Riverside board to renovate cemetery’s memorial to vets

An American flag and a plaque now serving as a veterans’ memorial at Riverside Cemetery will soon have a new and improved backdrop. The cemetery’s board voted this week to begin work on a new memorial to veterans, which will feature a large engraved stone, a new concrete pad, a new flag pole and solar lighting. Photo contributed by James Youse.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

Josiah Hunt (1818-1874) was superintendent of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad when the route - upon its completion - opened from Hannibal to St. Joseph in late March 1859.

During the Civil War years, he served with the Marion Battalion, Missouri Home Guards, attaining the rank of Major.

In October 1874, Maj. Hunt died at his home (which is still standing at 1101 Lyon Street). After a prominent funeral at Trinity Episcopal Church, an entourage consisting of Masons, Odd Fellows, firemen, city council and railroad officials, escorted his remains up the long and winding Riverside Street in South Hannibal, to Riverside Cemetery, where the remains are at rest.

This year, on behalf of Maj. Hunt, and a myriad of other veterans who are forever at peace in the cemetery platted upon the river bluffs south of town, the Riverside Cemetery board is planning to restore the cemetery’s existing veterans’ memorial.

The memorial is located just to the south of the newly refurbished entrance road leading into the historic cemetery. “(The memorial) was probably nice in its time, but it is old and in disrepair now, and roots have pushed up under it,” said James Youse, board president.

The original memorial includes a flag pole, which is rather dilapidated, and a time honored memorial plaque previously donated by the American Legion Post 55, (Emmette J. Shields post, Hannibal.)

At this week’s board meeting, Youse said members voted to proceed with a renovation of this veterans’ tribute.

He said, “We plan to create a concrete pad at least 12 by 12 feet or bigger,” which will replace the ground surface currently in place.

The historic Emmette J. Shields plaque will once again be a focal point of the new memorial. The board will also purchase “a very nice granite or stone” as a special feature. Upon the stone will be engraved: “Home of the free because of the brave.”

They will also purchase a new flag pole, to replace the current pole which is in disrepair.

Near the current memorial, “there are two or three elm trees that need to come out.” In their place the board plans to plant four or five Arborvitae trees.

There will be a solar light on the pole so the flag will be illuminated, “a fitting way to pay tribute,” Youse said.

Funding

The Riverside board has money budgeted for the project’s basics, thanks in part to dedicated funds from the Hannibal Arts Council’s annual “Hot Holiday Jazz, Morrison and Co.,” concert, and a matching grant from the George H. Riedel Foundation.

But in order to stretch their available dollars as far as possible, the board is also reaching out to the community for donations of money and/or labor.

People wishing to make a contribution to the cause may send donations to: Riverside Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 332, Hannibal, Mo. Youse asks that people making donations specifically for the memorial project, to make note of that on their checks.

“We’re hoping to have a nice fitting memorial to the veterans,” Youse said.

The aforementioned Josiah Hunt is buried in Section A51, at the top of the hill at the southern portion of the cemetery.

His wife, Maria Deborah Hunt, who died July 24, 1861, is buried in Springfield, Mass.

Historic interest

Josiah Hunt was among the original deed holders for Riverside Cemetery,  lots sold on July 26, 1866. He purchased a 20x23 lot, Section A, Lot 51.

Others purchasing lots on that same day included:

John J. Cruikshank;

Cyrus Godfrey, Hunt, Godfrey & Co.;

Midland Fleming;

George W. Storrs, proprietor of the Planters House;

John J. Cruikshank Jr.;

Geo Dimmock, conductor H&St. Joe RR;

Joseph A. Cheever, druggist;

George S. Harris;

John L. Lathrop;

F.D. Winchell;

Wm. C. Ebert, North Missouri Courier;

M.P. Green, insurance agent;

Asa Turner;

Rev. John Leighton, First Presbyterian Church; and

Mrs. A. Knox

Source: The original Riverside Cemetery Ledger is now in the possession of the Hannibal Free Public Library.

Maria Deborah Hunt

Josiah Hunt’s wife, Maria Deborah Hunt (born 1825), died July 24, 1861, at the age of 36. She  is buried at Springfield, Mass.

A journal, written in Hannibal by a sister of Sarah Benton Selmes (probably Ellen Benton) during the Civil War gives an insightful look within the town during the Civil War turmoil. On Thursday, July 25, 1861, she wrote of the death of Mrs. Hunt.

“We have attended the funeral of Mrs. Hunt, wife of Major Hunt, today. There is no doubt that she is a victim of the war; the excitement being too much for her nervous temperament producing congestion of the brain. Also for her two little girls left motherless.”

Journal source: Arizona Historical Society, Selmes Family Collection.