Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Solving a mystery at the Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio

Once again I am greatly indebted to Mr. Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr. for sharing his extensive research assistance in solving a mystery of a memorial posted on "Find A Grave" for a "Siddy Ann Baker Poling" who was incorrectly posted as having been buried at the inactive Butcher Cemetery (AKA Walnut Grove AKA North Lewisburg Cemetery) on Tallman Street in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio.
Below is Ralph's message that clears up the mystery of where "Siddy Ann" was really buried.  It demonstrates how easily mistakes are made when we go with our 'best guess' and fail to verify our information:
The burial is for SADIE ANN BAKER POLING, wife of James POLING, daughter of John Barker, who was born 7 January 1832, and died 17 Mar 1922, at the County Infirmary in Marysville, Union County, Ohio. The burial was under the direction of the Morey and Creviston Funeral Home, Marysville, with burial on 18 March 1922 at Maple Grove Cemetery, North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio. She is buried in Square 80, Lot 4, Site 4...one of four sites she purchased in the square on 16 February 1907, after the death of her husband, James. This sale is recorded in the Maple Grove Cemetery Book of Deeds, Volume A, page 306. She purchased the four sites (one full lot) for $20.00 (NOTE: at the time, under the original numbering system used, the Lot Number was 299. This numbering system changed in recent years, and lots are now numbered 1, 2, 3 or 4). Her husband is buried in Square 80, Lot 4, Site 3.
These sites are approximately 5 rows to the east and north of the old North Lewisburg Precinct vault, just north of the southern entryway to Maple Grove Cemetery off of Gilbert Road.
There is no marker stone at the gravesite for either Sadie or James POLING.
Hope this information helps.
Ralph
Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr.
Cell: 801.564.4926
THANK YOU RALPH !!