WPA Record of Union Chapel Cemetery

A Transcription of the WPA Record in Macoupin County Archives, Carlinville, Illinois
Indexed about 1939-1940

North Otter Township
Macoupin County, Illinois
SE ¼ NE ¼ Section 34 T12N R7W

The Macoupin County Archives has in its files, indexes/listings of many veterans buried in numerous Macoupin County cemeteries.  WPA workers compiled the indexes during the Depression Era.  The Union Chapel Cemetery listing is found in Box 2 at the Macoupin County Archives.

The following list of veterans is made up of just one source, which is the original work sheets that the WPA workers filed.  The instructions stated to check these sources:  burial plot, cemetery record, death certificate or burial permit, patriotic organization (name), official U. S. Records or other.  This information will give you an idea of where to begin.  The history and deed information has been edited, but I tried to keep spellings and grammar as it was originally written, although some parts are confusing and some difficult to read.  There are also a few  discrepancies in different sources.

UNION CHAPEL CEMETERY
34-12-7

Go east on Emerson Air Line new road From Palmyra Ill about 8 mi. turn north on Gravel road go 1 ½ mi to cross roads  Then a short jog East to Cemetery. 

Trustees are E.(?)  A. Coe, M. M. Sanders Sec. & Tres W. H. Bristow, Orval Waldon, Cephas Hays Wm Coverdill and Roy England.

Name of Cemetery:  Union Chapel Location:  SE ¼ of the NW ¼ of Sec. # 34 – T 12 N. North Otter R 7 W
Oldest Grave:  Betcy D. dau. Of Wm. Hays  died 1-21-1830
Number of lots:  217
Number of graves:  568
Number of graves to be filled:  10
Number of graves to be leveled:  25
Number of Veterans graves that need stones:  1
Number of stones in cemetery that need resetting:  53
Number of stones that need recutting:  12
Rods of fence around cemetery:  120
Condition of fence:  Fair
Rods of fence to be repaired:  none
Rods of fence to be replaced:  none
Number of people interviewed:  6
Inquire to find if any veterans grave in cemetery has no marker. Miscellaneous Notes

Richards, George P. to Harry P. McGinnis 1925 – Book 337 P 456 Pt Lot 83 New Add to Union Chapel Cemetery.

On a receipt with the name of D. A. Woolley Hardware, Furniture, Stoves, Etc.  Phone No. 43, Girard, Ill. stamped on it is found:
Union Chapel Cem. 
Either - or
George Richards
John Trojack
Deeded the Land for a Cem.
New Addition Added on Cem. about 1900.
North Otter  Sec. 34-12-7

Separate Note

Courtney

Lenard Wonaroski Bought 100 acres more or less exception for 1 acre or less NE ¼ of sec 35
Bought from 1928 or 1930

Union Chapel Cemetery
1901

 This page contains a legal description of land sold for the Union Chapel Cemetery.  It has been edited.

The Grantors Henry S. Huber and Cora E. Huber his wife of the Township of Nilwood  convey to Marshall M. Jenkins of the Township of South Otter the following described

Real Estate to wit: 

The E ½  of the NW ¼ of Section #34, Except 2 acres out of the center at North end for church and cemetery purposes.  And also except 32 lots 20 feet square in Hubers

Addition to said cemetery all in Township # 12 North range # 7, containing in all about 77 acres more or less. 
                    Dated 14 day of September AD 1901
                    Henry S. Huber
                    Cora E. Huber
    Filed for record the 6th day of June, 1902
    Deed Record GI Page 548

Union Chapel Cemetery
Letter to Louis L. Emerson, Sec. of  State
(Edited)
1903

We the undersigned:  S. O. Smith, R. E. Alford, & Wm. Coverdell Jr., A. Harlan, M. M. Sanders & J. P. Collins, Hereby present this our petition setting forth our desire to organize a Cemetery Association.

    Approved May 14, 1903 said cemetery located in Mac. Co. & to be known by the name & style of Union Chapel Cemetery Association.  The Post office address of the business office is at Girard in County of Mac. State of  Ill.

