A little over a year ago there arose a question in conversation regarding the title to what has been known for many years as the “Hazel Green Cemetery,” in Genesee. This cemetery was established in 1863 by the United Brethren denomination and was used by them and others in general for interment purposes until about the time, or shortly after the division of the United Brethren church which occurred a number of years ago. Since this time it appears that the so called “Radical” faction of the church practically assumed the greater part of the responsibility of keeping the place in repair and continued to bury their relatives there while the so called “Liberal” faction of the church, with some exceptions have since interred elsewhere. Many of the very earliest settlers of the town and county are resting here and although there were living within a radius of only a few miles, at least a hundred relatives of deceased fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, great and great, great grand parents, who are entombed within its borders, no one could give any definite information regarding the title except that some of the older members were quite certain that the cemetery was conveyed by A. S. Ferguson to some one connected with the church about fifty years ago. A thorough search through the church papers revealed nothing. The attention of Rev. George Luttz, pastor of the Radical U. B. church at Coleta was called to the matter, who at once instituted an investigation. Rev. Luttz, who having no personal interest in the matter, other than his duty to the church, but being a man possessed of an exceptionally generous and ever ready disposition to assist others, consented to try and if possible, unravel the tangle and secure the jurisdiction of the cemetery to the church, or, to some responsible parties at least, who would have a legal right to repair and look after it in general and thus protect it from being plowed up and planted in corn or potatoes, as in the case wit a cemetery in the vicinity of Coleta, at the present time.

A research of the records at Morrison revealed the record of a deed given in 1963 by A. S. Ferguson conveying one square acre for cemetery purposed to Martin Overholser, John Overholser and George Hurless individually, but not as trustees of any church organization, the consideration being twenty-five dollars. This deed after considerable research was finally located in Iowa. All these original owners passed away years ago, leaving may heirs. Attorney R. W. E. Mitchell of Sterling was consulted in regard to the matter of legal procedure in the case, who informed Rev. Luttz that there were two ways in which to acquire a legal title. One was by a decree of the court, the other to obtain the signatures of all heirs of the original owners to a quit claim deed. The process through the courts it was considered would be the shortest and quickest method but would be quite expensive, while the locating of all these heirs numbering about eighty and scattered to almost every state in the union, to each of whom the deed would have to be mailed, and who would have to personally appear before an officer to acknowledge their signature, would be a long drawn affair and not a very desirable undertaking. Rev. Luttz chose the latter course and ordered Attorney Mitchell to draw up a deed and the ball started rolling. May said, “Its no use to try.” Some gave him five while others prophesied that ten years would elapse before the matter could be adjusted, but the pastor with a smile of determination, turned a deaf ear to these discouraging remarks and went ahead. In a short time Rev. Luttz, together with George D. Hoffman, a justice of the peace who took their acknowledgement, obtained about forty signatures of heirs residing in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties, after which it was necessary to start the document on its journey by mail hither and thither, back and forth across the continent. It travelled into many towns in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Washington, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Michigan and California, when it returned to Rev. Luttz complete with the exception of the signature of one heir, whose name will be obtained later.

The deed contained the names of seventy-nine of the heirs and attached to it were acknowledgements of thirty-six different justices and notaries. It was again taken to Attorney R. W. E. Mitchell for examination who pronounced it all O. K., and it was sent to Morrison where it was placed on record. The deed conveys the cemetery property to Benjamin Kline, Owen L. Harrison and Charles Smith, as trustees of the Radical United Brethren to Christ church of Coleta. The acquisition of this cemetery by the Radical U. B. church people was prompted by no other desire than simply to protect the sacred spot where so many o their loved ones are at rest and be rightfully entitled to care for and keep it in proper shape. Quite recently it was all mowed and given a general cleaning up, the head stones which had been neglected put in place, the entire yard was measured and platted into lots, and henceforth this silent city of the dead will receive all necessary attention to make it second to none in appearance to any in this county. The church people and many others feel very grateful to Rev. Luttz for taking hold of this matter as he did and helping them out of their dilema [sic]. Not only this is justly due him but they should recompense him well in dollars and cents for much of his own time and money spent and for the untiring efforts and zeal which he put forth in their behalf. Through the courtesy of the Gazette and in compliance with a request by a majority of the heirs, we will here give the names of the heirs who so willingly and promptly signed this deed and to whom Rev. Luttz, the church and all others interested desire to extend their sincere thanks: