Perry County, Illinois - History of Old DuQuoin Cemetery

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History of Old DuQuoin Cemetery
From the Collection of Roberta B. (nee Shook) Boyett
Furnished by : Robert C. Boyett ©

Old DuQuoin Cemetery

The Old DuQuoin cemetery was first known as the West Prairie Cemetery. The first burial recorded was that of J. Goodell, Uncle of E. Burbank and on grave lot number 2 owned by Johnson Burbank.
The first land entry to this land was to George Lisham in 1836. In 1837 the entry was to Jonathan G. Clark. Then in 1839 it was deeded back to George Lisham. In the 1850 census George Lisham is listed in the household of Jane Chapman widow of Avery Chapman early settlers in Old DuQuoin.
This section of land then to several people all of whom have lots of family members buried in the cemetery; Daniel Lovejoy and wife Lucinda, George Adams, George Wall, Joshiah Wood and wife Mary A Giltner, Goerge Burbank, Hiram Hinckely. Josiah Wood was a minister died in New Washington Indiana on or about June 5th 1870. Having no children the estate was divided to the brothers and sisters or their heirs.
In 1874 Sidney Shook of St. Clair County bought the land surrounding the cemetery from Thomas J. Bingham and the land has been in the Shook family ever since. Now being owned by John and Roberta Shook Boyett. The fourth generation
In 1948 section 3 was sold to the cemetery by Robert S. Shook and wife Belle.
In 1955 Belle Shook widow of Robert S, Shook sold a section to the cemetery trustees for a parking lot at the rear of section 1-2
In 1974 Belle Bryant Johnson Shook passed away and the Shook estate being settled John and Roberta Shook Boyett gave to the Old DuQuoin Cemetery the 4th Section, with the provision that the first row of graves be reserved for the heirs of Robert S. Shook and Belle Johnson Shook.
During the years trustees have been members of families who are buried in the cemetery. Some of whom were. William Heberer, Lemuel Shook, George Davison, Amanda Miller, Julian Biot, Roy Swallers, Gus Bowlin, and many others.
The present members are Robert "Bud" Shook president, Margaret Miller Berger secretary treasurer, Letta Hammel Terry, Dean Knapp, John and Roberta Boyett. The trustees meet quarterly at the home in Old DuQuoin of John Boyett, first house east of the Old DuQuoin Cemetery. The second Monday night at 6:00 pm. The cemetery is maintained by donations.
Many decendants of the Bowlin family are buried there. Rodney and Taricy had 17 children and several generations are lot owners. Chester Keys one of the founders of DuQuoin is buried there. George T. Wall, The Ross families, Burbanks, Pecks, Hinckleys, Things, Adams, Spragues, Hardsocks, Thompsons, Zeiglers, Appuhns, Heberers, Sieferts, Shooks, with two and three generations of these families owning lots.
Roberta Belle Shook Boyett 10-17-1983.

A story told by the early settlers of Old DuQuoin,
handed down by Chester Keys, was of Indian trading.
The trading post was located just south of the Old DuQuoin School.
(Bayard Zeigler later owned this parcel of land)
From this view point you can see the bottom land where the Indians camped, which in our time was called black slop, now called Campbell Lake area. The trading post owner famaliar with the Indians habits watched in the spring and fall for the Indians to bring their furs to trade for supplies. This was an event that the settlers prepared for. The settlers would form a circle and the Indians would put their furs in the middle and then the group would barter for the furs and the Indians for what the settlers had. Mr. Keys told that the Indians were very shrewd traders and seldom would they make a foolish trade. The only items being bright red and colorful things the settlers had made were temptations. After the trading the furs were taken to St. Louis and the necessary items the settlers needed were purchased. The names of the trading post owners were never mentioned. At the time my father told this story handed down to him he knew who they were. Being young I never thought to ask. The settlers needed four things one being salt the others I do not remember, but remember them being in barrels.

