Allen, Daughter of Forrest & Roberta Bayless Denny,
  Jun 4 1950 - Apr 1 2002]

Barber, Harry R., 1877 - 1956 [ss - Cora I.]
Barber, Cora I., 1874 - 1959 [ss - Harry R.]

Bayless, George W., Jan 19 1889 - Nov 13 1956 [ss - Kathryn]
Bayless, Kathryn, Jun 23 1895 - Nov 30 1983 [ss - George W.]

*Bradshaw, Marshall D., May 11 1871 - Nov 24 1912, "Husband"

Bradshaw - Morris stone
 *Marshall D., May 11 1871 - Nov 24 1912
  Alice Hilda Kessler-Bradshaw, Nov 8 1886 - Sep 4 1985
  Beloved Mother of Maxine & Walter Carol
  [White wooden stake next to stone]

Bush, Kenneth E., Jun 21 1914 - Feb 23 1998 [Mason emblem; ss - Helen R.]
Bush, Helen R., Jan 27 1917 - Sep 23 1978 [ss - Kenneth E.]

Craig, Lysander M., Dec 20 1836 - Jan 1 1860 [fs - L.M.C.]
Craig, Miles W., Dec 24 1807 - Oct 1 1861 [fs - M.W.C.]

Cunliffe, See Elliott stone.

Denny stone:
  Denny, Dr. Forrest L., Dec 4 1919 - Jan 10 1988
  Denny, Roberta B., Mar 15 1923 - ____
  Other side:
  Forrest Lester Denny, Capt US Army, World War II,
  Dec 4 1919 - Jan 10 1988

Dowdy, Barbara L., Jan 12 1933 - Jul 19 1934
  [Another burial appears to be about 3 ft. away in same line.
   Marked by a rock similar to a foot stone.]

Eaves stone
  Mary D. Eaves, Aug 6 1932 - ____
 *Elmer T. Eaves, "Pete" Dec 14 1924 - Oct 16 1983
  Other side:
 *Elmer T. Eaves, TEC 5 US Army, World War II,
  Dec 14 1924 - Oct 16 1983

Elliott, James H., Co. G. 10th Ind. Inf., 1843 - 1918
Elliott, Susan E., w/o Jas. H., Mar 1 1843 - Jan 27 1892 [fs - S.E.E.]
Elliott, Kathryn, Apr 20 1878 - Jul 11 1946
Elliott, Robert, "Father" Aug 18 1815 - Mar 23 1895 [fs - R.E.]
Elliott, Catharine, w/o Robert, d. Apr 22 1877, age 58y 8m 15d
  [foot stones on either side of tombstone -  Mother, Father]
Elliott, Mary Ann, Oct 12 1838 - Jan 7 1860
  [D.A.R. listed her as the d/o Robert & Catherine.]
Elliott, James M., Aug 24 1820 - Apr 16 1901 [ss - Elizabeth K.; fs Father]
Elliott, Elizabeth K., Apr 11 1822 - Jul 8 1889 [ss - James M.; fs - Mother]
Elliott, Isabelle Hamilton, w/o James H. Elliott, "Mother"
    Sep 4 1854 - Jun 1 1935 [fs - Mother; on Hamilton lot]
*Elliott, Anthony L., Jun 30 1809 - Dec 16 1856 [Stone broken. fs - A.L.E.]

Elliott stone
 *Anthony L. Elliott, 1809 - 1856
  Elizabeth C. Elliott Wallace, 1810 - 1870
  Jennie E. Cunliffe, 1845 - 1875
  Esther C. Elliott, 1848 - 1887
  Alex. V. Elliott, 1847 - 1888
  Miles Anthony Elliott, 1872 - 1885, Buried in Florida
  Bettie Cunliffe Hudson, 1870 - 1936
  [Foot stones - ECEW, JEC, BCH, ECE, AVE]

Facemire, Frank L., 1885 - 1962 [ss - Arminta V.]
Facemire, Arminta V., 1884 - 1977 [ss - Frank L.]
Facemire, Marjorie Ruth, Mar 5 - 7, 1923
  [No surname, but between Facemire stones.]
Facemire, Thelma Fay, May 16 1915 - Jun 9 1995
Facemire, Elbert Leroy, TEC 5 US Army, World War II, Aug 18 1920 - Dec 30 1997

Feuerstin, Ellen Bayless, 1891 - 1973

Fitch, Allen, Aug 6 1911 - Mar 14 1979 [Wooden marker.]
Fitch, Norma Jean, 1945 - 1963, "Daughter, Sister"

Hamilton, Wm. D., Apr 1827 - May 1914 [ss - Martha J.]
Hamilton, Martha J., his wife, Mar 1833 - Jan 1906 [ss - Wm. D.]
        , Samuel / Edna [No dates or surnames. On Hamilton lot]
        , Frank [No dates or surname. On Hamilton lot]
Hamilton, See Elliott, Isabelle Hamilton

Harsin, William O., Feb 21 1920 - Apr 20 1994 [ss - Mildred F.]
Harsin, Mildred F., Nov 3 1923 - Feb 10 1979 [ss - William O.]

