Culver Masonic Cemetery  

Section 21 History 1835-1922

In blue-green is the original township cemetery of 1.150 acres and which is still listed under the ownership of the Union Township trustee. The first 10 rows off South Main Street constitute the old township portion. The oldest recorded grave in the Culver Masonic cemetery, which includes 2,588 burials to date (2013), is that of Benjamin Street who died Aug 25, 1859, at the age of 48y-9m.

A portion of the cemetery history as given by others seems very much in error in light of the plat maps above and needs further research

The old township portion of the only cemetery located within the town of Culver..., was established in 1859, having been deeded in 1849 by George and Margaret Fall.

Another states that the a portion of the cemetery was also known as the "the Easterday graveyard"; this has not been documented to date. In this section there are the Easterday Family markers bearing the names: Easterday, Gromm, Crumley and Mikesell all related.i

And yet found in and article in full later is:
W. S. Easterday was called on for information regarding the present ownership of the cemetery. He stated that:
the original plat - the east one half acre - was sold off in lots by John W. Easterday and by Benjamin Easterday, his successor to the title.

The west one half acre was originally owned by Jacob Robbins who sold it to another party, reserving one-half acre "for graveyard purposes" this tract was also sold in lots and thus the entire cemetery is the property of individual lot owners. [NOTE: see the 1872 plat map in the section history linked above for the Robbins name]

	It is stated by another that "In 1880, Benjamin Easterday, came from Ohio and purchased a 118-acre farm immediately south of the present cemetery "With the exception of the old township corner, the longstanding portions of the Masonic cemetery sit on former Easterday farmland. This is in error as the 1880 plat map shows that C. FIlar owned the land south of the present cemetery
Benjamin Easterday's land for that time period laid further south on th the south shore of the lake.
	It was not till 1898 that Benjamin Easterday's name became attached to this land. And the Cemetery locationis clearly marked on the 1898 plat map In 1907, Easterday sold the farm to Susan Postlewaite, an unmarried woman from Starke County

1906 - Aug 30 Larger Cemetery Culver Must Have

Prompt Action Necessary to Provide Room

Future Burials - - - Nearly Every Lot in Present Cemetery has been Sold Off

The need of additional cemetery room is so apparent and pressing that the local lodge of Knights of Pythias discussing the ways and means for either buying enough adjoining land to more than double the present capacity or securing a plat elsewhere for a new cemetery.

It is said that there are but two or three unsold lots in the present cemetery, and it is evident that something must be done at once to provide more lots.

The purpose of the K. P.'s if the project receives the approval of the members to assume the full ownership and charge of the addition or of the new cemetery and to sell lots at a reasonable price.

It is also a part of the plan, if the present cemetery is made larger to make desirable improvements in the way of walks and drives and to keep the cemetery in a clean tasteful condition.

At present it so very much neglected. Weeds and wild growth of various kinds are rank and the spasmodic cleaning up that the little "city of the dead" gets at Memorial time is not sufficient to keep it in fit condition.

Should the K.P. Lodge decide to undertake the project which it now has under disccusion, the effort should have the hearty and sympathetic co-operation of the entire community.

The foregoing was put until type two weeks ago. Meantime the members of the K. P. lodge have been discussing the matter in a personal way, and at Tuesday evening's meeting the subject came up for forma consideration.

The majority of the membership being in favor of lodge action, a committed consiting of Henry Speyer, Ezra Koontz and L. C. Wiseman was appointed to negotiate for a tract not to exceed five acres.

This committee on Wednesday interveiwed Ezra Blanchard who owns land adjoinign the cemetery, and a Miss Postlewait who was 40 acres across the road.

Mr. Blanchard wants $1,000 for an acre and a third, which puts the piece out of consideration, and Miss Postlewait will not sell a small tract at any price.

As the matter stands, it looks as if Culver will be compelled to acquire a plat in some other part of town and lay out a new cemetery.

1909 - Jan 7 - Addition to Cemetery The Knights of Pythias are considering a propstition to purchase the Ezra Blanchard property adjoining the cemetery on the north for the purpose of meeting a imperative need for more ground Every lot in the cemetery hade been sold, and it has been for two years past a serious question how to provide further room. The Blanchard property consists of an acre of land and a house. Mr. Blanchard has made a proposition to the special committee appointed by the lodge, and the matter was submitted at the Tuesday night meeting and laid over for one week

1910 - Feb 17 - Movement for Cemetery

Steps Inauguarated to Put Matter in Hands of Town Board

A a result of a citizens' meeting Thursday evening a petition is in circulation rqesting the town board to ionvestigate the matter of securing additional ground for the cemetery purposes by purchase in the name of the corporation with a view to assuming its perptual ownershit and care.

