Wright County,Iowa Evergreen Cemetery The Cemeteries of Clarion Nothing speaks more clearly for the intelligence and civilized spirit of a community than its care for the departed dead. This is the line of demarcation between savage and civilized life. The well-kept burying places of any town or city constitute a true index to the character of its living citizens. The churches and fraternal societies of this country have been potent agencies toward keeping alive this sentiment. The pioneer band in Clarion looked well to this matter and those now on the stage of action are keeping good the establishment of proper cemeteries. The first "city of the dead" for Clarion was in the southeast part of town, in what is King's addition today. It was not many years before it was seen that a mistake was made in platting a cemetery so near to the business and residence portion of the place, and a change was made. Perhaps the other extreme was gone to in the matter of locating the present cemetery—a mile and a half from the court house. Yet the location selected is in many ways ideal, and is well cared for at this date. What was known as the Clarion Cemetery Association was organized in April, 1873, the articles of association being recorded the 10th of that month and year, by George A. McKay, county recorder. According to the by-laws of this association anyone who desires to purchase one or more lots could be a member of the association. Its officers were to be a president, secretary, treasurer and two trustees, the officers to be elected annually, meetings for such purpose to be held the first Saturday in May, each year. The first members were: R. K. Eastman, W. F. Gibbs, L. P. Davis, F. O. Lee, A. W. White, J. D. Oakley, N. F. Weber, W. W. Gates, E. E. Gould, George A. McKay. The first president was R. K. Eastman; secretary, F. O. Lee. It was this society that purchased the land for the first cemetery, present King's addition to Clarion. After several years, as the town grew, it was discovered that it was a mistake to locate the burying ground so near the place, and it was then that what is now known as Evergreen cemetery, about one and one-half miles to the east of the town, was located. The Clarion Evergreen Cemetery Association was formed and articles of association were recorded on April 4, 1887. These articles provided that there should be a president, .secretary, treasurer and three additional trustees. The record shows the first officers were: Mrs. Susan Stone, president; Mrs. Edna Smith, secretary; the other trustees named being Lois Brewster. Mary Harwood and Kate Lockwood. These grounds are situated in section 5 of township 91, range 24. The grounds were enclosed and have always been kept in good condition. Fine monuments mark the resting place of many a departed pioneer, the contents of the first burying ground in Clarion having been removed, for the most part, to this silent city of the dead. [History of Wright County, Iowa, 1915, submitted by CD=FOFG] Copyright © Genealogy Trails All data on this website is Copyright by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.