*Hearne, Louis B., Jan 10 1915 - Apr 2 1991
*Hearne, Louis B., TEC 4, US Army, 1915 - 1991
Hearne, James W., 1883 - 1959 [ss - Bessie]
Hearne, Bessie, 1884 - 1971, married 49 years [ss - James W.]
Hearne, Dorothy, 1936 - 1938
  [From DAR: Dorothy May, d. Feb 26 1938, age 11y 2m 21d]
Hearne, David L., Aug 3 1946 - Apr 15 1986
Hearne, Roy, 1888 - 1940 [ss - Mary]
  [From DAR: d. Mar 22 1940, age 51y 4m 7d]
Hearne, Mary, 1895 - 1967 [ss - Roy]
Hearne, Mae, May 21 1919 - Dec 26 1994, married Jun 27 1942 [ss - Ray]
Hearne, Ray, 1922 - ____ [ss - Mae]
Hearne, Lloyd, "Dad" Aug 14 1928 - May 2 1996, married Jun 10 1949 [ss - Allie]
Hearne, Allie, "Mom" May 7 1933 - ____ [ss - Lloyd]

Hearne stone
  Nellie R. Hearne, Mar 23 1920 - ____
 *Edgar Hearne, Oct 30 1912 - Dec 26 1971
  Other side:
 *Edgar Hearne, INDIANA, SGT 614 MED CLEARNING CO, World War II,
  Oct 30 1912 - Dec 26 1971

Hearne Stone
  Norma Hearne, Nov 15 1915 - Oct 7 2001
 *Roy Hearne, Jan 6 1917 - May 26 1994
  Other side:
 *Roy Hearne, Jr., Pvt US Army, World War II,
  Jan 6 1917 - May 26 1994

*Heitz, Judy, 1942 - 1984, Wife, Mother & Grandmother
*Heitz, Judith Evelyn Monroe, Mar 6 1942 - Mar 15 1984

Hicks, John Quincey, 1883 - 1971 [Beside Lloyd Hearne]

Hinds, James, 1847 - 1905 [ss - Mary A.]
Hinds, Mary A., 1845 - no death date [ss - James]
Hinds, John, Nov 3 1873 - Nov 10 1878 [ss - Jennie]
Hinds, Jennie, Nov 30 1875 - Jun 21 1893 [ss - John]

Hudson, See Elliott stone.

*Humphrey, Cecil H. Jr., Indiana, CPL CO M BLT 3 1 MAR 9 MAB, Vietnam PH,
 Nov 8 1946 - May 31 1968
*Humphrey, CPL. Cecil H. Jr., Nov 8 1946, Killed in action in Vietnam May 31 1968
 [United States Marines emblem. Photo of CPL Humphrey in uniform mounted on stone.]

Hutchason, Charles, 1887 - 1964

Hutchison, Harold, Mar 6 1934 - ____ "Father" [ss - Karen G.]
Hutchison, Karen G., Mar 20 1956 - ____ "Mom" [ss - Harold]

Irwin, Robert G., Illinois, CPL. 323 SUP. CO OMC, Dec 13 1879 - Oct 15 1943

Irwin stone:
  Isaiah Irwin, [no dates]
  Agnes Irwin, 1847 - 1910
  George A. Irwin, their son, 1869 - 1899
 *Isaiah E. Irwin, their son, 1882 - 1886
  [Foot stones: George A., Mother, Father]

*Irwin, Isaiah Elmer, s/o I. & A., Jun 12 1882 - Sep 26 1886, aged 4y 3m 14d
  [fs - Isaiah E.]

Jackson, June S., Jun 3 1922 - Jan 11 1994 [ss - Raymond S.]
*Jackson, Raymond S., Sep 10 1918 - Jan 23 1992 [ss - June S.]
*Jackson, Raymond S., US Army, World War II, Sep 10 1918 - Jan 23 1992
Jackson, Stewart Nay, "Stewie" Jun 23 1952 - Jul 18 1998, Uncle Buck.
  Beloved Son, Brother, Friend

Jenkins, George F., 1880 - 1952

Jordan, Irene M., d/o Avery & Anna, Sep 12 1896 - Sep 5 1927
Jordan, See Richardson stone.

