THIS CEMETERY IS ALSO KNOWN AS
BEISELMAN-BEIDLEMAN CEMETERY

Information for this cemetery received from the wonderful group of volunteers known as the Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society.

The Beidleman Cemetery is located in the south part of the southeast quarter of Section 15 in Congress Township (T-21) and Range 14. Access is by one of two routes. The first is past the Don Hastings home located at 12492 Franchester Rd. (TR21) about one half mile south of Ruff Rd. (TR87). The driveway turns into a lane that swings left and then winds its way up the steep hill behind the barn. Follow the lane up the hill to the west and along the north edge of the fields for about a half-mile. A short distance before reaching the top of the hill, the lane curves sharply to the left and goes around a line of trees that juts out to the edge of the cultivated field. At that point go straight south across the field to the apposite (south) tree line. Just to the east of that point, a path can be seen leading back into the forest. The cemetery is about 150 feet back in the trees. It is possible to drive up the hill if the ground is not to wet and if your vehicle can handle the rough terrain. Ask at the house before going up the hill.
The alternate route to the Beidleman Cemetery is past the Aukerman Church about one half mile farther south of the Hastings Farm on Franchester Rd. This route takes you up through the ravine behind the church. It is a footpath and may contain poison ivy and other inhospitable brush. The path follows the stream for a ways until the ravine narrows. Then you go to the right and follow the path up the hill to the cemetery. This is a shorter path than the on through the Hastings Farm, but it is less "visitor friendly."
Beidleman Cemetery was originally on the Valentine Beidleman Farm. The first known burial was that of Jacob Beidleman who died in 1825 and the last burial was that of David Beidleman who died in 1898. David Beidleman's burial was witnessed by an older gentleman who related the story to Don Hastings many years ago. Don was told that they used to drive the coffins up the ravine from the church to the narrows and then they hand-carried them the rest of the way up the hill.
Beidleman Cemetery is located in some rough terrain and is certainly not in any danger of being plowed over. It has been neglected for many years and all but two or three stones are laying on the ground.. They are scattered around, but still seem to be relatively close to the places where they belong. Most of them are still in good shape and very readable, having been protected by the cover of the forest. Mr. Hastings reset them many years ago, but his work was wasted. The cemetery is a popular area for the younger crowd, who when we were there, had left behind a burned out campfire and a few soda pop cans crammed into the branches of the trees.
The Beidelmans, Newcomers, Hoovers, Kisers, Snyders and Gindlespergers were evidently all members of the Aukerman German Baptist Church at the foot of the hill and alongside Franchester Road. The church was founded in 1839 or 40 as the German Baptist Church and remained until 1883 when it became the First Church of God. (Bonnie and Larry Knox, 23 January 2009 WCCPS, 432 Catalina, Wooster, Ohio 44691)
Information entered by Linnea (Beidelman) Perris with permission given by Larry Knox of the Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society