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| Burial on Old Bakehouse Farm Now (1975) Bernard Hermann Farm 8-75-11 Roy Cassens, Emma Cassens Fairchild, and Helen Bakehouse White have given information about the burial spot on the farm of the early pioneer, Karl Bakehouse. The lister had previously heard of this burial plot through other sources. A man
by the name of Fritz
Humpke, who died in 1846, was buried under a large oak tree on the Karl
Bakehouse Farm. Also buried at this spot is the stillborn child of
Humpke's widow. The bones, except the wrist bone, of Dora Humpke, the
little daughter who met her death in the night in the timber, are also
buried here.
Garibaldi Cemetery 15-75-11 Location Garibaldi Cemetery lies about six miles southeast of Sigourney. It may be reached by going three miles east on highway 92, turning south on gravel road and going two miles to first "Y" road, turning left (east) for about one and a half miles. Near the end of the mile-and-a-half distance there is a bridge over German Creek, then over the hill there is a farm gate on the south side of the road. From the farm gate to the south it is about 1/10 of a mile to the Cemetery entrance. Physical Features The cemetery size is 32 feet East and West by 45 feet North and South. It is a fairly level piece of ground with only a slight slope to the east. There are no trees, but there are shrubs and rose bushes. The cemetery receives township care and is completely fenced with a walk-in entrance gate. [Picture Not Available] (This picture was taken from the southwest to the northeast) Land Description Information regarding the purchase of the cemetery ground follows: August Steigleder and Matilda Steigleder Warranty Deed Consideration $6.00 Dated April 27, 1874 Recorded April 27, 1874 Deed Record Y, page 193 to Theodore Blaise, Henry Goeldner, and Charles Mertz, Trustees of the Garibaldi Frei Gemeinde Description: Eighty feet square in the Southwest corner and the privilege of a road to and from said land of the following described tract: Three acres off of the West side of the North and of the West Half of the Northeast quarter of Section 15, Township 75 North, Range 11 West of the 5th P.M., the three acres to be taken from a ten acre tract described as follows: Beginning 16 rods from the Northwest corner of said West Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 15, and running 80 rods East, thence South 20 rods, thence West 80 rods, thence 20 rods to the place of beginning. + + + John Duensing, Frank Stanton, and H. L. Strohman, Trustees of Plank Township, Keokuk County, Iowa, First Parties and Bessie Strupp, Second Party Agreement (Lease) Dated October 16, 1920 Recorded January 30, 1922 Book 4, Page 511 The agreement refers to the land deed above set out and recorded in Book Y, page 193. "Whereas said Garibaldi Frei Gemainde no longer exists, and Whereas a part of said tract has been used for burial purposes, and Whereas the fence around said tract is dilapidated and a new fence is necessary, "Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises said first party hereby lesses to said second party all of said eighty feet square, except the following described tract, commence at the Southwest corner of said 80 feet square, running East 32 feet, thence North 45 feet, thence West 32 feet, thence South 45 feet to place of beginning, and inconsideration therefore said second party is to and thereby agrees to build and maintain a hog tight fence around said tract last above described, said fence to consist of 48-inch woven wire, with one strand of barbed wire on top, posts to be set firmly in the ground not over 9 feet apart, a woven wire gate is to be put in and maintained at the northwest corner thereof, said gate to be not less than four feet wide. "Said fence to be kept in good repair by any who at any and all times to the satisfaction of said first party or their successors in office. "In case any of said land herein leased should at any time be desired for cemetery purposes or whenever said first party or their successors in office are fit so to do then this lease to be void and of no effect, and by giving three days notice, first party or their successors in office may reenter upon said land and remove all persons therefrom, without process of law. "This lease is to run as long as said fence is maintained and kept in repair to the satisfaction of first party or their successors in office, said first party reserves the right to declare this lease at an end whenever they choose so to do. "Second party to have the right to assign this lease to her grantees and assigns." History The post office in Garabaldi was established July 2, 1861 and abandoned on Nov. 1, 1881. Garibaldi was laid out in 1858, according to the account in the Keokuk County History, 1880. The stage coach route went through the town, which had a post office, a store, and a Turner's Hall. Just when Garibaldi business establishments were abandoned is not known. The Garibaldi Cemetery does not seem to have any burials after 1895, according to the stones which now exist. Plat There is no known plat of the cemetery. Headstones Headstones in this cemetery were read from north to south beginning at the west side. There may be burials for which there are no headstones for whom there is no