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

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                    OLD MARENGO
                          Cemetery -History by Pauline Lillie


Located
Township Washington 81 Range 10, Section 32, east of Marengo on 
Hy. 6 past the Marengo. I.O.O.F. cemetery to first road south to 
first road east which extends only as far as the cemetery.

History
Refers to as the Old Marengo Cemetery because this township in 
that time was in the division; earliest graves were here as soon 
as settlement was made along up from Brush Run (Homestead). It is 
south of the Iowa River, and close to the old original stage coach 
road, from Iowa City to Des Moines.

According to the Iowa County History published in 1881, as follows;" 
Marengo cemetery laid out by James A Paine, as surveyor who sub-
equently was called to sleep beneath the surface of the ground he 
had prepared for the public interment. It was used as early as 1854 
but the first graves in this vicinity were made just southeast of 
the railroad depot, but there were not more than half dozen graves. 
The old cemetery is now under the authority of Marengo Township Cor-
poration, It contains about 8 acres formerly 3 acres. There has 
been at least 200 interments here. Its site is two and half miles 
southeast of Marengo, but since the Odd Fellows Cemetery was laid 
out in 1875 its use has been partly discontinued." (page 503)

Here are buried Iowa Counties most prominent city and county officials 
of the early days. It was allowed to deteriate until about 1918 when 
the American legion after the war (World War I) went in and restored 
it. There were many stones at that time piled up, and most were set 
some place. However I understand some were too badly damaged to do 
anything with, but what was done for those I do not know. Have tried 
many times to locate a plat, but am unable, yet I know one did exist 
and used time they were reset. There are many Civil War veterans 
buried here, probably more than stones listed. The American legion 
places flags, but I was informed that the markers themselves are gone.

Legal
This may be found in Vol. 3 page 201, Iowa County Recorders Office. 
Josephus Talbot to William H. Dillin, William Danskin and George Stoner; 
Know all men by these presents that I Joseph Talbot of Iowa State of 
Iowa in consideration of the sum of nine dollars in hand paid by Will-
iam H. Dillin, William Danskin and George Stoner, as such committee
the following described premises situated in the county of Iowa to wit; 
Three acres of land lying in the south west corner of the E½ of NE 
quarter of Section 32 Township 11, North Range 10, and do hereby cov-
enant with the said William H. Dillin, William Danskin, and George 
Stoner, committee that I am lawfully siezed of said premises that


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                            History by Pauline Lillie


they azre [sic] free from uncumbrances that I have good rights and law-
ful authority to sell the same and do hereby covenant to warrant, 
and defend the said premises against the lawful claims of all per-
sons whomsoever. In witness where of I have set my hand and execut-
ed in presence of ; ALEXANDER DANSKIN witness; signed: JOSEPH TOLBAT 
notary of deed was William h. Wallac-- deed dated July 12, 1853, 
County Recorder Robert McKee dated filed March 1, 1854

When this deed was made out it failed to add the words "TOWNSHIP 
TRUSTEES", Therfor upon the death of Alexander Danskin and William 
Dillin, they appear in court so it is for the following court action;

To George W. Stoner, Alexander Danskin Administrator of the estate
of William Danskin and Ellen Danskin and Hannah Dillin widow, of 
William H. Dillin deceased, Ransom C. Mason and Elizabeth Mason, 
and you each are notified that there is now on file in the office 
of the clerk of district court in and for said Iowa County, Iowa
a petition of Robert McKee on behalf of the citizens of Iowa County 
Iowa asking that you in person be ordered by the court as legal rep-
resentationers of the above mentioned deceased parties to convey the 
following described tract of land lying and being in Iowa County, Iowa 
to wit; Three acres of land lying in the south west corner of the East 
half of the North East quarter of Section number Thirty Two, Township 
number Eighty One, north of Range Ten west of the 5th P.M. to the 
county judge of Iowa county, Iowa to his --- and legal representatives 
in office to be held for end corporaion for the use and benefit of 
the people of said county for a public cemetery, and that you -p--
appear and answer directs on or before the morning of the 1st day of 
the next term of said district court in and for Iowa County, Iowa 
your default will be entered and decree will be answered so . ----
for in said petition; signed H.M. Martin Attorney for Plantifs.

(accept service of the notice- July 18, 1859 George W. Stoner; I 
accept service as the within notice Alexander Danskin Administrator
of the estate of Wm. Danskin, July 18, 1859; I accept service on the 
within notice Hannah Dillin July 18,1859 Ransom F. Mason and Eliz-
abeth Mason (all signed the petition.)