Undertaker Easterday estimates that more than 600 persons have been buried in the Culver cemetery. No more lots can be bought, and those who are not owners of lots are now dependent upon the courtesy of present lot owners for burial facilities.

In the old part of the cemetery (the title to which is in Benj. Easterday) graves have been dug wherever room could be found regardless of the ownership of the ground.

Most of this portion of the cemetery is owned by non-residents or exticnt families.

The new part is owned by Union township, and is laid out with more regard for regularity than the old part

The sentimint of the meeting was that it would be better to secure land as near the present cemetery as possible, and that the tract should contain from 6 to 10 acres.

When a satisfactory piece is found it can be condemned if the owner is not willing to sell at a reasonable figure.

However, in a case of this kind, public spirit and sympathy with the cause will prompt a property owner to to beliberal

On motion of Dr. Rea, Chariman W. S. Easterday and Secretary Speyer were instructed to draw up and circulate apetition embodying the proposition set foorth at the beginning of this article.

1911, Jun 8 - Sidewalk at Cemetery - Ezra Blanchard circulated a subscription paper last wee to secure money to build a cement walk along the west side ot the cemetery

1912, Jul 25 - Condition of Cemetery

The condition of the cemetery said to be disgraceful.

It is overgrown with weeds, and its prominent position on the main travelled highway forces it ipon the atention of strangers entering or leavinf the city.

Nothing short of a concerted effort will remedy the condition, and it would be a good idea for some organization, either religious or secular, to arrange for a "Clean-up Day". A few hours work would remove the rank undergrowth and place the plat in a resoectable condition

Onre or two individuals with pride enough to clean up their own lots could not make a change in the general appearance of the ground, and nothing short of a general movement will be effective.

The only way in which to get the cemetery into manageable shape is to organize a cemetery association to care for the old ground and to buy additional ground.

1912, Aug. 15 The Cemetery Propostion Assumes a Definite Form

The prospect for some definite action in the matter of securing additional ground for the cemetery is more encouraging than at any time heretofore

The question was pretty thoroughly discuseed at the called public meeting last week. Though the attendance was small it would but be fair to say that our people are not interested in so important a proposition

W. M. Hand was chosen chairman of the meeting and A. B. Holt was made secretary.


W. S. Easterday was called on for information regarding the present ownership of the cemetery. He stated that:
the original plat - the east one half acre - was sold off in lots by John W. Easterday and by Benjamin Easterday , his successor to the title.

The west one half acre was originally owned by Jacob [sic] Robbins who sold it to another party, reserving one-half acre "for graveyard purposes" this tract was also sold in lots and thus the entire centery is the property of individual lot owners. [NOTE: see the 1872 plat map above for the Robbins name]
Inquiry as to the responsibility of the township for the care of the ground brought out the infromation that where a cemetery lies outside the corporation the township trustee is empowered to use public funds not otherwise appropriated, for its mainteance, but the Culver cemetery is just inside the coropration, and there is no provision in the law which will make the public ,money available for the pupose; the care of the place depends wholly upon the voluntary action of the lot owners or upon public spirit.

Mr Hand said that he was so muc interested in the matter that he would advance $200 toward the purchase of additional land if other parties would make up the remainder and would lend it to the town at a low rate of interest and accet as security town bonds payable in such time as the board might determine. He thought there were enough public spirited citizens who would join him in this plan to raise the necessary amount.

It was the general sense of the meeting that additional ground should be a continous part of the present plat and that the Postlethwait land on the south would best answer the purpose.

It was moved and carried that W. S. Easterday circulate a petition asking the town board to purchase six acres across the road on the south, and that the petition be presented at the Augh 19 meeting of the board.

Arthur Morris, president of the board, said that he was not authorized to speak for the board, but if such a petition were presented it would recieive consideration, and he thought that if it was made financially possible through the plan suggested by Mr. Hand, the board would be willing to buy the land and assume its perpetual care.

The price of the lots could be fixed at a figure that would create a fund for the care of the old as well as the new cemetery.

The new tract could be brought into the corporation and the highway could be vacated and laif out new around the ground.

1913 - Feb 6 - The Town Board is considering the offer of a citizen who proposes to buy sic or more acres south of the cemetery and tiurn it over to the town in due process of time and law as an addition to the present plat

1915, Jun 24 - Culver's New Burial Plat

Culver's problem of additional cemetery ground is in a good way of being solved through the energetic action of Rev. Fred. E. Zechiel of Apple Creek, O.

When Mr. Zechiel brought the body of his wife here he was confronted with the embarrassing situation of finding no spot available for her resting place. Thereupon aided by his brother Henry he induced Aaron Jones to sell a strip 182 feet east and west and 467 feet north and south adjoining the cemetery on the east, and at a meeting of citizens called by him he presented the outline of a plan for establishing a new cemetery to be administered in perpetuity by such an association as as may consent to take over the property at the price the Zecheil brother paid for it.

