UNIONCEMETERY

UNION
CEMETERY

While not entirely within the geographical borders
of Schuylkill Haven, the Union Cemetery is
probably most often thought of as the "town
cemetery". Located off of North Garfield Avenue,
it partially lies within North Manheim Township.
The grounds of the cemetery are adjacent to the
Jerusalem Cemetery. On the northern edge lies
Mount Nebo, a section of the cemetery generally
known as the burial place of black residents of the
area. A mausoleum is also located on the grounds.

Many prominent residents of Schuylkill Haven have
found their final resting place in the Union
Cemetery. Below you will find pictures of their
headstones and a brief description of who they are.

If you have any information or history on the Union Cemetery you would like to share, please send it to:
unioncemetery@schuylkillhavenhistory.com

The headstones of Schuylkill Haven's two Civil War Medal of Honor recipients, Charles Brown on
the left and Henry Hill on the right.

The mausoleum at the top of the hill in Union Cemetery is marked
1947 but was completed in 1949.

The veteran's plot at Union Cemetery with many Civil War and
World War One veteran's graves.

Two prominent members of
the Dreibelbis family: on the
left is Martin, the recognized
founder of Schuylkill Haven
and to the right his son
Jacob who laid out the plan
for the town.

Two men who gave their lives for their country in World War One are buried at Union Cemetery.
On the left is the stone of Isaac Burkert who died in 1918. The stone is only a memorial as he is as
the stone states "At rest in France". On the right is the grave of Lieutenant Ivan L. Lautenbacher
who was killed in action in the Argonne Forest, also in 1918.

The Schuylkill Canal played a large part in the early
development of Schuylkill Haven. Lock keeper John
Boussum at left and canal boat builder Abner High above
both were involved with the canal.

Gideon Bast was an astute and wealthy businessman in Schuylkill Haven in the 1800s. His marker is
on the left and is located in the family plot with it's impressive center stone on the right.

The tombstone of Charlie Lins
is one of the more attractive
stones in the cemetery with an
angel perched atop the
monument.

George Gangloff was a judge in Schuylkill County. His tombstone is seen above left and a
campaign card is shown at right.

The Union Cemetery received it's charter from Pennsylvania on February 27, 1854. However,
headstones indicate that burials had taken place there since at least 1837. The original eight
acres of the cemetery was purchased from Gideon Bast for $800. Mr. Bast, Charles Dengler, John
Deibert, Benjamin Delong, Abraham Boyer, Isaac Kulp, Levi Schaeiff, William Fisher and Andrew
Keefer were the original directors.
In 1871, the board met with members of the local Grand Army of the Republic in regard to a plot of
donated ground for the burial of deceased soldiers. This was later expanded upon when a plot
was given to the American Legion for veteran's burials. The plot is near the mausoleum and a
marker denoting the American Legion is present.
The cemetery expanded from eight to twenty one acres. The first addition to the original plot was
purchased from the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Another portion was later purchased from the
Heinbach estate. The mausoleum, completed in 1949, is perched near the top of the hill in the
cemetery.
The cemetery is reminiscent of it's Victorian era roots with tree lined lanes, large family plots and
steps and walls within it's confines. The large variety of tombstones and the presence of graves
of many of Schuylkill Haven's well known citizens makes it well worth a stroll on a pleasant
afternoon.

LAST UPDATED: APRIL 29

Louisa Heston Paxson, daughter of
Revolutionary Soldier, Colonel
Edward Heston was a charter
member of the DAR.

Henry Stager was very involved in
the Patriotic Order of Sons of
America as can be observed by
reading his impressive stone.

The stone of George Keller, well
known local Boy Scout leader is
adorned with the group's symbol.

This unusual stone marks the
graves of Geiger family
members. Zoom in to see the
detailed stonework.

The impressive monument of Civil
War Major S. A. Losch dominates
those surrounding it.

Perhaps the heaviest stone in the
cemetery, this monument to the
Wiederhold/Hornickel families is adorned
with a detailed anchor and cross.

James G. Anderson is generally acknowledged
as the only soldier from Schuylkill Haven that
was killed in action during the Vietnam War.

