Oakland Cemetery, Crow Wing Township, Crow Wing Co., MN USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes,MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Jerry and Dodee Davis A Historical Story of Oakland Cemetery in Crow Wing Township Crow Wing County, State of Minnesota by W.H. Everest (1942?) In the year 1848 the US government DECLARED that necessity required that a Fort and barracks to accomodate one hundred and fifty men and officers of the U.S. Army, be erected on the bank of the Mississippi River, in order to keep the peace between the Chippewas and the Seaux indians, and protect the white settlers. In 1849, the place to build was declared to be on the west banks of the Mississippi River directly opposite the mouth of the Anoka-se-pe river and the name of said fort was to be FT. Gains. A year or two later the name was changed to Ft. Ripley. In order that the Army might have undisputed control, congress authorized; That beginning at the mouth of the Crow Wing River, there be survayed a line six miles East and six miles West of the Mississippi to be the north boundry, and beginning at the mouth of the Anoka-seppi six miles south there-of, the south boundry line, be surveyed six miles and east and west from the Mississippi river, leaving the east and west boundries not survayed, but understood to be six miles from the river, the teratory therein to be known as the Fort Ripley Military Reservation. In 1875 the U.S. government decided that there was now no need of maintaining an army garrison at Ft. Ripley and the troops there were removed to other places, the buildings were advertised for sale at auction, the land to be survayed and opened for Homestead by actual Settlers. In the year 1877 the survay was completed, and the actual settlement began and homes taken under Squtter-Rights Vs. The plats were not in the Land Office before 1880. In the spring of 1878, Lester Coon settled on the s.w. 1/4 of Sec. 30-town 44 NORTH of RANGE 31-West, set up shingels, and called witnes of two or more that he would hold the same against all comers. The winter of 1879 and 1880 commenced with two feet of snow in October, and in January lay four feet deep in the woods, and open spaces had drif's ten, with R.R. and County roads blocked and had to be shouveld out before we could get through. The R.R. and Country road runs diaginaly N.E. and S.W. through the land claimed by L.E. Coon around a high hill. In December 1879, Charley Coon a younger brother Lester came out to take a homested claim. He was taken sick and died at the home of his brother in January 1880. The question of burying the beloved dead had to be souvled at once., the County road was impassible without shuveling. Even the old Cemetery's down by the old town of Crow Wing were impossible to reach, and had been left without care for ten years, Lester Coon thought he would have to bury his brother in his dooryard. In the summer of 1879, Marshall D. Everest, a retired Baptist Missionary Preacher had located on N.E.; /4-Sec 30- Town 44N. of RANGE 31 W. and as a near neighbor suggested that a burying ground on the County Highway desirable, and that a fine place would be on the hill side of the Lester E. Coon Claim. And so other neighbors agreed that if Lester saw fit to bury his brother on his own land, on the side of the hill, they would agree, in the future to join in and form a corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota to perpetuate the ground for