First Deaths: George H. Smith in the summer of 1872, Elizabeth VanDel Masterson 1873

Transcription of the first paragraph: from the little red book kept by the Cedarville, KS Cemetery Board. There is no date on this entry, but it must have been when they first acquired the land for the cemetery in the 1870's

We the undersigned citizens of Cedarville and vicinity hereby find ourselves by this instrument of writing to pay the respective amounts set opposite our several names. When the necessary amount shall have been subscribed for the purpose of purchasing and financing four acres of ground to be known as the Cedarville Cemetery

According to several references, Curt Harris gave the first acre for the cemetery; in later years' other acreage has been purchased and added.

It is my understanding that the cemetery, or part of it, once lay north of or in the township road, which leads past the cemetery. Those graves were removed to the south side of the road of the present cemetery. There are some graves that have no markers; some have limestone markers and are identified only by these crumbling stones-the names having weathered away over the years. Other stones are made of concrete with names stamped or hand scribed on them.

The excerpts below are taken (with permission of the writer) from the book "My Home Town" Cedarville, Kansas written by Doris M. Swank in 1977.

This beautiful cemetery is situated north of State Highway 9 on the top of a hill surrounded by cedar trees. Meadowlarks can be heard singing their songs unto the Lord.

Memorial Day Services at Cedar Cemetery include the VFW honor guard. Many people come to visit the cemetery to pay their respects, not only to our war heroes but also in remembrance of family and friends, who are gone but not forgotten.

Records filed at the Smith County Court House, Smith Center, KS in Book J on page 57 show the following:

J. C. Harris and his wife Mary E. Harris deeded a square piece of land containing four (4) acres, commencing at the North East corner of the North West ¼ of Section 32 in town 4 to the Trustees of the Cedarville Cemetery Association on the 2nd day of January 1883.