St. James Catholic Cemetery
North of 150S west of Euler Ford Bridge and east of 450W.
The following brief history of St. James Church comes from the history of St. Joseph Catholic Church written by
Rev. Jonathan P. Meyer.
The chronology of priests and land costs come from church and public records. In 1821 John and Adam Sheets received the first land
deed to a part of section 15 in Spencer Township. It was in this same section that a settlement known as Buena Vista, or Four Corners, would grow.
Between 1835 and 1839 many other deeds were granted in the area to families whose names denote an Irish origin. These settlers, along with an influx
of German settlers, became the foundation for what was to become St. Joseph's parish. However, the parish of St. Catherine's (nicknamed "The Little
Irish Church") was the first Catholic parish in the area. It was established in 1841 in the Indian Creek neighborhood which was about three miles east
of Buena Vista. A log church was built in 1841. By 1843 the parish numbered approximately twenty Irish and seven German families. Parish development
was probably hindered by Irish-German friction, as, by 1871, the parish no longer existed. The cemetery, though, still remains. As St. Catherine's was
beginning to decline, Buena Vista was beginning to prosper. The parish of St. James, which would become St. Joseph's, was officially established in 1850
with the first church being built. The first priest was Father Munschina. Jacob and Elizabeth Cline sold the property for $1.00. As the cross roads, now
known as Four Corners rather than Buena Vista, a thriving community existed. On the northeast corner was St. James church, rectory, and cemetery. Directly
across, on the northwest corner, was a school, general store, dance hall, and saloon. On the remaining corners were a blacksmith shop and a residence, but
conflict exists as to which structure was on which corner. By the mid 1860's, it was felt that the cemetery used for St. James would soon be filled. Land
records show that in 1866 "for The Sum of fourteen Hundred (sic) and fifty Dollars to be paid by the St. Jacobs (Latin for James) congregation (sic) of
Bunavista" forty acres (with the exception of a square half acre) was purchased from Henry and Chatrina Young. It appears that by 1871 a two-acre site had
been laid off for the new cemetery and lots sold. Tombstones in the cemetery actually date from 1869.
Transcription of the Cemetery & Church
Record
From the Jennings County Public Library
in the year 1991
INTRODUCTION
By
VINCENT VOGEL
From the Jennings County Public Library
in the year 1991
INTRODUCTION
By
VINCENT VOGEL
When I, Vincent Vogel, began thinking about my Boy Scout Eagle Project, I wanted to
do something for my Church, St. Joseph. I saw a need to fix up the old cemetery
connected with the Church. After a preliminary investigation, I found the
old cemetery, St. James, to be grown up with grass, the fence rows
also filled with small trees and weeds, and a fence in need of repair. Some
of the stones were almost completely covered over with dirt. About thirty years
ago the tombstones were laid down. The following pages describe what goals I set
and the results.
I spoke to the Cemetery Board about the possibility of cleaning up St. James Cemetery. They were in agreement. I also spoke to the present priest, Farther James Arneson, and found no objections. The neighboring land owners also agreed and said they would contribute to the expense of the fence. When I went to purchase the fence, Eaton's Feed Mill donated the guide wire and five fence posts. Dale Pettit, County Commissioner was called about getting a sign. Mr. Purdue at the County Highway Garage made a sign which was placed on the newly painted gate.
During the week of June 9 through June 16, I called together my Scout leaders and Scout troup along with family to begin the clean up. On the first day when the fence was removed and the fence rows cleaned out, it took twenty-two man hours. The second day when most of the fence was put up and the dirt dug away from the stones, it took thirty-eight and one half man hours. In the next few days, the stones were read and an inventory taken. The total hours were thrity-two on those occasions. Putting together the inventory took another twenty hours.
The following information came from the stone readings, pictures taken by Martha Vogel, and Church Records copied from microfilm at the Indiana State Library. In St. James Cemetery, there were a total of thrity-four stones found. According to local sources, about thirty-five years ago the stones were laid down. Their location was measured off so that after the cemetery grounds were filled in and grass reseeded they could be replaced to within one-sixteenth of an inch. (The stones were laid down to help mowing the cemetery.)
During the course of the inventory, the ground was probed in hopes of discovering some more stones. There weren't any more stones located. It was understood that the present cemetery at St. Joseph's was opened because the one at St. James was full. At this time, no records for St. James Cemetery have been located. It is very doubtful if any exist. Death records for St. James & St. Joseph begin in 1851. There is a gap in the records from about 1854 to 1871. After this time the records appear to be complete.
The stones in St. James Cemetery are varied in family origin and design. Most of the tombstones in the cemetery are written in German. There are a few written in English. The death dates range from 1847 to 1868. Some of the are easy to read while others are difficult to unreadable. When the stones were read there were at least three people comparing the words, dates, and names. Methods used to read some stones included chalk, stone rubbings, and applying water and brushing.
