WYREKA CEMETERY
PUTNAM COUNTY, MO.
** Partial Listing Only
**
Compiled by Mrs. Stella Wells 1935. Data furnished by Luke Owens and Miss Mary Frances Smith
Wyreka Cemetery is probably the oldest public burial ground in Putnam County. A small slab of white marble clearly marks the spot that shows in Feb. 1851, a babe who died without a name was buried there for David and Elizabeth Howry, and another tiny slab tells that on May 1, 1851, Hercules Ellis, one year old son of Dr. Lewis Ellis was the second to die in the pioneer community. Soon after that date Ellen, the twelve-year-old daughter of Eli and Susan Howard became the third. The three mounds, eloquent of the toll paid by their parents for the privilege of conquering a wilderness, grouped within a small area, were in a corner of a fenced pasture owned by Lewis Ellis, pioneer doctor and circuit-riding preacher of the Wyreka Community. By the time the third mound had been made, the people of the community led by Mr. Ellis had organized a church and a log building had been erected which was to serve as a church and a schoolhouse, near the graves on a hill top. Then the good men in that area “entered” the land and invited his neighbors to lay their dead in the corner of his pasture gave to the public “God’s Acre,” which today is the hill-top of beautiful Wyreka Cemetery.
THE FIRST FENCE to enclose the cemetery was a “stake and rider” rail fence. There was a gate near where the main entrance is today. When it became necessary for a wagon to be taken within the enclosure, the fence was opened. The cemetery grew and when more land was needed, the Ellises gave it on the north and west, extending the cemetery’s area to its present size of 3-1/2 acres.
In 1874, a frame church was built across the road, south, near where the tool house stands. The land was given by Adam Ellis, a son of the old preacher-doctor. The old log church was removed. The grave of Rev. George Wells marks the site of the early pulpit. The night of Aug. 25, 1902, fire started by lightening destroyed the frame church, and soon the church board, made up of John Howard, John Crawford and John Daly, deeded the land that had been solely church property to the cemetery.
In 1920, Timothy Blanchard requested that his family burial plot, which was separated from Wyreka Cemetery by only a fence, be taken into the public area. His pleas were granted, Mr. Blanchard paying for the increased length of fencing. Since that time the boundaries of the Wyreka Cemetery have not been changed.
During its more than 84 years of service, (now in 1972, 121 yrs.) the cemetery has been encircled by many fences. Since the earliest rail fence, a board fence and wire fences suited to the times and the desires of the community have given service. T hog fence surrounded it for a time, reminding us that hogs were not restrained within enclosures, but were permitted to roam at will, until that was ended by a vote of the people of the county (1885). The present iron fence and arch came into being chiefly through the efforts of Miss Mary Frances Smith, who now lives at the age of 85 years and takes becoming pride in the fruits of her labors and efforts. In 1913, the determined lady decided to raise money that would buy a permanent and beautiful fence. Not until 1920 was the fence in place. It had been a long task, but the determined never gave up.
On Labor
Day 1920, the Wyreka Cemetery Association was begun, with
purpose to keep clean and beautify this city of the dead.
WYREKA CEMETERY
YORK TOWNSHIP
T 66 R 21 S 8
ADAMS,
Children of T & M
Alexander, son d. 11 Mar. 1869, age 1 y
4 mo.
Elva D. , dau. d. 28 Mar. 1874, age 4
mo. 13 da.
ADAMS,
Dau. Of Leroy
d. 21 Feb. 1887 age 2 mo.
ARMFIELD,
Paris
d. 17 Aug. 1878, age 58 yrs. 10 mo. 12
da.
Children of P & S
Infant son d. 31 July 1877
Albert d. 21 Sept. 1890, age 17 yrs. 4
mo. 21 da.
AYERS,
Evaline, wife of Samuel
b. 28 Mar. 1811 d. 27 Oct. 1858
AYERS,
Dasho
Dau. of W. & M. W. d. 23 Jan.
