North Union Cemetery
4200 S 820 W
Ervin Twp, Howard Co, Indiana
Cemetery Map
History Of North Union Cemetery, 1865 – 2009, by Max L. Wilson
Taken from Lydia Diller Salmons Family History (1943)
"This cemetery was laid out in the early part of 1863. It was just a
small plot then, taken off the farm. The first grave ever to be dug
there was for my mother’s infant cousin Willie Fisher, son of
James and Ann French Fisher. He was born March 18,1864. His mother, my
Great Aunt, died on March 25th the following year, when he was one week
old. My mother was born March 10th the same month. Grandma took the
baby, and cared for him and Mama both. He only lived a very short time,
he was either but two weeks old or two months. I think it was two
months though. Aunt Ann was buried in South Union Cemetery with some of
her family, but the weather and roads were so dreadful bad that they
put little Willie over in the new cemetery. Grandma could hardly bear
to have him laid there all alone. She wanted so much to have him put
beside his mother, but it wasn’t long before there was another
grave in our row, I think Grandma’s stillborn son was next, but
that was a few years later.
Cemeteries in that day were rather neglected, grown over with tall
ferns, myrtle and briars. Some would care for their graves as best they
could but it was a hard battle. Only those living close could do it.
There were many old fashioned grass roses growing there.
The place filled fast, as families were large then and so many died
young. There would be a whole row of one family who died of
consumption. So many had it in the early days. North Union has been
added to several times since then and is now a beautiful well kept
place. It covers a lot of ground. In the row where little Willie was
put there are fourteen graves now, and many of our family are scattered
elsewhere over the cemetery.
We used to walk over to this cemetery evenings, so many others did too.
It was a hallowed spot.
Now when we go over and I see so many names of loved ones and old
friends and neighbors it seems most of the best people are there.
George’s parents, Grandparents, Uncles, cousins and three
brothers and two sisters are buried there.
We and my brother Walter have lots there, and sometime we will be put
there with the rest.”
The above description fits so many other families as well. You
need but substitute the last name and it would be very similar. The old
cemeteries seem to be as much a network of community as well a linage
of family.
The record and obituaries would not be possible in their
completeness without the diligence to detail of Mary Blangy, who has
devoted an enormous amount of time pouring over old newspapers over the
years to this cemetery and many others.
This project was completed by Tom Quinn in January of 2007.
This information is provided for non-commerical use only and may contain inaccuracies.
Updates are being made by Debra Beheler. Please report any inaccuracies to her.
Alphabetical Listing:
Return to Cemeteries of Howard County, Indiana
Site owners - Edward D Beheler & Debra L. Beheler
Updated 18 August 2014
