Jurisdiction:  Galien Township Section 3

 

Status:  Abandoned

 

Location:  South US 12 near Rickerman Road on Private Property

 

Cemetery Governing Body:  Galien Township

 

With so many names associated with it, this small abandoned cemetery still keeps us guessing.  Regarding the different names, Geminder and Ward surnames have been found in the cemetery and Smith is the surname of the owner. 

 

One grave found in the Smith/Geminder/Ward Cemetery was that of Mary Geminder who died on April 12, 1858 at the age of 1 year and 1 month.  Another grave belonged to E. D. Ward, child of Edmond & Ellen Donnahge who died at age 9 months. 

 

In 1975, this cemetery was on the Paul Smith property located on a 45-acre farm.  The cemetery area is about 2/3 the way back from US 12 toward the railroad tracks, facing north.  The tallest tree on the knoll is a cherry tree.  Just beyond the tree is the cemetery.  The size indicated that there could have been 24 burials originally.  According to a neighbor, there were more tombstones before 1975 but that vandals have destroyed them.

 

 Written By Chriss Lyon