1867 age 12 yrs. 8 mo
BATES,
Millard 1876 - 1889
Ord 1884 - 1892
BENNETT,
George W.
Civil War Marker Sgt Co. C. 28th Ia
Inf.
(Fed Cens. Born 1825)
BISHOP, Elva Callison 1906 - 1943
BLANCHARD,
Abe (Abraham) 1869 - 1953
Record show wife Lucinda is buried - no
stone
N.P. Lucinda born Dec. 1855 - Oct. 1932
BLANCHARD,
Cecil, son of Samuel & Minnie
b. 26 Jul 1908 - d. 15 Mar. 1960
BLANCHARD,
Willie, son of S & M
b. 4 Jun 1918 - d 10 Mar. 1927
BLANCHARD,
Inf. Dau. of S & M
b. 22 Mar 1903 - d. 5 Apr. 1905
BLANCHARD,
Timothy FATHER
b. 20 Oct. 1850 - d. 22 Jan. 1940
Mary A. (Nee Turner) MOTHER
b. 26 Feb. 1846 - d. 24 Feb. 1899
BLANCHARD, Jimmie b. 2 May, 1870 - d. 26 Apr 1950
BLANCHARD,
Samuel, son of Timothy and Mary
b. 6 June, 1873 - d. 4 Apr. 1947
Minnie (nee Varner) 1879 - 1962
BLANCHARD, Lester S. 1914 - 1957
BLANCHARD,
Timothy, b. N.Y. d. 6 May 1863
Age 57 yr 1 mo 24 da
Mary A. b. N.T (nee Holmes)
d. 28 Nov. 1893 age 83 yr 5 mo. 2 da.
BLANCHARD,
Richard FATHER
1911 - 1962
BLANCHARD,
Junior Ray, d. 29 Dec. 1940, age 5 mo. 7 da.
(funeral home marker in cement)
BLANCHARD,
Arthu Eugene, d. 25 Aug. 1958, age 3 mo 7 da
(funeral home marker in cement)
BLANCHARD,
William T. 1892 - 1971
(funeral home marker)
BLANCHARD, Harvey W. 1915 - 1966
BLANCHARD, Albert 1905 - 1970
BLANCHARD,
Charles 5 Feb. 1877 - 8 Aug. 1938
Mary L. 1881 - 1964
BLANCHARD,
Robert 1872 - 1950
Minnie B. 1881 - 1941
BLANCHARD,
Timmie, b. 9 July 1904 - d. 28 Feb. 1956
Louise, b. 8 Oct. 1907 d. 8 Apr. 1953
Ralph Duaine 1938 - 1953
BLANCHARD, Esther R., dau of R & M, 1920 - 1938
BLANCHARD, Richard 1877 - 1966 (funeral marker BIG DICK)
BLANCHARD, Frank & Dollie (cement stone no dates)
BLANCHARD,
Delmar 1909 - 1978
Ada b. 1914 -
BLANCHARD, Charles, our son, b. 9 Dec. 1943 - 3 Oct. 1964
BLANCHARD, Liash , 19 May 1897
BLANCHARD, Holmes, 9 May 1888
BLANCHARD, Jake, 27 Apr. 1897
BLANCHARD, Malissa, d. 4 Aug. 1884, age 37 yr.
BLANCHARD, Grandma, d. 22 Nov. 1893
BOWEN, Sarah, d. 27 Apr. 1895 age 75 yrs. 7 mo 11 da.
