RIVERVIEW CEMETERY

I don't know about you, but I like to visit cemeteries.  When I was a young girl, my house was right across the railroad tracks from Riverview Cemetery.  My mom and I would go for walks in the cemetery, often pausing to look at one stone or another that caught our eyes.  Sometimes we would do pencil etchings of an interesting tombstone.  I still find it a fascinating place.

HISTORY OF RIVERVIEW CEMETERY

Did you know that Riverview is the oldest cemetery in the county?  The History of Kossuth County published in 1913 by Benjamin Reed states: 

Michael Fisher gravestone

“The first burial on land which later became a part of a cemetery was that of Michael Fisher, brother of Mrs. John Heckart, who was laid to rest in what is now Riverview cemetery, Algona, in March 1857.  Those who dug the grave did so keeping an eye on the timber close by for fear the Indians might be watching to scalp them, as this was soon after the Spirit Lake massacre.”

I have been unable to confirm when the name “Riverview” was actually chosen, but I do know that by 1861 the Algona Cemetery Association had been formed.  Any person who owned a lot in the cemetery could become a member.  The association held annual meetings, elected officers and transacted all business relating to the cemetery. 

At the time Riverview Cemetery was platted, it was quite the fashion to design a cemetery to look more like a park, with areas for picnics and quiet contemplation.  Some lots were laid out in circles and others in neat rows.  There was an area provided as a Potter’s Field. 

In this particular case, the cemetery was a community project right from the beginning.  Lumber for fencing was donated by area residents.  It appears that the city did not provide upkeep.  Owners or their family members were expected to cut the grass and care for their lots.  Several times a year a “clean up” day was scheduled where lot owners and volunteers made necessary repairs and beautified the grounds.

The association dealt with many problems, not the least of which was non-payment for lots.  In 1869 two motions passed at the annual meeting.  The first was that the Secretary be instructed not to permit a lot in the Cemetery to be occupied in any case until paid for.  The second stated, “That those having friends buried on lots not paid for, be notified that unless payment be made, the bodies will be moved to the free ground, and the lots sold to other parties.”  It is unknown as to whether or not the association ever carried out its threat.  The problem continued to plague the association for many years.

ESTABLISHING A SOLDIERS’ PLOT

By 1885, the veterans of the Civil War were beginning to pass away in larger numbers each year.  Many veterans had already purchased lots in the cemetery, but the local James R. Taylor post of the G.A.R., felt that there should be an area of the cemetery dedicated as a soldiers’

burying ground.  These lots would be provided to any veteran free of charge.  On Sunday morning, May 31, 1885, a delegation from the G.A.R. post consisting of Dr. H. C. McCoy, J. M. Comstock, A. A. Brunson, John Wallace and S. I. Plumley, accompanied by President Pettibone of the Algona Cemetery Association, went to the cemetery and chose Block 39 as the military section.  This area is directly to your left as you enter the main gate of the cemetery today.  Two veterans formerly buried in the area known as Potter’s Field, Fred Shields and O. A. Atwood, were moved there to lie in honor next to their fellow soldiers.  Today veterans from every war and conflict since that date rest beneath the flag located in the center of the block.

DECORATION DAY CELEBRATIONS

The cemetery hosted a large celebration for Decoration Day which was celebrated then on May 30^th each year.  The program for Memorial Day exercises in 1889 is a fine example.  At the request of the James C. Taylor post, the mayor issued a request that all businesses be suspended during the hours of 12 o’clock noon and 4 p.m. to allow all citizens the opportunity to participate in the observance.

Colonel Robert Spencer acted as marshal of the parade.  The members of the G.A.R. post gathered at the Army hall (the building now known as the Kossuth County Historical Museum) and marched to the Congregational Church led by the Algona Cornet Band.  Following an opening program of music, prayer and an address by Col. Chas. A. Clarke, the parade formed on Moore Street.  Led by Colonel Spencer in full dress uniform atop his beloved white horse, the formation of the column was as follows:  Cornet band; Junior Sons of Veterans; girls representing the 42 states of the union; girls carrying flowers to decorate the graves escorted by a detail of four members of the Post for each squad.  Then came the members of the James C. Taylor post, the West Bend post, the Charles Gray camp Sons of Veterans, the Civic Societies and finally the local citizens.  The parade would turn on to State Street from Moore and then proceed to the cemetery.

Once all participants in the parade had reached their destination, the program would begin.  The first order of business was the reading of the Roll of Honor, listing all of the veterans who had passed during the previous year.  This was followed by the decoration of graves.  Music was played as the decorating was performed. 

Flowers for decorating the graves had been gathered the day before.  Area gardens were cleaned out and children were encouraged to secure all of the wild flowers they could find by that afternoon.  Bouquets were constructed at the Congregational Church the morning of the parade.  Can’t you just picture the lovely little girls as they scampered throughout the grounds placing flowers to honor the fallen heroes?  By the end of the day, there was no site more beautiful anywhere.

A formation of the hollow square at the soldiers’ burying ground was next, followed by exercises by the 42 girls representing the states and the District of Columbia.  A salute by the firing guard and closing ceremonies by the post finalized the program. 

A CHAPEL AND RECEIVING VAULT

By 1896 the association was considering the construction of a receiving vault as well as a chapel.  Although the receiving vault would not be built for many years, the chapel became a reality in 1897.  It contained stained glass gothic windows, was built to seat 200 people, and housed a grand piano lent by Mrs. S. C. Spear.  At the time of its construction, there were no undertaking parlors in the city and most funerals were conducted from the homes of the decedents.  That was not always practical and so the non-denominational chapel was built to provide an alternative for grieving families.  It stood proudly on the grassy area just west of the soldiers’ plot until 1928 when its use had diminished. It was torn down by John Byson who used the lumber for other building projects.

The same year that the chapel was razed, a receiving vault was constructed just east of the main gate.  This was to be used as temporary storage of caskets during winter months when graves could not be dug.  It had a flat concrete top in which there was an opening to receive caskets, which would be lowered through the top to the floor.  The center of the room below contained an alley 12 feet wide running the length of the vault.  Along each side of the alley were storage areas for up to 30 caskets.  The vault had a side entrance on the east for funeral directors and pallbearers to enter to place the casket in its designated niche.  I clearly remember this vault, although at the time of my memory it was used exclusively as a maintenance shed for the caretaker.  It was demolished years ago.

I would encourage you to take a walk through a cemetery when you can.  It is so much more than a burial ground.  I often think of Riverview as an outdoor art gallery.   Of course the stones themselves are the shining stars, the masterpieces.  Sadly, years of freezing temps and beating sun have taken their toll on many of the stones, as have modern day lawn mowers.  There are many that are broken, are loose or have fallen over.  As each one is lost, a piece of our history vanishes.

For each grave in the cemetery, there is a unique and interesting story to be told, whether they have a fancy marker or not.  We should take care that those stories don’t vanish as well.

Please visit the Kossuth County History Buff Facebook page to see a short video of a “virtual walk” through Riverview.  This past fall I photographed some of the more eye catching stones so that I could share them with you during a cold winter day.  I hope you enjoy it.

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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