All Lone Graves
Several individuals were buried before 1873 in various locations across Harvey County. Several wooden markers were seen at various places along the trails and on the banks of the creeks and rivers throughout the county, which over time have disappeared. Rather than purchasing cemetery plots, early settlers often buried their children on the farm. There are a couple of Indian burial grounds that have been rumored to exist in the County as well. The known locations of individual burials are listed here:
Alta Township – Family Burial (before 1902)
SE 1/4 of Section 1
Alta Township – Family Burial (before 1902)
Section 8
Highland Township – Boy who died on the Chisholm Trail
NE 1/4 of Section 29
Richland Township – Horace W. Hayes (1872)
SE 1/4 of Section 15 – Latitude 38.04357 Longitude -97.175794
10547 East 1st Street – 3/4 mile east of Grace Hill Road Road (1/4 mile west Harvest Hill Road)
Horace was born on December 27, 1930 in Clinton, Ohio. Raised in Ohio, he was living in Rockdale, Pennsylvania when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted with Company K, 199th Pennsyvania Infantry. After the war Horace, along with his wife Serinah E. (Thomas) Hayes and their son, George, moved to Kansas and homesteaded in Pleasant Township, Harvey County. Horace died at the age of 41 on his farm September 11, 1872, and was buried under a tree at the south edge of his farm near the farmhouse. The eventual widening of 1st Street placed Horace’s grave into the north ditch of the road. His grave is marked. Serinah Hayes died in Kingman, Kansas in 1910. George Hayes married Alice May (Woodward) and they had a family of 10 children before moving from the farm in 1901.
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society www.HarveyCountyRoots.com
Bethel College - Goertz Cemetery
Location: North Main Street (K-15 Hwy) North Newton
Latitude: 38. N Longitude: -97.* W
North Newton: 2800 – 2805 N. Main Street in the area of Kidron Creek where it crosses Main Street (west side of Main), across from the Bethel College Campus.
History: This unnamed cemetery was a burial location along the eastern edge of the Chisholm Trail. Little is known of the cemetery or of those who were buried there, although it is said to be the original burial place for several Mennonite individuals from the area, associated with the College and with College Church. There may have been earlier Chisholm Trail burials on the site as well. The cemetery appears on the David Goertz property in the 1902 Plat Map. It is said that when K-15 Highway was widened and curved westward, the bodies were moved, but no records have been found to document this. However, the headstones disappeared at that time. There is no visible remnant of the cemetery.
First Known Burial: Unknown
Number of Burials: 50
Burial Index & Headstone Photos:
Goertz – Bethel Cemetery
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Burrton Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Burrton Cemetery
Location:
Latitude: 38.01487* N Longitude: -97.67491* W
Burrton Township – South 1/2 of Section 29 Twp 23S Range 03W
Burrton, Kansas: From Highway 50, turn south on Colorado Avenue on the west edge of town. Follow Colorado Ave. south through to the south end of town, which ends at the cemetery gate. Section 1 is laid out east to west at the north end of the cemetery, continuing to Section 4 on the south end. Rocky Penner does a great job as caretaker, having taken over from John Anderson.
History: In 1873, early in Burrton’s history, the City Council laid out the cemetery at the south edge of town, along the south side of a small creek where a couple of unknown burials had already been made. Original burial records were destroyed in the Opera House/City Office fire in November 1914. Basic burial records since that time are housed at the City Office and include name, location, and lot owner.
Trustees: Burrton Township Cemetery Board
First Known Burial: November 1, 1872
Number of Burials: 2,633
Number of Veteran Burials: 60
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Church of God of the Firstborn
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Church of God of the Firstborn Cemetery
Location: 4200 North Ridge Road
Latitude: 38.09407* N Longitude: -97.42667* W
Follow Ridge Road (CR-811) between Highway 50 and Hesston. The cemetery is 1/2 mile north of the intersection with NW 36th Street (CR-564), on the east side of the road.
History: The Church of God of the First Born Cemetery is Church-owned and operated.
Trustees: Church of God of the First Born, Newton, Kansas.
First Known Burial: 1878
Number of Burials: 46
Number of Veterans: 7
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Eastlawn (Whitestone) Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Eastlawn Cemetery
Location:
Emma Township – NW ¼ of Section 25 Township 22 South Range 01 W
Latitude: 38.06914* N Longitude: -97.23393* W
From Zimmerdale on Old Highway 81, turn north on West Road (CR-815) and continue 1 mile to the intersection with NW 60th Street (CR-560). The cemetery is on the east side of West Road at the corner.
