The Beechwood United Brethren Church Cemetery

(a.k.a. Beechwood Cemetery)

 

Heth Township, Harrison County, Indiana

 

Submitted by Kevin Conrad

 

Introduction

 

In the summer of 1807, John Frank migrated from Abbott’s Creek, in Salisbury Township, of Rowan County (now Davidson County), North Carolina, with his wife, Mary Barbara Lopp, and their family and settled along the Ohio River, in the area now know as Heth Township of Harrison County, Indiana.

 

John Frank and his family didn’t travel alone, but was accompanied by: George Snyder and his wife, Kate Byerly (sister to John Martin Byerly and the aunt of John Byerly Jr.); John Lopp (brother to Jacob Lopp) and his wife, Anna Catherine Hamm and their six children (Elizabeth, Katherine, Jacob, John, Andrew and son David); Jacob Lopp and his wife, Mary Margaret Ross and six of their children (Mary Barbary, Susannah, Catherine, Mary, John, and Andrew); Mary Margaret “Catherine” [Byerly] Beanblossom (widow of Jacob Beanblossom) and her five sons (Phillip, Martin, Jacob, Christian and Abraham); and John Byerly Jr. (son of John Martin Byerly and Anna Margaret Everhardt, and brother to Mary Margaret “Catherine” [Byerly] Beanblossom). It is also worth mentioning that John Frank’s wife, Mary Barbara Lopp, is a sibling of to John and Jacob Lopp.

 

Originally, John Frank owned over 800 acres in this area, including those parts known as “Lopp’s Hollow,” “Haunted Hollow” and the parcel where the Beechwood cemetery is presently located.

 

Around 1813, John Frank sold some of his land to Jacob Lopp. Beechwood cemetery was established around 1815 on land owned by Jacob Lopp. The first known burial occurred with Ann Mary Frank, daughter of John Frank and Mary Barbary Lopp, on 28 October 1815.

 

Beechwood cemetery is situated in the Northwest ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of Section 30, Township 5 South, Range 3 East, of Heth Township, Harrison County, Indiana. Or USGS Mauckport Quad: Latitude 38º 03’ 28”N, Longitude 86º 14’ 37”W.  At the time of this writing (2007), Beechwood cemetery and the surrounding land is presently owned by the Mulzer Sand and Gravel Company.

 

The cemetery is nestled in the woods off Wesley Chapel Road and can be difficult to locate if you are not familiar with the area, since the cemetery is not visible from the road.  One way to get to the cemetery is start at the intersection of River Road (or Bottom road) and Wesley Chapel Road and drive about .9 miles north on Wesley Chapel Road. Look for a sharp u-shape turn off down a ravine on the right side (east side). This road is a narrow dirt and gravel with a nearby metal gate blocking the road. After passing through the gate the road snakes around towards the north along Lopp’s Hollow, and then turns towards the south. A large farm field will be on your left and woods on your right. Continue on the gravel road until it splits. At the “Y” the primary road turns sharp to the left, but remain straight and follow the logging road into the woods for about 250 feet. The cemetery will be visible on your right.              

 

This burial ground is located in a semi-large clearing surround by woods and is covered mostly by grass and some creeping myrtle, but during the spring, wild daffodils will appear in various parts of the grave yard.  Around 2001, Hobart Frank, a descendant of John Frank, erected a new fence and double gate, around the cemetery. Hobart also maintains the cemetery as his health permits.

 

My wife and I have made several trips to this cemetery, the last visit occurred on 20 March 2005, at which time we photographed and recorded all the inscriptions and gravestones.

 

Beechwood cemetery contains 135 known graves, but this burial ground is known to contain the remains of many more individuals now in unmarked graves.  Most of the inscriptions found on the headstones in 2005 remain in legible and are in good condition considering their age. However, a significant number of headstones were also found severely damaged. Along the east fence line (gated side of cemetery) and near a large tree, a collection of footstones and fieldstones were found mixed in a pile of dirt and other stone fragments.

 

This cemetery is scheduled for restoration by the Harrison County Restoration Team (HCCRT) sometime either in late 2007 or early 2008. I am the historian for the HCCRT.

Surnames at Beechwood Cemetery

 

BAXTER                  KIRK                  SHERRILL

BEANBLOSSOM     LONE                  SHUCK

BIERLY (Byerly)      LOPP                  TROTTER

ENLOW                   LOVE                  WEAVER

FRANK                    LOVELESS         WINDER

FUNKHOUSER        MAYFIELD         WINDERS

  HALL                       McKNIGHT        YOUTSLER
 

Maiden Names at Beechwood Cemetery

 

APPLEGATE           DeMOSS                  LOPP

BARROWS              FAITH                     McCORD

BAXTER                  FLESHMAN             PITMAN

BEANBLOSSOM     FRANK                    SHIREMAN

BLINE                      FUNKHOUSER       TAHOE

BYARD                    HARDSAW              WINDERS

 

 

 

 

Headstone Inscriptions

 

The rows at Beechwood cemetery run east and west.  Row 1 is the most eastern row (the first row when approaching the

cemetery from the logging road). The 1^st grave is located at the south-end of the cemetery nearest to the logging road.

