Pioneers Rest in Cemetery on Rose Hill Farm
(Text of a copy of an old newspaper article, possibly from Rock Island Argus, 1925.This was copied from a faded clipping by Mary Lou Schaechter.)
Old Family Burying Ground Contains Graves of First Zuma Township Settlers
Rose Hill, Ill., May 27.-(Argus News Service.)-In a tiny cemetery near here, one of the oldest in this section of the country, are buried some of the pioneers of Zuma township. In a secluded spot located on the Edward Noah farm is an old family burying ground. The road leading to it is grass grown and it has nothing in common with the modern cemeteries. The monuments are old fashioned and the cemetery has an aspect of not quite belonging to this era.
Among the graves is that of John L. Noah, veteran of the Civil war, and father of Edward and Daniel B. Noah, present residents of Rose Hill. John Noah came here in 1860, enlisted immediately and served the entire five years of the Civil war. While home on furlough he married Alemeda Sturdevant, who were among the very first settlers here, coming in 1834. Alemeda Sturdevant Noah is buried beside her husband and her parents, John and Annie Sturdevant, who gave the land on which the cemetery is located, as well as the land for the Rose Hill United Brethren church erected in 1849.
Close beside them are the graves of William and Polly Sturdevant, who came here also in 1834 and to whom was born on Dec. 26, 1836, a baby daughter, Mary Ann, the first white child born in Zuma township.
A monument which has well withstood the ravages of time marks the grave of Heman Scott, the first pastor of Rose Hill United Brethren church in 1849. Beside him is buried his son, Erl Scott, who was the last person to be laid to rest in this old graveyard. Charles Sturdevant, grandfather of Mrs. Joseph Schafer of Rose Hill, is among those buried here. There are a half dozen other graves of children and several which are unmarked.
Another Historic Plot Nearby
Within less than a half mile is Mount Pleasant cemetery located on land given by Samuel Bryan, grandfather of the present Frank S. Bryan of Rose Hill. Here is the green of springtime with fresh flowers, iris and peonies marking the visits of relatives and friends. The oldest monument is that of Hugh Hodges, born in 1793 and buried here in 1834. “Father at Rest” has been inscribed on the hand-hewn marker of sandstone.
There are graves of 10 soldiers, among them that of Ambrose Searl, a veteran of the Black Hawk war of 1832. Frank Walker, veteran of the Spanish American conflict, is buried there. The other 10 graves are those of Civil war heroes, including Henry Nickerson, William McDaniel, D. E. Young, William S. Moore, John O’Hara, James L. Cox, Thomas Bryan, Daniel Swank, E. T. Holsapple and William White.