Woodland Cemetery (Monroe, Michigan)
Encyclopedia
Woodland Cemetery, formerly known as Grove Cemetery and Woodlawn Cemetery, is a public, city-owned cemetery
located at 428 Jerome Street in southeast Monroe
, Michigan
. It occupies 10 acres (4 hectares) and contains over 6,500 graves
. Founded in 1810, it is one of Michigan’s oldest public cemeteries. Its oldest burials are veterans who served in the American Revolutionary War
. Woodland Cemetery was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
on July 21, 1988.
Many of Monroe’s earliest settlers, politicians, and war combatants are buried at Woodland Cemetery, including some of those that were killed during the Battle of Frenchtown
in 1813. The cemetery contains Monroe veterans from every major war from the American Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War
. A notable burial plot belongs to the families of Monroe residents George Armstrong Custer
and his wife Elizabeth Bacon Custer
, although neither of those two are buried at Woodland Cemetery. His younger brother, Boston Custer
, and his nephew, Henry Armstrong Reed
, are buried at Woodland Cemetery after having died alongside George Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn
in the Montana Territory
on June 25, 1876.
Woodland Cemetery is located right next to the Zion Cemetery, but the two are separate cemeteries.
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
located at 428 Jerome Street in southeast Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It occupies 10 acres (4 hectares) and contains over 6,500 graves
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....
. Founded in 1810, it is one of Michigan’s oldest public cemeteries. Its oldest burials are veterans who served in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Woodland Cemetery was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
on July 21, 1988.
Many of Monroe’s earliest settlers, politicians, and war combatants are buried at Woodland Cemetery, including some of those that were killed during the Battle of Frenchtown
Battle of Frenchtown
The Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin or the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts that took place from January 18–23, 1813 during the War of 1812...
in 1813. The cemetery contains Monroe veterans from every major war from the American Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. A notable burial plot belongs to the families of Monroe residents George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
and his wife Elizabeth Bacon Custer
Elizabeth Bacon Custer
Elizabeth Bacon Custer was the wife of General George Armstrong Custer. After his death, she became an outspoken advocate for her husband's legacy through her popular books and lectures...
, although neither of those two are buried at Woodland Cemetery. His younger brother, Boston Custer
Boston Custer
Boston Custer was the youngest brother of U.S. Army General George Armstrong Custer and two-time Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Custer...
, and his nephew, Henry Armstrong Reed
Henry Armstrong Reed
Henry Armstrong Reed was the nephew of George Armstrong Custer, Thomas Custer, and Boston Custer. Although not an official soldier, he was killed along with them at the Battle of the Little Bighorn at the age of 18....
, are buried at Woodland Cemetery after having died alongside George Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
in the Montana Territory
Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
on June 25, 1876.
Woodland Cemetery is located right next to the Zion Cemetery, but the two are separate cemeteries.
Notable burials
- Austin Eli WingAustin Eli WingAustin Eli Wing was a delegate to U.S. Congress from Michigan Territory before it became the state of Michigan....
(1792–1849), Congressional delegate and member of the Michigan House of Representatives - Boston CusterBoston CusterBoston Custer was the youngest brother of U.S. Army General George Armstrong Custer and two-time Medal of Honor recipient Captain Thomas Custer...
(1848–1876), younger brother of George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
and soldier killed at the Battle of the Little BighornBattle of the Little BighornThe Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army... - Daniel S. Bacon (1789–1866), father of Elizabeth BaconElizabeth Bacon CusterElizabeth Bacon Custer was the wife of General George Armstrong Custer. After his death, she became an outspoken advocate for her husband's legacy through her popular books and lectures...
and father-in-law of George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class... - David A. NobleDavid A. NobleDavid Addison Noble was a politician and judge from the U.S. state of Michigan.Noble was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He attended a private school in Plainfield and graduated from Williams College in Williamstown in 1825. He studied law in Albany and New York City and was admitted to the...
(1802–1876), lawyer, mayor of Monroe, and representative in the United States Congress - Edwin WillitsEdwin WillitsEdwin Willits was a politician from the U.S. State of Michigan.Willits was born in Otto, New York and moved to Michigan with his parents in September 1836. He graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in June 1855. The following April he settled in Monroe, Michigan where he was...
(1830–1896), lawyer, local politician, and later representative in the United States Congress - George Alford (d. 1836), a minutemanMinutemenMinutemen were members of teams of select men from the American colonial partisan militia during the American Revolutionary War. They provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that allowed the colonies to respond immediately to war threats, hence the name.The minutemen were among the first...
in the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and the only known Monroe soldier to have served in the Continental ArmyContinental ArmyThe Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
under the direct command of General George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of... - George SpaldingGeorge SpaldingGeorge Spalding was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Spalding was born in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland and immigrated to the United States in 1843 with his parents. The settled in Buffalo, New York, where he attended the public schools. He later moved to Monroe,...
(1836–1915), American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
officer and later a representativeUnited States Congressional Delegations from MichiganThis is a complete listing of all historical congressional delegations from Michigan to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.-United States Senate:-Delegates from Michigan Territory:-Members from Michigan:-Notes:...
in the United States CongressUnited States CongressThe United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.... - Heman J. Redfield (1823–1883), former mayor of Monroe and member of the Michigan SenateMichigan SenateThe Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....
- Henry Armstrong ReedHenry Armstrong ReedHenry Armstrong Reed was the nephew of George Armstrong Custer, Thomas Custer, and Boston Custer. Although not an official soldier, he was killed along with them at the Battle of the Little Bighorn at the age of 18....
(1858–1876), nephew of George Armstrong Custer and civilian casualty at the Battle of the Little Bighorn - Isaac P. ChristiancyIsaac P. ChristiancyIsaac Peckham Christiancy was Chief Justice of the Michigan State Supreme Court and U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan....
(1812–1890), Chief Justice of the Michigan State Supreme CourtMichigan Supreme CourtThe Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
and member of the United States SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... - James H. Gilmore, mayor of Monroe from 1922–1925 and 1930–1931
- Jesse Hart Root (d. 1934), federal judgeUnited States federal judgeIn the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
in Michigan and delegate at the 1932 Republican National Convention1932 Republican National ConventionThe 1932 Republican National Convention was held at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, from June 14 to June 16, 1932. It renominated President Herbert Hoover and Vice President Charles Curtis for their respective positions.... - Robert Scott DuncansonRobert Scott DuncansonRobert Scott Duncanson was born in Seneca County, New York in 1821. Duncanson’s father was a Canadian of Scottish descent and his mother was an African American, thus making him “a freeborn person of color.” Duncanson, an artist who is relatively unknown today, painted America, both physically...
(1821–1872), one the first African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
painters to garner international acclaim