From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.

Not many old times are left in the Elm Grove community of southern Leavenworth County.

Bonner Springs resident Cecilia Schubert says if more were alive they could tell the story of the Elm Grove Cemetery.

She and her late husband, Clarence, farmed just up the road from the 100-year-old burial ground. During her married years, the Baptist church that stands there now was an elementary school.

"I asked my former neighbor (Mildred Elmer Berry) about Elm Grove Cemetery," Mrs. Schubert said last week. "She was born in that big white house that is east of the cemetery. She went to school at Elm Grove and said the cemetery was there before she went to school. She is 77 years old now."

The school became a church some time ago. The cemetery became the responsibility of the Fairmount Township about 10 years ago.

"There are not too many old timers to ask," she said.

Nadine Kenton Holton is one timer with several memories to share. Her great-grandfather, William Henry Harrison Kenton, buried three children at Elm Grove. Ida Kenton was the first burial in October of 1870. Within two years, she was joined by two other siblings.

"I remember my dad talking about those little cousins," Mrs. Holton said from the cemetery last week. "His father would often talk to him about the little graves."

Charles James Kenton farmed with his father in the Elm Grove community during the 1870s and 1880s. They moved north into the Glenwood community before the turn of the century. Charles' son, Arthur, was born there, but died rather young from a tetunus infection he suffered when his thumb was severed while harvesting.

Mrs. Holton is a lifelong resident of southern Leavenworth County. She recalled the Elm Grove community being populated with a school, cemetery, store and black smith shop. Several families lived there, most of them her relatives.

"This cemetery has always been here and people still use it. I know my family used to talk about it and decorate the graves," Mrs. Holton says.

Article donated by Debra Graden, President
Leavenworth County Genealogical Society, 1998