The Cousin Collector

Winslow Cemetery Grant Township Township 60, Range 32, Section 24 Winslow, DeKalb County, Missouri

Kelly and Kris photographed this cemetery.

Walnut Grove Cemetery AKA Riggs Cemetery Adams Township Township 59, Range 30, Section 15 DeKalb County, Missouri

On 5 June 1880, James M. Riggs deeded to John W. Riggs, William G. Baker, and Absolom H. Riggs, Trustees, the land for this cemetery. It was established by Absolom Riggs north of his house and called “Walnut Grove Cemetery” because it was located at the edge of a grove of walnut trees. Caroline (Fitzgerald) Riggs, wife of W. W. Riggs, died in 1879 and was the first to be buried in this cemetery.

Kelly and Kris photographed this cemetery.

Union Chapel Cemetery Sherman Township Township 59, Range 33, Section 26 Oak, DeKalb County, Missouri

From the intersection of US29 and Hwy 36 in St. Joseph, take Hwy 36 east for 12 miles, turn north onto state road 31/6 for 9 miles. Just as the road takes a 90 degree turn to the east, you will turn left, or west, onto state road V/Y. Proceed west on V/Y for 2 miles and turn north, or right, onto Bray Rd (which is also state road F). Proceed north on Bray Rd approximately 3/4 of a mile and you will see the church on the top of the hill, on the east, or right, side of the road. The drive and church are visible before the cemetery. From Union Star, proceed east out of town on 169 for approximately a 1/4 of a mile, turn south, or right, onto . . . [Yes! There’s more!]

Thornton Cemetery AKA Salem Cemetery Washington Township Township 57, Range 33, Section 3 Clarksdale, DeKalb County, Missouri

From Cameron, starting at Walnut and Hwy 36, proceed west on Hwy 36 approximately 17 miles, turn north, or right, onto Hwy 31/6. Go half a mile to Rogers Road (this is a gravel road) and turn west, or left. Proceed approximately 1.25 miles (this can be a pretty rough road in places) and the road will turn north and become Thornton Road. After the road has turned, proceed 1/2 mile north and the cemetery will be on your left hand side just after the Bayfield intersection, over the top of the hill.

In the half mile between Rogers Road and Bayfield Road, Thornton Road is very low-lying and subject to flooding from the nearby river.

From St. Joseph, starting at the intersection of Frederick and . . . [Yes! There’s more!]

Thomas Cemetery Adams Township Township 59, Range 30, Section 29 DeKalb County, Missouri

In 9 May 1878, William Thomas and his wife, Malissa, deeded 40 acres to John Armour, with the exception of the one acre that was currently being used as a family cemetery.

We were unable to locate this cemetery in October, 2011.

Stewartsville Cemetery Washington Township Township 57, Range 32, Section 16 DeKalb County, Missouri

This cemetery is divided into two parts, although all of it is called Stewartsville cemetery, the older, northern part is in DeKalb county and the new, smaller part is in Clinton county.

Kelly submitted the photographs for this cemetery.

Smith Cemetery Colfax Township Township 58, Range 31, Section 27 Maysville, DeKalb County, Missouri

South of Maysville on 33 Highway, west on SW Wamsley Road. Located some distance south of the road.

This cemetery is fenced but not well maintained. It is said to be the final resting place of the Poage Cemetery graves and there are many unmarked grave depressions.

Kelly and Kris photographed this cemetery.

Silvers Cemetery Washington Township Township 58, Range 32, Section 30 Clarksdale, DeKalb County, Missouri

By deed filed 17 January 1891, Jordan Silvers and his wife Sintha transferred to the United Baptists one acre for a church, which was never built.

This cemetery has not yet been photographed.

Shambaugh & Cope Cemetery Adams Township Township 59, Range 30, Section 27 Weatherby, DeKalb County, Missouri

In 1855, Daniel Shambaugh gave an acre of land for this family cemetery on the death of his wife, Rebecca Funkhouser Shambaugh. In his will, he asked that an additional acre be given from the adjoining land and Robert Cope owned this area. An endowment was established for the care and upkeep of the cemetery, and Cleveland Heimbaugh helped with that for 43 years. A flag pole was erected at the entrance of the cemetery in his memory in 1970.

Kris and Kelly photographed this cemetery.

Ridgeville Cemetery Colfax Township Township 58, Range 32, Section 25 DeKalb County, Missouri

Kelly submitted the photographs for this cemetery.

Poage Cemetery Colfax Township Township 58, Range 31, Section 33 Maysville, DeKalb County, Missouri

South of Maysville on 33 Highway, west on SW Wamsley Rd, south on SW Lakesite Rd. East into the parking lot at Pony Express Lake. The cemetery is SW of the SW corner of the parking lot and marked with a sign.

This cemetery was affected by the creation of Pony Express Lake. Apparently, in the 1960s when the project was being planned, the cemetery was fenced and had at least one marker. Thirty years later when a descendant contacted the conservation district about placing a sign on the site, the fence and marker(s) were no longer present, and there was no record found of the disposition of the graves. A sign was placed and had been recently (October of 2011) vandalized. The conservation district was attempting to contact the proper . . . [Yes! There’s more!]

Pleasant Grove Cemetery Washington Township Township 58, Range 32, Section 21 Clarksdale, DeKalb County, Missouri

Directions: From Clarksdale, on State Route 31/6, go east on State Road O and proceed approximately 2.5 miles to Sharp Road. The church sits right on the corner and the cemetery is on the hill right behind it.

Credits: Kelly Alvarado photographed this cemetery.

Oak Lawn Cemetery Camden Township Township 59, Range 31, Section 34 Maysville, DeKalb County, Missouri

Notes: This is a large cemetery with only a small bit of it photographed. We need a volunteer to finish it.

Credits: Kelly submitted the photographs for this cemetery.