DUTCH (FIRST) REFORMED CHURCH MONUMENT
Side 1 with 90 names Alt-Pom
Dedicated May 8, 2011

Clinton Herald, Clinton, Iowa

April 9, 2011

Ceremony set for Dutch immigration monuments

http://clintonherald.com/features/x1075332862/Ceremony-set-for-Dutch-immigration-monuments

By Barb Mask Special to the Herald

CLINTON — In 1876, a survey was made and the Fulton Cemetery was platted with lots and driveways. Soon after the survey, the Dutch Reformed Church (First) purchased lots numbered 267-294 inclusive for the use of its members. Title of the grave spaces was kept by the church and upon the death of a member, a simple ceremony was held and brief notation made of the burial.

Many of the early immigrants had no money for markers and some may have preferred the lack of ostentation because of their religious belief. In 1957, the Fay Funeral Home gave their records to the Fulton Cemetery Association. Wayne Bastian, local historian, printed them in an article in the Fulton Journal.

Forty years ago, the Fulton Junior Women's Club, in conjunction with Wayne Bastian, placed a stone with a bronze plague on the site of the early Dutch immigrants who were buried in lots purchased by the Dutch (First) Reformed Church. That bronze plague will be incorporated on the new granite monument that will identify the early settlers by name.

Bastian started the lengthy research process. John Wierema and Charles Norman continued to identify additional names through church records at First Reformed Church. Mike Swanson, using additional resources, located more names of immigrants who were buried in this section of the Fulton Township Cemetery.

Fulton Historical Society members Marge Bielema, Eunice Swanson and Barbara Mask, with assistance from Patty Ritzema, as the church records were written in the Dutch language, continued the research. Harvey Geerts recently has identified more early Dutch settlers by name in the lots and, to date, the total is 168. There were approximately 200 spaces purchased by the church.

Six months ago, the committee (members of the Fulton Cemetery Association and the Fulton Historical Society) were informed by the cemetery sexton, Mark Vander Vinne, that there were two other locations in the cemetery where unidentified Dutch immigrants were buried.

These lots had been purchased by the First Christian Reformed Church. The research resumed and, to date, 38 and 23 more names have been identified. These two lots required two additional smaller monuments.

New monuments

Total cost of the three monuments is $12,700. Fundraising is now underway.

Local churches have been asked to contribute to the cost of the monument. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to make a donation and may contribute by paying the cost of a name or several names if their ancestors are buried in the lots or make a donation of any desired amount. Each engraved name will cost $25.

A donor list is being created. Checks can be made to the Fulton Historical Society (Dutch Immigrant Monument). The address is P. O. Box 167 Fulton, Illinois 61252. The Fulton Historical Society is a 501 (c) 3 organization.

The new monuments will be black granite with each immigrant's name engraved in the stone. The purpose of the project is to provide dignity and respect to the early settlers of our community.

Yes, they were of Dutch ancestry, but they came to Fulton, by choice, to raise and educate their families, work, attend church, and live the American dream.

They made significant contributions as early settlers in the Fulton community.

Dedication

The dedication ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at the Fulton Township Cemetery. The site is located off the Sixth Street entrance. The dedication ceremony is held in conjunction with the 37th annual Dutch Days Festival whose theme is "Dutch Immigration: Experiences and Contributions."



Barb Mask is the president of the Fulton Historical Society.