    Filed May 8, 1920. 
    Filed for record the 28th day of July, 1933.
    Book 369  Page 150

Union Chapel
34-12-7  North Otter

The Grantor, Eliza A. Jenkins a widow of the city of Jacksonville in Morgan Co. for $350 warrant to H. L. Wright, William Coverdill, T. F. Bond, Edward Hays, & Alex Harlan, Trustees of Union Chapel Cemetery Association & their successors in office, of the town of North Otter.

35 ½ Lots in Union Chapel Cemetery, Numbered as follows that is to say lot number (7), (15), (16), 24, 32,  40, 47, 48, 55, 56, 63, 68, 72, 78, 79, 80, 82, 88, 89, 90, 91, 97, 98, 99, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, also the E ½ of 27 & the west ½ of 61 & W ½ of 96.   
Dated 6th day of Oct. 1920.
Filed for record the 3rd of May 1926
Book 340 Page 197

Veterans Buried at Union Chapel Cemetery
North Otter Township

Name:  Wm F. Bivens
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot 17, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker:  Wm F. Bivens, ( Gov. stone) Co. A 32nd Ill. Inf; Pvt Stone Wm Bivens
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave 2, Lot No. 17, Block No. 1;  Date of Burial: 7/7/1918
Death Certificate Data:  Born  -  Oct 18, 1839 in Illinois: Died -  7/5/1918;
 Cause of Death – Cerebral Hemorrhage
Service Record:  Branch of Service – Ill. Inf; Rank Pvt.; Co. A 32nd Ill. Inf. Civil War
Inspection of Burial plot:  Good

Name:  William Cook
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 93, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker:  Govt. Mkr. Wm. Cook, Co. B. 11 Ill. 2nd. Pvt. Mkr. William Cook 3/20/1846; 1/14/1911
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot. No. 93, Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data:  Born -  3/20/1846;  Died - 1/14/1911
Service Record:  Bureau of Service:  11 Ill Inf; Rank Pvt; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  John Davidson
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 86, Block 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Gov. Stone) John Davidson, Tenn. Mil., War of 1812;
(Pvt. Stone) John Davidson, Born April 3, 1779 – Died April 25, 1875; 96 yrs. & 22 das.
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot. No. 86, Block No. 2
Death Certificate Data:  Died:  4/25/1875
Service Record:  Bureau of Service – War of 1812; Rank – Pvt.; Capt. Olivers Co. Tenn Mil (B.H. War)
Inspection of Burial Plot:  Good

Name:  John England
Field Check:  Grave No. 4, Lot No. 92, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Gov. Stone) John England, 4 Ill M. T. D. Vols.; (Pvt. Stone) – John England died Oct. 28, 1855; Age 65 yrs. & 6 mos.
Death Certificate Data:  Died – 10/22/1885
Service Record:  4 Ill. M. T. D. Vols. (B. H. War);
Sources:  Cap Nowlens Co 4 Reg 3 Brg
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  Jacob Gibson
Field Check:  Grave No. 1, Lot No. 44, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Gov Stone) 4 Ill M. T. D. Vol
Cemetery Record Check:  Grave No. 1, Lot No. 44, Block No. 2
Death Certificate Data:  Died – 2/8/1840
Service Record:  B. H. War; Rank Pvt.; Cap Nowlens Co 4 Reg 3 Brig (B. H. War)
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  James M. Hayes
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 41, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Pvt Mkr)  - Jas. M. Hayes, 11/28/1828 – died 4/2/1909
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave 2, Lot. No. 41, Block No. 1; Date of Burial – 4/2/1909
Death Certificate Data:  Born – 11/28/1829 in Illinois; Died – 4/2/1909 at North Otter;
Cause of Death- Hemipheigia
Service Record:  122 Ill Vol Inf.; Rank – Pvt.; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  Lester K. Hays
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 35, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Gov Marker) Lester K. Hays, Ill. Pvt. 159 Depot Brigade, Oct. 14, 1918
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 35,  Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data:  Died – 10/14/1918
Service Record:  Depot Brig.; Rank – Pvt.; 159 Depot Brigade
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  Jonathan L. Jennings
Field Check:  Grave No. 4, Lot No. 103, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Pvt Stone) Jonathan L., Son of J. & R. Jennings; died April 1, 1864; aged 23 yrs,  9 mo. & 7 das.
Cemetery Record Check:  Grave No. 4, Lot No. 103, Block No. 2
Inspection of burial plot:  Fair, Stone Broken

