PIONEER CEMETERY HISTORY
Washington County, Hillsboro, OR

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In 1870, the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) and Mason Lodges began 
what is now the oldest cemetery in Washington County, Oregon.  In 1973 it was 
deeded to the City of Hillsboro for perpetual care.

In 1969, just shy of the Pioneer Cemetery's Centennial, Mrs. Joseph Lepschat, 
an avid stone reader, was heralded for her meticulous examination and recordings 
of each visually available gravestone.  Using a cemetery map from 1910, it took 
the elderly Mrs. Lepschat several years to complete her project.  She shared this 
information with the D.A.R., David Hill Chapter in Hillsboro and the Genealogical 
Forum of Portland.  

In 2002, Vicki Greer Oliver obtained a copy of the cemetery records from a local 
mortuary; however, there are no recent burials recorded in these records.  The 
information entered has been tripled checked for accuracy against what was received; 
however, this does not guarantee 100% accuracy for genealogy purposes.  Where apparent, 
women are listed under both their maiden and married names.  

There are wonderful stories connected with this cemetery, here are but a few.  
* Mary Ramsey Wood born 1787 - 1908 was deemed "First Mother Queen of Oregon Pioneers".  
  She lived to be 121 years old (as recorded in the Washington County Courthouse).  
* William Jolly, Sr. was born May 9, 1781.  He immigrated to Virginia in 1791; was taken 
  prisoner by the Cherokee Indians in 1791 where he remained captive until 1797 and 
  then made his way to Oregon in 1850.  He died December 31, 1862.
* Desire C. Griffin, born in Boston became a Missionary to Native Tribes in 1839.  
  She was the first white woman (July 1841) and mother (11/1842) in the Tualatin Settlement.  
  She journeyed with her husband; Rev John S. Griffin, who organized the First Congregational 
  Church west of the Rocky Mountains.

My ancestors are buried within the Pioneer Cemetery:  Ballard / Greer / Hare; not all their 
graves are recorded, making some lost forever.  If plot owners' names are available, I've 
included "unknowns" under "Multiple plot owners".  This may be of some help to those searching.  There are three sections to the cemetery: E = east I.O.O.F. / M = Masonic / W = west I.O.O.F.

There are so many other contributors to this project, but unfortunately, I do not know their
names.

Good luck in your search,

Vicki Greer Oliver
11/13/2002