Follow
Pleasant Hill Cemetery is one of the earliest burying grounds in the area. It is said
the first to be laid to rest in this place were two children of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron
Foster in 1829. The Patton and Foster families are given credit for founding this
cemetery in 1830.
John Patton, (1781-1854) the first white man to settle in Lexington Township is buried
with his wife in this cemetery. John is also a veteran of both the War of 1812 and the
Black Hawk War. John Patton’s cabin, today located in Lexington Park, was once the
first cabin to be built in this area.
John W. Brumhead, the first white child born “on the Mackinaw” on 27 July 1829
died 17 February 1891 and is buried in Pleasant Hill. He was the son of Joseph and
Katherine Brumhead, first settlers on the Mackinaw, and are buried in nearby Indian
Field Cemetery.
Isaac Smalley, (1806-1855) who arrived in this area in 1838 became a strong
promoter and supporter of the Pleasant Hill community. Sadly, despite his efforts
to obtain the railroad rights to come through Pleasant Hill; close by Lexington was
chosen and this marked the downhill path that was forced upon the village of
Pleasant Hill.
There are many veterans buried in Pleasant Hill. In addition to the above-mentioned
John Patton, there are twelve veterans of the War of 1812 buried here. There are more
than forty Civil War veterans who rest here including both Union and Confederate soldiers.
The first Lexington soldier to lose his life for his country in the Civil War was John
H. Denham. (1839-1861) He served in Co K 8 th Ill Vol Inf, and died of typhoid fever
at Cairo, Illinois and was returned to Pleasant Hill for burial.
There are many early settlers of Blue Mound Township, Cooksville, and Selma
(another name for Pleasant Hill) buried in this place. Most unusual and rare is the
grave marker for Patton Wilson who died 18 February 1895. The name and dates are
carved from a slab of walnut with a decorative crown noted at the top. This marker has
stood the test of time as it is still legible and intact just as it was more than 120 years ago.
The grave marker of his wife Susanne Newman Wilson is also carved of walnut and remains
in place beside Patton’s since her death in 1915.
Lexington Genealogical & Historical Society
Find a Grave