Bethel Cemetery
Location: County roads 300 S and 450 E in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana.
The original introduction states: “The first person to be buried in this cemetery was Mary J. Bennett, who died July 2,1830. This data was compiled by Mrs. Nora Biberstine, member of the Wells County Historical Society. “
S. Dailey walked the cemetery during the summer of 1999. Supposedly some information exists on the cemetery. However, we did not receive any as of July 26, 2001. An article from the Evening News, dated May 21, 1926 page three column four, stated “Eighty years ago Bethel Cemetery was set aside for a burying ground, practically by chance as the first person buried there was an infant or small child of Mr. and Mrs. Holman Reynolds, who had a lease on the farm and lived on it.” This makes the first burial about 1846, which seems more accurate than the 1830 date.
The Evening News-Banner centennial edition states “ Abraham Studabaker came to Wells County in 1833…established his sons here, John, in 1838, and William, in 1839. More Early Settlers Listed. Almon Case…arrived here in 1836…Other early settler…Amos Townsend…Thomas Wallace…John A. Deam…in 1839; Gabriel and John Markley, in 1837; …Adnah Hall, Sr…in 1837…Abraham W. Johnson, on Sept. 24, 1834…”
The following funeral home records were cross-referenced to supplement and verify information.
Brown Funeral Home - Warren
Elzey-Dickey Haggard Funeral Home - Ossian
Jahn Funeral Home - Bluffton
McBride Funeral Home – Bluffton
Thoma/Rich Funeral Home – Bluffton - partial
Walker Funeral Home – Montpelier
Warfield Funeral Home - Montpelier
Goodwin Memorial Chapel will be incorporated in the next update.