Rossburg Cemetery

SW ¼ SW ¼ Sec. 1, Twp. 37N, R3W
NE Corner Wilhelm Rd. & U.S. Hwy. 20
LaPorte, Co., IN
Springfield Township

Tidbit from the past - Michigan City News - Wednesday, Apr. 16 1902 - "Articles of association of the Rossburg Cemetery association have been filed in the office of County Recorder J. N. McCurdy."   The members of the association are John Weatbrook (sp), John S. Ross, W.W. Finley, Nicholas Kramer, Ernest Peters and Silas B. Shippee and the grounds of the association are located in Springfield township, near what is known as Rossburg. The directors for the first year are Messrs. Wheatbrook, Ross and Finley.

Cemetery repairs
to Rossburg Cemetery done in April 2004.
Newest reading done - April 2004 by: Patricia Gruse Harris

 Rossburg Cemetery Photos
Random Photos taken week of April 20, 2008
by: Teresa O'Riley

Row #1
#1 Cleland Daughter of O. & F. INMAN
Dec. 8, 1909 Aug. 6, 1910

Row #2
#2 Maria L. S. Ehefrau von Ernst PETERS
geb. d. 6 Marz 1845 gest. d. 25 Marz 1882
Alt. 37 Jahr u 19 Tag
‘und hunder con’ ‘ Hier und Ruhrt Gott’

#3 Ernest PETERS
1840 – 1927
#4 Albert Jr. (HAGERMANN)* - 1913
#5 Lizzie HAGERMANN - 1904
#6 Vernon (SHIPPEE)*
#7 Lela (SHIPPEE)*


#8 3 sided stone
West Side: SHIPPEE

South Side: Silas B. SHIPPEE - Born Aug. 23, 1852
Died Sept. 6, 1912

Carrie (SHIPPEE)* His Wife - Born. Nov. 6, 1861
Died Aug. 3, 1952

East Side: Vernon (SHIPPEE)* - Born May 20, 1881
Died Jan. 8, 1883

Lela (SHIPPEE)* - Born July 25, 1888
Died Nov. 2, 1901

Children of S. & C. SHIPPEE  

#9 Mother (SHIPPEE)*
#10 Father (SHIPPEE)*

#11 C. C. HUNTLEY
Co. H. 8th Ohio INF
(Civil War Veteran)

#12 Empty Base
(Civil War Veteran’s Marker)

#13 D. G.

Row #7

#35 Frederick TISHER
Born July 4, 1786 Died July 26, 1858 Ag’d 72 Y’s & 22 d’s

Between #35 & #36

3 field stones placed in such a way that may have been used as grave markers

#36 Wm. WALKER
Died Jan. 3, 1861 Ag’d 60 Y’s

#37 Father (Nickolas K #38 KRAMER Nickolas KRAMER
June 19, 1837 May 19, 1909
Caroline (KRAMER)* his wife
June 1, 1830 Jan. 14, 1907

#39 " Mother" (Caroline KRAMER)*

#40 Roy Son of T. & I. KRAMER
July 28, 1898 Apr. 16, 1899

#41 Thomas KRAMER
1867 – 1932

#42 "Mother" (I. KRAMER)*
epitaph: He took thee from a world of care
And __ __ ___ ___ ___ to share.

#43 SMITH - 2 sided stone
West Side: Thomas SMITH
Born Feb. 9, 1820 Died Dec. 19, 1897
Rhoda (SMITH)* his wife
Born Sept. 19, 1822 Died June 8, 1905

North Side: Sallie A. PORTER Dau. of T. & R. SMITH
Born Aug. 26, 1849 Died Apr. 8, 1867

#44 Father ( T. SMITH)*
#45 Sallie A. (PORTER)*

RAMER)*

Row #3
#14 Julia V. Dau. of J. S. & M. J. VARDAMAN
Died Sep. 3, 1873 Ag’d 6 m’s 18 d’s

#15 George S. Son of N. & E. MARTIN
Died Mar. 15, 1874
Ag’d 1 yr . 6 mo. 3 da.

