W. P. A. Cemetery Survey - Hale (Wellman) Cemetery, Highland Township

The Works Progress Administration was formed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in reaction to the Great Depression as a means of employing Americans and stimulating the economy.  Established in 1935, one of the projects of the W.P.A. was to conduct Historical Records Surveys, one of which included finding information on cemeteries and the graves of veterans.  The W.P.A. was disbanded in 1943, but the historical information provided on these surveys continue to be of interest and are, thankfully, preserved.

In this series, some of the general surveys of Defiance County cemeteries will be shared, transcribed as written with a few punctuation and/or spelling changes for readability.  The surveys were probably done around 1936.

 For more up to date information on the cemeteries, check out this chart on our website:
 http://defiancecountygenealogy.org/cemeteries.html

Hale Cemetery

1. Name of Cemetery:

The old Hale Cemetery in Highland Township on the W. H. Hale Farm in section #17, Defiance County

2. Location, how reached:

Located four miles south and one and one half miles east of the City of Defiance in section #17, Highland Township.  Reached by going south from Defiance City Limits four miles, turning east and going one mile, then south for one half mile.  The graveyard lies on the west side of the road here about twenty five rods back on a high hill.

3. Name and address of caretaker:

The Hales keep the cemetery up, however the township built a new fence around it a year ago.  W. H. Hale's address is R. R. #8, Defiance, Ohio

4. General description, size, appearance, etc.:

A pleasant grove of trees, of about an acre, situated on a hill, a ravine on two sides well shaded and well drained, fenced and locked gates, however there is no driveway.  It has several new modern stone and granite markers erected in recent years and is not so badly kept up for a graveyard not in use.  It is not, however, well known, and is now a private cemetery as all the lots and plots are taken and no new ground left for others.  At one time it was a Baptist Church cemetery.  Several colored persons are buried in it.

5. Name and date of first burial recorded:

The oldest grave is that of Fannie Wellman who died in 1856.

6. Names of important persons buried there:

All old Highland Township settlers, Wellmans, Jacksons and Coopers.

7. Markers of unusual appearance:

Most of the markers are of granite of the heavy type, none of any note.

8. Unusual epitaphs: None

9. Is cemetery used for new burials?

This cemetery has not been used since 1900 when William Cooper was buried; however, there are some stones recently erected without the date of death yet recorded.  I am told these are relatives of some now resting here who wish to be buried here; otherwise the cemetery is closed.