Tales The Tombstone Tell Columns
from the Republican Observer
Written by S. W. Fogo
Page 116

 Peter Vosen and Gertrude, his wife, are among the early born to be buried here. He was born in 1817 and she in 1819. Other early born are John Hanko and his wife Emma. He was born in 1849 and Emma in 1853. Theodore Klang, 1847, and Gertrude his wife in 1856. Mr. Klang died in 1922 and his wife in 1930. John Duppen and Anna Duppen were among the early born. His birth was in 1846 and his wife's in 1852. John died in 1923 and his wife preceeded him in death by a year, 1922 being the date of her death.
 World War I and II veterans are buried in the Germantown cemetery. Alfred Bauer, Staff Sgt. in the Air Corps, is one of the World War II veterans. According to his marker, he was born February 7, 1923, and died November 11, 1943.
 Edward Hanko, Private 13 Co. 161 Depot Brigade, World War I, has a marker. He was born Feb. 27, 1888, and died March 1, 1953.
 Another World War II soldier is Clarence Escher, who was a Staff Sergeant, 379th Infantry 95th Division. His birth date was June 6, 1919, and his death took place November 17, 1944.
 Fred J. Jasper, Pfc. 60th Inft. 9th Division, World War II, is also buried here. He was born October 8, 1915, and died August 12, 1943.
 One of the well known folks to be buried here is Hugh Scallon. He was born in 1859 and his wife Bertha, in 1865. Hugh died in 1936 and his wife in 1945.
 On a monument in the cemetery across the highway from the church is carved this:
 "William Duren, the last of the pioneers of St. Anthony's church, born at Austel, Germany, December 9, 1819, died March 27, 1908."  His wife Anna, is buried on the lot. She, the tombstone says, was also born in Germany; her birth date being November 20, 1822, and she died November 27, 1892. Mr. Duren, we believe, operated a sawmill on the Little Baraboo river not far from Germantown or Cazenovia. It was equipped with four saws and a turning lathe. This mill made stock for wagons, sleighs and some farm machinery. Later one run of stone for grinding feed was added.
 Also upon the monument for William and Anna Duren is this:
 "Rev. Stephen Duren, born Sept. 15, 1856. Ordained a priest June 24, 1884; died December 6, 1937."
 Two other priests are here. Rev. H. Koenig, who was born in the city of Heiligenstadt, Prussia, Germany, October 7, 1834, first studied to be a priest in his native city, finishing his education in Rome. He went to Ireland where he was ordained a Catholic priest at Carlow College on May 9, 1859. After coming to America he was assigned to various churches until 1878 when he took charge of St. Mary's Catholic church at Keyesville.
 Rev. Father H. Grosse, buried not far from Father Koenig and Father Duren, was one of the early day priests at the Germantown church. He was born in 1842 and passed on in 1900. He was the fourth to have charge of this church. The first mass for the church was held at the home of Jacob Marto by Father Gaertner, of Sauk City; the first resident priest was Father Bernerd. In 1859 they erected a church building and about 1884 the present brick structure was built. We noticed that three bells hung in the church steeple and these ring out, the chimes being heard for miles around.
 There are a few markers that have been worn by the elements, a few broken. But upon many, in addition to those given at the beginning of this brief history of this cemetery, we notice markers for Fisher, Keller, Luxton, Dietelhoff, Dooley, O'Brien, LeSage, Riedel, Clary, Canaan, Havlik, Herlihy, Hess, Bruha, McCarthy, Justen and Jax.
 John M. Jax was but three years old when his parents came to Richland county from Fond du Lac in 1855 and settled in Westford. He was married to Annie Timlin in 1875. He engaged in the hooppole trade for many years and also made hand shaved hoops.
S. F.


Page 117

Tales The Tombstones Tell - Republican Observer - October 31, 1957

Hopewell and Ash Ridge
 Atop a hill overlooking Bender Hollow in the town of Forest, is the Hopewell cemetery or as some call it, the New Bender Burying Ground. Hopewell, is the rightful name, we believe. It is not far from the Old Bender cemetery which was the first one in the town of Forest.
 The Hopewell cemetery is south cross the highway on a county road, MM, from the Hopewell church. The church building is no longer in use; stripped of its pews, its pulpit and stove, it stands as a silent monument to other days.
 There can be no doubt but some of those out in the burying ground attended meetings there and funeral services for some were held in this church. It was erected in 1889, and dedicated in February, 1890. It took the place of an old, old church which stood "down the hollow."