Name:  John J. Nixon
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 57, Block No. 2
Information on Marker:  (Gov Marker) J. J. Nixon, Co. C. 10th Ill Cav
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 57, Block No. 2
Service Record:  Rank – Pvt; Co. C 10th Ill Cav; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  Wm Price
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 3, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Gov Stone) Wm Price,  Co E 122 Ill Vol Inf. 
            (Pvt. Stone)  Wm Price, Dec. 23, 1822 – Oct. 7, 1903
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 3, Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data:  Born – 12/23/1822 – Died – 10/07/1903
Service Record:  Ill Vol Inf; Rank – Pvt; Co E. 122 Ill Vol Inf
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  J. M. Richards
Field Check:  Grave No. 1, Lot No. 3, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Pvt Mkr.) – J. M. Richards; 4/8/1833 – died 11/6/1904
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 1, Lot No. 3, Block No. 2; Date of Burial – 11/8/1904
Death Certificate Data:  Born – 4/8/1833 in Macoupin Co., Ill; Died – 11/6/1904 in N. Otter Twp
Cause of Death:  Pneumonia
Service Record:  122 Ill Vol Inf; Rank – Pvt.; Co. E 122 Ill Vols Inf.; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  William R. Sample
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 54, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Pvt. Stone)  William R. Sample; Oct. 6, 1835 – June 14, 1905
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 54, Block No. 1
Date of Burial:  6/15/1905
Death Certificate Data:  Born – 8/6/1836 at Macoupin Co Ill; Died 6/14/1905 at Girard, Ill
Cause of Death:  Emrphysemia (sp. ?)
Service Record:  Rank – Pvt; Co A 32nd(?) Ill Vol Inf
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  John C. Smith
Field Check:  Grave No. 3rd from N, Lot No. 95, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Pvt Stone)  John C. Smith, Died Sept 17, 1878; aged 68 yrs 11 ms & 14 das.
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 3rd from N, Lot No. 95, Block No. 2
Death Certificate Data:  Died -  9/17/1878
Service Record:  Ill Vol Inf; Rank – Pvt; Co. B. 30th Ill Vol Inf; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  John M. Swift
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 92, Block No. 1; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Pvt Mkr.)  John Swift, 5/13/1836 – 1/23/1912; Co E 122 Reg. Vol Inf
            (Govt Mkr.)  Corple John M Swift, Co E 122 Ill Inf
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 92, Block No. 1
Death Certificate Data:  Born – 5/13/1836 – Died – 1/23/1912
Service Record:  122 Ill Inf; Rank – Corpl; Co E 122 Ill Vols
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  Wm R. Wheelan
Field Check:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 41, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker: (Gov Stone)  Prin. Mus. N  Wm. R. Whellan  32,  Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 2, Lot No. 41, Block No. 2
Death Certificate Data:  Died -  5/3/1864
Service Record:  32nd Ill Vol; Rank – Fife Maj; Fife Maj 32 Ill Vol; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good           
Name:  John White
Field Check:  Grave No. 4, Lot No. 100; upright marker

Information on Marker:  (Gov Stone) John White, Co. F, 7th Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 4, Lot No. 100
Service Record:  Ill Inf; Rank – Pvt; Co. F 7th Ill Inf.; Civil War
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

Name:  Adam Young
Field Check:  Grave No. 1, Lot No. 14, Block No. 2; upright marker
Information on Marker:  (Pvt Marker) Adam Young 1813 – 1885
Cemetery Record Data:  Grave No. 1, Lot No. 14, Block No. 2
Death Certificate Data:  Born – 1813 – Died – 5/30/1885 at North Otter;
Cause of Death:   Old Age
Service Record:  Co. B. 35 Ill Inf; Civil War; Co B 35 Ill Inf
Inspection of burial plot:  Good

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