Clifton Cemetery Association

In 1861 William A. Viets set aside a piece of ground in the northeast part of the village for a cemetery. At his own expense he planted trees and shrubbery, laid out the cemetery, and maintained it for years. In the early days bodies were carried to the cemetery, or transported on stone-boat, or wagons. They were enclosed in rough board boxes. On March 18, 1869, a meeting was held at the office of Dr. Silas Earle for the purpose of forming a cemetery association under the General Incorporation Act. Officers elected were William A. Viets, President; Dr. Silas Earle, Secretary-treasurer; and Directors William A. Viets, Dr. Earle, and Alfred Van Wyck. On May 10, 1869, the Association bought from Mr. Viets, five acres of ground for $700.00, to be paid from the sale of lots. In July, 1902, John O'Neill and A. J. Libert raised funds to procure a site for a Catholic burying grounds in Clifton. On January 3, 1903, approximately, one-third of the eastern part of the ground was sold to St. Peter's Catholic Church of Clifton. In 1903, Wm. A. Viets donated a lot in the cemetery to the G.A.R. Post of Chebanse. A wooden monument was erected which was dedicated to the unknown dead and to be used in Decoration Day Services. In 1904 a cement walk to the cemetery was completed, a great improvement over the old path and rolling boardwalk.

(from Iroquois County History 1985 page 57-transcribed by Carrol Mick carrolmick@yahoo.com)

Floral Hill Cemetery

These two stones are in the Floral Hill Cemetery. This cemetery is located at Hoopeston , but, is really in Iroquois County.

John HALE

Rebecca

The above was submitted by Lucy D. Briscoe/Green -I do research on Huckleby, Dean, Morgan, Justice, Black, Briscoe, Harness, Reeves, Curtis, Strode and several others from Iroquois County.

The Lisk Cemetery

Anson Lisk, father of Byron and Allen G., came to this country in the early 1850's and was truly one of the pioneers of its civilization. Living for a time in Michigan, he later came to Artesia Township to settle with his family in the northwest corner of the township. Mr. Lisk purchased land here and continued to reside there until the time of his death. He also made plans for his burial which was also to be on his own home land. He reserved an acre of ground which later became a burial ground.

Located on the northeast corner of the Lisk farm, the burial ground (over 125 years old) is still known as The Old Lisk Cemetery. Many persons were buried there, even Indians. This spot, which Mr. Lisk marked as a burial place, was unkempt, seldom cared for, and has never been incorporated. Here are buried people who lived in the community, infants, and children who were young, promising sons and daughters.

Burial stones, the few that are left, date back to 1863. It is difficult to locate most of the graves, because most of the stones are lying flat and have been covered by the earth due to the winds and rains of the passing years. The last person known to have been buried there was an infant child of August Rath and his wife, Sarah Ditman Rath.

(from page 119 Iroquois County History 1985 transcribed by Carrol Mick)

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