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History

The following essay was included on page 82 of Clark County Cemeteries, Volume 5 by CCGS in 1989. It was written by Tim Karlsen, a sixth grade student in 1968-69.

In the year 1896, John Nelson donated land for these old settlers to form a cemetery, which is known as the �Finn Hill Cemetery.� Several charter members of the Apostolic Lutheran Church became charter members of the �Finn Hill Cemetery Association.� Times have changed. At one of the first meetings it is written how horses were used to make the roads. The plots were sold for one dollar or for working on the cemetery at the salary of 40 cents a day.

As time passed on and death came, these old settlers and their children were buried in the cemetery which overlooks John Nelson Road and the Cascades to the east. One of the oldest markers in the cemetery is an old growth cedar slab which has been recently restored. It is written in the Finnish language. �Tasa Lepaa, Finland Heinakuu 24 P V 1827 Kuollu, Hockinson, Wash., Kesakuun 30 P V 1904" which means �Here lies Adolph Kankonen, born Kokkolasa, Finland on July 24th, 1827. Died at Hockinson, Wash. June 30th, 1904.� This old cedar slab marks the place where Adolf Kankonen is buried. Several other tombstones are written int he Finnish language; also the old age worn cemetery map written on a large oil cloth.

Now in April 1969, 50 years since the last meeting of the members of the Cemetery Association, a new organization has been formed and crews have been working to help restore the resting place of their loved ones.

This old cemetery has a very special place in my own heart, as on December 24, 1968 we laid our little brother to rest also among the old pioneer settlers of Hockinson community.

I got my information from a 1934 news clipping found in a scrap book of John Nelson�s granddaughter, and also from �The Finn Hill Cemetery - 1896" booklet.

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Last modified on Wednesday, August 15, 2007