An aerial photo of the site where Unruh Cemetery is located This cemetery was
created as a private cemetery in the late 1800's by Daniel Unruh. The only written
historical information appears to be in a bible presently held by a related Unruh living
in North Dakota. While the cemetery is no longer considered as “no
trespassing allowed” it is relatively inaccessible and visiting it is not
recommended. The following comments summarize
my known information.
Daniel Unruh was born in Prussia to a Low German family, married Maria Wedel,
and arrived on South Dakota’s Turkey Creek Ridge in 1873. Homestead records show numerous claims were awarded
to the Unruh’s, their children and spouses in Childstown and other adjacent
townships.
Through successful farming he supposedly had accumulated enough wealth to
purchase 1200 acres of land in the Spring Valley of Turner County in 1874. (Spring Valley presently refers to a much small
region than was the case in the 1870’s.) An
old world village plan was followed with seven houses built for himself, his children and
a friend and surrounded by fields. By 1877 this layout was abandoned with homes
being moved onto the individual owners land holdings.
Unruh became a US citizen in the mid 1870’s, meanwhile helping friends
with funding to start their new lives. His reputation pictures him as a great
benefactor and a long time member of the Mennonite faith. He employed newly arriving
Low Germans to serve his family, work his farm, and care for his animals. He
retired from an active life in 1884, living until 1893, Maria lived until 1894. Both are buried in the family cemetery, supposedly
along with over 100 of their friends and former employees.
There has been no trespassing allowed on the cemetery site except for families
of those buried there for all the many years since passed. This no trespassing
policy was very strictly enforced by the last Unruh owner until he recently died.
The present owner has given approval for this web site to be produced and published and
apparently is not especially concerned with folks having good reason to visit the
cemetery.
I am aware of no existing records that show these rumored burials, and there
are only seven remaining grave markers and no other records to cite. If anyone
viewing this web page has additional information I would be interested in hearing from
you, however there is no intention of including anything on this web page except names of
those buried here.
