5 Miles East of Carlinville

Name of Cemetery Rural
Location 5 Mi East 3/4 of Carlinville
Oldest Grave Emily P. Meldrum Sept. 4, 1840
Number of graves 450
Number of graves to be fined 250
Number of graves to be leveled 150
Number of Veterans graves that need stones 1 - Grundy McClure
Number of stones in cemetery that need resetting 114
Number of stones that need recutting 140
Rods of fence around cemetery S W North
Condition of fence None
Rods of fence to be replaced - all on South West and North
Inquire to find if any veterans grave is in cemetery has no marker. Grundy McClure

Steps to be fixed on church
1 acre brush to be removed
Fence rows on South - west - and North to be cleared out
300 ft of Ditch to be cleaned and straightened
Out door oven repaint
Making and setting of Corner stones for all lots
Making Driveway 30 ft wide - 80 ft long
Walk way 30 ft long - 10 ft wide
Lg trees trimed
Repair chimney on church
Tuck painting Foundation of church

The Rural Cemetery and Church are located about 5 miles East of Carlinville and 3/4 mile north on an improved road. This cemetery had its origin about 1840 as that is the earliest date that can be located on the markers. It was not deeded until 25 years later when the people of that vicinity decided to build a church and layout a cemetery.

In 1866, a deed was made to the trustees of the Rural Church conveying the title to the land for the church and cemetery. This deed reads as follows: THIS INDENTURE: Made this 31st day of January 1866, between Thomas C. Lofton and Julia Lofton, his wife, of the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois of the first part and the trustees of the Rural Methodist Episcopal Church of the County and state aforesaid of the second part.
WITNESSETH: that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of $50.00 to them paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, released and conveyed and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, release and convey to the said party of the second part and their successors forever, all that certain piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois and known, designated and described as follows, to-wit: (Here starts a long legal description of land that I am not copying. If you need this, contact the Macoupin Co. Archives in Carlinville.) This deed is dated January 31, 1866 and was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on February 10, 1882in Book BX, Page 231.)

In June, 1867 the first Rural Methodist Episcopal Church was completed and furnished. The Rural Cemetery was layed out in the rear of the church yard.

In 1881, a cyclone struck the vicinity of Shaws Point and completely demolished the church. A new church was built shortly afterwards and is also called the Rural Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1886, the trustees of the Rural Church sold two acres of the five acres of land which they purchased in 1866 because it was more land than they needed. The deed for this transaction reads as follows: THE GRANTORS: Benson Boring, Benjamin H. Penn, John Lewis, Wesley Atchinson and John J. Womack, trustees of the Rural Methodist Episcopal Church of the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois for and in consideration of the sum of $100.00 in hand paid, do hereby grant, bargain and sell and CONVEY and WARRANT to James Cannon, party of the second part of the County of Macoupin and State of Illinois the following described real-estate, to-wit: (Here starts a long legal description of land that I am not copying. If you need this, contact the Macoupin Co. Archives in Carlinville} This deed is dated September 14, 1886 and was filed for record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Macoupin County, Illinois on September 17, 1886 in Book DT, Page 93.)

There is no deed made giving the dimensions of Rural Cemetery. The present measurements are as follows: 296 feet along the East and West sides and 213 feet along the North and South sides.

On may 29, 1938 the following members were elected to serve on the board of trustees for Rural Church and Rural cemetery.

Mrs. Paul Konneker - President
Mrs. L. H. Hoecker - Historian
John Hall - Trustee
Barton Dugger - Trustee
Viva Konneker - Secretary
Lucille Klaus - Register
John Austin - Trustee
Otto Klaus - Trustee
Dorothy Hall - Treasurer
C. R. Konneker - Trustee
C. T. Boullion - Trustee

History

The Rural Cemetery is the final resting place of many of the first settlers and prominent people of Shaws Point Township, namely, the Loftons, Womacks, Gates, Chapels, Willsins, Wilders, Cramers and Lewis.

Thomas G. Lofton, the original owner of the land on which Rural Cemetery and church are located was one of the early settlers of the township. He worked diligently and became a large land owner and stock raiser. He died leaving his wife and family in possession of much land. After his death, his wife, Mrs. Julia Lofton married Charles Harrington in 1875.