#16 Our Baby Infant Son of J. & P. B. GRESS
Jan. 25, 1874

Row #4
#17 (Lana HAUN wife of Jacob)**
Died Oct. 11, 1889 Aged 40 Yrs. (18 mos. 21 d’s)**

 

Row #5
#19 John WEATBROOK
Oct. 11, 1856 - May 16, 1942

#20 "Mother" Wilhelmina WEATBROOK
Oct. 18, 1854 Mar. 27, 1941

#21 WEATBROOK
Wilhelmina June 6, 1820 - Aug. 11, 1895
John Apr. 15, 1822 - Mar. 3, 1872
Maria Feb. 15, 1867 - Sept. 30, 1867

#22 Elihu BISHOP
Co. B 73D IND INF
(Civil War Veteran)

#23 Elihu BISHOP
Co. B 73rd IND. INF.
(Civil War Veteran – same as above – has 2 stones)

#24 Stone broken off base
#25 No Visible Inscription

#26 2 sided stone
South Side: "Rest in Peace" John BROWN
Born Jan. 29, 1831 - Died Jan. 2, 1889

North Side: "Rest in Peace" Loranna wife of J. BROWN
Born Nov. 24, 1838 - Died May 14, 1889

#27 Dell C. A. wife of H. MOORE
Died Apr. 22, 1881 Aged 19 Yrs. 12 D’s
Epitaph illegible

#28 Benney Son of J. & L. BROWN
May 9, 1869 Aged 1 yr. 11 ms. (23 d’s)**

Row #8

#46 Mary R. Wife of Geo. E. WILCOX
Died Dec. 26, 1855 Ag’d 22 Y’s 10 mo. 16 d’s

#47 Daniel MANNING
Died (Feb. 17, 1873 ag’d 6 yrs.)**

#48 A. A. BURR
died May 31, 1856 Ag’d 59 yrs.
Amand A. (BURR)*
(Wife of A. A. died Mar. 25, 1857 ag’d 54 yrs.)**

#49 Frank (FINLEY)*

#50 FINLEY ‘By This I Have Lived’
John H. FINLEY 1823 – 1912
Caroline D. (FINLEY)* his wife 1835 – 1931
Frank B. (FINLEY)* their son 1861 – 1918

#51 Broken – no inscription

#52 Jonas FINLEY
Died Aug. 22, 1873 Ag’d 70 Y’s 6 m’s 22 d’s
epitaph: ‘Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord’

#53 Sally wife of Jonas FINLEY
Died April 13, 1892 Ag’d 88 Yrs. 2 m’s 21 D

#54 Father (Solomon ROSS)*
#55 Mother (Elizabeth ROSS)*
#56 Aaron (ROSS)*

#57 2 sided stone

West Side: ROSS
Solomon ROSS
Born Dec. 1, 1807 Died May 21, 1868
Elizabeth A. ROSS
Born Mar. 22, 1833 Died Nov. 26, 1878
Aaron M. ROSS
Born June 14, 1855 Died Aug. 31, 1868
John S. ROSS 1865 – 1936
Sophia Ross 1865 – 1940

East Side: Mary ROSS
Born June 4, 1853 Died Mar. 22, 1878
Eldora ROSS
Born Nov. 19, 1861 Died Mar. 17, 1900
Catherine ROSS
Oct. 11, 1851 - May 1, 1908

#58 John S. (ROSS)*
#59 Sophia (ROSS)*

Row #6

#29 2 sided stone

West Side: Joseph ZIMMERMAN
Died May 20, 1871 Aged 76 Y’s 8 mo. & 2 d’s

North Side: Francis son of J. & E. A. ZIMMERMAN
Died Aug. 1862 Ag’d 17 yrs.

#29A Footstone J. Z.

#30 Rosa Daughter of W. B. & M. SHOEMAKER
1891 – 1908

#31 Laviszan CLEM
Apr. 10, 1872 Ag’d 38 Y’s 3 mo. & 21 d’s
(Civil War Veteran’s Marker – not documented as veteran to date)

#32 Erna Dau. of W. E. & M. E. DREWS
Died Sept. 5, 1875 Ag’d 3 Y’s

#33 Bradford L. Son of S. & M. L. HARMON
Died July 16, 1873 Ag’d 5 Y’s (3 mo. 11 d’s)**

#34 Father Wm. W. FINLEY
1830 – 1909

"Mother" Roxey A. (FINLEY)* his wife
1833 – 1900

Row # 9

#60 DOWNEY
Alden E. 1882 – 1966
Edna A. 1888 – 1968

#61 "Mother" Eleanor DOWNEY SEVERS
Nov. 3, 1913 June 6, 1997

#62 Isabell DOWNEY
1916 – 1926

#63 M. T. (Marion TAYLOR)*

#64 Mary wife of Marion TAYLOR
Mar. 22, 1878 ag’d 24 Y’s 9 mo 18 d’s.