 The first burial in the Hopewell cemetery was in 1895, David Bender tells us. David is a native of that section, his younger days were spent there and he kept in touch with events in that area. He says that Cyrus Gochenaur, a ten year old lad, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraium Goehenaur who met an accidental death, was the first to be laid to rest there.

 James Matthes, born in 1857 and died in 1942, is buried here as is also his wife Lucie, born in 1871 and died in 1915. A number of the Ambrose family are in this cemetery. Hiram Ambrose and his wife Caroline, are among them. He was born in 1826 and she in 1837. They were at one time residents of Richland Center and conducted the old Mitchell Hotel for a time. J. K. Ambrose is one of the family buried here. He came at an early date, about 1854 or 1855. He was a Civil War veteran.

 Names upon the stones in this cemetery include Moore, Rounds, Walter, Lowrey, Smelcer, Hoke, Dobson, Benn and Bender.
 John and Susan Harn are in this cemetery as also in Rola, a son. Rola was accidentally shot, his death taking place, the tombstone says, on September 6, 1900. John Harn was a Civil War veteran.
 Another tragic death was that of John Lynd, who was killed in a ranaway accident, December 16, 1895. On his monument it says:
  "Be ye also ready for in such an hour as you thinkest
   not the Son of Man cometh."
 Mr. Lynd was born in 1825.

 William Fry, born in 1857 and his wife Barbara, are in this cemetery. Mr. Fry was a Civil War veteran.
 William Dary, born in 1830 and died in 1914, is buried here as is his wife Mahala, born in 1831 and passed on in 1905.

 Jeremiah Kanable is another Civil War veteran, who found this cemetery his last resting place. He was born in 1844. His wife Isabelle, is on the lot.
 The life story of Edgar Lanam, infant son of E. J. and T. E. Lanam is soon told as a line on his marker reads:
   "Born and died October 26, 1899."

 A rather odd name Ellis Ellis, appears upon a marker which says he died in 1895 at the age of 64 years. No other information appears upon the stone.

 Ed Joseph, one time resident of the town of Richland, residing a scant mile west of the city on Brush Creek, is buried here. He was killed in an auto accident. He was born in Forest on May 3, 1868, and all his life was spent in Richland county. His parents were John and Anna Joseph, who were natives of England and Wales; he of England and she of Wales. They were married in England and came to America, taking up their home in the town of Forest. Mrs. Edwin Joseph is still living.

Page 118

 Another of the "Boys in Blue" to find rest here in this quiet cemetery was Irvin Gribble, one time treasurer of Richland county. He was a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, born May 9, 1841. In 1854 the family came to Wisconsin from Indiana, settled in Vernon county, and then to the Viola area. Mr. Gribble enlisted in Co. I, 12th Wisconsin Infantry in October, 1861, re-enlisted when his time of service expired, and served until August 1865, when the regiment was mustered out of service. He returned home and resumed farming. In 1872 he was married to Sarah Bender. Mr. Gribble was elected treasurer of the county in 1880 and served four years.

 Side by side are buried T. R. Beighly and wife. He was born in 1803 and she in 1833. Mr. Beighly was a soldier in the Civil War. Would that we could tell a bit of history about every person buried in this cemetery and in other cemeteries about the county but we will have to be content in many instances with just what the tombstones tell.

