Tales The Tombstone Tell Columns
from the Republican Observer
Written by S. W. Fogo
Page 156

 Mitchell Harris has a marker on his grave which says his passing "brings a new thought of love and understanding."

 B. W. Telfair was a lawyer by profession, coming from New York to Sextonville in 1854 and he practiced law until going into service. He was a captain of Co. B, 20th Regt. and one of his company was Morris Sexton, who met death at Prairie Grove, Ark. A marker for each is in the Sextonville cemetery. Mr. Telfair died in 1872. He was survived by his wife and a child, who moved to the northern part of the state to make their home. When Mr. Telfair enlisted he gave his address as Richland Center. He served as captain until Sept. 10, 1863, when, on account of disability he was discharged. His place as captain of Co. B was taken by Emory F. Stone of Sun Prairie, who died April 1, 1865, at New Orleans, as the result of wounds received at Spanish Fort. Many Richland county men were members of Co. B, and a number of them like M. E. Sexton, never came home but they found rest beneath the sod in a cemetery in the deep south.

 The William and Joseph Irish families have members buried here. Joseph Irish came from New York state in 1852. He taught school for a time, was elected as county surveyor, and it was he who surveyed the cemetery back in 1852. He later entered the ministry. He moved to St. Croix county in 1860 and while living there was elected state senator and in 1883 was tendered the appointment of Minister to France, but declined. William Irish came in 1854, residing in the Sextonville area for a number of years. He also became a Methodist minister.

 Several of the men who helped in organizing the town of Ithaca are buried in this cemetery. The town was organized in 1856 and among the officers chosen at that time were Luther Irish, clerk, James Boyd, treasurer. For some reason or other three assessors were elected, Joseph Post, buried here was one of them.

 One may wonder why Sextonville is here spoken of as being in the town of Ithaca. Back in the "early days" the village was in Ithaca, the township at that time extended south from the present town line and when the town was made to conform with others in the county the line was changed so that Sextonville is now in the town of Buena Vista.

 Sextonville was a very important point back in the days of E. M. Sexton. The first high school in the county was established here in the year of 1860. Prof Henry W. Glasier was head of the school. Many of the boys and girls who attended the school have found everlasting rest in the Sextonville burying ground and marble and granite stones mark the spots.

 It is a far cry from "away back, when" to the present day. Wouldn't Mrs. George Reed, the first person to be buried in the cemetery, wonder over present day events. And wonder too would come to James McCorkle who was killed by a whale in the Sea of Japan May 25, 1848. A marker for him is here, though his body was never recovered. Wouldn't he wonder if he learned that in the cemetery are those who were killed by auto accidents. He would wonder what an auto was. He certainly would be surprised if he learned that Dr. Walker, also buried here, met death in an airplane crash. The world moves.

S. F. 

Page 157

Tales The Tombstones Tell - Republican Observer - August 21, 1958

St. Bridget's Cemetery
 There is an old burying ground, still in use, in the town of Westford wherein many of the pioneers of that area have been laid away for many a year, but the memory of them still lives in the minds and hearts of their sons, daughters or grandchildren.
 A church once stood within the cemetery but it is not there now, having been torn down during the year of 1956. The church, St. Bridget's, was organized over 100 years ago, Father Sthale was the first priest and it was he who formed the first congregation. The meetings were held in homes at first but in 1856 a log church building was started and finished the following year.
 The log church was in use until 1881 when a frame building was completed and dedication service held in September of that year. Father John B. Metzler was the first priest to hold mass in this building. It continued in use until just a few years ago when services there were discontinued and in 1956 it was torn down. Earl Pauls, whose farm adjoins the church yard, bought the building and while tearing it down suffered a fall from the belfry which resulted in painful injury.
 St. Bridget's cemetery is a part of the churchyard. The first burial there was in early 1856, when Dennis Murphy was laid to rest. The land for the church and cemetery, five acres, were donated by John Donohoe. It was platted in 1863 and dedicated a few years later by Father Benard.

