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

          EAST YORK CEMETERY                                          p.1
           Or Harrington - History by Pauline Lillie


Located
Section 10, York 79 Township, Range 9; About 6½ miles east and ¼ mile 
south of Williamsburg, turn right into a long, long land of Sweet Rocket 
which is always in bloom for Memorial Day. (Highway F. 46)

History
According to the 1881 History p. 694 mentions it was laid out and plat-
ed by Orson Harrington March 16, 1865. The first trustees were Orson 
Harrington, J.G. Jones, EA. Pugh and J.H. Graves. The first to be inter-
red there was J.L. Harrington son of Melser Harrington, who died January 
1863 age 23. The grounds include one acre. There are willows set 
around furnishing a good fence. "

Atlas 1874 page 9 lists on M.C. Harrington and M. A. Groves farm. The 
1900 Atlas p. 23 lists on Mary A. Groves farm in the southeast half 
of the section back off the road with the Millard Harrington farm in 
front; The 1915 Atlas p. 27 on both Mary A. Groves and Henry Brockshus 
land off road. The cemetery would be south and east of what was known
as York Center; The 1915 History Vol. I. p. 206; It mentions that there 
are 3 cemeteries in York township. That the Harrington cemetery was set 
apart in 1863, and that Marion Harrington first burial. That it was 
laid out and platted by Orson Harrington March 16, 1865.

The following history is from Mrs. Howard Harrington Secretary and 
Treasurer of the Cemetery Association, and given to Mrs. Wagner and 
Mrs. Wennermark; when they copied the stones September 1966.

"East York Cemetery has often been called the Harrington Cemetery. I
do not know why unless it was because Grandfather Orson Harrington gave 
part of the land. It is a public cemetery. The first meeting was held 
March 16, 1865. A Corporation was formed and rules and regulations set 
up as to trustees and secretary. The lots were to be 12 feet by 42 feet. 
The land was deeded to the Association October 31, 1870

Orson Harrington came to York Township, Iowa County in 1856. One of his 
nephews Myron Harrington, came out from New York to visit him. This
nephew became ill, and died. It was his wish to be buried out here. They 
had no cemetery so grandfather Orson gave ½ acre of land for a cemetery, and 
Jane Groves also gave ½ acre making an acre in all. Myron Harrington was 
first person buried there. He died January 22, 1863 age 23 years and 12 
days.


Continued on page 2


                              -459-


          EAST YORK or Harrington Cemetery                            p. 2 
           History continued.


Eugene Ely the flyer, who was the first person to land on a ship 
with an airplane and the first to take off from a ship in an air-
plane, is also buried there. The Government wanted to bury him in 
Arlington National Cemetery but his mother, Emma Harrington, want-
ed him buried near his home. The beautiful white farm buildings of 
the Ely farms can be seen by looking to the northwest of the cem-
etery.

It seems quite logical that the Harrington kin are laid to rest on 
the portion of the cemetery given by Orson Harrington and those of 
the Groves family on that area given by Jane Groves. Some of the 
children of these families (two) intermarried as will be seen by 
the cemetery records.

Because the law reads that the township trustees "may levy" a tax
for the upkeep of cemeteries instead of "must" levy, the trustees of 
the Corporation have been unable to secure funds, therefor it is left 
to the very few remaining relatives of the old pioneers to pay for the 
upkeep. Nevertheless the whole acre is beautifully kept and mowed 
regularly, thanks to Russell Austin and others. It is hoped that 
some of you will visit the cemetery on Memorial Day, or whenever con-
venient. You will find it in Section 10 of York Township. Go 6½ 
miles East and ¼ mile South of Williamsburg, turn right into a
long lane. (End of Mrs. M. Harringtons history of East York Cemetery)

Following are additions added by Pauline Lillie- The Des Moines Register 
carried a page on the life of Eugene Ely and his making of aviation 
history, by their staff writer Bill Nelson, June 1966. A united State 
Stamp was issued in his memory.

York cemetery is given in an Early History of a Part of York Town-
ship. Known as York Center, carried in the Williamsburg Journal Trib-
une dated, March 1972 written by Carl Brockshus.

Condition
Given by Mrs. Harrington in her history.

Remarks
None- except how long will people care. -


Researched by Pauline Lillie-Ladora.


                              -460-