the buryal of the dead of future Generation. Thus a spot was chosen on the hill side between two large oak trees and not too far from the Crow Wing County road and friends began at once to dig the first grave on the land after words. Deeded to and became the property of the OAKLAND CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, and Charly Coon was the first buryed there. In the afternoon of the day, nature was kind, the sun shone, the snow was melting, some twenty-five friends and neighbors gathered at the little home of the Coon family, and listened to a short sermon the Rev. Henry F. Phelps, a seventh-day Adventist preacher give the fueneral sermon, a couple of hymns were sung, then all loded into two-horse bobb-sleds to go about forty rods to the grave, here the usual prayer and the Earth to Earth and Dust to Dust, the coffin made of nice smouth white pine boards was lowered into the grave and three or four men grabed shuvels while Geo. W. Young led an old hymn whose choris I remember still runs in my mind: "SOFTLY FALLS THE SHADES OF EVENING, HOLY MEMORIES CLUSTER ROUND US. POINTING UP TO THAT FAIR HEAVEN, WE MAY HOPE TO REACH AT LAST." Before we left the grave, the shuvlers had filled and heaped high the mound to mark the spot where the dead was buryed. In January 1885 Lester E. Coon having proved up on his claim said he was ready and anxious to deed the land necessary for the Cemetery surrounding the place where his brother and others had been buryed. A mass-meeting was called, and some twenty men, land owners and friends, proceeded to organize a Cemetery Association. M.D. Everest was elected Chairman, and in stating the object of the meeting, produced a carefully drown up Articles of Incorporation necessary for a legal burying ground. Thereupon the following men and real estate owners were duly elected and qualified to go ahead and perfect the association, M.D. Everest, Chairman, E.M. Phelps, Sec, W.L. Wiley, Treas., Geo. W. Young, L.E. Coon, C.M. Everest, and W.H. Everest, made up the seven necessary to sign up to secure and back up the Articles of Incorporation. Meeting adjourned subject to the call of the chairman after deciding the name of the Cemetery to be OKLAND CEMETERY. Oakland Cemetery In August 1885, R.K. WHITELY, COUNTY SURVAYER, and in his report the following described land was deemed necessary: Commencing at a point on the County road 40 rods W. of the 1/4 Sec. Cor. between Sections 19 & 20 of Town 44 N Rge. 31 W. thence runs east on said section line 4.7 ch. thence so. 6.00 Ch. thence w 4.7 Ch. thence No 53. W.4.75 Ch to County road, thence No. 52 1/2 E. 5.00 Ch along east line of said county road to place of beg. cont. 7 1/8 acres. The above plat of land was made, and laid out into Blocks, Lots and streets and was duly signed, and filed in the Register of Deeds Office, Crow Wing County, Mn on the third day of Aug. 1885. The Articles of Inc. were duly recorded, Feb. 27th, 1886 and the Oakland Cemetery Association was thus completed, and under the laws of the State of Minnesota qualified to sell lots for burying the dead. In the summer of 1885, 28 men gave the work and lumber and the grounds were grubbed and cleared and a five board pine fince made to inclose the entire cemetery. These people were all given Deed for a lot in the cemetery and thus became a member of the Oakland Cemetary Association. The By-laws adopted and approved called for annual election of the following officers