Rev. Fred Zechiel's plan follows that of cemetery associations generally which is briefly, to sell lots at a price that will create a fund sufficient to permanently keep the scared spot in good condition.

At the meeting Mr. Zechiel went over the situation, and others discussed it.

A committee was appointed to take charge of all the preliminaried and to either organize an associaiton of citizens or to dispose of the new plot to the Masons (who have been recently contemplating similar action) or to any other organization that will take the project in charge.

The committe consists of Henry Zechiel, chariman; W. R. Crossland, W. S, Easterday, E. L. Magruder and Walter Hand.

One of the conditions which Mr. Zechiel and others regard as important is that the old cemetery shall come under the care of the new association in order that its present unsightliness may be merged into the attractive character which the new burial place will have.

In order to do this it will be necessary for lot owners in the old cemetery to contribute to a maintenance fung. This they should bo most gladly.

It has been a general remark that Culver's cemetery was a disgrace to an intelligent, christain community, but lack of co-operation and initiative has been largely responsible for this. Now that a moement had been largely resonsible for this. Now that a movement has been set on foot to change this disreputable condition our people can not afford to withhold their support

Lots in the new cemetery are expected to sell for $20 to $100 - the latter being the price which Rev. Fred Zechiel places on the lot which he selected for himself.

1915 Aug 19 - Masons Take Over Cemetery Addition

The Masonic lodge has taken over the acre and a quarter plat east of the old cemetery recently purchased by D. E. and Henry Zechiel of Aaron Jones.

The consideration was $577. which is the amount paid by the Zecheils plus the expenses incurred.

The new additon will be platted and offerd to purchasers at such a price per lot as will pay for the ground and leave a fund for the upkeep of the unsold lots.

Buyers of lots will be responsible for their future care.

Rev. D. E. Zechiel is entitled to the credit of inaugurating this needed extension of the cemetery.

In addition to assuming, with his brither, the purchase of the ground from Mr. Jones he announced that her would also give $100 for a lot whenever some organization would take over and dedicatre to plat to cemetery purposes.

1915 - Sep 2 - The New Cemetery

The new addition to the Culver cemetery has been incoporated and recorded as "The Culver Masonic Cemetery" with the following members of the order as trustees: J. E. RIggens, George Overmyer and R. H. BUttner.

The trustees, who are to have the active manafement of the cemetery, desire to have it made plain to the pulic that while the name is "The Masonic Cemetery" lots will be sold to all comers.

It should also be stated that the Masonic lodge will look after the entire maintenance of the cemetery. A secton will be employed, and lots owners will have their property kept in good condition without any cost to othem above the price of the lot.

The lodge will also take charge of the diffing of graves and any umprovement, such as cement, work that lot owners may wish. A schedule of prices for this sercice will be arranged.

The cemetery will coob be plitted and streets laid out. A landscape gardner will be employed to furnsih a place for the beautifying of the plot.

It is understooedn that a movement has been started among lot owners in the old cemetery to raise $1,000 to turn over to the Masonic lodhe as a fund for the improvement and upkeep of the cemetery to comform to the new plat. Such action should meet with a very hearty support

1915 - Sep 2 - Messrs. Riggens, Overmyer and Buttner left yesterday for Laporte, South Bend and other towns to get information that will help the Masonic Lodge in laying out and maintaining the new cemetery

1917 - Clean Up the Cemetery! - J. M. Hinshaw has undertaken to put the cemetery into a neat condition for Decoration and asks those interested to join him in the work Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Persons who want their lots cared for and have not the time to do it themselves will no doubt be glad to conribute a little something if Mr. Hinshal does the work for them

1919, Apr. 23 What Culver Can Do With Its Old Cemetery

The public is taking some interest in the matter of improving the cemetery, and inquiried are being are being made as to the most practical method to pursue.

There is one very effective way, it is claimed, in which the matter can be handledturn the cemetery over to the township trustee.<

We are informed that the west hald of the cemetery is already the property of Union township under a deed from John W. Jones made in 1859. The title to the east hald is supposed to be in John W. Easterday, a non-resident. A conveyance from Easterday to the township trustee would vest the ownership of the entire tract composing the old cemetery in the township.

It then becomes the duty of the trustee to appoint three trustees to take the property in charge and to improve the property, the funds to be provided by the township trustee.

There may be a question whether the township trustee or the town board shall take title to the cemetery as it lies within the corpporation, and the several laws pertaining to cemeteried do not quite "hitch", as is the case with much of our jack-carpenter state legislation, but a careful examination by a lawyer would settle that point.