 

ROW 1

 

1).        George W. FRANK, Father, Born 25 May 1836, Died (date not given)               

 

2).        Sarah E. FRANK, Born 02 Aug 1842, Died 22 Oct 1895                                   

 

3).        Otis W. FRANK, Born 21 Jan 1872, Died 31 Oct 1895                                      

 

4).        Lillie E. FRANK, Born 25 Feb 1878, Died 10 Nov 1895                                     

 

5).        Beatrice R. FRANK, Born 30 May 1880, Died 06 Jan 1896                               

 

6).        Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

7).        Marked Grave; fieldstone.

 

ROW 2

 

8).        Marked Grave; footstone (initials “J.F.”)                                                                                                                                    

 

9).        Unmarked Grave; grave is sunken.

 

10).      Infant― Son of O. C. &  M. E. Beanblossom, Born 10 Dec 1902, Died (date not given)               

 

11).      Unmarked Grave                                                                                          

 

12).      Unmarked Grave                                                                                          

 

13).      Unmarked Grave                                                                                          

 

14).      Unmarked Grave                                                                                          

 

15).      Unmarked Grave                                                                                          

 

16).      Unmarked Grave                                                                                          

 

17).      James W. WEAVER, Born 09 Feb 1849, Died 21 Aug 1915                              

                        

18).      Elizabeth WEAVER, His wife, Born 21 Jan 1848, Died (date not given)              

 

 

ROW 3

 

19).      Marked Grave; footstone (initials “I.S.”)

 

20).      Emmett L. WINDERS, Born 23 July 1871, Died 23 Dec 1902                           

                        

21).      Anna F. WINDERS, Born 12 Aug 1867, Died  (date not given)                           

 

22).      Unmarked Grave; grave is sunken.                                                             

 

23).      Space (one plot); potentially an unmarked grave.

 

24).      Space (one plot); potentially an unmarked grave.

 

25).      Space (one plot); potentially an unmarked grave.

 

26).      Unmarked Grave; grave is sunken.                                                             

 

27).      Space (one plot); potentially an unmarked grave.

 

28).      Jacob McKNIGHT, Died in the 66 years of his age                                          

 

29).      Space (one plot); potentially an unmarked grave.

 

30).      Space (one plot); potentially an unmarked grave.

 

31).      Annie M. LOVE, Daughter of D. B. &  A. Love, Born 25  Nov 1867, Died 31 Oct 1888                    

 

32).      Angeline LOVE, Born 28 Sept 1834, Died 15 Dec 1912                                                                       

 

33).      Unmarked Grave; grave is sunken.                                                                 

 

 

ROW 4

 

34).      Minnie C. LOPP, Born 05 Nov 1858, Died 17 Dec 1892

             Epitaph: “Death loves a shinny mark”

 

35).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

36).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

37).      Marked Grave  (slotted base only for footstone)                                                   

 

38).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

39).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

40).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

41).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

42).      Unmarked Grave; grave is sunken.                                                                 

 

43).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

44).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

45).      James H. TROTTER, Son of James & Lydia Trotter, Born 17 Oct 1846, Died 11 Feb 1855     

 

46).      Stone Base (16”-20” sq.) stone foundation. 

                        

47).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

48).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

49).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

50).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

51).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

52).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

53).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

54).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

55).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

ROW 5

 

56).      John W. LOPP, Born 14 Nov 1828, Died 06 Aug 1890                                     

                        

57).      Harriett E. LOPP, Born 31 Dec 1833, Died 09 Jan 1912

 

58).      Isadora Belle LOPP, Daughter of J. W. & H. E. Lopp, Born 12 Sept 1856, Died 20 Jan 1864                   

 

59).      Ella L. LOPP, Daughter of J. W. & H. E. Lopp, Died 18 Aug 1869, Aged 10m, 10d

 

60).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

61).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

62).      Marked Grave; fieldstone. 

 

 

63).      F. FRANK, Born / Died 1922                                                                             

 

64).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

65).      Stone Base                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                  

66).      Jesse O. FRANK, Born 01 July 1871, Died 10 May 1900                                  

 

67).      Anna F. FRANK, Born 26 Jan 1871, Died (date not given)                                  

 

68).      John FRANK, Born 03 Dec 1805, Died 23 Mar 1883                                         

 

69).      Barbara FRANK, Born 30 July 1830, Died 09 Oct 1908                                    

 

70).      Jonas FRANK, Died 15 Sept 1852, Aged 50y, 11m, 22d.                                 