a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, a Baord of Three Directors and an Actuary. Also that By-laws were to be recommended first by the board of directors and be adopted at a regular annual meeting. The lots were first put on sale at $3.00 each, it provided and set apart for the poor, and another place to sell a single grave at the low price of $1.00. The secretary was to draw up the deed and the President and Treasurer were both to sign them. The Actuary was to have and keep a record on a certified Plat of the grounds of names of all bodys buried on each lot, and to see that no buryals take place without his consent. Low prices were Pioneer prices. In 1917 at an annual meeting held in the Crow Wing Town Hall a By-law was passed fixing prices of Lot $10.00 and price of single buryal plot $3.00. A State law requires all burying grounds be inlcloused and gate kept locked, when left without authorized persons around, the same is a a By-law of the Oakland cemetery. A By-law requires officers be elected annualy, to hold office until others are elected and qualify. In 1918 a new fence was put up, replacing the old board fence with a woven wire 4 1/2 ft high, and using Iorn posts, also a well with iorn pump was put in on lot donated by F.O. Sibley. This burying ground was started and has been carryed on for the past sixty-two years as a missionary project by the people and for the people and not as a money maker. This seven and one eighths acre of ground is free of taxes and will remain so as long as the descendants of those buryed there choose to protect theri state given rights. In the early days an effort was made to have the Township of Crow Wing take over and see to the care and up-keep, however such in the past were fruitless, but as time goes on, such a plan would be most desirable ****************************** This information is from a letter written to Mr. Linn Lougee, Rural Route 3, Brainerd by W. H. Everest, Sauk Rapids, MN. Perhaps about 1942 as Mr. Everest states that the cemetery had been a missionary project for 62 years and he also states the first burial was in 1880. It was decided by the board members to reprint portions of the letter which we felt might be of some interest to present members and freinds. Mrs. Carl (DeLyte) Specht, Secretary Oakland Cemetery Association 5/15/75 Oakland Cemetery, Crow Wing Township Crow Wing County, MN First burial, Charly Coon, 1880 Transcribed by Jerry and Dodee Davis, Aug. 31, 2000 OAKLAND CEMETERY: LAST NAME FIRST MIDDLE BORN DIED NOTES ANDERSON Arthur O Sep 08,1899 Sep 14,1963 Father ANDERSON Emma 1862 1945 ANDERSON Johanna 1862 1945 Mother ANDERSON Peter 1861 1938 ANDERSON Peter B 1866 1942 Father ANDERSON Rose A Mar 30,1893 Oct 04,1977 Mother ANNIS Cyrus 1881 1957 BACHMAN Wayne L Aug 29,1929 Oct 25,1980 US Army BAILEY Charles Mar 05,1824 Nov 06,1899 BAILEY Ellsworth 1862 1944 BAILEY Emma 1866 1951 BAILEY Ervine 1892 1907 BAILEY Fannie Y 1891 1974 BAILEY Roy C 1894 1977 WAGR US Army WW I BARRETT Rachel 1802 1889 BEACH Darrel E Mar 27,1954 Aug 12,1979 Beloved Husband & Father BEACH Harold Apr 01,1911 Sep 09,1995 Wooden cross BENSON Courtney 1898 1900 BENSON Maria Courtney 1830 1914 BIEDERMAN Anna A 1887 1970 BIEDERMAN Paul F 1886 1977 Together forever BLUME Barbara J Jul 21,1932 Beloved Wife BLUME Colleen Jul ,1955 Aug ,1972 BLUME Frank 1898 1953 BLUME Franklin J Oct 29,1953 Aug 22,1994 US ARMY PFC BLUME James B Dec 27,1923 Sep 26,1987 S 1 US Navy BLUME Nora 1902 1968 