BOWEN,
Foster R. , son of F. K. & M. P.
d. 30 Aug. 1898 age 1 yr 3 mo 6 da
BOWEN, Foster K. b. 9 Jan 1859 - 6 Mar. 1897
BOWEN, William, 5 May 1891
BREWER,
Laura, wife of Thomas, d. 13 Apr 1896
age 19 yrs 1 da
BREWER, William, d. 1 June 1900, age 64 yrs 9 mo 7 da
BREWER,
Joel, husband of Lucinda, d. 6 Dec. 1880
age 66 yrs. 11 mo 21 da
BRIDGES,
Lucinda, wife of Joel, d. 8 Mar. 1905
age 86 yr. 8 mo. 6 da
BRIDGES,
Allen D., son of J & L , d. 19 Jan 1862
age 18 yr. 10 mo 9 da
BRIDGES,
James H, son of J. & L. d. 25 Jan 1874
Age 16 yr 2 mo 16 da
BRIDGES,
Isaac, b. abt. 1861 d. Dec. 1910
Mrs. Isaac BRIDGES
BROWN, Alexander (Rexie), 1928 - 1934
BROWN, Kenneth, son of A E & F E, 28 Feb - d. 6 Mar 1907
Stone
loose---by main gate
BRUNDAGE, John CIVIL WAR Co I 8th MO CAV
BRUNDAGE,
John, b. 18 Feb. 1818 - d. 3 Sept. 1888
The pain of death are past
Labor and sorrow cease
And life’s long warfare closed at last
His soul is found in peace
Susanne, wife of John, b. 29 May 1829 d. 3 Sept. 1915
BRUNDAGE,
Rebecca J., dau of J & M, d. 23 Sept. 1865
age 9 mo 1 da
BRUNDAGE,
Annie C., wife of E. G. W. d. 31 Aug. 1873
Age 25 yr 3 mo 17 da
BUCKWORTH, John, son of P. B. , d 6 Nov. 1874
BUCKWORTH, P.B., d. 16 Dec. 1886 age 69 yr 8 mo 12 da
BUCKWORTH,
Catherine, wife of P.B. , d. 23 Mar 1881
age 62 yrs 2 mo 28 da
BUCKWORTH, Curtis, son of P.B. & C 1841- 1878
BUCKWORTH,
Ellwood C. d. 25 Aug. 1903 age 55 yr 4 mo 19 da
Malissa, b. 23 Jan 1853 - d. 19 Nov.
1929
BUCKWORTH,
Clara A., dau. of G W & L B, 6 Oct 1871
age 1 yr 4 mo 3 da
DOMAN,
James S. 1867 - 1959
Jennie 1864 - 1946
DOMAN,
Walter Ferd
1891 - 7 May 1963
DOMAN,
Unnamed son of J.A. & Jennie
17 Feb 1896
DRAPER,
Lincoln A. J., son of J.C. & M. A.
d. 1 Apr. 1888 a. 22 y 11 m ?d
DRAPER,
Sarah (wife of Azariah)
d. 31 Jan 1888 a 78 y 1 m 30 d
DRAPER,
Azariah, husband of Sarah Cartwright Draper
d. 27 Nov 1891 a 84 y 11 m 23 d
DRAPER,
Henry
d. 28 Dec 1880 a 20 y 11 d
DRAPER,
Janey May, wife of J. J.
d. 28 Dec 1889 a 20 y 11 d
DRAPER,
Calvin
1850-1930
DRAPER,
Lucinda S, wife of Calvin
1852-1912
DRAPER,
Mrs. Joseph
d. Apr 1890
DRAPER,
Son of A. E.
d. Sept 1912
DRAPER,
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas
(Funeral for above. He has been dead
for some years
and she died Dec. & Jan.) 3 Feb.
1892
DRAPER,
Harlen W.
1904-1904
DRAPER,
Axle A.
1908-1912
(Son of Alfred & Abba)
DRAPER,
William Sherman, son of T.P. & M.A.
d. 13 May 1872 a 2 y 8 m 2 d
DRAPER,
Sarah E , dau of T. P. & M. A.
d. 22 Apr 1867 a 3 mo 9 d
DRAPER,
Martha M. dau of L. H Staley
d. 17 June 1867
DUNCAN,
Mary L.