History: The Old Order Pennsylvania Mennonite Church established the cemetery in 1885. The Zimmerdale community was originally called Trousdale, and many early obituaries refer to burial in Trousdale Cemetery. The Pennsylvania Mennonite Church building was built west of the cemetery in 1889. When the Church moved into Hesston and the old building removed, the congregation adopted the name Whitestone Mennonite Church, and the Cemetery was referred to as the Pennsylvania-Whitestone cemetery, Whitestone Cemetery, and Zimmerdale Cemetery. Eventually the name of Eastlawn Cemetery was officially adopted. Ownership of the cemetery is retained by the Whitestone Mennonite Church.
The cemetery remains active. There is a burial locator board on site.
Trustees: Whitestone Mennonite Church Board of Trustees
First Burial: October 14, 1885
Number of Burials: 884
Number of Veteran Burials: 25
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Garden Church Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Garden Community Church Cemetery
Location: 6520 N Halstead Road
Garden Township – SW 1/4 of Section 23 Township 22 South Range 02W
Latitude: 38.12265* N Longitude: -97.51831* W
4 miles west of Hesston on Dutch Avenue (CR-556_, then 1-1/2 miles south on Halstead Road (CR-801), or 6-1/2 miles north of Highway 50 on Halstead Road. The cemetery sits to the north of the Church building, on the east side of the road. The cemetery is very well maintained and cared for.
History: The cemetery was originally established as the burial grounds of the First Mennonite Church of Garden Township. The Church later changed its name to the Garden Mennonite Church, and more recently to the Garden Community Church. Obituaries refer to the cemetery by all 3 names, or simply Garden Church.
Trustees: Garden Community Church Board of Trustees
First Burial: August 8, 1886
Number of Burials: 189
Number of Veteran Burials: 9
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Golden (Eves) Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Golden Eves Cemetery
Location: 6600 S. Rock Road (CR-831) [Southeast corner of Rock Road at 60th St]
38.014* N 97.407* W
Richland Township – NE 1/4 of Section 18 Twp 24 South Range 02 East
The cemetery is not maintained and is covered by prairie grass.
History: Joseph Golden was born in Fen Drayton, Cambridge, England, on March 25, 1832. His wife, Harriet Matthews, was born in Wilburn, England on June 28, 1834. They were married in Fen Drayon, England on January 25, 1853, and came to America in 1865. In 1871, they moved from Illinois to homestead on Section 18 in Richland Township, Harvey County, Kansas. On March 1, 1872, they welcomed their 10th child, the first one born in Harvey County. Shortly afterward, in 1872 at the age of 40, Joseph Golden died.
Joseph was buried just to the east of a natural spring on the corner of his farm, and a headstone placed on his grave. Two years later in 1874, Harriet married a widowed neighbor, Thomas Eves, who was also born in England. His wife, Mary Jane, had also died in 1872 (her burial location is unknown, and it is at least possible she is buried here, also). The original Golden farm land is listed on early plat maps as belonging to Harriet Eves, although they had moved across the road to Thomas Eves’ farm home, where her 11th child was born. Only 7 of her 11 children were still living in 1880. They were members of the Methodist Church in Annelly. Mr. Eves died in 1913, after which Harriet moved to Nebraska to live with children, where she died and was buried in 1922. Joseph & Harriet Golden were grandparents of William Golden, who died in 1918 while serving in World War II.
The .03-acre corner around Joseph Golden’s grave was fenced off and deeded as a cemetery. There are no other known burials here. It is not well maintained and seldom mowed. Joseph’s headstone is now unreadable.
Trustees: Richland Township Cemetery Board
First Burial:1872
Number of Burials: 1
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Grace Hill Mennonite Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Gnadenberg / Grace Hill Mennonite Church Cemetery
Location:
Pleasant Township – S 1/2 Section 23 Township 23 South Range 02E
Latitude: 38.029303* N Longitude: -97.180392* W
Seven miles east of Newton on First Street (CR-572), south on Grace Hill Road 1 mile, then east on SE 12th (CR-572) for 1/2 mile. The cemetery is on the north side of the road, west of the Church building.
History: The Michalin Mennonite settlement in Polish Russia immigrated to the U.S. between 1874 and 1878. Many of these settled in the area of Pleasant Township. Their first cemetery was established on the Harms property a mile south (see Gnadenberg Old Cemetery) in anticipation of the Church being built there. However, it was later decided to build the Gnadenberg Mennonite Church at its present location higher up the hill, and 8 years later the new cemetery was located next to the Church building. Originally called Gnadenberg Cemetery and Gnadenberg Mennonite Church Cemetery, in 1953 the english (rather than German) Grace Hill was officially used as the name of the Church and the Cemetery. The cemetery is active and exceptionally well maintained.
