The land designated as the Erie Cemetery was officially set aside in 1880 by a village ordinance dated Feb. 6th of that year. However, long before that time, because it was high ground, there had been burials. The two little Giles children, who drowned in the river, are said to be be buried in the Crandall plot. Many pioneer families buried their loved ones in private places near their homelands. Today a walk down the roads of the Erie Cemetery, lined with stately trees, the wind gently signing in the branches may easily remind us of gentle voices long silent. Slip back for a bit into a more quiet past when the names engraved on stone will remind us of vigorous persons moving through the life of this town. Here we find names out of the past. Joseph Fenton, tho removed in life to the town of Fenton, lies for his final rest in the Erie Cemetery. Joseph Fenton died in 1874 age, 80; Elizabeth, his wife died in 1879, at the age of 75. And who was Christana, wife of George Stary? She died July 8, 1872 at age 76 over 100 years ago. Did she journey here by river or perhaps take the long covered wagon trip overland? Was this place of of joy or sorrow for her? And who cannot feel the sadness of the parents of little Albert Schryver who died in 1885 at three months of age. This is his epitaph "His life and smile a host of sweet promise gave, All earthly hopes are now buried in the grave." There are many rows of small headstones that so often marked the short lives of children.. was it diptheria, that dreaded illness of the young that took them so quickly out of life?
..............................................From the Sterling Gazette 1976