Drummond Cemetery, Neoga, Cumberland Co., IL

Drummond Cemetery is east of the town of Neoga. It has over 1,000 interments and appears to be well maintained. There are some very old graves, including Civil War markers.

   

The predominant surnames found at this cemetery are: Ballinger*, Bean, Briggerman, Dow*, Duensing, Elder, Ferris, Goodwin*, Gordon, Groves, Hall*, Huffman, Keller, Kingery*, McPherson*, Miller*, Nichols, Odle, Peterson, Rardin/Rariden*, Raymer*, Smith*, Sparks, Van Scyoc*, Walker*, White, Young, Zike*.

Those with an asterisk have at least 19 interments. This does not include maiden names, it is the last name at time of death.

There seems to be many early settlers of Cumberland County buried here. Many of these families intermarried. I have 7 Oliver relatives buried here and I am likely blood related to all the Elders as well. For example, James William Elder, 1872-1922 is my first cousin, 4 times removed. His father is my 3rd great uncle. 

Above is the grave of Moses Frazier Oliver who is my second great uncle. He is the son of Ferdinand and Mary Frazier Oliver. I have been looking for the death place and parents of Ferdinand for nearly 18 years <sigh>. If I ever find the info about Ferd, I will throw a serious party!

The young deaths and infant graves at this cemetery are so noticeble that I can almost feel the grief.

Orrey Wishart, Aged 1 day

The above grave marker belongs to Madge Virginia Hawk McPherson who died at age 17, just 3 weeks after marriage. I feel so sorry for Madge. She deserves a beautiful grave stone. 

Above is the grave of Barbara Alice Bean Groves, the wife of James Parker Groves. She died at age 20 years. . 

Epitaph:

Farewell O, wife dear farewell, Thous't left me lonely in this world of pain. O, may we meet in Heavenly bliss to dwell, At God's right hand no more to part again. 

Sometimes you can find a bit of humor as well. I can relate to this, can you?

Leonard Cemetery, Vermilion Co., IL

Since we had some warm days for January, my husband and I decided to take off to visit a few cemeteries. I do not have many ancestors buried in Central, IL, but we did not have time to go very far. I decided to include cemeteries where I had distant relatives and made a plan. I noticed on findagrave.com that Leonard Cemetery has a few Battershells which is a distinctive surname on my mother's side. It is very likely all Battershells in America are related.

Leonard Cemetery is north of Danville, IL. We drove past the "road" to the entrance by mistake, then had to turn around and try again. It is basically a dirt lane with car ruts. It was a little muddy in spots due to recent rain. My husband was afraid the ground was too soft to drive on. I really wanted to see this cemetery and it would have been a long walk. I got out to check the ground and was able to convince my husband it would be alright. We made it!

Though I have not visited a large number of cemeteries (yet), I immediately noticed the unique photo opportunities. The brick columns, old metal gates, rusty elements...cool. It is a well maintained area with some architectural remnants left standing like monuments to the past.

The most common surnames at this cemetery (including maiden) are: Allison, Cunningham, Claypool, Henry, Hess, Huffman, Leonard, Stipp, Taylor, Williams, and Young. 

 

A Gate to Nowhere

I regret not having time to investigate all the stones there. My relatives' graves were near the entrance.

 

 Enis Hayes and Emma "Belle" Stipp Battershell  

(photos of Enis and his parents can be found on findagrave.com)

 Lawrence Orville Battershell. He is the son of Enis and Emma Belle Stipp Battershell.

Left: Infant son of E.H. and E.B. Battershell born 24 Dec 1899, died 26 Dec 1899. Right: Hazel E. Daughter of E.H. and E.B. Battershell born 23 March 1901, died 25 Sep 1901.


After researching the Battershell family members buried here, I discovered that I am also related to them through the Rector line. They are descended from Nancy Rector who is the sister to my 5th great grandmother, Abigail Rector. The Rector sisters both married Battershells (who I suspect are brothers). It was worth the drive to see the graves of my double cousins. Rest in peace.