Langsdale, C. Eunice, Jul 29 1880 - Mar 24 1965
Langsdale, Walter B., (BEVO) 1902 - 1964
Langsdale, Lindell F., Aug 9 1905 - Jan 8 1981 [ss - Beatrice B.]
Langsdale, Beatrice B., Sep 4 1904 - Aug 21 1965 [ss - Lindell F.]

Lee, Gilmore, d. Nov 16 1903, aged about 62 yrs
Lee, Dianah E., Feb 20 1842 - Jul 18 1913
Lee, Luella A., d/o G. & D., Feb 14 1867 - Dec 24 1886
Lee, Laura D., d/o G. & D., Nov 18 1868 - Jun 2 1899

McClure, Howard W., "Dad" Mar 24 1912 - Dec 22 1987 [ss - LaVerne J.]
McClure, LaVerne J., "Mom" Oct 27 1917 - ____, m. Jul 23 1932

McDonald stone:
  Christopher McDonald, Apr 28 1838 - Sep 24 1904
    [No death date on tombstone. Death date is per D.A.R.]
  Margaret J. McDonald, w/o C. McDonald, Apr 1 1840 - Nov 3 1877
  Children of C. & M.J. -
  Lizzie McDonald, Aug 31 1869 - Feb 22 1870
  Thomas C., Apr 20 1873 - Sep 15 1874
  [Foot stone - M.J.M., L.M., T.C.M.
   Tombstone carver - "J.H. Crozier, Madison"]

McDonald, James, Co. H., 10th Ind. Cav.

Mars, Uriah, 1825 - 1912 [ss - Elizabeth; no death date on tombstone, date per DAR]
Mars, Elizabeth, 1846 - 1910 [ss - Uriah]

Monroe, Earl, Feb 20 1891 - Sep 9 1965 [ss - Mary]
Monroe, Mary, Jan 22 1892 - Nov 25 1981 [ss - Earl]
Monroe, Nathan, "Nate" May 1 1915 - Jan 2 1995

Murphy, Fletcher S., 1878 - 1947 [ss - Anna P.]
Murphy, Anna P., 1878 - 1944 [ss - Fletcher S.]

Owens, Emery, 1903 - 1971 [ss - Helen G.]
Owens, Helen G., 1902 - 1970 [ss - Emery]

Petro, Opal E., Aug 14 1915 - Jul 19 1987
Petro, Raymond, Jun 25 1912 - ____

Richards, Harry, Jan 1 1937 - Jan 2 1998, Beloved Family Friend

Richardson - Rogers - Jordan stone
  Frances C. Richardson, 1845 - 1921
  Everett D. Richardson, 1872 - 1942
 *Frances A. Rogers, 1870 - 1920
  Anna E. Jordan, 1870 - 1940

*Richardson, John W., 1907 - 1972
*Richardson, John W., Dec 29 1907 - Jan 8 1972 [ss - Lehildred I.]
Richardson, Lehildred I., May 23 1916 - Apr 30 1997, m. Feb 24 1937 [ss - John W.]

Rogers, John, 1875 - 1966 [ss - Frances]
*Rogers, Frances, 1870 - 1920 [ss - John. See Richardson stone]

Rose, Paul G., 1904 - 1979 [ss - Mae F.]
Rose, Mae F., 1911 - 2000 [ss - Paul G.]
Rose, Vincent D., Oct 6 1948 - Aug 2 1999

Salisbury stone
  Rev. Simeon Salisbury, d. Apr 26 1837, age 36y 2m
  Mary Salisbury, "Mother" d. Aug 21 1851, aged 77y 8m
  [Stone is very worn. Date & age per DAR.
  Inscription may read: Died in Madison, Indiana Apr 21, 1854]

