The cemetery was begun sometime in 1858 or 1860; it is located only a short distance from the old St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. The land for this cemetery was taken from the Robert Work farm.
Many of the old soldiers who gave their lives for their county now rest in this peaceful lot. Many of the Simon's, Fair's, Snyder's, Pepples', Lige's, Hietz, Miller's, and Huffman's were buried there.
It is said that the first person who was buried there was a Mr. Miller. He was hauled there on a wagon with a team of oxen and buried in a rough box.
The cemetery has been extended twice on the north side, and is still increasing.


Five people met at Cedar Creek Chapel May 26, 1877, to plan for a cemetery. Officers elected that day were A. C. Griffin, president, and W. H. Keeran, secretary. Trustees Griffin, C. C. Clark, and John Hogue bought two acres of land from Robert Work and wife for $100 June l7, 1877. Part of this land was to be laid out in lots and sold for $5 each. One section was designated for those who were too poor to pay. This section is now filled. The southwest corner represents the old burial ground, which is included in the cemetery but is not laid out in lots. In October 1877 the cemetery was incorporated.
In 1900 it was decided to build a fence around the cemetery. The trustees advertised by posting notices, to let the job of fencing, specifying that the south and east sides, fronting the roads, were to be ornamental iron and the west and north sides were to be good substantial wire fence with cedar posts. The job contract was awarded to J. A. Miller, who erected the fence in September 1901.
In the beginning owners of lots were assessed for their upkeep, but in 1938 or 1940 perpetual care came into being. A certain percentage of the cost of the lot was set aside for mowing and general care of the graves.
In this cemetery, as in other old cemeteries, may be found dates on stones that preceded the date of Cedar Creek's beginning. This shows that graves from private cemeteries have been moved to Cedar Creek. The oldest date found in the cemetery is 1851. It is said that the first white woman born in DeKalb county is buried there.

It was the custom to have a Memorial Day ceremony on the Mound with a band and a speaker. This custom has been long discontinued.
According to the present plat, the original section and four additional ones exist. The latest addition was land purchased from John Reever. In recent years a new arch has been erected near the entrance to the cemetery. At the top in large letters is Cedar Creek Cemetery, Inc., and beneath in smaller letters, Cedar Chapel.

Main Entrance

This large cemetery is known as Cedar Creek or Cedar Chapel Cemetery. The overhead sign bears both names. It's old and very active, with newer expansions to the north.

In the oldest part of the cemetery, Some of the nearby markers pre-date the cemetery's establishment, because the graves were moved from other locations in the area. There are several driving lanes throughout the area.

The original entrance was from the south, but is no longer in use; Entrance is now from the east side. The nearby church is now called the Alterstar Church; A nice building with stained glass windows. The veterans buried here are from most of our wars, Civil War to Viet Nam.