Iowa County Cemetery Stones and History 1844-1975 (manuscript) by Pauline Lillie

                    Pilot Grove Union Cemetery                        p.1


    On April 1, 1867, a number of sturdy pioneers of Pilot and Troy town-
ship met and organized a place to be used as a permanent burying place for
their dead to be known as the Pilot Grove Union Grave Yard.  They elected
as officers a committee of trust: Mr. Knipfer, Mr. Davis and Mr. Poppino
and Mr. W.H. Peterson, secretary, and drew up 13 different articles of rules
which were adopted to govern the grave yard.

    Four acres of land was donated by Mr. Carson and lots were staked out
and Mr. Poppino was elected sexton to have charge of marking out lots.  Lots
were sold for $1.00, and a lot was given to Mr. Carson free.

    It was the duty of the three men elected to a position of trust to do
the fence and be responsible for the care of the grave yard, and to call a
meeting once a year or oftner if the need arises for the election of officers
and other business.

    In the year 1872, it was deemed necessary to elect a treaser, William
Welsh being elected.  There were four graves in Troy township which were
moved to Pilot Grove, being first four graves in the cemetery.

    In 1874 bids were let to the grubbing and clearing away the brush.  A
William Thompson was the low bidder for $5.  In 1879 the price of lots was
raised from $1 to $3.  In 1880 hitching posts were installed on both sides
of the roads for teams during funerals.  In 1890 a driveway was run through
grave yard dividing it into two parts and the name was changed from Pilot
Grove Union Graveyard to Pilot Grove Union cemetery.  A committee of three
was appointed to stake out lots south of the new driveway.  J.A. Cashman,
William Welsh, and George Lontz and that lots be sold for $5.00.

    In 1893 lots north of driveway were raised to $5, and south to $8. Some
of the officers in the cemetery before the year 1900 were J.A. Cashman, William
Welsh, John Nash, Adam Beilstein, W.K. Lontz, and many others.  In 1902 the
price of lots was raised to $7 and $10. In 1906 it was deemed necessary to
cut trees in the cemetery.  Trees were sold for 25¢ to be cut and brush clean-
ed up.

    In 1908 the sexton was allowed 25¢ per hour for time lost in selling
lots.  In 1919 double gates wee installed and steps leading up to the gates
that were put in, John Walters, Bert Yearian and Mart Goodman doing the work.
In 1929 the trustees met and decided to hire a man to care for the cemetery
and to assess each lot owner $2 to help pay his salary and charge $10 for
digging graves, Joe Smakel was hired as caretaker until 1948, when he retired.
Elmer Stahl was hired until 1951 ehn Alfred and Raymond Mumm took over the job
and in 1953 Maurice Poulson took over and price of lots raised to $25 which
they are at the present time.  In 1956 a flag pole was erected and flag was
purchased which is displayed at funerals and holidays.  The large brick arch-
way over the main gate was gift by the Kelting family, in 1953.

    Some of the officers since 1900 have been Clarence Haack, Glen Welsh, E
Edwin Sinn, John Walters, Jake Lontz, Fred Klever, and many others. The pre-
sent officers are George McCallister, Dale Welsh, Frank McCallister, trustees;
Truman Lontz, secretary and treasurer; Alfred Klever sexton and Leslie Fischer
caretaker.

    Cemetery has a potter's field with one burial on it.  Ten lots were put
in perpetual care; one soldier from the war 1812, ten from Civil war, four
from World War I, three from World War II, make 18 soldiers being buried
there; also lot with stone erected for the unknown soldier. Money for the
upkeep of the cemetery is raised by a tax levied against Pilot township.

    The two large pillars which mark the entrance are dedicated "to the
pioneer men and women of Pilot township who rest here."


*The above copied from the Pioneer-Republican newspaper, Marengo, Iowa, on
April 1[?], 1967, which was the centennial year of Pilot Grove Cemetery.


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[cursive typewritten page transcribed by hand -sdw]