 A stone in the cemetery marks the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy. The inscription for Mr. Murphy reads:
   "Dennis Murphy, Native of Parish Karmdly,
    County of Fermanagh, Ireland,
                   Died March 20, 1856, Aged 75 Years"
 This would bring his birth date to 1781.
 The inscription for Mrs. Murphy reads
   "Ann Murphy, died July 15, 1856, aged 60"

 There are many stones which bear names of those who have been laid to rest in this century old cemetery. Kitson, Harrison, Maher, Grimes, Connors, Conley, Berberich, Drea, Rego, Kelley, Dietelhoff, Quinn, Herlihy, Poole and Stearns, are just a few of them. Others include Timlin, Harrington, Lyden, Roach, Cruice, Dwyer, Muldowney, Doyle, Fitzgerald, Neary, Ryan, Shea, Sheahan, Carroll, Quirk and Peterson.

 John Donahoe, who donated the land for the church and cemetery, was a native of Ireland, born in 1818. He came to America in 1845, landing at Boston. The next year he went to New Orleans and there married Mary Murphy, a native Fermanagh, Ireland, the marriage taking place in 1849. In 1852 they moved to Ohio and in 1855 to the town of Westford, Richland county. Mr. Donahoe served in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry Co. F from Nov. 11, 1861, until Feb. 17, 1865, and participated in many battles of the Civil War. It is safe to assume that Mary Murphy, who became the wife of Mr. Donahoe, was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Murphy, though we have no proof that such is a fact. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were the first to be buried in this cemetery and they and Mrs. Donahoe came from the same county, Fermanagh, Ireland. Mr. Donahoe, was a native of county Cavan. He was at one time chairman of the town of Westford. One of their five children was named Dennis, perhaps after his grandfather, Dennis Murphy.

 A Civil War veteran, Patrick H. McCarthy, is here buried, together with members of his family. Mr. McCarthy was born in Canada in 1846 and died September 23, 1895, at the age of 49 years, 9 months and 18 days. He came to the United States in 1846 and when he was seven years old they came to Richland county, town of Richland and in 1855 to the town of Henrietta. In 1867 he married Catharine Drea, who was born in 1852 and died in 1934. On the same lot are stones bearing the names of some     

   
Page 158

of their children, Nellie, William B., Mary A. and Josephine. Nearby is a marker for Capt. C. McCarthy, born in 1818 and died in 1879. He was a member of Co. D 11th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

 Also there is a marker for Daniel McCarthy, born in County Cork, Ireland. He died May 11, 1907, aged 75 years. Elizabeth, his wife, a native of Dublin, Ireland, buried at his side.

 Michael Harrison, World War I soldier has a marker on his grave which reads:
     "Michael Harrison
       Pvt. U. S. Army
         World War I
     May 27, 1890 - March 17, 1955"

 Other Members of the Harrison family are in this cemetery. One of these, Dominic Harrison, was among the folks who came from the Emerald Isle to make a home in the New World. His tombstone says:
   "Dominic Harrison, born in the Parish of Augtamore,
    County, Mayo, Ireland, the year 1823, imigrated to
    America year 1846, went to California 1851,
    Died February 12, 1900"
 On another stone in the same lot it reads as follows:
   "Josephene Jax, born in Madison, Wis., 1857, Died
    June 7, 1899, aged 42 years."
 And following that is a line, speaking of the monument, saying it was erected by her uncle, Dominic Harrison.

 A majority of the folks buried in this cemetery are Irish people and on a stone a truly Irish name appears.
   "Here Rests Bridget O'Leary
    Died March, 1885"
 On the reverse side appears the name of Arthur O'Leary, who died January 1887.

 A line engraved upon the stone for Bridget and Arthur, says it was "erected by Rev. John B. Metzler."  Father Metzler was the first to hold mass in the church which was torn down in 1956 and it was through his efforts that the church building was erected. Now Bridget O'Leary, Father Metzler and the church building are but memories.