information. Henry Goeldner, d. Mar. 23, 1880, age 55 yrs. (This is the grandfather of Freda Bruns. The stone on his grave records the year as 1879, but this is incorrect) Albert Goeldner (There is no stone for Henry's son Albert at the present time. He is buried to the north of his father, Henry. There had been a stone but it is no longer there. He was born May 21, 1861; died, December 19, 1879. His mother was Sarah Teller Goeldner.) Henry Goeldner (There never has been a stone for Henry Thomas, son of Henry and Sarah Teller Goeldner. He is buried to the south of his father. He was born Aug. 11, 1856 and died October 25 or 26, 1889.) Eliese "Lizzie" Goeldner (This baby was the daughter of Henry and Lisette Scherfenberg Goeldner, an aunt of Freda Bruns. She was born December 5, 1879, and died July 16, 1880) (Serial plot not known) Infant son of J. B. and R. B. Goeldner, d. Sept. 17, 1879 Emma Goeldner, dau. of J. A. and A. A. Goeldner, d. Dec. 30, 1878; age 3 yrs. 7 mos. 11 das. Edward Goeldner, son of J. A. and A. A. Goeldner, d. Dec. 27, 1878; age 5 yrs. 9 mos. 7 das. Alma Nauman, dau. of C. an M. E. Nauman, d. Feb. 24, 1874, age 4 mos. 16 das. Eva R. Nauman, b. June 9, 1809; d. March 5, 1877 Anna C. Goeldner, dau. of J. A. and A. A. Goeldner, b. Dec. 19, 1881; d. June 28?, 1895 J. A. Goeldner, d. June 1, 1883, age 49 yrs. 6 mos. Additional Information Anna Nauman Bruns reports that her grandfather, Charles Nauman, was buried at Garibaldi Cemetery, but his body was exhumed in the early 1990's and buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Sigourney. Mata Nagel reports that August Steigleder's body was exhumed and buried in an Ollie or Richland Cemetery. This was done in the early 1900's.  Nigel Farm 16-75-11 Edith and Meta Nagel report that William Klett, Sr.'s mother was buried south of their windmill on the Nagel farm. The Klett home was located about where their driveway from the public road goes south to Nagel's house. The Klett home was a log cabin. Until recently the basement or cellar of the log cabin was visible. South of the log cabin location approximately one-fourth mile were swamp areas with high swamp grass. It was in this area that Mrs. Klett was found drowned and she was buried in this vicinity. Her age or the date of her death are not known. Old Bethel Methodist Cemetery 2-75-11 Location The location of Old Bethel Cemetery is about five and one-half miles east of Sigourney, in the field south of Highway 92. It is southwest of the Bethel United Methodist Church. It is near the center of Section 2. Physical Features (Discussed under history) Land Description Diedrick Snakenberg and Mary Snakenberg Warranty Deed Consideration $10.00 Dated March 21, 1863 Recorded September 3, 1863 Deed Record L, page 183 to Trustees of German Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of German Township, Keokuk County, Iowa. Description: Nine rods 21 links north from the beginning of the Southwest corner of the Northeast Fractional Quarter of Section 2, Township 75 North, Range 11 West of the 5th P.M., commencing then and running 12 rods east, from thence 13 rods 11 links north, from thence 12 rods west, from thence 13 rods 11 links south to the place of beginning on the west side of the aforesaid described land, containing one acre. History In 1844, a small group of German immigrants who had come to this area of Keokuk County held neighborhood religious meetings in the homes of the various members of the group. That was the beginning of their interest in a more central meeting place and a year later a 16 x 18 log cabin was built where services were held. In 1844-1846, the Rev. John Mann was the first minister of the Bethel German Methodist Episcopal Church, which was the oldest German Methodist Church in Iowa. In 1848, a second and larger log church was constructed. After this log church was outgrown, a frame structure was built. The Old Bethel Cemetery was near the church and some headstones may be seen on the picture of the first frame church which follows. [Picture Not Available] In time it was considered advisable to relocated the Bethel Methodist Church to be more easily accessible by public highway. A new site was acquired and the new church building constructed, which is the present church on Highway 92, six miles east of Sigourney. When the new Bethel Cemetery ground was purchased in 1882, diagonally across the road from the new Bethel Methodist Church, burials were made there. Some bodies were removed from the Old Bethel Cemetery and reburied in the new. There is no list of those whose bodies were transferred, nor is there is a list of those buried in the old cemetery. Because of the location of the Old Bethel Cemetery in the field without a good access road, few people went to the cemetery other than those who had very close relatives buried there. Those who had memories through family connections with the church, its services, and its influence were concerned about the cemetery's care. In the last decade, the owner of the surrounding land has removed the head stones and placed them against a barn in the farm building lot. These were the stones and pieces of stones the cemetery listers read. Plat There is no information at this time about the existence of a plat. Headstones The following stones and pieces of stones