Trustees: Grace Hill Mennonite Church Board of Trustees
First Burial: December 9, 1890
Number of Burials: 331
Number of Veteran Burials: 16
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Greenwood / City Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Greenwood City Cemetery
Location: 1101 East 1st Street
Latitude: 38.04591* N Longitude: -97.32518* W
Newton, Kansas: East 1st Street to the west side of the I-135 interchange. The cemetery is on the north side of the street.
History: From 1871 to 1873, Newton residents were buried in on their property, in rural locations, returned to a cemetery in their former homes, or buried in the burial ground east of town referred to as Boot Hill. In July of 1873, Newton city leaders established a permanent cemetery for its residents on the far eastern outskirts of the area. Originally it was simply called “City Cemetery” or “Newton Cemetery” and, even after the name “Greenwood Cemetery” was adopted, Newton obituaries often referred to it simply as the city cemetery. The known burials from Boot Hill Cemetery were moved into Greenwood, mostly to unmarked graves in a potter’s field area at the rear of Section 1, while others were removed and marked with a headstone.
The original cemetery was organized into 4 sections, each having a circular drive. The southwest quarter is the Original Section, with the 1st Addition being directly to the north. The 2nd Addition is the southeast quarter, with the 3rd Addition directly to the north of the 2nd. Further north is a newer area which is the 4th Addition, which is subdivided by the letters A through O. The newest area, the 5th Addition, is the northwest section of the cemetery, primarily north of the bridge. When these plots are sold, Greenwood will basically be full.
A cemetery plot map can be found here: x
Trustees: City of Newton, Kansas
First Known Burial: August 1873
Number of Burials: 14,338
Number of Veterans: TBD
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Halstead Mausoleum
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Halstead Mausoleum
Location: West side of Hertzler Road at Highway 50
Halstead Township – NW 1/4 Section 25 Township 23 South Range 02W
Latitude: 38.02595* N Longitude: -97.49908* W
Highway 50 toward Halstead, turn south on Hertzler Road (CR-803). The Halstead Cemetery is on the east side, and the Halstead Mausoleum is on the west side, of Hertzler Road.
History: The City of Halstead established the Mausoleum in 1915.
Trustees: City of Halstead
First Known Burial: 1915
Number of Burials: 81
Number of Veterans: 1
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Hesston City Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Hesston Cemetery
Location:
Emma Township – SW 1/4 of Section 9 Township 22 South Range 01W
Latitude: 38.144991* N Longitude: -97.440233* W
Hesston, Kansas: Lincoln Blvd (Dutch Avenue) just west of the intersection with Hesston Road, on the Northwest side of town.
History: Early in its history, the City of Hesston established a municipal cemetery on the edge of town. The cemetery remains active. There is a burial locator board on site.
Section 2 is to the right as you enter, Section 1 is to the left. Recently Sections 3 and 4 have been added to the left of the original cemetery site.
Trustees: City of Hesston & Emma Township Trustees
First Burial: February 20, 1900
Number of Burials: 526
Number of Veteran Burials: 67
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Hillside Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Hillside Cemetery
Location:
Sedgwick Township – SE 1/4 Section 34 Township 24 South Range 01W
Latitude: 37.912395* N Longitude: -97.410429* W
Sedgwick, Kansas: 1 mile east of Sedgwick on SW 125th Street (CR-588), on the Northwest corner with S. Hoover Road. The main gate is on SW 125th, but there are entrances from Hoover Road.
History: The City of Sedgwick originated the cemetery site, and continues to own and maintain the site. New sections have recently been developed on the south end of the cemetery.
On May 25, 1917, a tornado passed through the cemetery. The newspaper reported, “The worst devastation the Kansan reporter has seen in the path of the storm was in the beautiful Hillside cemetery one mile east of Sedgwick. The ornate steel fence is demolished, and probably 75 monuments are toppled over, while the beautiful maple and evergreen trees are broken and twisted and utterly ruined. Mud is plastered several inches thick all over the monuments and trees, and the utmost desolation reigns. Sedgwick citizens had a force of 50 men at work in the cemetery even last evening” (The Newton Evening Kansan-Republican, May 26, 1917).
Trustees: City of Sedgwick
First Burial:
Number of Burials:
Number of Veteran Burials:
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Kemper Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Kemper Cemetery
Location: 5979 SW 36th Street
Sedgwick Township – West 1/2 of NW 1/4 – Section 3 Twp 24S Range 01W
Latitude: 37.999337* N Longitude: -97.422883 W
Two miles south of Highway 50 on S. Ridge Road (CR-811), turn east on SW 36th St (CR-576) for 1/2 mile. Cemetery is on the south side of the road.