Ash Ridge Cemetery
 This small but well kept cemetery is located adjoining the Ash Ridge Baptist church on county trunk A, section six in the town of Marshall. Burials are not frequent these days but the plot is kept in good shape as all cemeteries should be. The Baptist church society was first formed here August 9, 1873, with only six members. Rev. N. L. Sweet was the pastor and meetings were held in the school house, district No. 3. Meetings were held there until 1877, when a log church, 2Ox28 feet was erected. Rev. George D. Stevens was the first pastor. A Sabbath school was organized in 1871. The church is still in operation after all these years. The pastor of the Richland Center Baptist church holds the services. A nice frame building took the place of the log building.
 Among those buried in the cemetery are William P. Baxter and his wife Victorine. Mr. Baxter was born in 1848 and died in 1916, and his wife was born in 1852. Buried close to them is Samuel Baxter, and his wife Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Baxter were residents of Richland Center for a number of years. Mr. Baxter was at one time a member of the city council: a representative from the first ward. He was born in 1870 and died in 1939. Mrs. Baxter was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Fogo.
 Names upon the tombstones are Elliott, Ewing, Thornton, Fruit, Sandmire, Buck, Wanless, Talledge, Valenta, Donner, Hutton and Haines.
 Wallace Fogo and his wife Mary are buried here. He was born in 1848 and she in 1853. Both were natives of Ohio and came here from the Buckeye state and remained until their death. Mr. Fogo was a Civil War veteran.
 Squire Keys, another prominent citizen of that area to be buried in this cemetery, was born in 1860 and died in 1905. Joseph Berkshire, also a Civil War veteran, has a marker. He died, so his tombstone says, in 1900 at the age of 74 years, one month and two days.
 Richard Jones, born in 1847 and died in 1909, belonged to an Ohio regiment and served during the conflict between the North and the South. His wife, Asenath, born in 1850 and died in 1881, is buried by his side.
 George W. Putman and his wife Martha, at whose home the Ash Ridge Baptist church was organized back in 1873, are among those who rest in this burying ground. He was born March 24, 1826, and died March 4, 1899; his wife was born September 28, 1826. Mr. Putman owned a farm not far from the cemetery. He devoted much of his time in operating a nursery which he gave the name of Walnut Hill Nursery. Back in 1874 the farm consisted of 160 acres. The old Putman farm is now owned, we believe, by Lester Fruit.
 William Bergman, who was born in 1857, 100 years ago, is buried here. He died, according to his tombstone in 1911.
 The present church building is a neat frame structure and in it has been held the last rites of some those who found rest in the little cemetery adjoining.

S. F.

Page 119

Tales The Tombstones Tell - Republican Observer - November 7, 1957

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Willow

 There are three Pleasant Ridge communities in Richland county. One in Akan, one in Bloom and one in Willow. There is no cemetery at the Pleasant Ridge church in Akan but there is one in Bloom. It is of the one in Willow of which we write, located on county trunk D. A church is there at this cemetery with Lester Mathews as the pastor. This church was, we believe, organized in 1874 at the home of Ezra Reagles. A log church was built and later the frame structure which houses the congregation on a Sunday, was built. It and the cemetery were at one time a part of the farm of Ezra Reagles. Mr. Reagles found rest here in this burying ground, close to the church he helped to organize. Mr. Reagles was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1834, and moved to Indiana when he was six years old. In 1861 he married Susfine Mayewinkle and the same year they came to Wisconsin. Here the wife died 13 years later. He again married when Mary E. Lewis became his wife. She was born in 1858 and died in 1918. A son, Clyde, is buried on the lot with his parents. He died in 1894 at the age of 13 years. Mr. Reagles was a Civil War veteran, a member of Co. A, 36th Wis. Vol. At the time of his enlistment he gave the town of Willow as his residence. On August 16, 1864, he was wounded in the leg, the wound being so severe that the leg had to be amputated. He was Register of Deeds for Richland county for two terms. He died in 1917.

 Joseph W. Bryant is one of the Civil War veterans buried here. He was a member of Co. E lst Penn. Light Artillery. He was born June 18, 1823, and died September 11, 1904. His wife Sarah J. was born in 1844 and passed on July 14, 1915.

 A World War I soldier, Charles A. Warner, is buried close by. He was a private in the army in the first World War, born May 10, 1894, and died February 15, 1955. He was kin, we learn, of Ezra Reagles and Joseph Bryant.

 There are many well known names upon the stones and markers in the burying ground. Williams, Scoles, Newkirk, Thompson, Draves, Long, Markley, Frye, Denman and Brock are some of them. Then there are others: Mathews, LeMoine, Rose, Stout, Worth, Sutherland, Pahl, Fuller, Lane, Mosher, Hendricks, Kingery and Todd.

