Wooster Cemetery historical families - part 1

Among the countless headstones scattered throughout Wooster Cemetery stand several grand structures memorializing specific families. Who were the people who had the means to have these striking edifices fabricated and erected?

The cemetery dates to 1852, when a number of prominent citizens of the 44-year-old Wooster formed the Wooster Cemetery Association. Previously, the deceased were generally buried in churchyards.

The association purchased 32 acres on Madison Avenue from Joseph Larwill and named the grounds Oak Hill Cemetery. A number of remains were moved there from other cemeteries, a common practice of the day. In 1874 a home and office for use by the superintendent were constructed at the entrance. The building endures today, as do some of the oak trees from the original forest. Wooster Cemetery has since grown to over 90 acres, the resting place of approximately 27,000 people.

Memorial structures vary from crudely carved stones to those with elaborate designs, epitaphs and symbolism, sometimes reflecting religious beliefs and social class. Headstones are the most common. Less prevalent are monuments (sometimes featuring statues) and mausoleums (buildings, usually built of granite, which house tombs). A drive along the winding thoroughfares of Wooster Cemetery reveals some of the larger, more unusual of these.

A statue of a woman in flowing robes is supported by columns in section one. One of her hands is held to her heart; the other holds a scroll.

Scattered at the base of the monument are several gravestones commemorating the Overholt family. John S.R. Overholt was born in Pennsylvania in 1837 and served in the Civil War. In Wooster he partnered with prominent businessman Jacob Frick to form City Mills, which produced flour and grain. When Frick retired, Overholt became sole owner of the business. He died in 1925.

Also buried in the plot are John’s wife Maria Frick Overholt (1848-1939) and their five children. One of their sons, John D. (1886-1973), also made a name for himself as an inventor. One of his creations was a crib and bin ventilating system for grains. He also served as president of Wayne County National Bank.

On a hilltop in section one stands a mausoleum built of stone blocks, its door enshrouded with an iron gate. Interred within is Martin Welker, who was born in 1819 in Knox County and had a lengthy and varied career. He initially practiced law and served as a judge of the Ohio Court of Common Pleas. He was then elected lieutenant governor of Ohio and president of the Ohio Senate.

During the Civil War, Welker was appointed judge advocate of the second brigade of the Ohio Volunteer Militia. He was then appointed as an aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel to the governor of Ohio, then served as judge advocate general of Ohio, superintendent of drafting and assistant adjutant general.

After the war Welker served in the U.S. House of Representatives, after which President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him a U.S. judge for the northern district of Ohio. Welker also taught political science and international law at the fledgling University of Wooster and served as president of Wooster National Bank.

When he died in 1902, he was laid beside his wife of 53 years, Maria Armor Welker, for it was she for whom the mausoleum was constructed eight years before. When Martin’s second wife, Flora Uhl Welker, died in 1947, her body also was placed in the mausoleum.

A Civil War general rests in section three in a mausoleum with ornate doors made of iron and glass. Aquila Wiley was born in Pennsylvania in 1835 and began his career as a lawyer. After joining the Union Army, he was rapidly promoted up the ranks to colonel and fought alongside Gen. Sherman in the Battle of Atlanta.

A wound resulted in the amputation of his left leg, and he was discharged in 1864. The following year, he returned to volunteer service as a captain in the Veteran Reserve Corps. President Andrew Johnson then appointed Wiley to brevet brigadier general of the volunteers.

After the war Wiley resumed his law practice in Wooster, became judge of the county probate court and served on the committee making plans to build the present courthouse. He later made unsuccessful bids for secretary of the state of Ohio and for Congress, narrowly losing to future President William McKinley.

Wiley was, however, elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, serving for three years. He died in 1912. Next to Wiley are his wife Emma Power Wiley (1847-1939), their daughter Ada Wiley Greenwell and son Edward Wiley. Also interred here are an unnamed infant and four members of Mrs. Wiley’s family.

Information on Wooster Cemetery is available by calling 330-264-9090 or visiting woostercemeteryohio.com or its Facebook page, Wooster Cemetery.

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