Salisbury, John S., Dec 4 1842 - Mar 17 1921
Salisbury, Susie E., w/o John S., May 29 1864 - Jan 15 1913
Salisbury, Lillie, d/o John S. & Susie E., Oct 6 1896 - Jul 20 1899 [fs - L.  S.S.]
Salisbury, Robert M., Feb 5 1874 - Jul 2 1900
Salisbury, Susan L., w/o J.S., Dec 11 1848 - Aug 9 1891
Salisbury, Mary, Olive, Clarissa, Inft Dauts [foot stones - M.S., O.S., C.S.]
Salisbury, John C., Dec 8 1805 - Jan 14 1870 [ss - Leah S. | fs - J.C.S.]
Salisbury, Leah S., his wife, Dec 23 1814 - Oct 18 1897 [ss - John C.]
Salisbury, Sarah A., d/o J.C. & L., d. Sep 10 1863, age 17y 6m
  [Age per D.A.R. as the stone is broken where age is inscribed.
  Stone is leaning against John C. & Leah's stone.]
Salisbury, Eva L., d/o D.B. & S.C., Oct 14 1879 - Oct 3 1880 [fs - plain]
Salisbury, Bessie M., d/o D.B. & S.C., Jun 16 1884 - Aug 21 1884 [fs - B.M.S.]
  [plain foot stones support Eva & Bessie's stones]

Sanderson, Thos, d. Feb 20 1901, aged 101 yrs
Sanderson, John, s/o T. & M., Dec 10 1844 - Dec 30 1869, aged 25y 20ds
Sanderson, Margaret, w/o Thos., d. May 11 1881, age 70 yrs
  [These stones each have a plain foot stone. They are located under a tree,
  and enclosed in a wrought iron fence. The fence is in poor condition.]

Sarver, Delila, Apr 20 1819 - Jan 8 1883, aged 63y 8m 18d
Sarver, Henry H., Aug 24 1852 - Dec 14 1910
Sarver, William L, 1857 - 1942 [ss - Emma]
Sarver, Emma E., his wife, 1850 - 1936 [ss - William L.]
Sarver, R.C., "Ted" 1902 - 1984
Sarver, Gearline, Feb 21 - Apr 5 1907

Sarver stone
  Ransom Sarver, 1850 - 1922
  Eva F., his wife, 1854 - 1944
  Sadie, Their Daut., 1881 - 1887 [fs - Sadie]
  Charles, Their Son, 1891 - 1894

Sarver, Norman L., May 26 1914 - Feb 24 1973, m. May 8 1937 [ss - Opal]
Sarver, Opal Lucille, Sep 23 1910 - Sep 4 1963 [ss - Norman L.]
Sarver, Kessler L., 1908 - 1966

Shingleton, Frank E., 1878 - 1953
Shingleton, Lenora, 1884 - 1958
Shingleton, Harley T., Feb 9 1880 - Apr 4 1969 [ss - Blance B. | Mason emblem]
Shingleton, Blanche B., Sep 5 1886 - May 31 1954 [ss - Harley T.]

Walker, Oscar B., "Brother" 1874 - 1959
Walker, Lou Ella, Nov 4 1878 - Aug 15 1952 [Beside Walter Langsdale]

Waltz, John, Feb 1 1827 - May 25 1907 [ss - Annie L.]
Waltz, Annie L., Apr 15 1837 - Feb 23 1893 [ss - John]

Weir, Susan Morton, w/o William Weir, Mar 12 1804 - Feb 28 1888

*Wilcox, Paul, PFC US Army, World War II, Mar 28 1918 - Feb 16 1998
*Wilcox, Paul, Mar 28 1918 - Feb 16 1998 [ss - Florence E.]
Wilcox, Florence E., Apr 25 1910 - Mar 16 1973 [ss - Paul]

Wildman stone
  Enos Wildman, Aug 14 1806 - Dec 23 1876
  Jane M. Elliott Wildman, w/o Enos, Jun 1 1811 - Sep 12 1884
  Cynthia Elizabeth Wildman, d/o Enos & Jane, Aug 20 1846 - Nov 7 1870
  [Foot stones - J.M.E., E.W., C.W.]


Burials listed by the DAR, but markers not found during this survey:

  Green, Roscoe & Russell, infant twins

  Weir, Walter, d. Oct 5 1875, age 50 yrs


The DAR added the following tombstone inscription to their Monroe Cemetery survey,
but stated it was in the Bayless graveyard. The tombstone is in Bayless Cemetery,
situated on the border between the two cemeteries. Both the Monroe and Bayless
Cemeteries were relocated in 1941, and now lie adjacent to one another. 

  Miller, Agness, b. Dumfrieshire, Scotland, May 16 1808 - Mar 26 1879.
  Also, her sister, Margaret Dutton.  [Dutton should be Button]

The DAR listed the following burials to the Monroe survey, but stated that
they were relocated from the Monroe Cemetery to the Caledonia Cemetery
where Flora's brothers are buried -- Peter & John Culbertson.]

  Morton, William, Feb 28 1799 - Aug 21 1885
  Morton, Flora, w/o Wm., d. Apr 3 1867, in her 47th yr.