 George Meehan is another Civil War veteran who found rest here. Mr. Meehan was born in County Meath, Ireland, in May 1832, and died January 8, 1916. In 1845 the family came to America and landed a few years later in the town of Henrietta, Richland county. He enlisted in Co. A 52nd Wisconsin Infantry.
 His wife was also a native of Ireland. She was, before her marriage, Mary Byrne, born March 1, 1836 and died January 4, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Meehan resided on Soules Creek for many years. Stones for John Meehan, born in 1869 and Jennie, born in 1871, are close by. John died in 1941 and Jennie in 1934.
 There is a stone in the burying ground for Ann Cullen. It reads that she was born May 9, 1822, and died March 10, 1892. Nothing else appears upon the marker.
 There are a number of the Roach family in St. Bridget's cemetery. Thomas Roach, who died April 24, 1910, was one of them. He was 81 years of age. Ann Roach, who died October 2, 1917, at the age of 73. Hanna Roach, born in Mayo county, Ireland, died in September 1867, at the age of 43. It reads on the marker that she was the wife of Thomas Roach. William Roach, born in 1822, and died in 1866, and Rose, born in 1826, and died in 1899, are all buried close by each other.
   "M. D. Harrison, born August 5, 1816, at Trout Hill,
    County of Mayo, Parish of Killbough, Ireland,
    immigrated to America and landed in New York,
    May 20, 1844. Died August 5, 1888, aged 72 years,
    11 months and 21 days." 

Page 159

 That is the brief history of his life, which now becomes a part of "The Tales the Tombstones Tell."

 A number of markers are upon the lot of William and Elizabeth Ford. William, the marker says, was born in 1826 and died in 1897; and Elizabeth, born in 1835, passed on in 1883. A stone for Sarah, born 1802 and died in 1877, bears the loving, cherished name,
   "GRANDMA."

 Other markers are for John, born in 1867 and died in 1888. There are also markers for other members of the family, named, no doubt for mother, Elizabeth, and grandmother, Sarah. Elizabeth was born in 1862 and died in 1937; Sarah, born in 1861, died in 1916.

 The McGlynns are represented in the cemetery by a number of the family. Thomas and Bridget McGlynn, are two. Bridget died on September 13, 1892, at the age of 79. James and Sarah McGlynn and some of their children are not far apart. Thomas died in 1897 at the age of 84. On the stone it reads that Henry, died in 1881 at the age of two, Mary died in 1887 at the age of three, and Margaret in 1895 at the age of four months. These, the marker reads, were the children of James and Sarah McGlynn.

 Two, from Ireland, are among the early born, Thomas Connors and Bridget, his wife are here. He was a native of County Wexford, died on March 22, 1903 at the age of 72, while his wife, born in County Carlow, died July 30, 1918, at the age of 84. Michael Ryan and Bridget Ryan, his wife, lived long lives. He was born in Wexford, Ireland, June 24, 1822, and died in 1900 at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 14 days. His wife, also born in Ireland, first saw the light of day on February 2, 1833, and died July 9, 1905, at the age of 72 years and five months.

 Four young men of the World Wars have been laid to rest in this century old burying ground. Killed in action was Pvt. William Shea, Co. L 356 Inft., 89 Division, born in 1891 and died in 1918. John M. Connors, Pvt. ICL Quartermaster Corps, died August 1, 1934.

 Two simple markers are for Hubert and John McNamara, brothers, who made the supreme sacrifice in World War I. They died on a battle field in France in 1918; both killed in the same battle, we believe. The Cazenovia American Legion Post bears the name McNamara-Jasper, in honor of the two brothers and a soldier who was in service in World War II.

 Michael Ryan is another who sought a new home in America. He was born in Wexford, Ireland, June 24, 1822, coming to America at an early date. He lived to the age of 77 years, 8 months and 14 days. His wife, Bridget, also a native of Wexford, was born February 2, 1833, and died July 9, 1905, at the age of 72 years and five months. Bridget appears to have been a favorite given name for many of the women buried in this cemetery, and indicates that Bridget was also a favorite of those who came from Ireland. It is an old fashioned name, but a pretty one nevertheless.
 The cemetery has been in use for over 100 years and may still be in use one hundred years hence.