24 Oct 1917 - 26 Nov 1936
DUNCAN,
Paul
10 Nov 1911 -
DUNKIN,
Ida Skipper, wife of H. J.
25 June 1885 - 1 Feb 1941
DUNKIN,
Ray W.
1906 - 1974
DUNKIN,
Neita A.
1903 -
DUNKIN,
Anna Julia, dau of Ed C & Mary O
D 22 Oct 1898 a 4y 6m 6?d
DUNKIN,
Fred
30 July 1869 - 30 May 1930
DUNKIN,
Lucy M., wife of Fred
23 Nov 1872 - 9 Oct. 1958
DUNKIN,
Harvey (Theodore)
24 Feb 1902 - 4 Dec 1902
(Funeral Home Marker)
DUNKIN,
Fred (Arlie)
13 Apr 1899 - 3 Mar 1909
(Funeral Home Marker)
DUNKIN,
Roy Ervin
30 Nov 1908 - 1 May 1946
a 36y 5m 1 d
Foot Stone: V.A. Marker
T/sgt Co C 112 Inf
W.W.II P.H. 282 Inf Div
DUNKIN,
dau of Fred & L. M.
4 Dec 1902
DUREE,
A. C. (Albert Caleb), son of John D. & M.A.
Apr 1868 - Feb 1908
DUREE,
Ervin M., son of J.D. & L. J.
d. 24 Oct 1895 age 11y 9mo 8d
DUREE,
Martha A., wife of John D.
d. 8 Sept 1878 a 32y 4m 20 d
DUREE,
Lottie, dau of J. D. & M.A.
d. 25 Aug 1888 a 16y 6m 7 d
DUREE,
Inf. Son of J. D. & M. A.
15 Aug 1878
FARMER,
Nellie Viola, dau of J. E. & S.F.
d. 2 Aug 1902 a 17y 3m 10d
FARMER,
David G. A. R Emblem
25 Oct. 1828 - 9 Oct 1912
FARMER,
Priscilla, wife of David
18 Dec 1835 - 17 Apr 1877
FARMER,
Teresa, wife of David
29 Apr 1852 - 5 Dec 1880
FARMER,
Inf son of D & P
14 Jan 1877
FARMER,
Rachel Jane, dau of D & T. J.
d. 17 Dec 1880 a 27d
(Above taken from old stones)
New
Stone 1981 Terrissa Jane
Priscilla
1852-1880
1835 -
1877
Rachel Jane
Inf Son
1877
1880
FARMER,
Thomas
6 Oct. 1879 - 9 Aug 1920
FARMER,
Florence, dau of T & Ina
21 Jan 1915 - 4 Sept. 1923
New Funeral Marker
1916 - 1923
FIELDS,
Inf. Dau of G. W. & M.E.
31 Oct 1905
FIELDS,
James A.
1896 - 1944
FIELDS,
Ruby, wife of J. A.
1897 - 1971
FIELDS,
M. Nancy, wife of Allen
D 25 May 1868 a 31y 10m 28d
FIELDS,
Lucy A., dau of Allen
1862 - 1938
(Records indicate Allen is buried
at the Busby Cemetery)
FIELDS,
Alfred
1850 - 1939
FIELDS,
Ellen (Stark), wife of Alfred
1864 - 1953
FIELDS,
Marshall, son of A. & E.
