Pioneer Memorial Cemetery Inscriptions: Lane Co., Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Bonnie Turner *********************************************************************** Pioneer Memorial Cemetery Park (Springfield Lodge No. 70 I.O.O.F., Old Springfield, Laurel Hill) Located off South 5th Street in Springfield, Lane County, Oregon. The Pioneer Cemetery grounds were in use as early as 1852, with the burial of Elias Brigg's children. In 1866, Harvey Small, Edwin Powers and T.J. Brattain were selected trustees by a town meeting. Elias Briggs and his wife Mary, executed and delivered the cemetery deed to the trustees on October 31, 1866. Lane County Cemetery Association papers were filed. In 1872, Springfield was surveyed and platted, and the cemetery was platted as block 41; the total area being roughly two acres. The cemetery continued to be used for burial purposes until about 1900. On lot 4 of block 41, the First Christian Church was built and remained there until approximately 1905 when it moved to it's present street location at 4th and North A streets. On July 22, 1913, because of an incorrect description of the property, a suitwas filed in Circuit Court of Lane County; the resulting decree conveyed the cemetery to the Town of Springfield. The mayor and members of the common council and their successors, were then appointed trustees of the cemetery. On June 28, 1915, the city council recommended that the cemetery be surveyed and fenced. From this date until 1972, very little was done for the improvement of the cemetery. On February 7, 1973, the City of Springfield undertook a beautification project and renovated the cemetery to honor Springfields pioneer families. Robert A. McConnell Pennsylvania PVT 50 Field Arty BN World War II June 3, 1914 Aug. 22, 1953 Farewell Harvey Small Born in Wayne Co., Ky. Oct. 31, 1803: Died ------ Co, Or. ------, 1875 Margaret F. Ebert Born Jan. 4, 1842 Died Mar. 18, 1858 Aded 16 ys., 2 ms., 14 ds. Martha J. Wife of R.G. Hadley Died Dec. --, ---- Aged 30 ys., ----, ---- Narcissa, Wife of Harvey Small Died June 11, 1887 Aged 42 ys., 9ms., 7 ds. "Unto Thee O Lord, Do I Gift My Soul" In Memory Of Ruth E. Campbell Died Sept. 8th. 1858 Aged 25 ys., ----, ---- Tennessee Dau of H. & N. Small Born In Lane Co., Or. June 1, 1855 Died --- 5, 1874 "She Is Not Dead, But Sleeping" Alice J. Goryell Died Oct. 27, 1857 Aged 1 yr., 9 ms. Mary F. Goryell Died Oct. 22, 1861 Aged 7 Ms. (These two shared the same headstone) On a marbel pillar about a foot and a half tall were written these words: Children of J.R. & E. Sweet (no other words were written) On a marbel pillar about two feet tall were written these words: Rebeca Ann Benson 1839-1856 On a marble pillar about a foot and a half tall were written these words: Son of B.J. & G.E. Pengra "Suffer little children -[to]- come unto me, and for -[forbid]- them not, for of -[such]- is the Kingdom of Heaven" These three pillars stood at the head of all of the stones.