FAIRVIEW CEMETERY

BIG GROVE CEMETERY

Big Grove Cemetery is located in Waynesville Township section 16, I have it listed as Fairview because there was an error in the information from the Cemetery map I used. This is one of the saddest sights in De Witt County. I realize that it was a family burial ground and very small but it is shameful that no ones cares enough to protect the graves of the pioneers buried here. In my hunt to find it I stopped and asked a neighbor if she knew where it was. At first she said there were no cemeteries in the area and then she stopped and said "oh, wait, when I walk my dog I see what look like headstones in the junkyard behind the house on the corner, that could be what you are looking for". The picture above is actually two pictures scanned together as I wanted you to see the full effect of this poor forgotten cemetery. Below is a list of those reportedly buried there. There seem to be many missing stones but who can tell with all the junk. (Pictures below)

William L. Bovee b. Apr. 4, 1883 d. Aug. 17, 1888

Albert N. Bovee b. Aug. 21, 1884 d. May 21, 1888

Howard R. Bovee b. Apr. 6, 1892 d. May 21, 1892

Asael R.Bovee b. Dec. 20, 1888 d. Feb. 15, 1889

Above are all sons of Richard Baxter and Mary E. (Story, daughter of William and Eliza C.(Phares) Story)Bovee

William Story b. Aug. 23, 1830 d. March 11, 1921 (fairly new stone)

Eliza C. Story b. July 26, 1833 d. Jan. 29, 1898 (fairly new stone)

Lucy A. Story b. Dec. 30, 1860 d. Dec. 6, 1879 daughter of Wm. and Eliza C. (Phares) Story

James H. Houchin b. Apr. 4, 1822 d. June 18, 1894 (Civil War Vet.)

Lovina (Jones) Houchin b. Mar. 1, 1824 d. Dec. 5, 1904 wife of James married Oct. 10, 1844

Mary Sills b. Apr. 11, 1888 d. Mar. 11, 1891 daughter of J. C. and J.

Gertrude Tudor b. June 2, 1892 d. Sept. 27, 1892 daughter of Stephen and Minnie Tudor