1905 - 1976
FORD,
Jennie
d. 2 Nov 1882 26y 6m 9d
FORDYCE,
Roy (Cement Stone)
20 July 1882 - 16 Dec. 1952
FORDYCE,
America, wife of Roy
1876 - 1938
FORDYCE,
Uel
(no dates)
FORDYCE,
Alice, wife of Uel
(Tin Markers no dates)
FULCHER,
Levi F. - G.A.R. 7th MO. Cav
d. 5 Jan 1892 66y 3m 21d
FULCHER,
Mary H. wife of L.F.
d. 2 Jan 1892 71y 1m 29d
GADBERRY,
Mary Opal
29 July 1912 - 21 Oc. 1941
GADBERRY,
Jessie Howard
8 Dec. 1905 - 9 Apr 1978
Foot Marker: VA
W.W.II Tec 4 U.S. Army
1905-1978
GINN,
Sarah J., wife of Harvey
d. 3 Mar 1871 age 29y 1m 5d
GINN,
Ivy Mae, dau of G. L. & M. F.
d. 8 Oct 1888
GINN,
Ira Elle, son of G. L. & M.F.
d. 25 Feb 1884 age 4d
GREENE,
Ellen A.
1836 - 1910
GREENE,
John H., son of Ellen A.
d. 27 Sept. 1871 age 2 y 10m
GRIFFITH,
Nancy A. , wife of J.S.
d. 23 Mar 1895 age 58y 8m 2d
“She was the sunlight of our Home”
HARDESTY,
Frank
C.W. Marker Co.A 3rd Iowa Cav.
HARDING,
Lena Gladys, dau of J.B. & E.
d. 22 Dec. 1893 age 2y 4m 27d
HARDING,
Charles W. son of J.B. &E.
d. 17 Dec 1893 a 10y 8m 5d
HARDING,
Otto B., son of J.B. & E
d. 22 Sept 1889 age 10y 5m 17 d
HELMICK,
Benjamin
d. 22 Jan 1885 age 66y
(NP. Death List age 45y)
(1880 Census: Age 61y)
OWENS,
Adam L.
1 Feb 1894 - 8 Oct 1950
Mo. Pvt 1st Eng W.W.1
OWENS,
EARL
7 Aug 1890 - 8 May 1962
OWENS,
Carrie, wife of Earl
29 Apr 1898 - 24 June 1964
POLLEY,
Kenneth, Inf son of E.F. & M.R.
d. 10 Dec 1906
(Stone re-checked for Spelling of
surname buried with Pauley’s)
PAULEY,
Elmer
25 Feb. 1883 - 9 Apr 1922
“We will meet again”
PAULEY,
Emma R., wife of Elmer
28 Feb. 1884 - 1963
PAULEY,
Inf son of E. & E. R.
10 Dec. 1906
PAULEY,
Alfred
d. 16 Feb. 1902 a 81y 3m 5d
PAULEY,
Lavina, wife of Alfred
d. 1 Oct 1889 age 66y 11m 4d
PAULEY,
Johnny M
1906
PAULEY,
Rosie G.
1903 - 1971
PAULEY,
John M. FATHER
d. 24 Dec 1903 age 39y 18d
PAULEY,
Sarah C. MOTHER
d. 2 Apr 1947 age 81y 3m 6d
PAULEY,
Aaron S.
4 Nov 1847 - 9 Feb 1882
PAULEY,
Irena Mae
1 May 1852 - 21 July 1933
PAULEY,
Zena Blossom, dau of A. S. & J. L.
3 Sept 1881 - 7 Nov 1881
PAULEY,
Estress FATHER
1855 - 1929
PAULEY,
Martha E. MOTHER
1859 - 1946
PAULEY,
M. Albert, son of Estress & Martha
19 Dec 1886 age 6yrs 8m 18d
PAULEY,
children of J.S. & Cora
William D. 20 Sept 1906 - 17 Mar 1910
Opal 21 July 1908 - 21 Mar 1910
PAULEY,
Cora, dau of William & Nancy Callison
18 Jan. 1890 - 15 Mar 1910
PHILLIPS,
S. D.
d. 23 Jan 1882 age 51y 9 m 4d
(NP. Dean P. Phillips died 23 Jan 1882)
PHILLIPS,
Mary, wife of S. D.
d. May 1869 age ___yr 1m 24d
(1860 Fed Census age 33y)
PHILLIPS,
Samuel
23 Aug 1851 - 13 Nov 1931
PHILLIPS,
Sarah
6 Apr 1851 - 6 Apr 1936
PHILLIPS,
Lola Dell
28 Sept 1874 - 28 Nov 1876
PHILLIPS,
Edwin A
6 Apr 1870 - 27 Apr 1870
POOL,
George
d. Apr 1911 age 15y
PORE,
Chancey, son of W. P. & S.E.
d. 13 Oct. 1878 - age 1y 9m 18d
PORTER,
William L.