were read by the listers. Where pieces could be fitted together by design or other identifying marks, they were read as a unit. Henry A., son of B. and M. A. Keeler, d. April 6, 1870; age (broken; could be 1 mo.) 6 das. (stone broken) Anne C,. wife of Henry Seaba, d. Oct. 17, 1879; in the 83 year of her age. (stone broken in half) Daniel Orsborn (this was a broken piece; no other portion of stone was found) Lily, dau. of C. and S. A. Seaba, d. Aug. 11, 1871; age 1 yr. 2 mos. (stone is broken; remainder of age cannot be read) Henry Seaba, d. Mar. 21(stone broken; other part cannot be found; he came from Germany) Jacob Hatter, d. Sept. 23, 1860; age 32 yr. 11 mos. 6 das. Jasper M., son of J. & N. (likely Hatter) (Stone broken; cannot find part about his death or age) Ma (remainder of name is broken off as stone is broken in half) wife of J. J. Jaques, d. Feb. 12, 1859; age 24 yrs. (First name is broken off of stone) Jaques, b. Mar. 12, 1857; d. Jan. 6, 1862 (Name broken off), ___________, 1866; age 68 yrs. 7 mos. 20 das. (Stone broken, only age appears) age 64 yrs. 11 mos. 29 das. (Stone broken), __________ 4, 1860; ________ yrs. 7 mos. Frederika A., dau. of J. & J. Winegarden, d. Dec. 16, 1869; age 1 yr., 1 mo. 20 das. (Top of stone is broken off) William, son of J. and B. Goering, d. Aug. 29, 1872; age 6 yrs. 4 mos. 20 das. (This stone is not broken) (Marker with "R.W." on it) Josephein, dau. of J. and M. Gross, d. July 21, 1876; age 2 mos. 21 das. (This stone is not broken) John, son of J. and A. M. Gross, b. June 27, 1862; d. Dec. 18, 1875 (Stone is broken only at edges) Rachel Wollf, d. July 31, 1863; age 20 yrs. 9 mos. 16 das. (Stone is broken) (First name not readable) Scharnhorst, d. Sept. 27, (year broken off); age 75 yrs. (remainder of age broken off) (This stone was broken into many pieces.) Additional Information Mrs. Estella Hinnah Luers reports that her father's brother, Wilhelm Hinnah, born December 1, 1863 and died October 27, 1881, is buried in Old Bethel Cemetery. Perhaps two or three infant brothers and sisters are also buried there. Mrs. Grace Scott reports that John Snakenberg, her great grandfather, was buried in Old Bethel. She does not know his birth or death dates. Mrs. Edna Kuhn Hoffman reports that her grandfather John Henry Gruber, born in 1826 and died in 1863, is buried in Old Bethel Cemetery. Old Evangelical Church Vemetery 9-75-11 The first Evangelical Church was a log structure located in Section 9, Township 75 North, Range 11 West of the 5th P.M., approximately eighty rods south and 80 rods east of the Stony Point Schoolhouse corner. It was on the south side of the old stage coach road from Garibaldi northwest. This log structure was constructed about 1850 and was abandoned when the new brick structure of the Evangelical Church (also known as the Brick Church) was built on the road (now Highway 92) about a mile and a quarter north of the log structure. Much of the information about this church and the small cemetery beside it has been given the listers by Ray Cassens, Harvey Cassens, Emma Cassens Fairchild, and Pearl Voltmer Barron, all of whom grew up in the vicinity and whose parents were associated with the early church. They state that at one time they knew of seven or eight people having been buried there. These deceased persons may not have had headstones at their graves, at least no headstones are now or have for a long time been in existence. The cemetery has been farmed over for many, many years. Pearl Barron reports that Suzanne Blaise, a daughter (the second child) of Mathias and Margaret Blaise was buried there. She was born in 1849 and died in 1855 at the age of six years. Harvey Cassens reports that two of Christian Duensing's children were buried there. He does not know the names or the dates. Though this information is very incomplete and indefinite, this cemetery is reported in the county cemetery project in the hope that at some future time someone may be able to supply further information and names. Stoermer Cemetery 4-75-11 Location To reach Stoermer Cemetery, drive three miles east of Sigourney on Highway 92, turn right (south) on gravel road for one mile to the old Stony Point Schoolhouse, turn left (east) on gravel road and go a little over one-fourth mile to a gate going into a field on the north side of the road. In good weather one may drive over the pasture ground diagonally to the northeast to a small clump of hedge and brush and one large oak tree. Physical Features The cemetery is on level ground at the top of a knoll. The size of the burial plot as of 1974 is approximately 30 feet by 60 feet. There are only hedge-like trees, wild plum growth, and one large oak tree growing there. The evergreens that once grew there are gone. The cemetery is fenced and there have been repairs made to the fence in recent months, but the wire is old and may not long be stock proof. Land Description There is no specific statement in the Keokuk County deed records to show the size of the cemetery. The cemetery is specifically mentioned in the following deed: Peter V. Kerkove and Sarah J. Kerkove, husband and wife, Warraty Deed Dated Mar. 2, 1916 Recorded March 3, 1916 Deed Record 49, page 240 to William Mayer Description: (Other real estate is described but only that related to the cemetery is given here) The South Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter except (?) 