Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2022 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== OAK RIDGE CEMETERY Its History and Improvements H. W. Rokker, Printer & Binder Springfield, ILL. - 1879 Private Monuments McCLERNAND MONUMENT This is the family Monument of Gen. John A. McClernand. Its location upon Linden Avenue, near the center of the cemetery, upon a beautifully rising headland, which over- looks the valley to the southward, and commands a fine view of Lincoln Monument, is one of the most charming in Oak Ridge. The monument is, as will be seen by the en- graving, at once chaste and beautiful in design. Wrought of Italian marble, its graceful proportions, and beauti- ful inscriptions tell of the Christian worth and garnered memories of Mrs. Sarah F. McClernand, who died in 1861. The lot upon which it stands was the first lot sold in the cemetery, and the monument one of the first erected. RUTH MONUMENT Of Italian marble, seventeen feet high, this Monument erected in 1873, is from its elegant design, one among the best in the cemetery. THE GIBSON MONUMENT This unique and beautiful Monument, erected to the memory of Dr. J. H. Gibson, a former prominent and highly respected citizen of Berlin, is as will be seen from the engraving, a work of art worthy of more than passing notice. It was executed by L. M. Fisk, Esq., of St. Louis, Mo., and was erected in 1873. It stands ten and a half feet high, and with the simple inscrip- tion, Dr. J. H. Gibson Born September 9, 1809. Died November 22, 1873 "He is not dead, but sleepeth" is a beautiful memorial of a worthy and honored citizen. THE KUN MONUMENT Was erected in 1865, to the memory of Andreas Kun, one of the most prominent German citizens of Springfield. It is of Italian marble, fourteen feet in height, standing upon a sandstone base, and is seen in the engraving, is a most elaborately finished shaft, surmounted by a beau- tiful cross, intertwined with ivy. It stands upon Block 8, and never fails to attract the attention of visitors. W. ILES MONUMENT The family Monument of Washington Iles, Esq., situated on Block 10, is of beautiful red Scotch granite, 15 feet in height, upon Missouri granite base. It is one of the noticeable ornaments of the cemetery. WOHLGEMUTH MONUMENT This is one of the most elaborate and beautiful Monu- ments yet erected within the cemetery grounds. It was designed by Dr. H. WOHLGEMUTH, and erected in 1873, to the memory of his daughter, Marietta, who died at the age of 22 years, in 1872. It was executed by G. Leslie Jamieson, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and the statue of Hope, in Carara marble, by which it is surmounted, was executed in Italy. The engraving gives an excellent view from the western perspective. The base is of red Missouri granite, the second base of gray Scotch, and the plinth and column of red Scotch granite. Its cost was $2,150. The total height is twenty-one feet ten inches, and standing upon a beautiful elevation, near the center of the grounds, it is a most beautiful and appropriate memorial. (Transcriber's Note: For those interested, the cost of this monument would have cost about $50,295. in 2022) HARROWER MONUMENT This was the first Scotch granite Monument put up in Oak Ridge. Erected to the memory of William Harrower, Esq., and old and respected citizen of Springfield, it is the fitting memorial of one of the sons of Scotia. The Scotch thistle, shown on its western side, is the emblem of the nationality, both of the man and the mon- ument. For beauty of design and execution it ranks among the finest in the cemetery. COLWELL MONUMENT This is of Italian marble, twenty-two feet in height. It was erected in 1878, by B. F. Colwell, Esq., of Chat- ham, as a family Monument. It is most desirablly located, and is one of the largest private monuments in the ceme- tery, as well as by its elegant design and splendid work- manship, it attracts the attention of every visitor. It is near West Branch Avenue. PASFIELD MONUMENT This unique Monument, of gray Scotch granite, erected to the memory of George Pasfield, Sr., by his son, is at once elegant and substantial, the fitting memorial of one of Springfield's former most substantial and honored citi- zens. It stands on Block 10, and will be noticed by every visitor. RIDGELY MONUMENT This family Monument of N. H. Ridgely, Esq., is the largest and most expensive within the cemetery grounds. It is of red Scotch granite, twenty-two feet in height, standing upon a base five feet square. It was erected in 1874, at a cost of $2,500. (Transcriber's Note: For those interested, the cost of this monument in 2022 would be about $59,875.) ILES MONUMENT The family Monument of Elijah Iles, Esq., situated on Block 7, is of Italian marble, 16 feet high. It was erected in 1875, and will be remembered as the monument of a most liberal donor to the cemetery. SMITH MONUMENT This is the family Monument of J. Taylor Smith, Esq., It is located on Linden Avenue. Constructed of Italian marble, it stands sixteen and a half feet high, upon a square base, with plinth and plain square shaft. It is at once elegant and substantial such as becomes any fit- ting memorial of the dead. THE FLAGG MONUMENT This family Monument of Cornelius Flagg, Esq., of Sherman, situated on Block 8, is a beautiful red Scotch granite, round column with square plinth. It is surmounted by an urn, or vase of exquisite model, and is altogether a most beautiful ornament to the cemetery. It is sixteen feet in height, and ranks among the finest yet erected. THE HAYNIE MONUMENT This beautiful and elaborate Monument of Italian marble, was erected to the memory of Gen. Isham N. Haynie, Adjutant General of Illinois, in 1869. It stands near the Tour, on the western side of the cemetery, upon Block 10, where alike from its location and attractiveness, it is a con- spicuous ornament to the grounds. THE BARRELL MONUMENT This Monument erected to the memory of Dr. Henry C. Barrell, in 1878, is of gray Canada granite, sixteen feet in height. It is, both in design and execution excelled by no monument in the cemetery. It stands upon Block 7, where its beautiful proportions attract the attention of all visitors. MATHENY MONUMENT This Monument erected by the late C. W. Matheny, Edq., one of Springfield's oldest citizens, stands upon Block 10. It is of Italian marble, of most exquisite design, a square panaled base, surmounted by a beautiful Corinthian column and urn. It attracts the notice of every visitor. BATES MONUMENT This Monument was erected in 1874, by Gen. E. N. Bates, to the memory of his deceased wife and children. It is of red Scotch granite, 18 feet high. Standing upon a beautiful lot in Block 10, it is a most conspicuous ornament to the grounds. ==========================================================================