John Womack, who is buried in Rural Cemetery, was one of the earliest pioneers of the community. He was born in Kentucky in 1819 and worked with his father. In 1832 (as is) he was commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel of the 21st Brigade of the Kentucky Militia and served during Governor Thomas Metcalfs Administration.
In 1835, Mr. Womack and his father came to Macoupin County and settled in Shaws Point and entered government land. In 1847, John Womack married Miss Mary Lofton and eight children were born to them. Mrs. Womack died in 1865 and in 1867 Mr. Womack married a second time. John Womack was a man of fine and trustworthy character. His friends called upon him to fill various positions of responsibility and trust.

The present Rural church was built in 1881. There is Sunday School class held there every Sunday with Miss Viva Konneker acting as Superintendent. Every other Sunday, church services are held following the program at the Sunday School class.

The Rural Cemetery is in a fine location. The ground slopes to the West giving the cemetery a good drainage. This cemetery could be made into a very attractive burial ground with a reasonable amount of work. The church congregation, which is active for a rural community and others who have relatives buried in the cemetery, help to keep the grounds cleaned off as far as possible. Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Hoecker who live near the cemetery are faithful in helping keep the cemetery and church in good condition. There is an improved road leading from the state highway Route 108 to the church and cemetery and is passable in all weather. Some of the older stones are weather worn and need recutting. Many of the tombstones need resetting.

There are 14 veterans buried in Rural Cemetery

Name: Bull, William Civil War; Pvt. Co I 114 Ill. Inf.; Grave 3 Lot 101
Name: Bull, William
Field Check: Grave No.3 Lot No. 101; Upright marker
Information on Maker: Wm Bull Co. I 114th Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.3 Lot No. 101
Death Certificate Data: No record
Service Record: 114th Ill. Inf. Private
Inspection of burial plot: Fair (condition of marker)

Name: Cowell, George Civil War; Pvt. Co. C 32 III.V. Tnf.; Died 8/14/1875; Grave 2 Lot 61
Name: Cowell, George
Field Check: Grave No.2 Lot No. 61; Upright marker
Information on Marker: George Cowell Died Aug 14, 1875 Aged 71 years 8 months 21 days
Cemetery Record Data: rave No.2 Lot No. 61
Death Certificate Data: No record Died 8/14/1875 Born 1803
Inspection of burial lot: Condition (poor)

Name: Cramer, Abisha D. Civil War; Pvt. Co. K Ill. Vol. Inf.; Died 5/12/1863; Grave 5 Lot 84
Name: Cramer, Abisha D.
Field Check: Grave No.5 Lot No. 84; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Abisha D. Son of John & Abigal Cramer; Born April 24, 1839; Died May 12, 1863;
Aged 24 yrs. 19 days
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 5 Lot No. 84
Death Certificate Data: No Record Died 5/12/1863
Service Record: Private; Co. K Ill. V Inf.
Inspection of burial plot: Poor (condition of Marker)

Name: Harrington, Thos Civil War; Corp. Co. K7, C, D 32 Ill. Inf.; Died 9/19/1911; Grave 3 Lot 32
Name: Harrington, Thomas W.
Field Check: Grave No.3 Lot No. 32; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Thomas W. Harrington Aug. 18, 1837; Sept 20,1910; Co. K 7, & Cos. C & D 32 Ill.
Jnf. Mary E. his wife; Jan. 10, 1842; Sept 14, 1926
Cemetery Record: Grave No.3 Lot No. 32
Death Certificate Data: No Record
Service Record: Corporal Co. K 7, & Cos. C & D 32 Ill.Inf.
Inspection of burial plot: Condition of Marker (Good)

Name: Jackson, Joel Civil War; Pvt. Co. I 50 Ill V. Tnf.; Died 11/28/1886; Grave 2 Lot 125
Name: Jackson, Joel
Field Check: Grave No.4 Lot No. 125; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Joel Jackson May 3, 1841 Co. 1 50 Ill. Inft.
Cemetery Record: Grave No. 4 Lot No. 125
Death Certificate Data: No Record
Service Record: Private Co. I 50 Ill. V. Inf,
Inspection of burial plot: Grave is fair condition