Two of the men from Schuylkill Haven who gave their lives during
World War Two are buried here. On the left is the stone of Russell
Mengle and above is the stone of Sterling Knarr, his name
inscribed on his parents stone. The stone notes that he is buried
in Belgium. The grave of his father has a World War One service
medal and the grave of his mother has a Gold Star Mother Medal.

The Union Cemetery contains other stones
whose attraction lies in their unique design
or their ornateness as seen below.

This beautifully cut stone with
an open Bible on top for Mary
Guldin was placed by an
obviously loving husband a
century and a half ago.

The grave stone of Ray Bressler,
member of the famed 103 RD Engineers
unit of World War One, is shaped like a
book standing on end.

Another large monument in the
cemetery marks the graves of
William and Isabella Rudy

Captain James Helms was another Civil
War veteran active in the Patriotic
Order of Sons of America and also the
GAR. See the Civil War page for more
information on his life.

On the left is the stone of Lieutenant S. B. Laubenstein, who died
during the Civil War, but is not listed on the monument in town. He
was born near Friedensburg, but later lived in Schuylkill Haven.
His story is on the Civil War page of this site. Note the detailed
sword carved into the upper segment. Above are the intricate
stone crosses of Phillip and Alice Drumheller.

Many early businessmen and
entrepreneurs are buried at the
Union Cemetery. Below are two with
more to be added in the near future.

On the left is the marker of Hugh N. Coxe, prominent area druggist who manufactured Wild Cherry
and Seneca Tonic and Santorine Worm Syrup. On the right is town pharmacist Charles Commings
and his wife. Both were well known in the immediate area for their concoctions.

Pottsville Republican of October 22, 1921

POS of A UNVEILS MONUMENT TO H. J. STAGER AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

Prominent officers of the National and State Camps of the P.O.S. of A. from every section of the
state, gathered at Schuylkill Haven this afternoon at two o’clock, for the purpose of paying tribute
to the memory of Henry J. Stager, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, who died in 1919 after a career
that marked him as the most prominent member and worker the order has ever had. The meeting
today was held for the purpose of not only paying tribute to the distinguished member of the
order, but for the purpose of dedicating in the Union cemetery the monument to his memory. The
stone was erected through the contributions of every camp in the state.
Mr. Stager who was born in Schuylkill Haven in 1842, and during his career of seven years was
National president, State president, National secretary, State secretary, Past Commander in Chief
of the Commandery General, and founder of the Camp Sews, the official organ of the order.
The monument, a huge block of uncut stone on a double base of hewn marble, contains a
facsimile of the Camp News engraved on the front, with the dates of birth and death engraved on
the pages. The record of Mr. Stager is recorded on the base slab.
Among the notables who attended the ceremony were: National president Gabriel H. Moyer of
Lebanon, who delivered the dedicatory address; state president O. B. Wetherhold of Reading,
chairman of the meeting; National secretary Herman G. Miller, of Easton; National treasurer J.W.
Reese, of St. Clair; State vice president, A.D. Boyer, Pottsville; State master of forms, James Pyle,
Lancaster; State Treasurer, I.S. Smith, Reading; State secretary C.B. Helms, Philadelphia; State
guard, Philip Weist, Shamokin, State inspector, Clarence Silknitter, Huntingdon, Rev. T.J. Hacker,
of Reading, state chaplain, officiated. The monument was unveiled by Miss Alice C. Stager,
Pottsville, granddaughter of Mr. Stager.
Mr. Stager in addition to his other activities, was also a member of the Valley Forge Memorial
Commissions. The dedication was attended by probably the most representative gathering ever
held by the P.O.S. of A. in the state. Seldom has there been a gathering where both the National
and State Camps were so fully represented.
The ceremonies were held in the Union cemetery following a parade which was formed at the
Hotel Grand in charge of a committee consisting of Willis Kauterman, E.J. Scherer, H.A. Reber,
George Keller, Llewellyn Fisher and Warren Lesser from Camp 47 of Sch. Haven under the
chairmanship of Foster C. Fahl. Following the dedication the State and National officers planned
to stay in Pottsville overnight, in order to attend the county rally to be held in the armory this
evening.