History: Dr. Adam D. H. Kemper was a pioneer farmer and doctor who owned the land. To the east of the cemetery was the Kemper School, in which Church services were held on Sundays. After the Kemper family moved away, a new school house was built to the west of the cemetery and the name changed to Gem School. Dr. Kemper and other early pioneers are buried in this cemetery. For many years it was not maintained or cared for, and many stones are broken. It is now regularly mowed and maintained.
In 1947, the following newspaper notice appeared: “A motion was approved to call the attention of the township officials to the ownership of Kemper Cemetery, one-half mile east of the Gem School. Unless the township assumes the ownership this pioneer burial ground may revert to its original owners. Friends or relatives of those buried in this cemetery are urged to contact Miss Taylor or Miss Grace Hill, Halstead” (The Evening Kansan-Republican, Tuesday July 1 1947. Page 2).
Trustees: Sedgwick Township Board
First Burial: September 16, 1872
Number of Burials: 44
Number of Veteran Burials: 1
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Missionary Church Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Missionary Church Cemetery
Location: NE 12th Street Road
Pleasant Township – NW 1/4 of Section 13 Township 23 South Range 02E
Latitude: 38.058185* N Longitude: -97.162607* W
3 miles west of Elbing, or 8 miles east of Newton on 1st Street (CR-570) to Harvest Hill Road (CR-839). One mile north on Harvest Hill Road, turn east on NE 12th (CR-568) for 1/2 mile. Cemetery is on the South side of the road.
History: The First Missionary Church was officially organized in the Foster School House in Elbing, Kansas, on November 16, 1902, where members met until 1910 when they built a building. The Church cemetery was established in 1916 on a plot of ground west of Elbing. In 1968 the Church moved into Newton. The cemetery remains active and is well maintained by the Church.
Trustees: First Missionary Church Board of Trustees
First Known Burial: January 1, 1916
Number of Burials: 101
Number of Veterans: 9
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Restlawn Gardens of Memory
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Restlawn Gardens of Memory
Location:
Macon Township – NW 1/4 of Section 26 Township 23 South Range 01W
Latitude: 38.02750* N Longitude: -97.40653* W
2 miles west of Newton on Highway 50 to the intersection with Hoover Road (CR-813). The Cemetery is on the southeast corner of the intersection.
History: Restlawn was established as a for-profit Cemetery in 1961 out of the corner of a farmer’s field. It was acquired by the City of Newton in 2011. The cemetery allows flat, ground-level markers only.
Trustees: City of Newton
First Known Burial: August 11, 1961
Number of Burials: 1007
Number of Veterans: 69
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Schlender Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here:
Schlender (Emmanuel Evangelical Church) Cemetery
Location: 10105 N Old Settlers Rd
Garden Township – NE 1/4 of Section 4 Township 22 South Range 02W
Latitude: 38.16695* N Longitude: -97.53782* W
9 miles north of Highway 50 on Halstead Road (CR-801) to NW 96th (CR-554). 1 mile west on NW 96th to Old Settlers Road (CR-799), then 1/2 mile north on Old Settlers Road. Cemetery is on the west side of the road.
History: Shortly after Adam Hoehman settled in Garden township, his wife Mary died. He returned to New York and married Louisa Schlender, daughter of Frederick and Anna Mary Schlender. The Schlender’s with several neighbors decided to follow the Hoehman couple back Kansas. The cemetery was established on land donated by Fred Schlender, and later the Emmanuel Evangelical Church building was built next to the cemetery. Some of these early pioneers and members of this pioneer Church are buried here. The farm has remained in the Schlender family since it was homesteaded. The cemetery is well maintained but is no longer active.
Trustees: Garden Township Cemetery Board
First Known Burial: August 25, 1882
Number of Burials: 14
Number of Veterans: 0
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Columbarium
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here:
Location:
Newton Township
Latitude:
Church is on the north side of the road.
History:
Trustees:
First Known Burial:
Number of Burials:
Number of Veterans:
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Walton Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Walton Cemetery
Location: 7100 N Walton Ave.
Walton Township – Section 19 Township 22 South Range 02E
Latitude: 38.1306* N Longitude: -97.2541* W
Walton, Kansas: North on Walton Avenue to NE 72nd (CR-558). Cemetery is on the Southeast corner of the intersection.
History: After a property dispute over the original cemetery location on Woodlawn, the Walton Cemetery was established further north and east of the original. Many of the bodies from the original cemetery were moved to the new location, but not all.
Trustees: Walton Township Cemetery Board
First Known Burial: April 27, 1876
Number of Burials: 729
Number of Veterans: 75
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Whitewater Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Whitewater Cemetery
Location: Highway K-196 & Harvest Hill Road (CR-839)
Richland Township – NW 1/4 of Section 24 Township 24 South Range 02E
Latitude: 37.955* N Longitude: -97.170* W
History: The initial 1871 settlement of residents in this area resided on the west side of the Whitewater River, in Harvey County. After the Whitewater community, in Butler County, was formed, they continued to use the Harvey County burial site west of town.