The fact seems to be clear however that a way esists in which the present disreputable confition of the cemetery can be remedied with little trouble or expense. The most that is needed is enough enterprise on the part of somebofy to take the initiative.

1919 - Sep 24 - Union Township Takes over Culver Cemetery

Union township is now the owner of the Culver cemetery.

The title passed last week from Benjamin Easterday and other heirs to the township trustees whose duty it will be to appoint three directors who will have vull charge of the work of keeping the cemetery in repair

The expenses will come oft of the general township fund as provided by law

This action disposes of a problem which has been under discussion for several years.

Under the management of the directors we may expest a considerable improvement in the cemetery which has been a standin reproach to the community

Any action which the directors may take will probably be backed up by the people, and futhermore we may look for a little more pride to be exhibited by lot owners as the general work of improvement becomes visible

1923 Town of Culver City Indiana finanical statement - Jan 1 - Dec 31 - 1923 B. D. Krause Labor and Maerial on Fence to Cemetery 9.45

It is erronously stated that "In 1929, Postelwaite deeded the land east of the old township cemetery she had purchased in 1907, to Culver's Henry H. Culver Masonic lodge," ( this land was purchased by the Zechiel Brothers as stated above from Aaron Jones ) and who eight years later added five more acres to the cemetery, which they had purchased from Robert Gnacsh.

1929 - Mary 22 - ... The town board wals voted to join with the township and the Culver Masonic Lodge in repairing and keeing up the old cemetery south of town. The funds of the twonship for this purpose are insufficieint and these two grounps have decided to aid in putting this tract in the shape it should be.

1937 - Aug. 18 - Proclaims that the "Masonic Lodge Buys Land for Cemetery Plate The purchase of five acres of the Gansch property got the enlargement has been announced by the cemetery board of the local Masonic lodge. The land is located east of the present plat and is adjoining. While the present cemetery plat is far from sold out, the cemetery trustees, Dr. H. H. Tallman, Harry E. Medbourn, and W. O. Osborn, felt that the purcase of this land would take care of all need of this community for years to come and that the property should be secured when the opportunity ptesented itself and not wait unill the cemetey became crowded and then find that adjoing land was not available. It is planned to later move the houses that are now on this tract to another part of the land, but for the present the houses will be leased. Not for Profit. In making the announcemnt of the enlargement of the cemetery the board issued the following statement: "We feel that this is one of the ways in which the Masonic Lodge can be of a greater benefit to the community, and we are willing to say that they are doing this without any thought of profit, because the truth is that we do not make any money on our cemetery. When you stop to figure that we agree to maintain these lots for all time to come, you will realize that we must build up a very large reserve from which we cane derive an income, because it is our idea to have lenough money on hand when the last lots are sold to forever maintain the cemetery." The cemetery has been kept in perfect condition this year by Caretaker WIlliam Baker, who has also, after several years of hard work, brought the old cemetery up to the standards of the Masonic section, giving the community one of the finest grounds to be found in a town this size in the state, few of which have the funds in trust to maintain this care for all time to com.

In 1958, the lodge sold five burial spaces to serve as the Eugene Chase Eppley memorial, one of the most visually prominent aspects of the cemetery today.

Other promininent aspects of the cemetery are:

the heart-shaped tombstone created by late Culver fire chief Dave Burns, a well known stone mason, this tombstone was made in his backyard in 1961-1962 and was placed in the cemetery by Memorial day 1962.





The tombstone of Claude Harter "Cary" Cummins. and Katie (Ewald) Cummins made out of the brick of the High school at the time of his death Cary was the project supervisor; believed to be constructed by David Burns (1909-1990)





in the late 1970's or early 1980's the Culver's Henry H. Culver Masonic Lodge purchased the 1.33 acres of land north of the old township Cemetery and they are listed as owners. It had became the location of a greenhouse under the well known names of McClains , O'Conners , Anderohr and lasted for a brief period after the Anderhor's sold it. The rows run north and south



The veteran's memorial area at the southeast corner of the cemetery, constructed by the local VFW.

The LaPaz Lions Club under took the project of erecting signs for the older cemeteries of the county; each has at least one sign from the Indiana historical Bureau. Funding fro the project came from the Marshall County Community Fondation, township trustees and th Lapaz Lions Club. Each sign cost approximately $250.00 Each sign is purchased from the Indiana Historical Bureau. An application containing the exact location of the cemetery with the longitude and latitude, date of establishment, photograph showing the location of the sign, and signature of the cemetery owner is required and must be approved before the sign is made. The program is call the "Cemetery Heritage Innitiative, and is a part of the Indiana Historic Marker program administred by the Bureau. For their efforts the LaPaz Lions Club was on of the recipents of the Daniel McDonald Heritage Award on October 4, 2013