Name: Lewis, William Civil War; Pvt.; Co. C 32 Ill. Inf.; Died 4/11/1862; Grave 2 Lot 23
Name: Lewis, William
Field Check: Grave No.2 Lot No. 83; Flat marker
Information on Marker: Member of Co. C 32 Reg. Ill. Vol. and brigade Post Master; Died April 11, 1862;
Age 20 years 6 mos.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.2 Lot No. 82
Death Certificate Data: No Record Died 4/11/1862
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in poor condition

Name: Lofton, Thomas Civil War; 1 Lt. Co. K 122 Ill. Tnf.; Died 2/26/1862; Grave 9 Lot 18
Name: Lofton, Thomas G.
Field Check: Grave No.9 Lot No. 18; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Died Feb. 26, 1862 Age 64 yrs. 7 mo. 18 days
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.9 Lot No. 18
Death Certificate Data: No Record; Died 2/26/1862
Service Record: 1st Lt. 122 Ill.lnf.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in poor condition

Name: McClure, Grundy Grave 4 Lot 138 No Marker
Name: McClure, Grundy
Field Check: Grave No.4 Lot No. 138; Upright marker
Information on Marker: No information on marker other than his wife's
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No. 4 Lot No. 138
Death Certificate Data: No Record
Service Record: Private Inf. 7th Sug Reg

Name: Padget, Joe Civil War; Pvt. Co. K 9 Ill. Inf; Died 11/17/1924; Grave 2 Lot 23
Name: Padget, Joe
Field Check: Grave No.2 Lot No. 23; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Joseph Padget 1837 - 1925
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.2 Lot No. 23; Died Nov. 19, 1925
Death Certificate Data: Address - Shaws Point; Died 11/17/1925 at Shaws Point; Cause Gangrene virility
Born Aug. 18, 1837 in Tennessee
Service Record: Co. R. 7 Ill. Inf.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name: Padget, William (?) Grave 2 Lot 101; No Marker
Name: Padget, William
Field Check: Grave No.2 Lot No. 101; No marker
Cemetery Record Data: No Record; Veteran?

Name: Reader, John Civil War; Pvt. Co. H 121 Ind. Inf.; Died 4/3/1872; Grave 3 Lot 103
Name: Reeder, John
Field Check: Grave No. 3 Lot No. 103; Upright marker
Information on Marker; Died April 3, 1872 Age 33 yrs 6 mo. 4 days
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.3 Lot No. 103
Death Certificate Data: Died 4/3/1872
Service Record: Private Co. H 121 Inf. Inf.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name: Rule, James S. Civil War; Pvt. Co. C 1 Mo. Cav; Grave 2 Lot 99
Name: Rule, James S.
Field Check: Grave No.2 Lot No. 99; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Jas. F. Rule Co. C. 1 Mo. Cav.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.2 Lot No. 99
Death Certificate Data: No Record
Service Record: 1 Mo. Cav. Private Co. C.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name: Thuston, James Civil War; Pvt. Co. F 122 Reg. Ill. V.; Died 6/19/1911; Grave 2 Lot 115
Name: Thuston, James
Field Check: Grave No. 2 Lot No. 115; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Co. F. 122 Reg. Ill, Vol. March 14, 1837 - June 19, 1911
Cemetery record Data: Grave No.2 Lot No. US
Death Certificate Data: Not listed Died 6/19/1911 Born 3/14/1837
Service Record: Co. f 122 Reg. Ill. Vol.
Inspection of burial plot: Grave in fair condition

Name: Villman, James Civil War; Pvt. Co. K 7 Ill. Inf.; Grave 6 Lot 140
Name: Villman, Joseph
Field Check: Grave No. 6 Lot No. 140; Upright marker
Information on Marker: Jos. Villman Co. K 7th Ill. Inf.
Cemetery Record Data: Grave No.6 Lot No. 140
Death Certificate Data: No Record
Inspection of burial plot: Condition (Fair)

The graves of Grundy McClure and William Padget have no markers. These graves were pointed out to us by men who personally knew where two men to be veterans. Their names appear in the Rosters of Veterans as shown in above record.

The oldest grave that we can locate by the dates on the markers is that of Emily r. Meldrum who died on September 4, 1840.