Old DuQuoin Cemetery History

1. First entry is to George Lisham from the U.S. Of America dated August 10, 1836
2. U.S. of America to George Lisham March 4th 1839
3. U.S. Of America to Johathan G. Clark Feb 14th 1837
4. Jonathan G. Clark and Jane Clark, his wife to George Lisham Dated 11 Feb 1839
5. George Lisham to Daniel Lovejoy Feb. 1st 1840
6. Daniel R.T. Lovejoy and wife, Loucinda S. to George Adams Oct. 23rd 1840
7. George Adams to George T. Wall 7 June 1847 (G.Adams of Canton in Hartford Co. Conn.)
8. George Adams to Josiah Wood and Mary Wood Oct. 30th 1849
9. Josiah Wood and Mary Wood to George Adams (mortgage)
10. Josiah Wood and Mary A. Wood his wife to George Burbank 24 April 1858.
11. George Adams of Luzerne Co. Pa. To Hiram Hickley 29 April 1850
12. Hiram Hinkley and Sarah Hinkley his wife to Josiah Wood 17 May 1858
13. Josiah Wood and wife to George M. Hinckley. May 1863. (Two acres for cemetery purpose. North of the Chester Mulkeytown Rd.)
14. Josiah Wood and wife to George W. Burbank. (Josia Wood a minister died in New Washington Indiana on or about June 5th 1850. Josiah widow was the former Mary A. Giltner. Having no children the estate was divided among the heirs brothers and sisters or their heirs.)
15. Joseph E. Peck and Addie E. Peck to Sidney Shook 20 June 1881.
16. Thomas J. Bingham and wife, Mary to Sidney Shook 25 Sep 1884
17. Sidney Shook and his wife, Serina to Lemuel G. Shook 27 Sep. 1884
18. Affidavit stating that Robert S. Shook son of Lemuel and wife Jane deceased rightful owner of said property. 1923. Robert S. Shook heirs. Robert S. Shook Jr, Roberta Belle Shook, Ida Jane Shook Davison divided the estate. Roberta Belle S hook and husband John Boyett receiving the land surrounding the Old DuQuoin Cemetery in the year 1974. In 1948 section no.3 was sold to the cemetery by Robert S, Shook and Belle Johnson Shook. In 1955 a parking lot was sold to the cemetery by Belle Shook widow of Robert S. Shook. In 1974 Belle Bryant Johnson Shook passed away and the Shook estate being settled John and Roberta Boyett gave the Old DuQuoin Cemetery the 4th Section of the cemetery, with the provision that the first row of graves be reserved for the heirs of Robert S. Shook and Belle Johnson Shook. These lots cannot be sold or transferred at any time.
Submitted by Roberta Belle Shook Boyett. Copied from the abstract and legal papers of the settling of the Robert S. Shook estate and household.
George Lisham is listed with Jane Chapman in the 1850 census of Perry County Il.

Old DuQuoin Cemetery
The Old DuQuoin cemetery was first known as the West Prairie Cemetery. The first burial recorded was that of J. Goodell, Uncle of E. Burbank and on grave lot number 2 owned by Johnson Burbank. The first land entry to this land was to George Lisham in 1836. In 1837 the entry was to Jonathan G. Clark. Then in 1839 it was deeded back to George Lisham. In the 1850 census George Lisham is listed in the household of Jane Chapman widow of Avery Chapman early settlers in Old DuQuoin. This section of land then to several people all of whom have lots of family members buried in the cemetery; Daniel Lovejoy and wife Lucinda, George Adams, George Wall, Joshiah Wood and wife Mary A Giltner, Goerge Burbank, Hiram Hinckely. Josiah Wood was a minister died in New Washington Indiana on or about June 5th 1870. Having no children the estate was divided to the brothers and sisters or their heirs. In 1874 Sidney Shook of St. Clair County bought the land surrounding the cemetery from Thomas J. Bingham and the land has been in the Shook family ever since. Now being owned by John and Roberta Shook Boyett. The fourth generation In 1948 section 3 was sold to the cemetery by Robert S. Shook and wife Belle. In 1955 Belle Shook widow of Robert S, Shook sold a section to the cemetery trustees for a parking lot at the rear of section 1-2 In 1974 Belle Bryant Johnson Shook passed away and the Shook estate being settled John and Roberta Shook Boyett gave to the Old DuQuoin Cemetery the 4th Section, with the provision that the first row of graves be reserved for the heirs of Robert S. Shook and Belle Johnson Shook. During the years trustees have been members of families who are buried in the cemetery. Some of whom were. William Heberer, Lemuel Shook, George Davison, Amanda Miller, Julian Biot, Roy Swallers, Gus Bowlin, and many others. The present members are Robert "Bud" Shook president, Margaret Miller Berger secretary treasurer, Letta Hammel Terry, Dean Knapp, John and Roberta Boyett. The trustees meet quarterly at the home in Old DuQuoin of John Boyett, first house east of the Old DuQuoin Cemetery. The second Monday night at 6:00 pm. The cemetery is maintained by donations. Many decendants of the Bowlin family are buried there. Rodney and Taricy had 17 children and several generations are lot owners. Chester Keys one of the founders of DuQuoin is buried there. George T. Wall, The Ross families, Burbanks, Pecks, Hinckleys, Things, Adams, Spragues, Hardsocks, Thompsons, Zeiglers, Appuhns, Heberers, Sieferts, Shooks, with two and three generations of these families owning lots. Roberta Belle Shook Boyett 10-17-1983.
A story told by the early settlers of Old DuQuoin, handed down by Chester Keys, was of Indian trading. The trading post was located just south of the Old DuQuoin School. (Bayard Zeigler later owned this parcel of land) From this view point you can see the bottom land where the Indians camped, which in our time was called black slop, now called Campbell Lake area. The trading post owner famaliar with the Indians habits watched in the spring and fall for the Indians to bring their furs to trade for supplies. This was an event that the settlers prepared for. The settlers would form a circle and the Indians would put their furs in the middle and then the group would barter for the furs and the Indians for what the settlers had. Mr. Keys told that the Indians were very shrewd traders and seldom would they make a foolish trade. The only items being bright red and colorful things the settlers had made were temptations. After the trading the furs were taken to St. Louis and the necessary items the settlers needed were purchased. The names of the trading post owners were never mentioned. At the time my father told this story handed down to him he knew who they were. Being young I never thought to ask. The settlers needed four things one being salt the others I do not remember, but remember them being in barrels.