This article notes the dedication of the
Stager monument, shown above left, in 1921

Pictures of the cemetery gate on Garfield Avenue
and Civil war veterans on Memorial Day just added.
New articles of interest and images of more
tombstones have also been added.

Two other interesting
tombstones are present at the
cemetery. At left is the marker
for Augusta Seitz. Note the
interesting marking on the
huge cross. At right, a Levan
family obelisk contains intricate
stone carving.

This large plot marker is for the Coldren family, owner of the mill in town, and the
Kerkeslager family, one member who owned a brewery at the corner of Saint
John and Union Streets.

Here are three more obelisk style tombstones that grace the grounds of the cemetery. At left
is a stone for the Fesler family. It has a very unusual top on it, almost like a roof. The center
stone of the Maberry family has an ornate carving on the column. The stone on the right is
for the Loose family and although rather plain, it towers over most in this section.

This Reed family stone is
low to the ground but
unusual with its scroll
laying over a tree stump.

Elias Ziegenfus was one of
the early undertakers, now
known as funeral
directors, to do business
in town.

The stone of Adam Burket
lies in the family plot. He
was killed in the storage
yards. His tale is on the
Transportation page of this
site.

The Call of November 18, 1893

The authorities of the Union Cemetery have cleared the trees that had remained on a portion of it
and laid it out in lots. They are making a road to the left as you enter the cemetery to reach this
portion. They desire to enlarge the cemetery and have sought to purchase some of the land
adjoining it for that purpose but thus far they have been unable to come to satisfactory terms with
the owners who desire very exorbitant prices for their land. They have received a very
reasonable offer of a piece of land very suitable for a cemetery elsewhere and they have the
offer in contemplation and may purchase the land and covert it into a cemetery. 3/17

The Call of December 30, 1893

We publish in another
column the financial
statement of the Schuylkill
Haven Union Cemetery. The
company consists of Messrs.
Robert Sterner, Jacob S.
Kline, C. V. B. Deibert, P. C.
Detweiler, M. F. Pflueger,
Cyrus Witman, Elijah Emerich,
William F. Stitzer, Mahlon M.
Saylor and Henry Fisher, with
Robert Sterner, President, P.
C. Detweiler, Secretary and
Elijah Emerich, Treasurer.
The report shows the
company to be in very good
financial condition which is
brought about by the
successful management of
the affairs of the company by
its efficient corps of officers
and managers. They
expended a considerable
sum of money during the
year. With this money they
greatly improved the
condition of the cemetery
and have made it a very
desirable burial ground.

The article below and the balance sheet
at right appeared in the Call newspaper at
the end of 1893.

The Call of November 17, 1916

GHOST ON UNION CEMETERY

Taking advantage of the fine weather on Sunday evening last, about 8:30 o’clock, a half dozen or
more people ventured to the Union Cemetery and climbed to the top of the team road. No sooner
had they reached the top when they discovered what they thought was a ghost, a black ghost,
with four legs, hopping from one tombstone to another and appearing first here and then some
distance away. Just how these people managed to get to the bottom of the hill and then down
Garfield Avenue to Centre Avenue they refuse to explain. One female of the party lost her hair,
another her hat while several of the male members lost their breath and their religion. They
never returned to investigate just what kind of a ghost it really was. Monday morning about nine
o’clock the entire ghost story was cleared up. It appears that Sunday evening merchant John
Freeman was leading his horse to water. The horse broke away and took to the hills. Efforts
were made to locate the horse but were unsuccessful. Finally the search was given up until
Monday morning when several children on their way to school stopped in the store and told John
his horse was running loose in the cemetery. It was easily captured. Now John just can’t quite
figure out why the horse went to the cemetery. The animal is only six years of age, entirely too
young to think of dying and besides it has not been suffering with any disease that would cause it
to think of an early grave. 4/16

A ghost story explained...

This picture shows the gate at the Garfield Avenue entrance to the cemetery.
It is the Clarence and Rosanna Snyder family who lived across the street.
PICTURE COURTESY OF SUSAN DEIBLER

This self explanatory picture is shown courtesy of Susan Deibler.