#65 Roston TAYLOR
Born Jan. 27, 1878 Died Aug. 10, 1878

#66 Little Alta’s (ROSS)* Grave

#67 KITCHEN
Catharine KITCHEN Oct. 11, 1851 May 1, 1908

#68 Joshua (ROSS)*
Broken part of stone sitting in empty base

#69 2 sided stone

West Side: ROSS
Joshua M. Ross
Died July 18, 1878 Aged 64 Yrs. & 26 D’s

South Side: Alta V. (ROSS)*
Dau. of J. M. & C. Ross
Died July 30, 1878 Aged 3 Y’s 10 M’s 25 D.
   Additional Notes:
* Name in ( ) ascertained from names on other tombstones.
** Information in ( ) cannot be seen on the stones at this reading, but were apparently visible at a previous reading

Other stones not present at this reading, but were apparently in cemetery at previous readings.
(1) BOWER, Luther no date – Civil War Veteran
(2) FINLEY, Harvey E. son of W. W. & R. A. d. May 24, 1872
(3) FINLEY, Millard W. son of W. W. & R. A. d. Feb. 17, 1870 age 9 yrs. 12 da.
(4) FINLEY, Rosa E., Dau. W. W. & R. A. d. Apr. 25, 1871 Age 11 da.
(5) FINLEY, Thomas G. Feb. 4, 1828 June 28, 1870
(6) INMAN, Charles no date – Civil War Veteran
(7) WALKER, Cynthia wife of George, d. May 1, 1872 age 44 yrs.
(8) CRAMER, Jonathan no stone but listed by LaPorte Co., IN Veterans Graves Registration
as buried in Rossburg Cemetery

Read April 2004
Patricia Gruse Harris

Older Reading for Rossburg
(caution - errors on this listing below)

