Wesleyan Cemetery, Cincinnati

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Wesleyan Cemetery was founded in 1843 by the Methodist Church when its earlier cemeteries became full. The church then bought approximately 25 acres on Colerain Avenue adjacent to Mill Creek. Bodies from other cemeteries were moved there from downtown. It is significant as the oldest continuously operating cemetery in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Wesleyan is an historic cemetery is that it was the first in Cincinnati to be designed in a park-like fashion with winding drives, trees and shrubs. Most Cincinnatians think of Spring Grove Cemetery, not founded until 1845, as the pioneer of this style in our city. Nevertheless, Wesleyan was the first to be designed in such a manner. It was also the first cemetery in town to keep records. The staff kept burial records from the very beginning.

There are veterans of every war the United States has fought buried at Wesleyan Cemetery. It is the resting place of Richard Allison, who held a rank in the military equivalent to Surgeon General from 1792 to 1796. He was also the first resident physician of Cincinnati.[1] Six other Revolutionary War veterans are buried here, The Cemetery is knowen for its role in the Underground Railroad and in easing racial and ethnic barriers.

There is also a section of American Civil War Soldiers. Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient William Steinmetz is buried here. He served as a Corporal in the Union Army in Company G, 83d Indiana Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on May 22, 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His citation reads "Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."[2]

There are rarely, if ever, services held at the cemetery for Memorial day or Veterans day any more. In the last few years it has been the subject of several lawsuits and knowen for its run-down appearance. In 1992 people reported finding unearthed bones in discarded dirt piles at the cemetery. Charges were made that plots were being resold.

In 2005 Robert Merkle, former owner received the maximum 18 months in jail on two counts of theft and one count of failing to maintain an endowment. Loved ones of people buried at Wesleyan came to the courtroom, armed with harsh words for the 62-year-old unordained minister.

The Cemetery is located at 4003 Colerain Avenue, in Cincinnati, Ohio 45223.