As the stones were being read, a general map was drawn using gross measurements from the fence and on occasion measurements were taken from nearby stones. On this map the stones were charted and given a number to help in the inventory. Martha Vogel took pictures of each stone and this was included in the inventory.
Probably one of the most exciting discoveries in the cemetery was that of two Civil War Veterans. They were John Huber of Co. B in the 82nd Indiana Infantry and John Winters who was born June 27, 1828 and died March 17, 1863.
The inventory that was done on St. James Cemetery includes the following: a brief introduction, map of the cemetery, alphabetical index of the tombstone, death records of St. James and St. Joseph with an alphabetical index of names, and brief explanations. Copies of the inventory will be given to the St. Joseph Cemetery Board, Hayden Historical Museum, North Vernon Library, and Indiana State Museum, Genealogy Division.
I spoke to the Cemetery Board about the possibility of cleaning up St. James Cemetery. They were in agreement. I also spoke to the present priest, Farther James Arneson, and found no objections. The neighboring land owners also agreed and said they would contribute to the expense of the fence. When I went to purchase the fence, Eaton's Feed Mill donated the guide wire and five fence posts. Dale Pettit, County Commissioner was called about getting a sign. Mr. Purdue at the County Highway Garage made a sign which was placed on the newly painted gate.
During the week of June 9 through June 16, I called together my Scout leaders and Scout troup along with family to begin the clean up. On the first day when the fence was removed and the fence rows cleaned out, it took twenty-two man hours. The second day when most of the fence was put up and the dirt dug away from the stones, it took thirty-eight and one half man hours. In the next few days, the stones were read and an inventory taken. The total hours were thrity-two on those occasions. Putting together the inventory took another twenty hours.
The following information came from the stone readings, pictures taken by Martha Vogel, and Church Records copied from microfilm at the Indiana State Library. In St. James Cemetery, there were a total of thrity-four stones found. According to local sources, about thirty-five years ago the stones were laid down. Their location was measured off so that after the cemetery grounds were filled in and grass reseeded they could be replaced to within one-sixteenth of an inch. (The stones were laid down to help mowing the cemetery.)
During the course of the inventory, the ground was probed in hopes of discovering some more stones. There weren't any more stones located. It was understood that the present cemetery at St. Joseph's was opened because the one at St. James was full. At this time, no records for St. James Cemetery have been located. It is very doubtful if any exist. Death records for St. James & St. Joseph begin in 1851. There is a gap in the records from about 1854 to 1871. After this time the records appear to be complete.
The stones in St. James Cemetery are varied in family origin and design. Most of the tombstones in the cemetery are written in German. There are a few written in English. The death dates range from 1847 to 1868. Some of the are easy to read while others are difficult to unreadable. When the stones were read there were at least three people comparing the words, dates, and names. Methods used to read some stones included chalk, stone rubbings, and applying water and brushing.
As the stones were being read, a general map was drawn using gross measurements from the fence and on occasion measurements were taken from nearby stones. On this map the stones were charted and given a number to help in the inventory. Martha Vogel took pictures of each stone and this was included in the inventory.
Probably one of the most exciting discoveries in the cemetery was that of two Civil War Veterans. They were John Huber of Co. B in the 82nd Indiana Infantry and John Winters who was born June 27, 1828 and died March 17, 1863.
The inventory that was done on St. James Cemetery includes the following: a brief introduction, map of the cemetery, alphabetical index of the tombstone, death records of St. James and St. Joseph with an alphabetical index of names, and brief explanations. Copies of the inventory will be given to the St. Joseph Cemetery Board, Hayden Historical Museum, North Vernon Library, and Indiana State Museum, Genealogy Division.
PICTURES AND READINGS
Maria M.
Tochter von (daughter of)
M. & M. Fox
Gestorben (born)
d. 13. Oct. 1860
Gestorben(died)
D. 5, Dec. 1867 (possible 1860)
Tochter von (daughter of)
M. & M. Fox
Gestorben (born)
d. 13. Oct. 1860
Gestorben(died)
D. 5, Dec. 1867 (possible 1860)
Katharina
Tochter von
A. & M. HAAG
Geboren Nov. 21,
1850
Gest'n Marz 5,
1862
D & P
Tochter von
A. & M. HAAG
Geboren Nov. 21,
1850
Gest'n Marz 5,
1862
D & P
Heir Ruht Peter
Sohn von (son of)
Peter & Theresia
RUTZ
Gestorben
den 10th Aug. 1857
Hier 1 Jahr 4 mon
and 18 Tage.
Sohn von (son of)
Peter & Theresia
RUTZ
Gestorben
den 10th Aug. 1857
Hier 1 Jahr 4 mon
and 18 Tage.
ANTON
Sohn von
A. & M.
Geboren April 30
1953
Gesto'n Oct. 29
D. _____Potts
Sohn von
A. & M.
Geboren April 30
1953
Gesto'n Oct. 29
D. _____Potts
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