22 feet in equal width thereof, all in Section 4, Township 75 North, Range 11 East of the 5th P.M. The description is followed by a statement pertaining to partition fences and the further statement that pertains to the cemetery: "It is further uncertain that a certain small cemetery situated on said premises shall at no time be disturbed, in accordance with a certain contract between these grantors and Jacob Pfannebecker and wife, and grantors agree and are to keep said cemetery property fenced at all times." A search of the Keokuk County records did not reveal a recorded contract between Jacob Pfannebecker and Peter V. Kerkove. On March 22, 1939, William Meyer and Christina Meyer, husband and wife, deeded to the Federal Land Bank of Omaha the South Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, except the West 22 feet thereof and except the cemetery of Section 4, Township 75 North, Range 11 East of the 5th P.M. (other land is also deeded but only that which relates to the cemetery is shown). Deed Record 65, page 527, recorded June 22, 1939. On December 28, 1943, the Federal Land Bank of Omaha, by Leo E. Manion, Vice President, Attest: Wayne E. Smith, Asst. Secretary, deeded to Lyle J. Shaneyfelt and Margaret Ruth Shaneyfelt, husband and wife, the South Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, except the West 22 feet thereof and except the cemetery of Section 4, Township 75 North, Range 11 West of the 5th P.M. (together with other lands). Deed Record 69, page 87, recorded Feb. 23, 1944. Lyle J. and Margaret Ruth Shaneyfelt are the present owners of the real estate surrounding the cemetery and Orel Dyson is the tenant farmer. History Jacob Stoermer was an immigrant from Germany and on September 2, 18?3, he acquired the East Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 4, Township 75 North, Range 11 West of the 5th P.M., from John C. Culbertson who had entered the land from the Government. Mr. Stoermer planted a few evergreens in this area and he was very proud of these trees growing among the native timber. As some of his friends and neighbors lost members of their families in death, his kindly spirit showed itself in his inviting his friends to bury their loved ones under those trees. As a child, Freda Bruns remembers her grandmother, Lisette Goeldner commenting about Mr. Stoermer's generosity as a neighbor giving burial space for the children of her and her husband, Henry Goeldner. Grace Sanderson, a great granddaughter of Jacob and his wife, Lizette Henrietta Stoermer, relates that she remembers her parents speak of the time when they passed away and were buried in the cemetery. Until recent years there was always a headstone at their graves. Neighbors in the vicinity of the cemetery recall that there as many as twelve to sixteen headstones there in the early 1900's. There is only one headstone there today, 1974, though there were two headstones when the listers were there in 1972. The size of the cemetery is much decreased from its original size as recalled by several of the former neighbors in the vicinity who were well acquainted with the burial plot. The size the cemetery has been estimated at 60 feet x 60 feet or possibly larger. Those who have discussed the cemetery's history with the listers are Mrs. Lydia Wallerich, Ray Cassens, Mrs. Louis Stanton, Frank Pfannebecker, and Harvey Cassens, all of whom either grew up or lived in the neighborhood. A hired farm laborer who had come from Germany was employed by Grandfather William Hinneh. When the man died, he was buried in the Stoermer Cemetery, but Mrs. Stanton, who gave this information, was not certain of his name. The most recent burial likely is that of Fredrech Meusel, who according to the headstone found in 1972, died June 25, 1876. Whether or not Fredrech Meusel was the name of the hired man is not known. There is no definite information about whether there were Stoermer children buried in the Stoermer Cemetery. There seems to be no way of getting any more specific information at this time. Known Burials Jacob Stoermer (birth and death dates not obtainable; headstone no longer there) Lizzette Henrietta Stoermer (birth and death dates not obtainable; headstone no longer there) These are the grandparents of Frank and Gus Pfannebecker; the great grandparents of Grace Sanderson, Fern Lucas and Glen Clubb; and the great great grandparents of Ergo Iosbaker and Dan Lucas. Maria "Mary" Goeldner, b. Mar. 6 (year of birth and death date not known) Emil Goeldner, b. July 9 (year of birth and death date not known) Carl Wilhelm Goeldner, b. Sept. 2 (year of birth and death date not known) Ewald Goeldner, b. Sept. 6 (year of birth and death date not known) Hulda Goeldner, b. Nov. 14 (year of birth and death date not known) Mina "Minnie" Goeldner, b. July 9 (year of birth and death date not known) These are the infant children of J. Henry and Lisette Goeldner. There is no record of the year of birth, the date of death, or the age of the child at the time of death. They died between the years 1870 and about 1878 or 1879. There never were any headstones for these children. Henry and Lisette Goeldner are the grandparents of Freda Bruns. Johanna Elisabeth Meusel, d. Mar. 15, 1875; age (?) yrs. 