And it is further ordered and decreed that the said adults defendants 
quit claim of deed all their interest in and to the above described 
tract of land to the said William H. Wallace as County Judge of Iowa 
county, Iowa to be by his and his ---  --- in --- the purpose afor-
said; And that the said Minor defendants by their guardian appointed 
by the county judge of Iowa County, Iowa do convey unto the said 
County Judge of Iowa County, Iowa to be held in trust for the pur-
pose aforesaid. So quick claim deed all their interest rights and 
title in and for said lands. (Book and page recorded is unknown for 
this was found in old county papers located in the court house at 
Marengo.)


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                    Old Marengo cemetery continued
                                               History by Pauline Lillie


Book 66 page 226 (deed) Ia. Co. Recorder- appears as cemetery in 
exception of deed from Thomas leader and wife to L.C. Leader; Ment-
ions sale of property except in Section 32 "cemetery lot" lying 
south of right of way of Chicago Rock Island and Pac. RRy. dated 
September 9. 1895

Also:
Book 46-p. 136 Ia, Co. Recorder; (Or Transfer Book Ia. County 
Auditor Book # 5 from Twp. 78-79-80-81 p. 32) Thomas leader stated 
August 22, 1888 for Cemetery purpose, I wish to grant additional 
land to old Marengo Cemetery as follows; A strip of land about
21 rods wide lying and adjoining the north side of the 5 acre tract 
in the SW corner of E½ of NE¼ of Section 32 township 81 Range 10, 
owned by Marengo township as a cemetery, said strip of land here-
by conveyed having for a number of years been enclosed and used as 
a part of said cemetery. The intention of this deed and which is 
enclosed and used as part of said cemetery; Thomas and Anna lead-
er July 17, 1888.

Tradition has it, that leaders gave the 2½ rods on the north side, 
of the cemetery, if the trustees would close the road going on 
north (now makes the cemetery a dead end.) for it seems that the 
road had a defective survey.

Field notes (road and supervisors books.) The Field Notes on the 
county road from Hilton Creek west via the old Marengo cemetery
to the Marengo and Des Moines road were defective, so that a definite 
location of said road could not be obtained. Therefore the Board 
of Supervisors January 1871, ordered County Surveyor to resurvey 
said road, commence at grave yard in SW corner of SE¼ and NE¼ Sect-
ion 32 township 81 Range 10, thence west and south to Marengo, and 
Des Moines road, taking in consideration the legal Government de-
minisons private and public interest; Resurveyed June 28, 1871

Condition
For a number of years this cemetery has had no burials. That of 
Isaac W. Scott of July 16, 1935 who wished to be buried with his 
parents. He was at that time one of Iowa Countys wealthiest. His 
grave has been maintained by cementing it all over.

One of the adjoining land owners on the south side, cut the fence
put in a gate so he could drive out on to the road.  Attemps have 
been made to stop this, yet is has been difficult to keep out tres-
passers. The problem of not keeping up this cemetery is in fact 
that it went from the township of Marengo, into Washington for tax 
levy, and the trustees are not interested.  First time I saw this 
cemetery in 1950 it was in fair condition, when I copied it in April 
1960, it had recently been burnt. I sent a letter to the editor, of 
local paper, Claiming trees (Beautiful large Oak.) and stones would


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                    Old Marengo cemetery continued
                                        History by Pauline Lillie


soon be ruined, it had no affect. This process continued by the trust-
ees until everything died, except the blackberries, and weeds, which are 
taking over.  A fire got out of control and fire trucks came in and put 
out, at request of farmer, since they were mad about having-to put it 
out themselves every year. Thus many stones (beauties) were broken and 
destroyed.

Remarks
No reason this cemetery could not have been kept up because there are 
many descendants living around Marengo. Children go out. do stone rub-
bing, for so many old stones are interesting. No more so than other old 
cemeteries.

Researched by Pauline Lillie


Note: Beginning late in summer of 1976, the Iowa, County Supervisors 
started cleaning up this cemetery.

Additional: Year of 1977 the County Supervisors had this a work project, 
with young people, and cleaned the cemetery up-new fence, removed old 
trees- under brush, and finished even with new gates; Now as nice as 
any cemetery for its age in the county. The oak trees seem to have sur-
vived with most stones previous burnings.

Thanks to Supervisors; Ed. Shima Chairman- Bernard Elwood and Leonard 
Thys- Iowa County Supervisors - goes the credit.



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