Sadly, we've not been able to determine who was originally buried here, if the bodies or only the stones were moved, or much else about this old site.
St. Mary's Cemetery, Property of Two Muscatine Catholic Parishes, Contains Graves of Nearly 3,000
Originally a tract of timber, St. Mary's Cemetery, which dates from 1877, when the first burials were made, contains between 2,500 and 3,000 graves.
The site for the cemetery was purchased by a
stock company with proceeds from the sale of stock. Gradually, the
stock was redeemed with funds accumulated from the sale of lots and the
entire area became the property of the parishes of St. Mary's and St. Mathias'
churches.
First Burials in 1877
The first burials were those of Thomas Curn and Mrs. Augusta Phillips, who were interred in 1877, before the cemetery was formally laid out. The graves were later moved to conform with the arrangements of lots.
Timber which covered the tract was cut off in the year 1877 and converted into barrel staves, making the area available for use as a cemetery.
The original St. Mary's cemetery, situated on Mulberry avenue near the corner of the five-mile drive was abandoned for various reasons. Donated by John Maher of New York City, the tract became too small to contain burials from the parishes and adjoining land could not be obtained for enlarging the tract. In making the donation about 1853, Mr. Maher specified that it never be used for any other purpose other than a cemetery.
Situated a long distance
away from town for that time when all vehicles in funeral processions were
horse-drawn and streets were often made impassible by rains, the cemetery
seemed not as acceptable as tracts closer to the center of the city, and
the tract on Logan street was selected.
Served 31 Years
P.J. Fahy was sexton at the cemetery for 31 years, resigning five years ago. During the time he served as sexton, 1,210 burials were made. George Thauren succeeded Fahy as sexton and has held the position since Mr. Fahy's resignation.
Adding to the beauty of the cemetery are three mousoleums. One was built by Joe Biseal, one by Vincenzo Manjoine and one by Frank Calderone and Louis Ganta.
A chapel erected at a cost of ceveral thousand dollars, stands at the front of the cemetery, facing Logan street, on the Biseal lots.
One of the most imposing adornments in the cemetery is the large crucifix, whith is lighted by lights provided by Frank Biseal.
Present members of the cemetery board are ther
Rt. Rev. Msgr. W. L. Hannon, the Rev. N.J. Peiffer and D.F. Sullivan.