2 mos. 12 das. There was also a footstone slab with initials "J.E.M." (Headstone still there) Fredrech Meusel, d. June 25, 1876; age 65 yrs. 10 mos. 11 das. This headstone was in the cemetery in 1972 and 1973, but is no longer in the cemetery. There was also a footstone slab with initials "F.A.M." Apparently Fredrech and Johanna were husband and wife. (The above listing would only account for four of the 12 to 16 headstones that were there originally. After much inquiry from persons living around Sigourney, no one can enumerate other burials) Sunny Ridge Cemetery 4-75-11 Location Sunny Ridge Cemetery (sometimes called Lutheran, Evangelical, German Creek or Brick Church Cemetery) is located three and one-half miles east of Sigourney, Iowa, on Highway 92. It is on the south side of the highway with an entrance on the northeast corner of the cemetery grounds. Physical Features This cemetery is completely fenced with no gate at the driveway entrance into it. There is a small white frame chapel standing approximately in the spot where the Brick Church stood. This chapel was used in years past for funeral services. The cemetery is kept well mowed, except the portions of the grounds where there are no graves. [Picture not Available] Land Description Charles Seger and wife, Caroline Seger Warranty Deed Consideration: $2.50 Dated June 22, 1857 Recorded January 3, 1874 Deed Record X, page 628 to Lutherian Denomination Description: Two acres square out of the North Fractional Half of the North Quarter of Section 4, Township 75 North, Range 11 West of the 5th P.M. ?? the conditions of this deed is that so long as it remains in possession of the above said denomination or among other Protestant Denominations, is not valid and should be conveyed to a denomination not authorized by this instrument, then the above said premises to fall back to the original owners or their heirs or assigns. History In 1857, the Evangelical Church, which had out grown its log church located south of Stony Point school on the Henry Mohme farm, bought a two-acre plot of ground from Charles Seger and his wife, Caroline. The deed was made to the "Lutherian" Denomination, but the religious group which purchased the property belonged to the Evangelical Synod of North America, with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. (The cemetery has often been erroneously referred to as the Lutheran Cemetery.) [Picture not available] A brick church building was erected on this two-acre plot and a home for the pastor was built near the church. It was decided to use some of the ground for a burial plot and the burials were made in rows in the order of death dates. The rows of graves began northeast of the church, the rows running from north to south from the public road toward the church. Because the burials were in date sequence in rows, families are scattered in the "row" section of the cemetery. In 1887, the Evangelical Church constructed a church building in the town of Sigourney, to provide a more central location for the church members many of whom lived in Sigourney or in the rural areas south and west of Sigourney. Services were also conducted in the Brick Church (Evangelical Church) east of Sigourney for those members who lived in the immediate vicinity. The two Evangelical Churches continued for a time. In January, 1904, at a meeting of the church members of the German Creek congregation (Brick Church), it was decided to enlarge and beautify the cemetery where over 200 persons were buried. They decided to get away from the use of "row burials" and lay out lots to meet the wishes of families. They also decided to sell the parsonage and old barn so the lots could be measured and laid out and a new fence put around the cemetery. From minutes of meetings of the Evangelical Church at German Creek, there is evidence that the members took great pride in improving and beautifying their church grounds. They decided in June, 1904, that their members be allowed to join the church, yet retain their full right of expression in the affairs of the Evangelical Congregation of German Creek. In November, 1904, the plans were discussed for laying out the additional lots, the size of which were to be 12 x 20 feet. After reading the church books, the following persons were to have a right of ownership of the possessions of the congregation: John Beinke, Wilhelm Beinke, H. Duensing, Sr., C. H. Wolfe, D. D. Buehneman, F. F. Wickenkamp, D. Bakehouse, W. Wickenkamp, Sr., H. Wickenkamp, Jr., F. Bakehouse, Albert Polke, Fred Meyer, Fred Schwenke, Ludwig Koch, W. Wickenkamp, Herman Luers, Andrew Kadel. On November 27, 1904, the laying of lots having been completed, the group met to give opportunity for the members to draw for lots. The former officers of the old parish were relieved of their offices since the congregation was not organized as such any longer. In place of the officers of the congregation, the owners of the cemetery directed three men to handle the cemetery business. Wilhelm Beinke, F. F. Wickenkamp, and D. D. Buehneman were elected to take care of these duties. A constitution was formulated, the owners of the cemetery to meet every two years to elect three men from their midst to take care of the cemetery business. Office was to be held for two years. From the minutes of the cemetery