Dedication As we've been working with the cemetery data, we became very aware of the number of babies, children and young mothers buried in the cemetery. These pages are dedicated to them. David and Randy Edwards wrote this poem of dedication Within the walls of this little tomb there lies a blessed child, Robbed of life and a chance to grow and blossom yet undefiled, Loved ones grieved with agony that no one has yet endured, Yet the grieving must not be long for one thing is ensured, A child goes on to a better place above all else on earth, For God who is their creator guided this miracle from birth.
Metz School House Jasper Co. Iowa July 29th 1881 According to previous notice the people interested in the Sugar Grove Burying Ground met at this place for the purpose of organizing a Cemetery Association. Beavis Helphrey was elected chairman of the meeting and John W. Allfree, Secretary. A plan of incorporation was submitted and after being freely discussed the following Articles of Incorporation were adopted: Articles of Incorporation of the Sugar Grove Cemetery Association Article 1st This organization shall be known as the Sugar Grove Cemetery Association of Jasper County Iowa, its incorporates being L.A. Woodruff, John W. Allfree and W.H. Phillips. 2nd The object of the association is to suitably care for the Cemetery in Section Two, Township Seventy Nine Range Twenty in said county and known as the Sugar Grove Cemetery. 3rd The business of the association shall be managed by three Trustees and a Clerk, who shall hold their offices for a term of three years and until their successors are elected and ratified. 4th The Trustees shall have power to add to said grounds by purchase or otherwise, and to convey the same by deed to parties for burial purchase and also have power to make such improvements as they deem necessary, appoint a Sexton and fix his compensation and also the compensation of the Clerk. Also make any other rules necessary to carry out the objective thereof. The Trustees shall serve without pay. 5th The Clerk shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the association and Record all Deeds made by the Trustees. He shall also act as Treasurer of the association, and pay out the money on the order of the Trustees, and shall make a full report a each annual meeting. 6th The annual meeting of the association shall be held at Metz School House on the First Saturday in January at 10 O'clock a.m. for election of officers & other business. 7th All persons owning lots in said cemetery, and all persons who have members of their family buried therein, are considered members of said association and entitled to vote for the offices. 8th The present officers are as follows to wit: LA Woodruff Trustee for one year. Wm Hitchler Trustee for two years. John Miller Trustee for three years from Jan 1st 18982. John W. Allfree, Clerk. 9th In case of a vacancy by resignation or otherwise of one of the officers, it may be filled by the Trustees or the remaining Trustees until the next regular meeting of the association. LA Woodruff WH Phillips John W Allfree After the adoption of these Articles of Incorporation the meeting proceeded to the election of officers which resulted as follows: For Trustees 1 year. LA Woodruff 2 years. Wm. Hitchler 3 years. John Miller Clerk John W. Allfree Meeting heard report of committee on raising funds for & securing cemetery, and purchasing additional ground. Name Amount Name Amount Name Amount John W Allfree $5.00 James Parks $5.00 W B Bliss $2.50 L A Woodruff $5.00 C J Hickman $5.00 J E Callison $1.00 S H Spurlin $5.00 E Caldwell $5.00 J Fitzgerrald $2.50 T R Phillips $5.00 Abraham Allfree $5.00 J E Wert $2.50 T Renet $5.00 Frank Pink $5.00 W J Miller $2.50 Gardner Dodge $5.00 Wm Hitchler $5.00 S S Helphrey $1.00 L Helphrey $5.00 W H Phillips $5.00 Wm Leeper $1.00 George Selbher $5.00 E M Caldwell $5.00 Watt Ramsey $5.00 G M Baker $5.00 A K Allfree $5.00 W O Henney $2.50 C R Reed $5.00 Ellen Houck $5.00 Frank Henney $2.50 A H Westbrook $5.00 C Herbold $5.00 M B Coe $2.50 G W Miller $5.00 S M Caldwell $5.00 B Spencer $1.00 S Veach $5.00 E W Hendricks $1.00 H M Spencer $1.50 John Miller $5.00 H Aillud $2.50 Geo Dehawen $2.50 S S Sims $5.00 John Hickman $2.50 Rebecca Bodley $2.50 John Leeper $5.00 F R Phelps $5.00 E L Bodley $2.50 J L Sims $5.00 Thos Kennedy $2.50 F E Phelps $1.00 Wm M Baker $5.00 John Clement $2.50 S Carr $2.50 Agreement This agreement made this 15 day of June 1880 between the Trustees of Sherman Township Jasper Co. Iowa as Trustees of the Sugar Grove Cemetery of the first part, and the individuals signing this agreement, of the second part witnessed. Whereas the said party of the first part is in need of funds for the purpose of adding to, laying out & fencing, and otherwise imposing the Burying ground known in this agreement as the Sugar Grove Cemetery, situation on section two, township seventy nine, range twenty in Sherman Township Jasper County Iowa, and whereas the parties of the second part are willing to pay the sums set opposite their names respectfully as hereinafter shown. Now in consideration of the sums so subscribed and paid the party of the first part agrees to use said amounts in purchasing additional ground and laying the same said out in lots in regular order, and for fencing and improving said grounds. And it is further agreed that the parties of the second part subscribing and paying five dollars or 1/ or ¼ thereof, shall be permitted to select from among the unoccupied and unselected lots in said cemetery, one lot, or division of lot according to the amount so subscribed & paid, and the parties of he first part shall make little thereto according to the law regulating cemeteries. Signed this 21st day of May 1880 By HM Spencer, Trustee Sherman Township S Hickman, Trustee Sherman Township Martin Hammerly, Trustee Sherman Township By Jasper Watt, Township Clerk State of Iowa Jasper County SS On this 30th day of July AD 1881 before me a Notary Public in and for said County personally came LA Woodruff, WH Phillips and John W Allfree personally known to be the identical persons whose names are affixed to the foregoing Article of Incorporation and acknowledged the same to be then voluntary act and deed, and that the same was executed for the purposes therein mentioned. Witness my hand and Notarial Seal the day year above mentioned. J. H. Fugard, Notary Public Filed for Record July 30th 1881 and Recorded in Book 111. Page 535. T M Rodgers, Record Jasper Co. Note: the cemetery was originally in Sherman Township, but the township split and the southern half was named Mound Prairie. Return to Top
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