Wesleyan Cemetery, Cincinnati

Infobox_cemetery
name = Wesleyan Cemetery


imagesize = 300px
caption = Wesleyan cemetery in Ohio.
established = 1843
country = United States
location = Cincinnati, Ohio
coordinates =
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Wesleyan Cemetery is a prominent cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the oldest continuously operating cemetery in Hamilton County, Ohio.

The cemetery was founded in 1843 by the Methodist Church when its earlier cemeteries became full. The church then bought approximately 25 acres on Colerain Avenue adjacent to Mill Creek. Bodies from other cemeteries were moved there from downtown.

Wesleyan is an historic cemetery is that it was the first in Cincinnati to be designed in a park-like fashion with winding drives, trees and shrubs. Most Cincinnatians think of Spring Grove Cemetery, not founded until 1845, as the pioneer of this style in the city. Nevertheless, Wesleyan was the first to be designed in such a manner. It was also the first cemetery in town to keep records. The staff kept burial records from the very beginning.

There are veterans of every war the United States has fought buried at Wesleyan Cemetery. It is the resting place of Richard Allison, who held a rank in the military equivalent to Surgeon General from 1792 to 1796. He was also the first resident physician of Cincinnati. [ [http://www.northside.net/History/wesleyan.shtml History of Wesleyan Cemetery] ] Six other Revolutionary War veterans are buried here. The cemetery is known for its role in the Underground Railroad and in easing racial and ethnic barriers.

There is also a section of American Civil War soldiers. Medal of Honor recipient William Steinmetz is buried here. He served as a Corporal in the Union Army in Company G, 83rd Indiana Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His citation reads "Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party." [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8613282]

There are rarely, if ever, services held at the cemetery for Memorial day or Veterans day any more. In the last few years it has been the subject of several lawsuits and known for its run-down appearance. In 1992 people reported finding unearthed bones in discarded dirt piles at the cemetery. Charges were made that plots were being resold.

The cemetery is located at 4003 Colerain Avenue, in Cincinnati, Ohio 45223.

References

External links

*cite news|author=Jody Howison|first=Jody|last=Howison|title=Derelict cemetery has rich history|work=The Cincinnati Post|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|date=2004-07-14|url=http://www.cincypost.com/2004/07/14/wesley071404.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20040807225212/http://www.cincypost.com/2004/07/14/wesley071404.html|archivedate=2004-08-07
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohhamcem/burials/milburials.html Military Burials]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohhamcem/main1.html Wesleyan Cemetery Site]
* [http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/07/12/loc_loc1awesl.html Wesleyan: Nothing done while lawsuit pends]
* [http://home.fuse.net/christol/CemPics/W03.html Photo of Wesleyan Cemetery]
* [http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/09/27/cemetery.html City Placed In Charge Of Wesleyan Cemetery Upkeep]
* [http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=834380 Wesleyan Cemetery Owner Sentenced]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=44017 Find-a-Grave.com]
* [http://www.cincinnatimemory.org/gsdl/collect/greaterc/archives/HASHcb46/a7bd6d5f.dir/ocp001956pccpc.jpgPostcard Wesleyan Cemetery, North Side, Cincinnati]
* [http://www.cincinnatimemory.org/gsdl/collect/greaterc/archives/HASH0165/bf08352d.dir/ocp001955pcpfb.jpgPostcard Wesleyan Cemetery, Northside, Cincinnati]