Vermilion County IL Archives History - Books .....Mount Pisgah Cemetery History 1911
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 31, 2006, 2:19 am

Book Title: History Of Vermilion County, Illinois

Mount Pisgah cemetery has some recent graves but many that are full of 
interest because of their being the last resting place for some kind and hard-
working pioneer whose life was the sacrifice, no less noble because 
unconscious, to advancing civilization. Without his efforts the wilderness 
would not now be blossoming like the rose.

It was in the fifties that David Swank and Levi Long bought the site of the 
old cemetery and dedicated it for burial purposes. Before this time it must 
have been a private burying ground, for thirty or forty years. This cemetery 
is three miles west of Georgetown.

There are two graves made in 1827. Earlier dates have been found on certain 
stones. Mr. W. L. Long claims he found a stone with the date of 1822, but it 
is not now to be found. It is possible that such stone was to mark the grave 
of one of the earliest settlers. Recently there was a record of a girl of 
thirteen who had died in 1815 and been buried at that place.

The first graves in this old burying ground were on the branch of the little 
stream called Concord branch now in the northwest part of new addition.

The graves of two men in this part are surrounded with a rail pen. If any one 
in this community knows anything about these men it is hardly possible to 
learn it. There are old sandstones lying about from which the epitaph has been 
completely obliterated. Old cedar posts are standing, with the inscriptions 
which were rudely made with a knife, yet plain and distinct. These are seventy-
four years old. One of these have the inscription, "Nancy, wife of William 
Brown. Died June 17, 1863." Another cedar marker bears the inscription of Mary 
J. Gephart, Died May 15, 1838.

Many wooden markers have no inscription, and many of the sandstone markers are 
so obliterated that they have no definite information of who lies buried in 
that place to give the passing stranger.

Among the oldest graves the stones tell the resting place of Elizabeth, wife 
of J. J. Lyons, who died Christmas day, 1827. She was the first wife of Jotham 
Lyons, Sr. Jotham Lyons, Sr., died August 2, 1843, and was buried in this 
cemetery. Richard Swank, so says one marker, died 1827. His descendants in 
that part of the country are legion.

Absolom Starr died October 14, 1829, and was buried in this burying ground. 
Another marker gives the information that Kansander, wife of John Jones, died 
August 31, 1834, and yet another that John Jones himself, died October 26, 
1837.

Brazelton Milliken died August 26, 1835.

Emmanuel Gephart died in 1838.

Josiah Long died about the close of the Mexican war. George M. Widener died in 
1840.

This burying ground is the resting place for many of the Long and Jones, the 
Pantas and Hewitt families.

It was in the middle thirties that the Cumberland Presbyterians established a 
church in the Mt. Pisgah neighborhood and put up a meeting house on the site 
of the present house of worship, which was used until after the war, when the 
present church was built. This old burying ground is on a high rolling 
elevation and although is almost completely surrounded with water, is very dry 
in location.

Additional Comments:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Lottie E. Jones, Volume I, Chicago: 
Pioneer Publishing Commpany, 1911.

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