 Ira Hyde and Harriett Hyde have a marker. He was born in 1850 and died in 1901, while she, born in 1849, died in 1929. James Breese, his marker says, died on August 2, 1898, at the age of 57 years, 11 months and 21 days.

 Mary A. Newkirk is another one buried here, who was born over 100 years ago. She first looked upon the world in 1826 and her eyes closed in 1905.

 Fannie Roberts, who married Lewis Johnston, is here. She was for many years our correspondent from Buck Creek. She was born in 1888 and died in 1952. Her sister Claudia M. Roberts, is on the same lot. Claudia was born in 1874 and died in 1937. Another stone upon the lot is marked "Jennie, 1849 - 1924."

 Edward J. Long is here in this cemetery along with his wife, Amanda. He was born in 1827 and died in 1905. His wife was born in 1835 but no date of her death is given. Lucinda Hyde, wife of E. G. Singletery, died December 28, 1884, at the age of 37. On the same lot is Sarah Dary, wife of A. P. Hyde, who died September 10, 1888, at the age of 62.

 Page 120

 On one monument it says: "Lillie May Stayton, born in Rockbridge, August 8, 1866, married J. W. Bryant December 5, 1889, died January 3, 1909, aged 42 years, 4 months and 26 days.
   "Lillie darling you lie here.
    To me, love you are most dear;
    Let come whatever will
    I will always love you still."

 Mr. Bryant was born May 24, 1868, but the date of his passing is not given.
 Samuel Fuller who died February 2, 1897, at the age of 74, has this engraved upon his marker:
   "Shall we meet beyond the river."
 On the same lot is his wife Julia, born in 1828 and died in 1907, also a daughter Euphemia, who died on September 23, 1865, at the age of 14.

 George C. Spencer, born in 1838, died in 1891, and his wife Martha, born in 1852, died in 1927. They were quite early settlers in the Willow area.

 Civil War veteran William DeVolt, gave the town of Willow as home when he enlisted in Co. A 36th Regt., February 16, 1864. He was mustered out July 12, 1865. He served in the same company and regiment with Ezra Reagles. Mr. DeVolt was born March 22, 1822, and died November 16, 1898. Emily, his wife, was born in 1830 and died in 1895.

 Gracie May Kennedy, who died August 15, 1888, at the age of two years and six days, has this upon her marker:
   "Dearest Gracie thou has left us,
    Though we see your form no more
    Yet we know that we shall meet thee
    Over on the Golden Shore."

 John Kennedy is buried on the same lot as is Charlotte, his wife. He was born in 1849 and died in 1909. Charlotte, born in 1862, died in 1888.

 John Gray, born in 1854, died in 1936. Mr. Gray operated a farm upon which is located a cave, which years ago was surveyed by a party from the state university.

 Ed and Hannah Ford have a marker. He was born in 1862 and she in 1871. Mr. Ford died in 1904 and she in 1949. Tillas Knapp lived to be 73 years, 7 months and 25 days of age when he died January 31, 1900. A son Jesse, died in 1895 at the age of eight and a daughter, Nellie Fry, passed on November 22, 1895, at the age of 22 years, one month and 13 days.

 Mary Olive Rose had a short life; as she died January 26th at the age of seven months and six days. her sister, Nora, died in December 1, 1897, at the age of seven. The tombstone says they were the daughters of S. H. and M. Rose. Connie Williams, buried in this cemetery, had a short life too, being born in 1901 and died in 1902. Ruth Gray had a much longer life; born on December 29, 1834, she lived until January 30, 1910.

 Isaac Johnson Sr. and Isaac Johnson Jr. are here. Isaac, the older, was born in 1845 and died in 1919, while Isaac Jr., born in 1881, lived until 1905. Ida M., wife of Isaac Sr., is on the lot. She was born in 1858 and died in 1933. Another son, Cal. H., is buried on the lot. He was born in 1889 and passed on in 1941.

 A marker for Jean and Janet Johnson is on a lot close by. They were no doubt twins. They died, so the marker says, in 1935.

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