BLUME Romona Jul ,1956 Oct ,1956 BORDERS B Frank 1867 1944 BORDERS Elsie L Mar 30,1935 Safely Home - Peace At Last BORDERS Frank Jun 14,1924 Sep 11,1988 BORDERS Loretta 1881 1966 BORDERS Family Marker*See Note 6 BORDERS Baby Metal marker BORG Catherine O Jan 15,1943 Mar 14,1986 BROWN David Allen Sep ,1951 BROWN Mavis Marie Apr 22,1949 Apr 25,1949 BUNKER Charles Max 1878 1958 Husband BURESH Milo E May 02,1925 Mar 18,1992 Sgt US Army WW II CALLAHAN Alvin H 1904 1992 CALLAHAN Inga M 1907 1963 CALLAHAN James J 1861 1949 The Lord is my Shepherd CALLAHAN Nellie B 1878 1949 CHASE A John H 1860 1956 CHASE A John H 1806 1956 Father CHASE Mabel M Jun 03,1894 Mar 14,1980 CHASE Myrtle E 1875 1921 CHASE Myrtle E 1875 1921 Mother CHASE William W Sep 28,1891 Dec 20,1973 CHISHOLM Alex CHISHOLM Fred J Apr 23,1917 May 21,1998 CHISHOLM Garfield CHISHOLM John E 1869 1934 Father CHISHOLM Willie The CLAY Family In Loving Memory COON Charles 1880 COOPER Kenneth M Sep 12,1938 Nov 11,1993 SEE NOTE 4:Gone Home to Mamma COOPER Kenneth Merle Sep 12,1938 Nov 11,1993 SFC US Army DAVIDSON Belinda & Jim Married May 20,1978 DAVIDSON,JR James Guy Mar 22,1955 Oct 07,1988 US Army Vietnam DAVIS Freddie W 20-Aug-10 Age 4 years DAVIS Willis 1856 1916 DILLON Jackolyn Jean Apr 23,1932 Nov 11,1998 In Loving Memory DIXON Emma L 1860 1931 Grandmother DONAHEW Nettie 1862 1931 DONAHEW William 1860 1922 DOUGHERTY Fanny 1908 1908 DOUGHERTY Family Marker ELLSTROM Justin A Aug 30,1985 Dec 19,1985 Our Baby Boy EVEREST Maurice F 1902 1917 EVEREST Family Marker FOUTS COOPER-HRBEK Eldora Ruth Feb 27,1903 Jan 19,1979 See note 3 GARDNER Abba M Jan 20,1820 Oct 25,1902 Wife of James K GARDNER James K Nov 06,182? Dec 27,1908 Co H 9 Vt Inf GARDNER Leevi G Co H 9 Vt Inf GOEDKER Herman J Dec 20,1920 Feb 09,1999 GORTON Thora E Dec 03,1908 Apr 28,1988 Love,Patience & Spirit GOSCH Linda K 1955 1990 Daughter GRAMS Lloyd 1914 1986 Love Lives On GUIN Family Marker GUIN Charlotte S Mar 07,1906 Nov 16,1976 Mom GUIN Daren E May 20,1928 May 28,1992 US Navy WW II GUIN Dorothy J 1911 1980 GUIN Edgar L 1867 1941 Father GUIN Ernest Jan 18,1915 Mar 06,1915 GUIN Ilo Feb 11,1913 Feb 14,1913 GUIN J Waldo 1907 1980 GUIN Jennie 1873 1930 Mother GUIN JoAnn 1938 1939 Baby GUIN Miles E Sep 19,1899 Dec 03,1973 Dad GUIN Ralph M 1901 1934 HARRIS Abbie 1830 1893 HATHAWAY Byron E 1882 1884 Baby HATHAWAY Irma A 1893 1906 HATHAWAY W Frank 1850 1914 Father HICKS Gordelia Oct 01,1845 May 02,1907 Aged 61 years 7 months/At Rest HOLMES Donald M Apr 03,1931 Jan 11,1994 Maj US Air Force Korea Vietnam HOLMES Elaine C Aug 03,1936 BELOVED WIFE & MOTHER HOOPMAN Arletta Apr 05,1918 May 08,1918 HUTCHINS Octavia G Aug 20,1850 Mar 27,1902 ISAACSON Marie L 1903 1981 JABAS Raymond John Aug 19,1919 Jan 31,1963 MN S Sgt Co A 363 Infantry WW II BSM JACOBS Brittany Renee 05/31/1995 05/31/1995 We will Always Love You JACOBS Frank J Jun 09,1904 Oct 03,1996 JACOBS Michael C Feb 22,1948 Aug 27,1991 In God's Care JACOBS Nellie M Jun 01,1922 JENNINGS Bertha 1902 1950 Mother JENSEN Donovan L 1915 1976 JENSEN Eula 1925 JILLSON Vernon L Nov 27,1916 Sep 16,1992 Father JILLSON Vernon Wayne Mar 25,1947 Side 1 PURINTON Ruth Jillson Jun 05,1926 Oct 21,1997 Side 2 See note 1 JOHNSON Albin T 1883 1958 Father JOHNSON Alton A 1913 1973 Father JOHNSON Emma S 1898 1971 JOHNSON Calma G 1920 1992 Mother JOHNSON John P 1863 1937 JOHNSON Nellie C 1902 1994 Mother JOHNSON Nicholena 1865 1925 JORDAN James E Apr 16,1916 Apr 01,1984 US Army WW II JORGENSON Marjorie