Surname First/Maiden DOB DOD Location of
burial		 Additional Notes
Bishop Elijah about 1810 about 1892   Civil War Veteran
married Ruth Jones
Bower Luther - - - Civil War
Brown John Jan 29, 1831 Jan 2, 1880 dod might be 1889 - na
Brown Lorana Nov 24, 1833 May 14, 1889 - wf of J. Brown
Brown Benny - Mar 9 1869 - son of J & L
ae 1 yr 11 mo 23 da
Burr A.A. (Augustus A.) - May 31, 1856 - ae 59 yrs
Burr Amanda A - Mar 25, 1857 - ae 54 yrs
Butts Cora - Oct 23, 1918 - ae 32 yrs - dau. Charles Inman
M1. Fred Keifer
added to listing
Clem Laviszan abt 1833 Apr 10, 1872   m. Mary Ann Keltz in Marshall Co., IN 15 Apr 1855.
ae 38 yrs 3 mo 21 da
Cramer Jonathan - bef Dec 1895 - Army - Co D. 58ty Reg. - Civil War
Info from Vet records -
enlisted Michigan City, IN in 1864
no stone
d
Downey Mrs. Eldora (Rose) - d. Mar 17, 1900   ae 38 yrs
wife of Derby Downey
Downey Isabel 1916 1926 - Dau. of Alden & Edna A (Willet) Downey
Downey Alden Sept 2, 1883 June 2, 1966   stone shows b 1882 obit shows 1883
son Derby Eleazer & Eldora (Rose)
Downey Edna A (Willet) 1888 Oct 25, 1968   wf of Alden
Drews Erna - Sept 5, 1875 ae 3 yrs
dau W. E. & M.E.
Finley Jonas - Aug 23, 1873 - ae 70 yrs 6 mo 22 da
Finley Sally - Apr 13, 1892 - ae 88 yrs 2 mo 21 da
wf of Jonas
Finley Thomas G Feb 4, 1828 June 25, 1870 - -
Finley John H 1823 1912 -- -
Finley Caroline O 1836 1931 - wf of John H
Finley Frank B 1861 1918 - son John & Caroline
Finley Roxy A 1833 1900 - wf of W. W.
Finley Rosa E - Apr 25, 1871 - ae 11 days
dau. W. W. & R. A.
Finley Millard W - Feb 17, 1870 - ae 9 yrs 12 da
son W. W. & R. A.
Finley Harvey E - May 24, 1872 - no age
son W. W. & R. A.
Finley W. W. (William) 1830 1927 - burial date may be in error
Fisher Adam - - - purchased lot Jan 26, 1905 - no record of any burials
Gress John June 18, 1831 March 8, 1921   Married Nellie Finley
he's b. June 18, 1831 in PA & came to La Porte Co., Nov 1852
Gress infant son - Apr 26, 1871 might be Jan 26 son of J. & P. B.
John & Penelope
Hagerman Albert Jr - 1913 - -
Hagerman Lizzie - 1904 - -
Harmon Bradford - July 16, 1873 - ae 5 yrs 3 mo 11 da
son S. & M. I.
Haun Lana - - Oct 11, 1869 ae 40 yrs 11 mo 21 da
wf of Jacob
Huntley Christopher C - - na Civil War Vet
Co. H 8th Ohio Inf.
Inman Charles - no dates - Civil War
purchased lot 11-21-1905
Inman Cleland Dec 8, 1909 Aug 6, 1910 - dau. O & E
Kitchen "Little Alta's Grave" - - - no dates
Kitchen Catherine
same as Catherine Ross		 Oct 11, 1851 May 1, 1908 - -
Kramer Nicholas June 19, 1837 May 19, 1909 - -
Kramer Caroline June 1, 1830 Jan 14, 1907 - wf Nicholas
Kramer Roy July 28, 1898 April 16, 1899 - son J & C
Kramer Thomas 1867 Oct 16, 1932 - ae 64 yrs 4 mo 2 da
Lamphere Ray - 12-30-1909 - age 39
no stone - info from obit
Manning Daniel - Feb 17, 1873 - age 60 yrs
Martin George B - Mar 15, 1874 - ae 1 yr 6 mo 3 da
son N & E
Moore Della C. A. - Apr 22, 1884 - wf of H
ae 19 yrs 12 da
Peters Ernest John 1840 June 2, 1927 - age 86
Peters Maria L. S. Mar 6, 1845 Mar 25, 1882 - wf Earnest
Porter Sallie A Augt 26, 1849 Aug 8, 167 - dau. T. & R. Smith
Ross Solomon Dec 1, 1807 May 21, 1868 - -
Ross Joshua
AKA Jerusha M		 - July 18, 1878 - age 64 yrs 26 da
Ross Elizabeth A Mar 22, 1833 Nov 26, 1898 - wf of Solomon
Ross Aaron M June 14, 1855 Aug 31, 1868 - -
Ross John S b. 1865 Nov 25, 1936 - -
Ross Sophia 1868 Jan 10, 1940 - -
Ross
or Rose		 Eldora Downey Nov 19, 1861 Mar 17, 1900 - See also Downey, Eldora
m. Derby E. Downey
Ross Catherine Oct 11, 1851 May 1, 1908 - -
Shippee Silas B Aug 23, 1852 Sept 6, 1912 - -
Shippee Carrie Nov 6, 1861 Aug 3, 1952 wf Silas B.
dau. John & Wilhelmina Wheatbrook
Shippee Vernon Nov 20, 1881 June 8, 1883 - -
Shippee Lela July 25, 1888 Nov 2, 1901 - -
Shoemaker Rosa 1891 1908 - dau. W. B. & M.
Smith Thomas FEb 9, 1820 Dec 19, 1897 - Civil War
Smith Rhoda Sept 19, 1822 June 8, 1905 - wf of Thomas
Taylor Roston Jan 27, 1878 Aug 10, 1878 - -
Taylor Mary V - Mar 22, 1878 - wf Marion
ae 24 yrs 9 mo 18 da
Tisher Frederick July 4, 1786 July 26, 1859 - -
Vardamann Julia V - Sept 3, 1873 - ae 6 mo 18 da
dau. J.S. & M. J.
Walker William - Jan 3, 1861 - ae 60 yrs
Welker Cynthia - May 1, 1872 - nee Brown - ae 44
wf of George
Weatbrook AKA
Wheatbrook		 Wilhelmena June 6, 1820 Aug 11, 1895 - ae 75 yrs 1 mo 21 da
wf of John
Weatbrook AKA
Wheatbrook		 John Apr 15, 1822 Mar 2, 1872 - age 49 yrs 10 mo 12 da
Weatbrook AKA
Wheatbrook		 Wilhelmena Oct 18, 1854 May 27, 1941 - dau of John & Wilhelmena
Weatbrook AKA
Wheatbrook		 John Oct 11, 1856 May 16, 1942 - son of John & Wilhelmena
Weatbrook AKA
Wheatbrook		 Maria Feb 15, 1867 sept 30, 1867 - -
Wilcox Mary R - Dec 26, 1855 - ae 22 yrs 10 mo 16 da
wf of George
Zimmerman Joseph - May 20, 1871 - age 76 yrs 8 mo 24 da
Zimmerman Francis - Aug 1862 - son of J. & E. A.
age 17 yrs

Family Information & Obituaries

Deed recorded for cemetery lots for Nicholas Kramer. Deed dated October 4, 1903, Recorded October 16, 1904.
Deed recorded for cemetery lots for Thomas Kramer. Deed dated October 4, 1902, Recorded March 11, 1904.

