The OES visited Mound Hill Cemetery on July 1, 2001. Located in Eaton not too far from Fort Saint Clair, this cemetery was established in the early to mid 1800s and is the largest cemetery in Preble County with over 13,000 burials. There were quite a few small mausoleums that stood above the ground, many large obelisks, tombstones shaped like trees and even a full color monument dedicated to the Civil War veterans buried within the cemetery. There was a small church-like building in the middle of the cemetery that may have been used as a funeral chapel at one time. A small Indian mound was located near the front of the cemetery. The mound was dug into in 1847 and ancient skeletons were found along with other objects. Lieutenant Lowery was re-interred into the mound to rest side-by-side with the ancient warriors. A tombstone was erected for Lowery atop the mound. Another interesting note is that during a cholera outbreak in 1849, the cemetery’s sexton couldn’t dig graves fast enough and had to employ the help of citizens. About 100 people died during the outbreak in two month’s time, almost 1/10th of Eaton’s entire population.
Thanks goes to Corrine for taking us to Mound Hill Cemetery.
Location Information: Active Cemetery
Mound Hill Cemetery is located at the intersection of Camden Road and West Main Street in Eaton; Preble County.
Photographs
Our view upon entering Mound Hill Cemetery.
A row of tall obelisks lined the border of the cemetery.
Another photo of the cemetery near its center.
This small building may have once served as a chapel for funeral services or as a vault to store bodies until they could be buried.
The cemetery's small mound could be seen at the center of this photo.
The large monument for members of the Boner family. Each person had their own smaller individual tombstones.
On top of the mound was the tombstone for Lieutenant John Lowery, who was killed on October 17, 1793. On July 4, 1822, his remains were moved to this location. A few years later the remains of Ensign Boyd,13 other non-commissioned officers and a private were relocated in the mound.
The tombstone for Frank Homan and family stood out boldly compared to the surrounding tombstones.
The tomb for Mary Donohoe.
This tree-trunk tombstone belonged to Charles Moore, who died in 1896.
The large memorial for Reverend John C. Brooke (1792-1866), his wife Eliza (1801-1863) and members of the family.
This painted memorial was dedicated to all of the veterans buried in the cemeteries throughout Preble County.
There were plenty of veterans buried within Mound Hill Cemetery itself.
This very large monument was dedicated to John Railsback and family. Many of them died around the 1840s.
This tall obelisk marked the Hemp family plot. Burials included Hezikiah, William, Cordelia, Calvin and Mattie Hemp.
The tombstone for Lovey McCabe and her sons Lemuel and James Long. Lovey was married to Armwell Long in 1824 and to her second husband Warren McCabe in 1847.
Newer burials came together with older burials in this section of the cemetery.