T 1921 1963 KELLY Lillian R 1898 1960 Mother KINNEY A E 1887 1923 KINNEY L KINNEY Orrin W Oct 08,1871 Jan 30,1951 KNUTSON Alf H 1896 1965 Husband KNUTSON Grace E 1910 1998 Wife KOERING Jennie L 1893 1968 KOERING Lawrence B 1888 1967 KOZEL Frank J 1890 1931 KOZEL Frank Father KOZEL Rose C 1888 1956 LARSON Bart LARSON Glenn R Jul 28,1933 Nov 06,1999 LARSON Lillie I 1903 1994 LARSON Nancy L Jun 24,1935 See note 2 LARSON Rudolph C 1906 1978 LEE Willmina L Dec 02,1897 Mar 31,1983 LEE Baby Metal marker LEIBOLD Kimberly J Oct ,1975 Safe in the Arms of Jesus LEVIG See note 5 LEVIG Chester T Jan 06,1904 May 25,1983 LEVIG Dale W Dec 12,1940 Feb 01,1996 Father LEVIG Gladys Aug 19,1910 Oct 24,1993 LEVIG Lyle C Apr 25,1930 Mar 29,1990 MSgt US Air Force Korea LEVIG Vivian Mary Dec 16,1931 Jun 19,1998 Wife & Loving Mother LOUGEE Melvina M 1887 1960 LOUGEE Thelma E 1910 1966 LOUGEE Linnwood S 1883 1944 Father MADDOCK Mrs. S A 1842 1920 MAIER Carlos Clarence Feb 27,1953 Aug 12,1978 Beloved Husband & Father MAIER Clarence H Nov 22,1916 MAIER Laura Jayne Dec 31,1919 Jul 14,1976 MARTIN Diane K 1945 1972 MAYO Charles Hall 1836 1888 MAYO Clea 1880 1886 MAYO Josie 1886 1886 MAYO William 1883 1886 MAYO Winifred 1878 1886 MILAM Ed Sep 16,1856 Apr 10,1923 MONETTE John MURPHY Josephine 1921 1955 NELSON Anna M 1906 1977 NELSON Axel C 1903 1983 NELSON Baby 1935 NELSON Bertha 1863 1939 NELSON Gilbert C 1882 1958 Father/At Rest with Jesus NELSON Nels 1858 1940 NEWELL Baby NICHOLS James A 1896 1945 Husband NICHOLS Viola M 1897 1993 Wife NORTHRUP Daniel 1810 1893 NORTHRUP Winifred A 1828 1900 NORTHRUP 1932 1942 OLSON Ralph C Mar 20,1918 Sep 27,1985 CPL US Army WW II OLSON (Babies of C) 1887 1892 OSTBY Gerald D Feb 13,1925 Jun 20,1953 MN WT3 USNR WW II OSTBY Lillian 1900 1948 OSTBY William O Jul 07,1893 Mar 19,1956 MN,PFG US Marine Corps WW II OTT Charles A Nov 25,1876 Oct 02,1962 Father OTT Gertrude May 05,1878 Oct 13,1962 Mother OTT Jule C Jan 04,1899 Feb 05,1977 Father OTT Nellie Feb 26,1901 Sep 08,1948 Mother OTT Family Marker OTTERNESS Christina M Sep 20,1967 Oct 23,1994 Our Loving Mother PATERSON Jeanie Jun 06,1892 May 06,1959 PEDERSON Albin E 1901 1977 PEDERSON Mabel N 1902 1995 PETTIT John B Jul 02,1965 Sep 23,1993 Pickup Truck picture PIERSON Gregory J Feb 13,1938 Feb 04,2000 Bench "As You Sit Here,Remember You too Shall Meet God" PIERSON Patricia J Jan 04,1941 Also a wooden cross "Grandpa" PORTER Belle A 1859 1937 PORTER James A 1881 1896 PORTER James W 1853 1916 QUACKENBUSH Ethel 1891 1977 Sister RAKOW Carl G Dec 29,1912 Aug 05,1981 RAKOW Dorothy J Jun 16,1916 Jan 14,1951 RAKOW Drew Paul Aug 06,1997 Our son Stillborn RAKOW Ronald C Jun 30,1940 Jul 10,1958 REID Lottie Young 1893 1981 RYAN Pearl Victoria 1918 2000 S C Small Marker SCHUETY Charles Edward Jun 30,1920 Aug 07,1982 PFC US Air Force WW II SCHUETY Norman James Feb 18,1922 Dec 11,1980 Beloved Brother/Merchant Marine LEE Troy Schuety Aug 16,1974 Nov 10,1974 SHONTELL Charles Sep 15,1855 Nov 06,1905 SHONTELL Eddie SHONTELL Father 1866 1906 Family Marker SHONTELL Fred SHONTELL Joseph SHONTELL Mother 1853 1916 SMOCK Charles L 1897 1991 God Is Love SMOCK Velma G 1905 1999 Thy Will be Done SCHAFFER S S 1882 1937 SOWL J B 1859 1940 Brick "From Your Family,June 15,1999" SOWL Mrs. L E 1862 1932 STANSBURY Samuel F Jun 27,1923 Oct 26,1981 ARD M3 US Navy WW II STEINKE Ardis M Jul 18,1926 Married Sept 02,1946 STEINKE Arnold A Dec 10,1915 Mar 16,2000 CM1 US Navy STEINKE Harvey A Jan 22,1925 Apr 07,1978 T