1891 - 1918
POWERS,
Elisha G.
(Powersville named for him)
b. 10 Mar 1811 Vermont
d. 12 Oct 1884
A soldier for our country
I would not live always
I care not to stay
NP.
PURCELL, Sarah Ogden
24 Sept. 1832 - 3 Apr 1896
PURSLEY,
Lydia E. F., wife of John S.
d. 10 Nov 1894 age 40y 6m 25d
“Husband and
Children, I must leave you
Leave yes, leave, you
all alone
But my blessed savior
calles me
Calls me to a
heavenly home.
SPENCER,
child of James
July 1897
STALEY,
Martha M., dau of A. & M
d. 7 Jan 1867 age 1m 11d
STARGELL,
Sarah J. , wife of J.D.
d. 18 Apr 1907 age 59y 1d
STARGELL,
Nellie
27 Dec. 1881
STARGELL,
Floretty, dau of J.D. & S. L.
d. 20 Nov 1874 age 3y 2m 1d
STARGELL,
Pearly H., dau of J.D. & S.L.
d. 25 Apr 1891 age 2y 2m 1d
STARGELL,
Chorale, dau of J.D. & S.L.
d. 9 Sept 1880 age 4y 8m 16d
STARGELL,
John D.
d. 10 Dec. 1907
STARK,
Mary J.E. , dau of M & C
d. 20 Nov 1863 age 10m
STARK,
Mahlon
V.A. Marker
(Fed cn born 1842)
STARR,
Mary I.F., daug of M.C.
20 Apr 1863 age 10m
STARR,
Jesse
d. 14 May 1915
STARR,
Seaton
d. 16 Sept 1915
STARR,
son of J.T.
13 June 1874
STARR,
Adam C. , son of W.B. & M
20 Dec. 1858 age 12d
STARR,
William B., husband of Martha
d. 25 Dec. 1890 age 56y 22d
STARR,
Martha, wife of W.B.
d. 17 Sept 1909 a 69y 10m 9d
STARR, G. A. (no dates old foot marker)
STARR,
William H., son of J & J.S.
d. 13 Nov 1871 age 24d
STARR,
Hannah
1842 - 1922
STARR,
T. T.
1874 - 1933
STARR,
Rebecca, wife of T.T.
1875 - 1965
STARR,
W. B., son of T.T. & Rebecca
1910-1917
STEEN,
James L., son of F. & A.
d. 14 Jan 1891 age 31y 7m 15d
STEVENS,
Icel
1908 - 1960
STEVENS,
Archie
1886 - 19__
STEVENS,
Vernie A.
1892 - 1926
STEPHENS,
John L., son of A.C. & Vernie A.
28 Dec. 1908 - 3 Feb. 1909
STEPHENS/Stevens,
Vernia A.
28 Dec. 1902 - 3 Feb. 1903
STONEKING,
Amanda, dau of H & A
d. 28 Sept 1888 age 1m 29d
STONEKING,
Henry J.
d. 21 Mar 1898 age 39y 11m 20d
STOTTLEMIRE,
Samuel
d. 4 Oct 1889 age 56y 6m 27d
STOTTLEMIRE,
Nancy A.
d. 24 Dec 1913 age 77y 4m 9d
STOTTLEMIRE,
Nancy E., dau of C.C. & C.
d. 30 Mar 1890 age 1 y 8m 10d
d. 16 Apr 1891 age 33y 1m 10d