owners (members of the Evangelical Church of German Creek), it appears that meetings were held every two years; however, the time of meeting was changed from January to the fall of the year. The main interest was always in the care of the buildings and the cemetery grounds. In the year 1914, a storm came through the area severely damaging the Brick Church. In the September 20, 1914, meeting, Fred Bakehouse, Charles Seger, and Dick Schimmelpfennig were asked to tear down the remainder of the building. Wilhelm Beinke, Fred Bakehouse, Henry Duensing, and Chris Pfannebecker also helped dismantle the building. The committee – Bakehouse, Seger, and Schimmelpfennig were to solicit funds for a new building to be erected in which to have funeral services and to serve as a chapel on the grounds. John Schwenke and Henry Schwenke built the new structure. On October 12, 1917, the officers of German Creek Cemetery were: F. C. Bakehouse, President; Dick Schimmelpfennig, Vice President; Oscar Pfannebecker, Secretary, and William Meyer, Treasurer. In 1917 the name of the cemetery was changed to Sunny Ridge, previously called German Creek Cemetery. On June 10, 1926, a permanent trust fund was created and earners were to be used for the maintenance of the cemetery. In recent years there have been no regular business meetings of the cemetery group and no election of officers. Oscar Pfannebecker, who is now deceased, looked after the cemetery for ten or fifteen years. After his death, Denver Pfannebecker, brother of Oscar, has been taking care of the cemetery business. Denver Pfannebecker is an uncle of Mrs. Kenneth (Helen) Linder and Mrs. LeRoy (Nettie) Olin. There have been gifts of money and bequests to the cemetery. The proceeds(?) from the permanent funds and the money received through the township trustees are used at the present time to keep the cemetery mowed and the fences in repair. At the present time the Chapel is not in use. The cemetery records at the present time are with Denver Pfannebecker. He has worked faithfully in caring for the cemetery and looking after the business connected with it. Plat At first, few of the persons had headstones or the headstones since the cemetery's beginning have been broken or removed. Apparently a list of the burials was kept with the names, birth dates, and death dates, but that list has been lost so it is impossible to know who has been buried in the church plot in the earlier years. Because the spaces between the stones standing in the cemetery rows do not seem uniform, the space allowances may have varied for infant and adult burials. There is no certainty as to how many may have been buried in one row. The rows appear to be approximately 100-110 feet in length with about 22 to 24 bodies per row. There is no plot of the row section, but the lots later laid out are recorded in the record book. The diagram that follows is a sketch of relative proportion.  Click image to enlarge Headstones Row 1 Anna, dau. of J. and B. Smith, d. Sept. 1, 1858, age 1 yr. 6 mos. Samuel Haack, 1 mo. 5 das. Row 2 Paul Seeber, 1804-1861 Charlotte, wife of G. Neubauer, d. in her 64 year. Louise Schwenke, 1858-1862 Sophia D. Schwenke, 1859-18?0 Caroline Schwenke, 1828-1862 John Baumert, d. Feb. 27, 1864, age 55 yrs. 3 das. Diedrich Backhaus, d. July 4, 1866, age 49 yrs. 7 mos. 9 das. Barbara Schirmer, b. Mar. 28, 1842; d. (can't read mo. and day), 1866 (stone here not readable) Friedrich A. Nanke, d. Feb. 11, 1868, age. 28 yrs. 1 mo. 18 das. Sophie M., wife of F. Hanke, d. Mar. 4, 1868, age 19 yrs. 6 mos. 3 das. Hinrich Luers, d. Oct. 26, 1868, age 72 yrs. Hermann Luers, 1801-1881, age 80 yrs. Gusche, wife of George Hahn, d. Jan. 25, 1882, age 37 yrs. 8 mos. 10 das. Anna, wife of Claus H. Ehlen, d. Mar. 18, 1882, age 71 yrs. 1 mo. 5 das. Claus H. Ehlen, d. Feb. 20, 1894, age 79 yrs. 6 mos. John C. Witten, d. July 2, 1885, age 71 yrs. 10 mos. 7 das. Irene, wife of J. C. Witten, d. Mar. 5, 1891, age 76 yrs. 3 mos. 27 das. Row 3 Note: Here is a stone for the children of D. F. and D. Strohman. On the four sides of the stone appears the following information about the children: Caroline, b. July 9, 1859; d. Sept. 11, 1862, age 4 yrs. 1 mo. 14 das. Heinrich, b. July 24, 1856; d. Sept. 5, 1862, age 6 yrs. 1 mo. 11 das. Wilhelmina, b. Oct. 18, 1853; d. Aug. 23, 1862, age 8 yrs. 10 mos. 6 das. Karl, b. May 1, 1863; (no death date; stillborn) Johannis Schulz, b. Aug. 30, 1863; d. Sept. 13, 1868 Anna K., dau. of J. H. and M. Seaba, d. Apr. 27, 1871, age 3 yrs. 2 months Clause H., son of J. H. and M. Seaba, d. Mar. 27, 1871, age 5 yrs. 1 month Edward F., son of August and Wilhelmina Witt, d. July 4, 1880, age 1 yr. 4 mos. 21 das. Row 4 Samuel H., son of Rev. G. and M. Haack, d. Aug. 15, 1863, 1 yr. 5 mos. 14 das. Adelheit Schuman, b. June 14, 1866; d. Sept. 19, 1867 Henry W., son of C. and A. Killmer, d. July 4, 1871, age 4 yrs. 7 months Mary A., dau. of H. D. and M. A. Luers, d. Aug. 6, 1871, age 5 mos. 11 das. (Mary's stone was lying on the ground.) Friedrich Schulz, d. July 19, 1866, b. Feb. 12, 1872. M (no name readable; no other information) Gustav A. Schuman, b. Apr. 18, 1864; d. Apr. 28, 1872 Addil, son of G. H. and O. Hahn, d. July 5, 1875, age 9 yrs. 7 mos. 7 das. Adelheit C., dau. of A. and B. Pimme, d. Oct. 25, 1875; age (can't read) Row 