Sgt US Army WW II STEINKE Violet L Sep 20,1949 Jan 02,1996 Wife & Mother STEINKE Larry Lee Sep 24,1946 Nov 22,1949 The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away STEINKE MELLER Nancy Jo May 23,1958 Oct 09,1997 Forever in Our Hearts SWARTOUT Evelyn 1938 1976 SWARTOUT Floyd C Nov 19,1904 Nov 25,1981 PFC US Army WW II SWARTOUT Mae Mar 18,1880 Jul 10,1968 SWARTOUT Miral G 1901 1901 SWARTOUT Olive J 1913 1917 TABOR Sharon J May 25,1933 Beloved Wife TABOR Thomas L 21-Mar-30 25-Sep-91 A1C US Air Force Korea THOMPSON Gilbert R 1898 1971 THOMPSON Thelma C 1903 1980 TORNOW Fayne L Dec 16,1921 TORNOW Lyle L Jan 02,1911 Apr 13,1984 Gone Home to Rest TUTTLE Robert C May 22,1919 Aug 13,1965 Cpl 3508 Base Unit AAF WW II W B B Small Marker WARD Lester Claude Nov 21,1924 Jun 17,1991 TEC 5 US Army WW II WARD Lester 1924 1991 WARD Virginia 1930 WEATHERBEE At Rest WEISS Adolf(Bud) A Feb 28,1927 Mar 02,1998 WEISS Dorothy M Jul 17,1927 Parents of Douglas & Virginia WELS Frank E 1898 1992 God is our refuge & strength WELS Nina V 1909 WETHERBEE Baby Pennie Metal marker WETHERBEE Benjamin B Jul 31,1832 Mar 30,1906 Gone,But Not Forgotten/At Rest WETHERBEE George Dec 18,1883 Feb 18,1964 WETHERBEE Marjorie Small Marker WETHERBEE Sophia 1849 1928 WETHERBEE Vesta J Apr 22,1895 Feb 12,1984 WHITMARSH Lorenzo V 1901 1979 Father YOUNG Clarissa J 1854 1930 Mother YOUNG Elmon YOUNG Elvin R 1872 1936 YOUNG Geo W 47 Wis Inf. YOUNG Mary M 1880 1961 YOUNG Freeman 1878 1953 YOUNG Maud 1886 4 yrs old--Small stone M Y" YOUNG Robert Weston Jan 21,1952 Apr 12,1997 And until We Meet Again,May God Hold You in the Palm of His Hand ZUELICH Emil W Jan 30,1903 Jul 05,1983 ZUELICH Erue P Jan 15,1910 Note 1: On one side of the stone, there is a picture of a motor home in the lower left corner, a campfire with the names Gary, Fred, Vernon, Erwin, Leslie, JoAnn, William sitting around it and the words “Still watching over us” Note 2: This stone has a picture of flowers and grass across the bottom, trees on the right and left. A bird is flying down from left tree with the words “he sent his love” and Glenn’s info. On the right, a butterfly is flying and the words, “butterflies are free.” Note 3: 10 May 92 Dedicated to my mother, Eldora, “Felt good to cry.” I remember when my father went away With nothing he left us here to stay I was lost and hurt as a child Looking for daddy, I ran wild I know you love me mother Much as my sister and brother! You’ve always been a friend Through my troubles to the end She said “As you grow closer to manhood, I would protect you forever if I could When you’re hurt and alone You know you can always come home.” I gave nothing, you gave all with no rest How loving, how great, mother, you’re the best! I married in my twenties, now I’m on my own Told her I loved her each time on the phone I sent her flowers every Mother’s Day I sure miss her now she’s passed away For your mother, don’t make my mistakes! Love her and be with her for heaven sakes. I need & miss my mother’s love Now it’s too late, she’s up above Time made me wiser, this I would do I’ll give you my all, Mother, I still love you Troubles I had as I grew older Felt good to cry on Mamma’s shoulder. Written by son Kenneth M Cooper Note 4: See the tall grass Blowing in the wind It brings joyful memories Back. Again and again By Casey Note 5: Gladys & Chester Parents of Bud, Tom, Merle, Dale, David, Jeanne, Cathy Note 6: Parents of Brenda, Belinda, Bradley, Beth Ann, Bonnie, Baille