Pocahontas County Iowa Genealogy and History

Pocahontas County, Iowa Cedar Township Cemetery, Fonda, Iowa On July 12, 1875, Wm. Marshall was appointed to survey a plat of six acres for a township cemetery, on lands belonging to the Sioux City and Iowa Falls Town Lot and Land Co. Some difficulty was experienced in gaining possession of this land, and, during the next two years it was appraised by three different sets of appraisers, all of whom appraised it at $10.00 an acre. In 1879, $20.00 was offered an attorney in Fort Dodge to obtain a deed for it. The first deed for the sale of a lot in it was issued March 18, 1889, to G. W. Bothwell, M. D., and twenty-five others were issued that year. The price of the lots now ranges from five to twelve dollars. The first person buried in this cemetery was Ebenezer M. Busby, who was killed August 23, 1873, by the accidental discharge of his own gun while hunting with friends from Dubuque. The next persons buried here were Georgie Fairburn, who died of membraneous croup in his second year, June 26, 1874, and Jane Ann, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Marshall, who died of diphtheria July 2, 1874. A few years ago, through the leadership of the Fonda Relief Corps, the cemetery was very much improved in appearance, and upon four lots set apart for that purpose, the bas had been constructed for a soldier's monument. The cemetery belongs to the township, and is managed by the trustees who, to secure its improvement and care, for a number of years past, have annually levied a small tax upon the taxable property of the township outside of the incorporation. During recent years individuals and societies in the city have generously co-operated in the work of its improvement, and negotiations are now pending that may result in a recognition of the city in its management. The township clerk is the agent of the trustees in all matters relating to its use and he employs a custodian who gives it his personal care and attention. These persons are J. R. Johnson and Henry Bakker. (Pioneer History of Pocahontas County, Iowa, 1904) Submitted by Cathy Danielson Burials Name of Deceased Date of Birth Date of Death Inscription on Stone Comments Submitted by Busby, Ebenezer M. 23 Aug 1873 Cause of Death: hunting accident Accidental discharge of his own gun while hunting with friends from Dubuque * Fairburn, Georgie 26 Jun 1874 Cause of Death: Membraneous Croup In his 2nd year * Knights, Rollie C. __ ___ 1886 __ ___ 1973 ** Knights, Ruth __ ___ 1916 ** Knights, Sylvia S. __ ___ 1889 __ ___ 1952 ** Knights, Virgil __ ___ 1914 __ ___ 1917 ** Marshall, Jane Ann 02 Jul 1874 Cause of Death: Diphtheria Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Marshall * * Submitted by Cathy Danielson **Submitted by Gail Knights Copyright © Genealogy Trails All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.