First Known Burial: August 10, 1881
Number of Burials: 1019
Veteran Burials: 142
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Boot Foot Hill
Location: 809 E 1st Street, Newton Kansas
Latitude: 38.042622* N Longitude: -97.334341* W
NewtonTownship – South 1/2 of Section 29 Twp 23S Range 03W
Newton, Kansas: East 1st Street between High Street and Slate Creek, on the south side from 1st Street to 2nd Street. Cemetery area is no longer discernable, is now private property, and homes have long ago been built on and near the cemetery site.
History: As soon as Newton city was platted and the railroad tracks were laid in 1871, Newton was bustling with activity. A handful of people who were killed and died with no other burial plot were taken to the hill overlooking Slate Creek, which was then 4 blocks east of the city limit, and buried. No effort was made to record their names. After the City Cemetery (Greenwood) was established further east in July of 1873, locatable graves were moved to the Potter’s Field area of the cemetery, again umarked, with a couple of notable exceptions. Later homeowner excavations on the Boot Hill site have determined that not all bodies had been found or moved prior to the 1960’s.
Trustees: Cemetery dismantled and now is private residential property.
First Known Burial: June 16, 1871
Number of Burials: Estimated 25 to 35, before bodies were moved.
Burial Index:
Mr. Welsh – Shot Jun. 16, 1871 at Gregory’s Saloon
Mr. Irwin – Shot Jun. 24, 1871 at the Parlor Saloon
Mr. Lee – Shot July 30, 1871 in Hide Park
Jim Martin – Shot August 19, 1871 at Tuttle’s Dance Hall
Carlos King – Shot Sep. 23, 1871at the Alamo Dance Hall
Jim Sweet – Shot Nov. 1, 1871
Dan Hicks – Shot Nov. 5, 1871
George Halliday – Shot Nov. 7, 1872 at the Parlor Saloon
James Shay – Shot February 22, 1873 after leaving Gold Room Saloon
Beech Crowfut – Died Apr. 15, 1873
(Note: Carlos King & George Halliday’s graves are now marked, after having been moved to Greenwood Cemetery)
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Bethel Mennonite Columbarium
Burial Index & Headstone Photos:
Bethel Mennonite Church Columbarium
Location: Newton Township – 2600 College Avenue, North Newton, Kansas
Latitude: 38.0728* N Longitude: -97.3419* W
From Main Street (K-15), turn east on 24th street for 2 blocks, then north on College Avenue 2 blocks to Bethel College Mennonite Church (on the east side of College Avenue). The columbarium area is behind the retaining wall to the left of the main Church entrance.
History:
The columbarium was established in 2006 by the Bethel College Mennonite Church.
First Burial: 1994
Number of Burials: 31
Number of Veteran Burials: 0
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Centennial Methodist Cemetery
Location:
Lake Township – SE 1/4 of Section 23
Latitude: 37.941754 * N Longitude: -97.610894 * W
3-1/2 miles east of Patterson, Kansas, and 6 miles south of Highway 50, on the Northwest corner of SW 84th (CR-584) and S Willow Lake Road (CR-791).
History: The Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a mission outpost from the Burrton Methodist Episcopal Church. Wood frame buildings were completed for both Centennial and Burrton in 1886. The Centennial Cemetery was established at the same time, next to the Church building. After the Church closed and the building was torn down, the few headstones there disappeared although no bodies were ever moved. Eventually the area became farmland. No burial records and no reminders of the cemetery now exist.
Number of Burials: 10 to 15, estimated by former Church members.
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Cook-Farnsworth Garden Valley Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Cook-Farnsworth Garden Valley Cemetery
Location: 6600 North Hertzler Road
L 38.123214* N 97.499886* W
Garden Township – W 1/2 of Section 24 Township 22-S Range 2W
Halstead Road (CR-801) 6 miles north of Highway 50, or 3 miles south of Dutch Avenue, to NW 48th (VR-562). Turn east on NW 48th for 1 mile to Hertzler Road (CR-803). Then turn north on Hertzler Road for 1/2 mile. Cemetery is on the east side of Hertzler Road at the half-mile line. On the south side of the 1/2 mile line is the Farnsworth path (now plowed by the farmer), and on the north side of the 1/2 mile line are the graves at about 1/8 mile in. The cemetery is not well maintained and graves are usually buried in prairie grass.