BishopThe funeral of Miss Genevra A. Bishop was held Nov. 17 at W.C. Weir's undertaking rooms. The remains were interred at Ross cemetery. Deceased was born in Springfield township, this county, in 1870. She was the daughter of Elihu and Cornelia Bishop. Her father died when she was three years old. She was an invalid for more than twelve years. Miss Bishop had treatment from some of the best physicians in St. Louis and Chicago, having been under the care of Dr. Mercer, of Chicago, at the time of her death. She passed away as quietly as if she had fallen asleep. She will be sadly missed by her mother, she having had constant care of her. I will miss you, Dear Neva, pleasant and kind. Thou hast left sweet remembrance of thee behind - your patience and thankfulness for care. I cannot forget thee. Not one in the circle can in my heart take your place there. Mother. (Daily Herald, Tuesday, November 21, 1893)

Finley - Frank BDaily Herald, La Porte, Indiana, Friday, November 29, 1918: The funeral of Frank B. Finley will be held at 212 Holcomb street at 3 o'clock tomorrow, Rev. Stamper officiating, and interment will be in the Rossburg cemetery. Wier & Ebert are in charge.

FINLEY, WILLIAM – Michigan City News, Wednesday, 20 January 1909 Another Old Resident Gone.
  Wm. Finley, who died Thursday morning at his home in Galena township, was born June 17, 1830 in Decatur county, Ind. He came to Laporte county with his father in the fall of 1835, and had been a resident since that time. He worked for his father until he was 19 years old, when he went to Iowa with his brother and returned the same year, taking employment in the Ross mill where he had worked for the past twenty years. He was married to Miss Roxy A. Holman May 25, 1856, who died September 1, 1900. To the marriage were born seven children two of whom survive, A. L. Finley, of Hatches Mills, and Mrs. H. A. Wilhelm, of Culpsville. Mr. Finley became a member of the Christian church at Rossburg in 1845 and was an earnest believer. Short services will be held at the home at Hatches Mills at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon before the services at the Dunkard church at 2 o’clock at which the Rev. Whitt will officiate.
Contributed by Gloria Arndt

Smith, Thomas - Daily Herald, Monday, Dec. 20, 1897 - The death of Thomas Smith at the advanced age of 82 years took place at his home on the Michigan road, 5 miles from town, at 5 o'clock Sunday morning. Consumption was the cause. He was born in England but at an early age came to this country and located in New York state. He has been a resident of this county for many years. Two sons and daughters survive him. He was a member of the Rolling Prairie Masonic lodge and under the auspices of that body he will be laid at rest. The funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning from the house. Interment in the Rossburg cemetery.

Welker, George - Laporte Daily Herald, Jan 24, 1901 - George Welker of this township died last night at 8 o'clock. He had been ill since July 4th. Mr. Welker was born in Columbiana County, O., Oct 4, 1823, coming here when 21 years of age, settling near Ross's Mills. He married Cynthia Brown and was the father of five children, Mrs. Nelson Morton of Galena township, Mrs. Ames near the Summit, Mrs. Allice Pittenger <sp>(Piffenger) South Bend, and Frank and John Welker this city, all of whom with his wife survive him. He also leaves a brother and two sisters, John Welker and Mrs. Fairbanks, Akron, O., and Mrs. Elizabeth Simpson, Blue Mound, Kan. Deceased was the assessor of Springfield and Center townships for 17 years and served as trustee of Springfieild township six years. The funeral will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. from Rossburg church, Rev. Smith of Springfield Methodist Episcopal circut offitiating. Burial at Rossburg Cemetery. A . Cutler, mortician.
Genweb coordinator, After Laviszan Clem's death, Mary Ann (Keltz) Clem then married George Welker 23 Nov 1873 in LaPorte County, IN.

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