5 John P. Schrader, b. Apr. 6, 1824; d. Mar. 8, 1869 Lui Buhnemann, son of W. and S. Burnehmann, d. Dec. 11, 1870; age 13 yrs. Friederick Buehneman, d. Apr. 1, 1878, age 19 yrs. 5 mos. 17 das. Heinrich Bruns, b. May 24, 1864; d. Feb. 26, 1872 Diedrich Bruns, b. Mar. 4, 1858; d. Mar. 1, 1872 Herman D. Luers, d. Apr. 3, 1872, age 41 yrs. Sofea, wife of W. Buehneman d. Aug. 20, 1876, age 50 yrs. 4 mos. 23 das. Gotlib Beets, d. Nov. 12, 1875, age 58 yrs. 11 mos. 20 das. John H, husband of Adelheit Pimme, d. June 2, 1876, age 74 yrs. 1 mo. 4 das. Anna Margarethe Schersell, wife of Hinrich Luers, d. Dec. 26, 1876, age 76 Charles Killmer, d. Mar. 8, 1877, age 85 yrs. 11 mos. 19 das. Ernst H. Fouth, d. Mar. 16, 1877, age 10 yrs. 2 mos. 27 das. Adelheit, wife of J. H. Pimme, d. May 3, 1878, age 78 yrs. 4 mos. 21 das. Johan Heinrich Cassens, b. Oct. 16, 1817, d. May 29, 1881, age 68 yrs. 7 mos. 13 das. Johann Schirmer, d. June 28, 1861, age 87 yrs. Louise S. Cassens, dau. of Johan Heinrich and Marie Cassens, b. Oct. 14, 1899, d. Dec. 6, 1853, age 19 yrs. 11 mos. 24 das. Row 6 Jacob, son of J. J. and B. Long, d. Feb. 28, 1874, age 1 mo. 29 das. Anna A., dau. of H. and M. Bartz, b. Aug. 25, 1873; d. May 10, 1874 Minne, dau. of G. and Anna Oldenburg, d. Sept. 25, 1874, age 7 mos. 23 das. Henrietta Klett, b. June 21, 1873; d. Oct. 5, 1874 Karl, son of W. and E. Nass, d. Mar. 23, 1877, age 12 yrs. 4 mos. 17 das. Willhelm, son of W. and E. Nass, d. Mar. 21, 1877, age 10 yrs. 2 mos. 16 das. J. Mahler, d. Dec. 14, 1878 Dora A., dau. of G. E. and H. Starr, d. Dec. 13, 1878, age 1 mo. 23 das. Little Emma, dau., of H. and M. Kilmer, d. Jan. 17, 1879, age 1 yr. 9 mos. ? das. Eddie, son of C. F. and H. Starr, d. Feb. 28, 1885, age 3 yrs. 5 mos. ? das. Carl W. Fauth, b. May 13, 1872; d. Nov. 4, 1835 Row 7 Wilhelm D. L., son of Wm. W. and S. W. Buhnemann, d. Oct. 9, 1878, age ?? mos. 18 das. Mother Speckmeyer, b. Apr. 15, 1812; d. Oct. 15, 1878 Christian Duensing, 1811-1879 H. F. Mahler, b. Mar. 31, 1830; d. Sept. 29, 1880 Robert Walrich, b. in 1802; d. Nov. 6, 1861 John, Husb. of S. Smith, d. May 4, 1883, age 63 yrs. D. F. H. Strohmann, d. July 9, 1883, age 64 yrs. 6 mos. 2 das. Mary Wickenkamp, b. Aug. 5, 1837; d. July 8, 1884 Matt. Hank, d. Nov. 2, 1884, age 68 yrs. 8 mos. 13 das. Catherine Walerch, d. Sept. 23, 1885, age 78 yrs. Dorothea Voltmer Duensing, 1810-1886 Kunigunda Hofmann, b. June ?, 1837, d. April 17, 1886 John G. Goeldner, b. Feb. 10, 1870, d. April 26, 1876 Mary E., wife of A. Polke, d. July 27, 1887, age 69 yrs. 3 mos. Albert Polke, d. Mar. 12, 1909, age 82 yrs. 3 mos. 19 das. Row 8 (Base remains, name stone missing) Edward L., son of L. D. and M. A. Schimmelpfennig, b. June 9, 18??, d. Aug. 21, 1894 Infant dau. of W. D. and M. A. Schimmelpfennig, d. Feb. 25, 1904 Schimmelpfennig son (baby), b. Sept. 23, 1901, d. Sept. 23, 1901 (Remainder of this row has no stones) Row 9 Barbara, wife of John Smith, d. June 16, 1867, age 65 yrs. 2 mos. 3 das. Katharine, wife of Albert Albers, d. Aug. 14, 1888, age 48 yrs. 3 mos. 1 d. Catarina Seeber, 1808-1888 Herman Beinke, d. Mar. 17, 1889, age 77 yrs. 1 mo. 3 das. Marie El, wife of Karl Wolf, b. May 6, 1806; May 8, 1889, age 83 yrs. 2 das. Magdalene, wife of John Baumert, d. Mar. 6, 1891, age 78 Yrs. 3 mos. 22 das. F. Wickenkamp, 1816-1893 Johann Meyer, b. Nov. 13, 1823, in Bettendorf, Hanover, Germany, d. Dec. 28, 1893, age 69 yrs. 11 mos. 16 das. Margrethe Beinke, b. Dec. 24, 1813; d. Oct. 3, 1894, age 80 yrs. 9 mos. 9 das. Eva Katherine Pfannebecker, d. Feb. 18, 1896, age 74 yrs. 7 mos. 23 das. Margaret Bakehouse, 1862-1896 Anna M. Fauth, d. Aug. 3, 1896, age 21 yrs. 10 mos. 16 das. George F. Mahler, b. Nov. 8, 1861; d. Mar. 16, 1897 Anna Mary Wickenkamp, b. Apr. 3, 1827; d. Jan. 1, 1898 G. H. Wickenkamp, b. Apr. 10, 1820; d. Oct. 30, 1911 Friedericka Schuman, b. May 7, 1830; d. Jan. 18, 1900 Henry Pfannebecker, Jr., b. Apr. 13, 1853; d. Nov. 3, 1900 Frederick Schimmelpfennig, b. June 7, 1829; d. Oct. 22, 1901 Gertrude, wife of Frederick Schimmelpfennig, b. Oct. 17, 1827; d. March 8, 1904 Row 10 John Hofmann, b. June 24, 1834, d. Jan. 4, 1902 Alvina, wife of Chris Pfannebecker, b. Jan. 15, 1855, d. Dec. 29, 1902 Wm. Buehnemann, b. Sept. 21, 1819; d. Mar. 21, 1903 Albertina, wife of Charles Killmer, b. Dec. 8, 1841; d. Mar. 13, 1903 V Henry Pfannebecker, Sr., b. Jan. 26, 1824; d. Dec. 28, 1905 Solomon Schuman, b. July 3, 1827; d. Dec. 31, 1905 Margarethe, wife of Johann Meyer, b. Feb. 6, 1829; d. Nov. 17, 1908 Heinrich W. Mueller, b. Apr. 28, 1838; d. July 14, 1909 Louise Mahler, b. Aug. 29, 1838; d. Jan. 23, 1917 Elmer W. Pfannebecker, 1886-1920 Louise Bakehouse, 1829-1920 Mary Schroeder, 1848-1925 (Louise and Mary are sisters) John Herman Meyer, b. Mar. 29, 1861; d. Jan. 21, 1930 George F. Mayer, 1867-1933 Sophie Meyer, 1871-1932 Christian Pfannebecker, b. Feb. 22, 1855; d. Dec. 15, 1936 * M designates Funeral Home metal marker * V designates Veteran Burials next to ?? ???? end (Row 11) Louis H. Meyer, 1863-1937 Amelia Schumann, 1877-1943 Burials By Lots – Lot 1 Alvina Bakehouse, 1892-1914 Deiderick C. Bakehouse, b. Feb. 23, 1867, d. Jan. 31, 1941 Lot 2 No burials Lot 3 Dick D. Behnemann, b. Feb. 4, 1862; d. Sept. 24, 1925 Mary L. S. Behnemann, b. June 24, 1864; d. July 23, 1916 Lot 4 John A. Wickenkamp, 