History: On April 16, 1870, Maybell Bonham died. She was buried on the farm of her aunt, Dicey (Bonham) Cook (Mrs. Adam Fernando Carlyle Cook). Adam’s father, George Henry Cook, was buried there in 1877, as was a daughter of Lyman & Emma Cook. Other Bonham nieces and nephews, children of Frances & Jemima Bonham and of Landon & Mary Jane Bonham, were also buried on the Cook farm.
Seeing the need for a community cemetery, Alvin Marshall Farnsworth and his wife Hanna Ann offered a small strip of ground as an access road and extension of the cemetery into the Farnsworth property. None of the Farnsworth family is buried here, and before 1902 they had moved out of the county. The Cooks retained ownership of their farm property into the 1930’s.
Eventually the Cook and Farnsworth families deeded the cemetery area to the Hesston Evangelical United Brethren Church, where they were members. This is now the Hesston United Methodist Church. However, as a rural pioneer cemetery, there was little interest in keeping it active, and the cemetery has long been uncared for. Many of the headstones are broken and damaged, although many are still legible.
This cemetery has been variously called the Cook Cemetery, Farnsworth Cemetery, Garden Valley, Garden Township, and Garden Methodist Episcopal Cemetery.
Trustees: Hesston United Methodist Church Board
First Known Burial: April 16, 1870
Number of Burials: 39
Number of Veterans: 2
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Fairview Quaker Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Fairview Quaker Cemetery
Location:
Halstead Township – Northwest 1/4 of Section 14
Latitude: 38.05745* N Longitude: -97.51841* W
Halstead Road (CR-801) north from Highway 50 for two miles to the intersection with NW 12th Street (CR-568). The cemetery is on the east side of Halstead Road, or the southeast corner of the intersection. Parking is available south of the cemetery.
History: The Orthodox group of the Society of Friends (Quakers) held worship services in homes as their members migrated from the eastern States. Eventually the Fairview Meeting House was built and their cemetery laid out at this place. Non-members could be buried in the cemetery, as long as they agreed to follow the Quaker burial customs and place only a simple headstone, or none at all. The Fairview Quaker school was established across the road to the west. The Hillside Farm Post office was located 1/2 mile west on NW 12th. Eventually the membership dwindled and the Meeting was “Laid Down” (voluntarily unorganized) and the membership transfered to the oversight of the Sterling, Kansas Monthly Meeting. The cemetery property was transfered to Halstead Township.
First Burial: July 2, 1872
Number of Burials: 116
Number of Veteran Burials: 4
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Gardenview Mennonite Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Gardenview Mennonite Church Cemetery
Location: 11626 NW 36th St
Garden Township – S 1/2 of Section 35 Township 22 South Range 02W
Latitude: 38.05521* N Longitude: -97.31693* W
Six miles north of Halstead on N. Halstead Road (CR-801), turn east on NW 36th (CR-564) for 1/2 mile. Cemetery is on the east side of the Church.
History: The Gardenview Church of God in Christ, Mennonite has built a Church, Christian School, and cemetery on its property. The cemetery is for members of the Church only.
First Burial: November 25, 1976
Number of Burials: 17
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Grace Hill / Old Gnadenberg Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Old Gnadenberg/Grace Hill Mennonite Cemetery
Location:
Pleasant Township – S 1/2 Section 35 Township 23 South Range 02E
Latitude: 38.012936* N Longitude: -97.185987* W
Seven miles east of Newton on First Street (CR-572), south on Grace Hill Road 2 miles, then east on SE 24th (CR-574)for 1/4 mile. The cemetery is on the south side of the road about 1/8 mile from the road, surrounded by trees.
History: The Michalin Mennonite settlement in Polish Russia immigrated to the U.S. between 1874 and 1878. Many of these settled in the area of Pleasant Township. Their first cemetery was established on the Harms property at this location. Originally called Gnadenberg Cemetery and Gnadenberg Mennonite Cemetery, in 1953 the English (rather than German) Grace Hill was officially used as the name of the Church and the Cemeteries. The old Gnadenberg / Grace Hill cemetery is not active but is still cared for by members of the Church. Of the 59 known burials in the Old cemetery, only 17 headstone markers remain. The majority of burials are members of the Harms family, and in some obituaries the cemetery is referred to as the Harms Cemetery. Among the immigrant pioneers buried here are 3 young siblings who died together while playing in a trunk which became locked (July 1, 1878).
When visiting the cemetery, be respectful of the farmer’s property when crossing the field to reach the cemetery.
Trustees: Grace Hill Mennonite Church Board of Trustees
First Burial: December 12, 1874
Number of Burials: 59
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Greenwood Abbey
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: X
Location: 1101 East 1st Street
Latitude: 38.04591* N Longitude: -97.32518* W
Newton, Kansas: East 1st Street to the west side of the I-135 interchange. The cemetery is on the north side of the street.