S. F. 

 Page 160

Tales The Tombstones Tell - Republican Observer - November 13, 1958

Sylvan Cemetery
 It was springtime 1853 when William Ogden and E. B. Tenney took up residence in what is now the town of Sylvan and they became the first white settlers of that township. Mr. Ogden settled on section 18 and lived there for years and years. Mr. Tenney also settled on section 18 but some years later moved to Kansas. Mr. 0gden now rests in the Sylvan cemetery which is not far distant from where he took up his home back in 1853.
 The Sylvan cemetery is quite an old one and adjoins the church. It is a well kept burying ground and a new wire fence has been installed. Many of the pioneers and members of their families are buried here along with members of their families and other relatives. One cannot help but notice the large number of fine monuments and markers which have been erected there. Perhaps no other cemetery of its size in the county has so many granite memorials as this one. Burials are not so frequent these days, perhaps eight or ten a year.
 Scattered throughout this cemetery are monuments bearing the names of well known people such as Johnson, Orsburn, Ewing, Felton, Thomas, Grim, Adkins, Bennett, Fowell, Hoke, Hartley, Van Fleet and Fetty are just a few. Then there are others Koch, Sandmire, Elder, McAfee, Sutherland, Kepler, Higgins, Hall, Heal, Buroker, McMillin and Burns.

 Ogden first white settler of the town of Sylvan, is buried near the west fence. Surrounding him are his wife and members of their family. Mr. Ogden was born in New York state in 1822. In 1837 he enlisted in regular army and served until 1841 when he was discharged. He moved to Michigan, then to Wisconsin and came to Richland county in 1853. In 1842 he was married to Minerva Lyon, who died in 1863, and later be married Abigale Briggs, a native of New York state. Mr. Ogden served as a member of the regular army as mentioned above. He must have enjoyed the life of a soldier for on Sept. 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. L 25th Infantry, and was promoted to corporal. He was discharged in 1862 and in 1865 re-enlisted in the 46th Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away March 7, 1905, at the age of 83. On his marker is a line which reads,
   "Earth has no sorrows that Heaven cannot heal."
 His wife Abigail, died May 10, 1914, at the age of 72. There is a school house near the cemetery named the Ogden school.

 A World War II soldier boy, Van Buren Bailey, is buried here. His
marker says, he was "Tec. 5, Medical Detention, 15th Inft. Regiment." He was born Sept. 3, 1913, and died August 10, 1956.
 John Dary, also a Civil War veteran, is here. He was a member of Co. D 11th Wisconsin Infantry. This company was made up of many Richland county boys. Mr. Dary, his record shows, enlisted Feb. 20, 1864, giving his address as the town of Rockbridge. He was wounded at Fort Blakely and mustered out Sept. 4, 1865. Mr. Dary was born in 1832 and died in 1922. His wife, Margaret, was born in 1833 and died in 1909 at the age of 76.
 Another Civil War veteran, William Searls is here. He was a member of Co. B 92nd Regt., Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was born in 1832 and died in 1910. His wife's given name was Electa, who was born in 1838 and died in 1907.
 Madison Henthorn, born in 1842, and his wife Marerett, also born in 1842, are buried here. They were among the members of the Henthorn family, well known and highly respected citizens of Sylvan, who did a great deal in helping develop that part of Richland county.
 Everett Lee Hall, soldier boy, Cpl. 353 Kansas Infantry 89tb Division, World War I, died February 25, 1939, his marker says.
 E.0. Ewing and his wife Mary, have a space in this burying ground. He was born in 1854 and died in 1922, while Mrs. Ewing was born in 1865 and died in 1885. On the marker it says:
   "Deceive not lest ye be not deceived,
    for God is not mocked."

Back to "Tales the Tombstones Tell"
 
 To pages 161-165