 

71).      John FRANK, Died 30 Nov 1828, Aged 70y, 04d.                                                    

 

72).      Mary Barbara FRANK, Wife of John Frank, Died 16 Sept 1847, Aged 79y, 11m.                

 

73).      Ann Mary FRANK, Died 28 Oct 1815, Aged 16y, 04m, 06d.                                                                                                                        

 

74).      Footstones:   Initials “S.F.” and  Initials “I.B.” (laying beside the grave of Ann M. Frank)              

75).      Marked Grave                                                                                                        

 

76).      John BIERLY, Died 18 Sept 1874, Aged 86 yrs.

 

77).      Catherine BIERLY, Wife of John Bierly, Born 06 June 1792,

             Died 28 Sep 1867, Age 75y, 08m, 22d.                                                            

 

78).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

79).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

80).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

81).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

82).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

ROW 6

 

83).      Marked Grave; fieldstone                                                                                

 

84).      John LOPP, Died 27 Oct 1846, Aged 51y, 11m, 21d.

 

85).      Mary M. LOPP, Wife of John Lopp, Died 24 Feb 1872, Aged 70 yrs.                       

 

86).      Margaret LOPP, Daughter of John & Mary M. Lopp, Died 15 Dec 1838, Aged 14y, 04m, 01d.        

 

87).      Isaac LOPP, Born 10 Oct 1819, Died 14 May 1854                                          

 

88).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

89).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

90).      Marked Grave; only the lower 1/2 of a broken headstone is fixed in the soil.

 

91).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

92).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

93).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

94).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

95).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

96).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

97).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

98).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

99).      Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

100).    Susannah FRANK, Daughter of J. & B. Frank, Born 19 July 1786, Died 29 June 1866         

 

101).    Barbara FRANK, Born 11 Jan 1809, Died 14 Sept 1868                                   

 

102).    Elizabeth FRANK, Born 15 Dec 1803, Died 03 Oct 1868                                                     

 

103).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

104).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

105).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

106).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

107).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

108).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

ROW 7

 

109).    Jacob LOPP:  “In memory of Jacob Lopp who died Sept 1840 in his 76 year”

 

110).    Mary Margaret LOPP: “In memory of Mary Margaret Consort of Jacob Lopp who died Jan 1826: in her 56 year”

 

111).    Catherine SHUCK: “In memory of Catherine Shuck, daughter of John and Mary Barbary Shuck

             who departed this life February 1819”

 

112).    Infant, Daughter of J. & M. B. Shuck                                                                 

 

113).    Infant, Son of J. & M. B. Shuck

 

114).    Mary Barbary SHUCK: “In memory of Mary Barbary Shuck, Consort of John Shuck, who departed this life,

             June 21,” A.D, 1834 age 40 years, 6 months and 4 days”

 

115).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

116).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

117).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

118).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

119).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

120).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

121).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

122).    Unmarked Grave                                                                                             

 

123).    George FRANK, Born 20 Oct 1796, Died 30 May 1854                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

124).    Catherine FRANK, Wife of George Frank, Died 14 Jan 1849, Aged 47y, 10m, 28d.

             Mother of 13 Children                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

125).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

126).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

127).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

128).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

129).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

130).    Infant, Son of A. A. & E. S. Baxter, Born / Died 09 June 1889                                                                 

 

131).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

132).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

133).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

134).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

ROW 8

 

135).    Pile of Footstones.  Note:  At the beginning of the south end of Row 7,

there is a collection of broken footstones and a variety of field stones,

located on the east side of a large tree.  There may be may be additional

grave stones buried in the soil. The following footstones were identified:

 

Initials: “J.H.W.”   (belongs to “Jefferson H. Winders” of Row 8)                  

Initials: “A.C.S.”   (belongs to “Anna Catherine Shuck” of Row 8)                

Initials: “J.G.W.”  (belongs to “James G. Winders” of Row 8)                       

Initials: “R.F.”      (belongs to “Rosannah Funkhouser” of Row 8)                

 

136).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

137).    Anna Catharine SHUCK; “In memory of Anna Catharine Shuck, daughter of John and Catharine Shuck,

             who departed this life September 23, A.D, 1843, aged 1 year and 12 days”

 

138).    Moses FUNKHOUSER;  “In memory of Moses Funkhouser who died July 30, 1839 in his 45 year”

 

139).    Rosannah FUNKHOUSER, Wife of Moses Funkhouser, Died 05 Mar 1877 in her

             83^rd Yr of her Age                

 

140).    Martha FUNKHOUSER, Daughter of J. & M. Funkhouser, Died 16 Feb 18 __, Aged (illegible)                                  

 

141).    James G. WINDER, Born 10 Dec 1794, Died12 April 1857, Aged 62y, 04m, 02d.   

 

142).    Ruth A. WINDER, Wife of James G. Winder, Born 01 Jan 1800, Died 11 Feb 1879                        

 

143).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

144).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

 

145).    Space (one plot); either an unmarked grave or available plot.

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