History:
Trustees: City of Newton, Kansas
First Known Burial:
Number of Burials:
Number of Veterans: x
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Halstead Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Halstead Cemetery
Halstead City Office Burial Index
Location: East side of Hertzler Road at Highway 50
Halstead Township – NW 1/4 Section 25 Township 23 South Range 02W
Latitude: 38.02595* N Longitude: -97.49908* W
Highway 50 toward Halstead, turn south on Hertzler Road (CR-803). The Halstead Cemetery is on the east side, and the Halstead Mausoleum is on the west side, of Hertzler Road.
History: The City of Halstead established this cemetery after its incorporation.
Trustees: City of Halstead
First Known Burial:
Number of Burials:
Number of Veterans:
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Hebron Mennonite Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Hebron Cemetery
Location:
Alta Township – NE 1/4 of Section 18 Township 22 South Range 03W
14 miles west of Hesston on Dutch Avenue (CR-556), just west of the intersection with Wheat State Road, on the South side of the highway. Cemetery is surrounded by evergreen trees a distance from the highway.
History: The Hebron Mennonite Church building originally stood on the property closest to the highway. The Church cemetery was established behind it. Later the Church moved into the city of Buhler, but retains ownership of the rural property. The cemetery remains active and is extremely well taken care of and maintained. Several headstones are inscribed in German.
First Burial: October 4, 1874
Number of Burials: 344
Number of Veteran Burials: 4
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Highland Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Highland Cemetery
Location:
Highland Township – NW 1/4 of Section 17 Township 22 South Range 01E
Latitude: 38.144054* N Longitude -97.353132* W
East of Hesston on Dutch Avenue (CR-556) to the Trinity United Church of Christ located at 8379 N. Anderson Road (corner of W. Dutch Avenue and Anderson). Cemetery is east of the Church parking lot on the south side of the highway. From North Newton, 6 miles north on Highway K-15, then 1/2 mile west on Dutch Avenue, cemetery on the south side of the highway.
History: The German Evangelical Association of Highland Township established the Church and the cemetery at this location. It was named Highland Cemetery in honor of the township in which it was located, being the only cemetery in Highland township. The Church building was eventually built, and the Church later became Trinity UCC. Although the Church still owns and maintains the cemetery, the cemetery retains the name Highland. In some obituaries, however, it is referred to as the Highland Evangelical Cemetery or the Trinity Church Cemetery. There is a burial locator board on site. The cemetery is very well maintained.
Trustees: Trinity United Church of Christ Board of Trustees
First Burial: September 1886
Number of Burials: 237
Number of Veteran Burials: 13
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Hunt-Shive Family Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Hunt-Shive Family Cemetery
Location: 8401 S Burmac Road – Patterson, Kansas
Lake Township – NW 1/4 Section 18 Township 24 South Range 03W
Latitude: 37.941285* N Longitude: -97.665681* W
From Burrton, five miles south of Highway 50 on McPherson Avenue (Burmac Road) (CR-785) to the intersection of SW 84th (CR-584). The cemetery is on the southeast corner of the intersection. Main gate is off of Burmac Road, with parking off of SW 84th.
History: Dr. Thomas Hunt donated the land for this cemetery. Everyone in the cemetery is related to the Hunt family one way or another. A complete history of the cemetery was written by Evelyn Jones and is online here: (coming soon).
Trustees: Hunt Family
First Known Burial: March 15, 1879
Number of Burials: 51
Number of Veterans: 2
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Lohrentz Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Lohrentz Cemetery
Location: 8705 N. River Park Road (CR-793)
Garden Township – NW 1/4 of South 1/2 of Section 7
Latitude: 38.148661* N Longitude:-97.588879* W
8 miles west of Hesston on Dutch Avenue (CR-556). Turn north on River Park Road (CR-793) for 1/2 mile. There is a private home on the west side of River Park Road and a small turn-off on the east side. The west end of the cemetery is 1/8 mile through the field to the east of that point, in a small area of trees. There is no access to the cemetery as the current farmers have plowed away the driveway. The cemetery is mostly fenced, with the actual entrance to the cemetery on the east side of it.
History: The descendents of the Lohrentz / Lorentz family established this cemetery in 1874 on their property.
Trustees:
First Known Burial: 1874
Number of Burials: 38
Number of Veterans: 0
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Popkins Old Halstead Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Popkins Old Halstead Cemetery
Location: SW 36th Street Road
Halstead Township – SW 1/4 of Section 34 Township 23 South Range 02W
Latitude: 38.00847* N Longitude: -97.32787* W
From Halstead Road on the west side of Halstead, turn west on SW 36th (CR-576). Follow SW 36th for 1/2 mile. Cemetery is on the south side of the road and is unmarked.