1877-1925 Katherine Wickenkamp, 1898-1973 (Lots 5 to 11, inclusive, are not for sale) Lot 12 Frederica Koch, wife of Louis Koch, b. Nov. 21, 1832; d. Jan. 23, 1908 Lot 13 Meta D. L. Schwenke, b. Dec. 23, 1872; d. March 3, 1946 Heinrich Friedrich Schwenke (Father), b. Apr. 1, 1827; d. Nov. 9, 1910 Anna Marie (Mother) Schwenke, b. March 28, 1840; d. June 22, 1909 David C. Schwenke, b. Mar. 26, 1864; d. Mar. 18, 1934 Henry F. Schwenke, b. Jan. 22, 1861; d. Apr. 20, 1942 Lot 14 Fred Schwenke (No dates, no marker) M Mary Schwenke, 1880-1965 Lot 15 Christina, wife of Henry Strohman, 1830-1913 Henry Strohman, 1828-1893 Lot 16 Frederick L. Strohman, b. June 27, 1870; d. Aug. 16, 1914 Mary C. Strohman, b. May 11, 1869; d. Feb. 24, 1943 (Lots 17 to 22, inclusive, not for sale) Lot 23 No apparent burials Lot 24 No apparent burials Lot 25 (A stone base is there; no name stone) Lot 26 Kate Riesenberger, 1859-1937 Sadie R. Lobsinger, Apr. 7, 1868; d. Sept. 12, 1960(?) Mary A. Wickenkamp, 1876-1961 William J. Wickenkamp, 1866-1940 Lot 27 James M. Vittetoe, b. Dec. 4, 1860; d. Feb. 17, 1920 Emma C. Vittetoe, b. Feb. 14, 1882; July 9, 1933 (Lots 28 to 33, inclusive, not sold) Lot 34 – No apparent burials Lot 35 Emma K. Schumann, Jan. 2, 1945 (date does not designate birth or death) Otto Schumann, b. Nov. 16, 1859; d. Nov. 9, 1922 Augusta Schumann, b. Feb. 11, 1871; d. Sept. 13, 1962 Lot 36 (No apparent burials) Lot 37 Fredrick Meyer, b. Jan. 3, 1853; d. May 19, 1917 Mary Meyer, wife of Frederick, b. Nov. 13, 1847; d. Sept. 2, 1923 Lot 38 Margaret A. Schimmelpfennig, b. Mar. 24, 1870; d. June 20, 1912 Wm. Deidrick Schimmelpfennig, b. Oct. 3, 1862; d. Apr. 14, 1930 Marilyn J. Schimmelpfennig, b. July 23, 1936; d. Apr. 4, 1939 Lot 39 John Smith, b. Aug. 26, 1860; d. Aug. 1, 1908; age 47 yrs. 11 mos. 6 das. Anna M. Smith, b. Apr. 9, 1866; d. Aug. 9, 1945 Burials in row of lots between Chapel and Row Burials, from east to west. Lot S – William L. Beinke, 1860-1933 Emma L. Beinke, 1866-1935 Lot S – Henrietta C. Schwenke, b. July 2, 1870; d. Mar. 25, 1944 Herman F. Schwenke, b. Mar. 6, 1866; d. Feb. 8, 1848 Lot S – Evelyn N. Schwenke, b. Feb. 24, 1912; (living) Ray K. Schwenke, b. Oct. 27, 1905; d. May 3, 1966 Lot P – Lucy Pfannebecker, b. Sept. 25, 1879; d. Feb. 22, 1961 Oscar H. Pfannebecker, b. Aug. 20, 1884; d. Aug. 25, 1965 Lot P – Josephine Pfannebecker, b. Jan. 12, 1888; d. Jan. 24, 1963 Nettie Pfannebecker, b. July 8, 1895; d. Aug. 18, 1970 Denver Pfannebecker, b. Oct. 6, 1893; (living) Additional Information For all of the burials mentioned here, no stones identify the burial spaces. Albert Bakehouse (age 86) reports that as a child he remembers that there was a small plot the size of a few graves with a picket fence around it to the south of the brick church building and he had understood that there were graves in the enclosure. He does not remember whether there were stones there or who else was buried there. Emma Fairchild (age 88) reports that two small children who were brothers of her father, Henry Cassens, died and were buried in the plot in the southeast corner of the cemetery grounds (above mentioned plot). The area must have contained a spring, as the ground seemed rather soggy and wet, so some of the bodies of the adults and small children were removed and reburied in the row section. A number of the adults and children were not taken up as their next of kin felt that they did not want to disturb the burials. That area was kept mowed and relatives cared for the graves of their family members. In recent years there has been no mention of that plot as a burial grounds and few people know that one ever existed in that corner of the cemetery grounds. Mrs. Augusta Hauschild reports that Amanda Hauschild, the mother of her husband, Peter Hauschild, was buried in the row section of Sunny Ridge Cemetery. He died about 1916; the exact date is not known. Her husband had a sister, also named Amanda Hauschild, buried in the row section. She died sometime in the early 1900's. Mrs. Elmer (Lottie) Hauschild reports that her husband, Elmer, had a half-brother, John Hauschild, buried in this cemetery. No dates are known. Henry Hauschild, a brother of Elmer, is buried in what is designated as Row 11, but there is no stone. He was born September 24, 1878, and died July 21, 1950. Mrs. Louise Buehnemann Strohman, wife of Louis Strohman, says that her grandmother, Louise Buehnemann, was buried in Sunny Ridge. She does not know the birth or the death dates. Freda Bruns reports that according to the old death records of the church and cemetery, Caroline Schimmelpfennig, her great grandmother is buried in Sunny Ridge Cemetery. Her death date is July 30, 1878. It is believed that her stone was in Row 8, where there is only the base standing now in the beginning of that row. Albert Bakehouse says that in the row section northeast of the Chapel there are three of his aunts (sisters of Fred and Dick Bakehouse) buried there. Two died when they were very young, about two or three years old, and one when about twelve years old. There never was a tombstone there and he does not know the approximate dates. Mrs. Malina Ahrens Herrick reports that her great grandfather, John Schroyer is buried in Sunny Ridge Cemetery. He died June 2, 1878. His birth date is not known at this time. |
