Guide to the Oak Grove Cemetery Burials and Deeds, 1874-1941

MSS 139, Micro 27

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Historical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Administrative Information

Controlled Access Headings

Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Abstract

The Oak Grove Cemetery Burial and Deed records are organized into two series on microfilm: an index and a record of burials in chronological order (1880-1941); and another series of deeds and plats covering volumes 1-5 (1874-1891) with an index at the front of each volume.

Collection Title

Oak Grove Cemetery Burials and Deeds

Date of Materials

1874-1941

Creator

Genealogy Society of Utah.

Creator

Oak Grove Cemetery (La Crosse, Wis.).

Call Number

MSS 139, Micro 27

Amount

0.2 cubic feet

Physical Description

2 reels 35 mm microfilm

Language of Materials

English

Repository

La Crosse Public Library Archives

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Historical Note

Originally named Wautonga Cemetery, a Native American word meaning Oak Forest or Oak Wood, was the original name of this cemetery. The first eight acres of land that would become Oak Grove Cemetery were likely purchased in 1861, by Deacon Samuel T. Smith as a private venture. However, the cemetery contains the remains of people who died before 1861, such as that of David Darst, murdered by William Watts in 1852. Because the land was largely sandy and flat, the people of early La Crosse continued to use their pioneer burial grounds, a more scenic location, near the corner of 3rd and Badger streets, to bury their loved ones. Smith soon sold his investment to C. S. Strasberger, who enlarged the cemetery to 32 acres in 1869. Gradually the land began to be used for burials. Because the cemetery wasn't recognized by any singular church or religious group, little interest went into care or improvements of the land. Several newspaper articles from the 1860s make mention of the poor conditions of the area, where broken fences allowed farm animals to wander into the cemetery. Hogs dug up the fresh, muddy graves, cows tipped over tombstones and local citizens themselves thought nothing of taking apart the surrounding fences to use as firewood. However, it was really the interest and dedication of local lawyer Joseph W. Losey that brought the neglected land out of a state of chaos. Losey spent many years devoted to beautifying the cemetery, raising funds from private donors and encouraging the city council to contribute to the cause. With his efforts, grottos were constructed, gravel walkways were laid out, and a fountain erected. Although little of Losey's improvements still exist today, he will be forever remembered and memorialized by the arch monument built in his honor in 1902 which welcomes mourners and visitors into the main entrance of the cemetery on La Crosse Street.

Another addition to the cemetery in recent years was the crematorium. Although it remains independent of the cemetery itself, the Oak Grove Crematorium was built on space that is leased from Oak Grove Cemetery and originally was the site of the cemetery sexton's house. The need for a crematorium was a much disputed topic in La Crosse for many years. As early as the mid 1880's, plans were drawn for a crematorium in Oak Grove but the idea was scrapped. Bodies had to be shipped to Milwaukee via railroad to be cremated. Local interest in cremation again became widespread in the late 1970's, and the independent group calling itself the Oak Grove Crematorium Ltd., led by President Sally Cremer and directors Marjorie Nixon, Carroll Gundersen, Diana DeVoll, Jake Buchel, Dave Baptie, Ray Sundet and Dr. Sigurd Gundersen Jr., was successful in hiring the architectural firm of H. S. R. & Associates and contractor H. E. Martell in constructing a crematorium in Oak Grove Cemetery. The crematorium finally came to be in early 1979. Helene B. Traister was the first cremation in early March 1979. The area was leased to the People's Mauseolum Company doing business under the name Oak Grove Crematorium Ltd. The crematorium proved to be viable and in November 1981 the Oak Grove Cemetery Association took over the assets of the group. A new crematorium was constructed in 1989 as part of the current office complex and chapel. Although the cemetery has endured several vandal attacks in the past decade, the scenic cemetery remains a constant tribute and source of pride to the citizens of La Crosse. In September, the La Crosse County Historical Society hosts the "Silent City" program, bringing to life the history of La Crosse through re-enactors of some of the cemetery's citizens.

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Scope and Contents

While this cemetery claims the first burial occurred in 1852, these records do not start until 1874 for deeds and plats. The name index begins in 1880 in these records. It is believed that the early records burned in a fire downtown. In 1872 a nonprofit citizen group acquired the cemetery and incorporated as the "Oak Grove Cemetery Association of La Crosse" with resolve to restore and improve the cemetery grounds. Perhaps this extended to keeping better records as well.

The microfilmed records are organized into two series: an index and a record of burials in chronological order (1880-1941); and another series of deeds and plats covering volumes 1-5 (1874-1891) with an index at the front of each volume.

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Arrangement

These records were filmed from bound volumes kept by the cemetery superintendent and the microfilm reflects the inherent order of those books.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

La Crosse Public Library Archives 2012 September

Acquisitions Information

(Accession no. 2012.044) On long-term loan from FamilySearch (Genealogical Society of Utah) paid for by the La Crosse Area Genealogical Society. GSU film numbers 1306014, 1306015

The microfilm was produced by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1981-82, which holds the master negatives.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

• La Crosse Area Genealogical Society (Wis.).
• Oak Grove Cemetery (La Crosse, Wis.).

Subject(s)

• Cemeteries--Wisconsin--La Crosse
• Cemeteries--Wisconsin--La Crosse--Indexes

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Collection Inventory