History: James Albert Popkins was born in 1818 in Wales, England. He lived for many years with his wife & children in Michigan, before coming to Kansas. He settled in the Spring of 1872 before the city of Halstead was established. Mr. Popkins gave the Northeast corner of his property as a burial site for rural pioneers. He, his wife, and his grandson are buried here, while his adult children are buried in Halstead city cemetery. Not all burials are marked and some headstones are broken and unreadable. No burial records exist.
Trustees: Halstead Township Board
First Known Burial: October 9, 1874
Number of Known Burials: 13
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Royer Church Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here:
Royer Community Church (German Baptist Brethren) Cemetery
Location:
38.014* N 97.407* W
Macon Township – SW 1/4 of Section 26 Twp 23S Range 1W
Two miles south of Highway 50 on Hoover Road (CR-813), turn east on Southwest 24th (CR-574). The cemetery is on the north side of the road, about 1/4 mile east of the intersection. The cemetery is not well maintained and graves are usually buried in prairie grass.
History: In 1886, the Reuben B. Royer family settled in Macon Township. When the Peabody Church agreed to start a mission Church in Newton, Deacon Reuben Royer donated part of his land, the southwest corner of Section 26, for a Church and Cemetery. The Newton German Baptist Brethren Church, a small white frame building, was soon established and the cemetery laid out. When the Church started the Newton Church of the Brethren in town, the rural Church was reorganized as the Royer Community Church in 1918, but retained its affiliation with the German Baptist Brethren association.
The Church closed its doors in 1934, and the Church building was torn down about 1940. The cemetery remains on the west side of the property. While most burials are of Brethren Church members, the cemetery was open to anyone.
First Known Burial: 1875
Number of Burials: 24
Number of Veterans:
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: St.Mary’s Catholic Cemetery
Location: East 1st Street
Newton Township – NW 1/4 of Section 21 Township 23 South Range 01E
Latitude: 38.04183* N Longitude: -97.32852* W
Newton, KS: East 1st Street just of the I-135 interchange, on the South side of the street.
History: Set aside to be used as a Catholic Cemetery as early as 1875, Father Felix Swembergh purchased the land for the Catholic cemetery in 1881. It is been owned and maintained by St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Trustees: Wichita Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church
First Known Burial: March 24, 1877
Number of Burials: 2128
Number of Veterans: 242
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Star Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos – Online Here: Star Cemetery
Location: 9600 S Wheat State Road
Lake Township – NW 1/4 of Section 32 Township 24 South Range 03W
Latitude: 38.058185* N Longitude: -97.162607* W
From Highway 50 in Burrton, take Burmac Road (CR-785) south for 6 miles. Turn west on SW 96th (CR-586) for one mile to Wheat State Road. The cemetery is on the southeast corner of the intersection.
History: The Star School and the Church which met there was a focal point for Lake Township pioneers. The adjacent cemetery was donated by Amos McMurry. The cemetery remains active.
Trustees: Lake Township Cemetery Board
First Known Burial: August 1, 1873
Number of Burials: 222
Number of Veterans: 15
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Walton Old Cemetery
Burial Index & Headstone Photos: Original Walton Cemetery
Location: 6510 N. Woodlawn Road (CR-829)
Walton Township – SW 1/4 of Section 19 Township 22 South Range 02E
Latitude: 38.123821* N Longitude -97.264243* W
History: The original cemetery was owned by, and next to, a Church west of town. After a significant dispute between the town leaders and the Church board over the management of the cemetery, the new Walton Cemetery was started further north. Many of the burials in the old cemetery were moved to the new one, but a few remain. Over the years, the remaining stones have been damaged and destroyed. The Walton Grade School did a research project on the original burials of the old cemetery, which showed 38 burials that were moved to the new Walton Cemetery.
Trustees: Walton Township Board of Trustees
First Burial: Miranda E. Deffenbaugh – March 17, 1873 (later moved)
Last Burial: Alla Putman – August 12, 1887 (later moved)
Number of Original Burials:
Number of Current Burials:
(c) Harvey County Genealogical Society
Links To Other Cemetery & Cemetery Index Information
Note: All Headstones & Information Should Already Be Located on The HCGS Cemetery Page or in the HCGS Memorial Database. The following websites may provide additional information for your research.
BillionGraves Harvey County
Find-A-Grave Harvey County
Interment.net
Halstead – Cemetery & Mausoleum Burial Index (City of Halstead)
Newton – Greenwood Cemetery & Restlawn Cemetery Database (City of Newton)
Sedgwick – Hillside Cemetery Records (City of Sedgwick)