Old DuQuoin Cemetery History
1. First entry is to George Lisham from the U.S. Of America dated August 10, 1836 2. U.S. of America to George Lisham March 4th 1839 3. U.S. Of America to Johathan G. Clark Feb 14th 1837 4. Jonathan G. Clark and Jane Clark, his wife to George Lisham Dated 11 Feb 1839 5. George Lisham to Daniel Lovejoy Feb. 1st 1840 6. Daniel R.T. Lovejoy and wife, Loucinda S. to George Adams Oct. 23rd 1840 7. George Adams to George T. Wall 7 June 1847 (G.Adams of Canton in Hartford Co. Conn.) 8. George Adams to Josiah Wood and Mary Wood Oct. 30th 1849 9. Josiah Wood and Mary Wood to George Adams (mortgage) 10. Josiah Wood and Mary A. Wood his wife to George Burbank 24 April 1858. 11. George Adams of Luzerne Co. Pa. To Hiram Hickley 29 April 1850 12. Hiram Hinkley and Sarah Hinkley his wife to Josiah Wood 17 May 1858 13. Josiah Wood and wife to George M. Hinckley. May 1863. (Two acres for cemetery purpose. North of the Chester Mulkeytown Rd.) 14. Josiah Wood and wife to George W. Burbank. (Josia Wood a minister died in New Washington Indiana on or about June 5th 1850. Josiah widow was the former Mary A. Giltner. Having no children the estate was divided among the heirs brothers and sisters or their heirs.) 15. Joseph E. Peck and Addie E. Peck to Sidney Shook 20 June 1881. 16. Thomas J. Bingham and wife, Mary to Sidney Shook 25 Sep 1884 17. Sidney Shook and his wife, Serina to Lemuel G. Shook 27 Sep. 1884 18. Affidavit stating that Robert S. Shook son of Lemuel and wife Jane deceased rightful owner of said property. 1923. Robert S. Shook heirs. Robert S. Shook Jr, Roberta Belle Shook, Ida Jane Shook Davison divided the estate. Roberta Belle S hook and husband John Boyett receiving the land surrounding the Old DuQuoin Cemetery in the year 1974. In 1948 section no.3 was sold to the cemetery by Robert S, Shook and Belle Johnson Shook. In 1955 a parking lot was sold to the cemetery by Belle Shook widow of Robert S. Shook. In 1974 Belle Bryant Johnson Shook passed away and the Shook estate being settled John and Roberta Boyett gave the Old DuQuoin Cemetery the 4th Section of the cemetery, with the provision that the first row of graves be reserved for the heirs of Robert S. Shook and Belle Johnson Shook. These lots cannot be sold or transferred at any time. Submitted by Roberta Belle Shook Boyett. Copied from the abstract and legal papers of the settling of the Robert S. Shook estate and household. George Lisham is listed with Jane Chapman in the 1850 census of Perry County Il.

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