Elm Grove Cemetery
Location: State Road 124, 1 mile east of Bluffton in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana.
The original introduction states: “The ground for this cemetery was purchased from J. H. and Frank Smith in 1902 and was plotted for cemetery use in 1903. Recent State legislation will enable the Elm Grove and Fairview Cemeteries to merge into a consolidated corporation in 1972. Data was submitted by Mrs. Faith Higman, member of the Wells County Historical Society.
An article in the Evening News dated April 1, 1902 states fifty farm acres were bought by “the Elm Grove association for $3,700. It was sold to them by J.H.C. Smith, who last Saturday bought it off of Mr. Lipkey”. The Evening News-Banner Centennial edition states Joseph Painter was the first interment on August 11, 1902.
Because of its size, this cemetery was not walked. The Elm Grove interment records were used to complete some of the information. The Evening News dated May 31, 1904 page 2 column 2 states “…Elm Grove only one soldier, C. H. Buck, is buried.” Mr. Buck is not listed in the original or internment records.
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.