past Memorial Weekend Flag Raisings
Woodlawn Cemetery block locations
Oakdale Cemetery
History
The cemetery known today as Oakdale or the old Oelwein Cemetery is located in an industrial area of Oelwein on Fourth Street, S.W. Some find it difficult to understand why this cemetery was established in such an area. To understand we must remember that 122 years ago, before the founding of Oelwein, this area must have been most attractive.
A story often repeated tells that a young man passing through the area commented that the location where Oakdale is today, would make a ideal cemetery. The story goes on that on his return trip through this area he died and became the first person buried at this site. A stone with the name Israel Barleen who died April 6, 1853 at the age of 24 is believed to be this same young man. This stone stands proud today among other worn stones. The 1878 Fayette County History tells of a second burial, that of Isaac Edwards who settled in Jefferson Township in 1852, became ill during the summer of 1853 and died and was buried September 1853.
Other early settlers buried at Oakdale include Sarah Burch (1855), Eliza Combs (1855), Ellen Hanson (1966), Helen Hanson (1862), Julia Morehouse Allison (1862), Mary Hanson (1866), Elizabeth Lucas (1864), Theodore Powers (1864), John Barr (1867), Cecelia Oelwein (1866) and Marie Thorman Werner (1868).
Oakdale Cemetery
Oakdale Arial View
Oakdale Cemetery Walk
Fayette County Cemeteries
