"Headstones - history uncovered in small Clark County graveyard"

Sharing from the Springfield News-Sun, November 18, 2020 - by columnist, Pam Cottrel, this inspiring story of how a small almost forgotten cemetery is getting much needed help from those who are dedicated to saving it for future generations.  

We rarely read success stories being written about long inactive and small, out of the way cemeteries in Ohio (or anywhere for that matter!), but this one about the Minnich Graveyard in Clark County, Ohio is a true success story in a major way that proves there can be hope for others like it.   

Enjoy viewing the Lowry family monument recently created and hand carved by renowned Indiana carver, Casey Winningham, who is indeed an expert in his field.

Excerpt from the article:

"Any historical or genealogical information that might help with the restoration project would be greatly appreciated, especially by Miles who would like to meet some local Lowry cousins.

Winningham is also available for additional restoration work in this area and for custom made stones. He can be contacted at (812) 327-3565. A gallery of his work can be viewed at.:"

Carver, Casey Winningham

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Minnich Graveyard on Find A Grave with 48 memorials.

Robert Dickey (1745 - 1817) - Find A Grave Memorial

Robert Dickey (1745 - 1817) - Find A Grave Memorial

(Photograph by Scott Andersen)

The Gravesite of Revolutionary War Veteran, Pvt. Robert Dickey, will be Marked by a Hand Carved Gravestone Created by Notable Indiana Carver, Casey Winningham

Thanking Scott Andersen for sharing two photographs (shown below) of the Robert Dickey gravestone that was recently hand carved by well-known Indiana carver, Mr. Casey Winningham. 

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The gravestone recreates an original design with detailed carved motifs and inscription appropriate for the date of death time period.   
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Rev. War veteran, Robert Dickey, was buried at the Dean Cemetery, in Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio.
 

Abstracted from the "Find A Grave" Memorial of Robert Dickey:

"Revolutionary War Patriot.
Light horseman in Capt Thomas Kirkpatrick's Company, Col Tom Bratton's Regiment in South Carolina.
Member of the 2nd Provincial Congress, 1775-1776.
Born in Albermarle County, Virginia.
Son of John Dickey and Martha McNeeley, both of Ireland."

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(Two views of the Pvt. Robert Dickey Gravestone)

 

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 (Photograph below taken by Scott Andersen - June, 2014)

The gravesite of Pvt. Robert Dickey

(Photograph below)

Scott Andersen at the Dean Cemetery in September, 2011

(Photograph Below)

Gravestone Carver, Casey Winningham

Update from Casey Winningham - The Stephen S. Smith Gravestone is Now Completed and Ready to be Installed at the Hill Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio

Thanking Casey Winningham of "Past Times Remembered" for sharing the latest photograph of his new gravestones for Susannah Smith, and her husband Stephen S. Smith, that he recently hand carved to replicate and replace their badly damaged originals. 

In the previous blog post, Casey mentioned that the gravestone for Stephen S. Smith had not yet been completed.  

Now these gracefully carved limestone markers, so skillfully created by Casey down to the last detail, silently await their installations at the Hill Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio.  

Indiana Stone Carver Casey Winningham Creates New Gravestones to Replace Damaged Originals at Hill Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio.

From Casey Winningham of "Past Times Remembered":

"Here is a replacement stone I made for one that was in a Cemetery in Sandusky County, Ohio.

The original was destroyed by a car accident. Luckily we have good photos taken before the accident. 

I was able to match the 5 different type styles in the lettering. Now for her husband's stone which met the same fate."

 Above:

 Indiana Carver, Casey Winningham, standing with his newly carved Susannah Smith limestone grave marker.

Click HERE to view the Susannah Smith memorial on "Find A Grave" that includes a photograph of the original gravestone prior to the accident that destroyed it. 

Click HERE to view the Stephen S. Smith memorial on "Find A Grave" that includes a photograph of the original gravestone in poor shape even before the accident.  He was Susannah's husband.

Both burials are at the Hill Cemetery in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. 

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The cemetery is also known as:  Hill - Chapel Hill - Hills Corners - Salem and appears on page 576 of the publication:  

"Ohio Cemeteries 1803 - 2003", K. Roger Troutman, Editor, published by the Ohio Genealogical Society.