Buried in history: Clinton Cemetery offers glimpse into past lives Jan 16 2001 12:00AM By Lugene Hudson: New Castle News A snowy winter day is not the most ideal time for roaming through a cemetery, but Cruisin' visits are often out of the ordinary. This is only the second time I have visited a graveyard since the start of this column, but there are several Lawrence County cemeteries of historical significance. Clinton Cemetery is one. To get there, I drove south on Route 18 past Gateway Commerce Center. A right turn onto Possum Hollow Road and then a right onto Old 18 led to my destination. Before I entered the cemetery I slowed down in front of a white building. I knew from reading local accounts this was an important landmark in the Possom Hollow/Clinton area of New Beaver. The 166-year-old building became headquarters for a lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows in 1887. It was first known as Clinton Methodist Church. The Odd Fellows is an international benevolent secret society tracing its origins to medieval times. It began in England in the early 18th century. The first lodge in the United States was organized in Baltimore in 1819. Currently, three lodges remain in the district: Rock Point, Freedom and Ambridge. Pulling up in front of the lodge, I clearly saw Rock Point Lodge No. 846 in black letters, which stand out against the white exterior. At this spot I was in Clinton, but I drove back down the road into the Possom Hollow area. Residents must enjoy living in this quiet spot, even though the main highway, Route 18, is just a short distance away. Looking to the left, I could see smokestacks from Southdown Cement Co. Finally, I headed back to the well-maintained cemetery, which is adjacent to Clinton Methodist Church, although the two are not affiliated. During the holidays, graves are decorated with wreaths, and there were still poinsettias and artificial flowers evident. Since I had forgotten my gloves, (certainly not a good idea on a blustery day like this) taking notes was tough. By first digging through The News archives, though, I located some articles about the cemetery. The Clinton Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1874. Eleanor Wilson is secretary of the association, and her family has a long connection with the cemetery. There are graves, which date as far back as 1832 and 1850. There are also four unknown Civil War soldiers buried here, but nobody knows who they were or specifically where they are buried. Some graves have no markings at all. It is easy to see that the oldest ones are closest to the main road, while newer plots are farther back. Despite the cold, I got out of the car to get a closer look at history. A George Galbreath was born in 1850, but I could not see the year he died. A simple headstone was for Walter Welsh who was born in 1864 and died in 1918. Next to him the stone said simply, "Sarah his wife - 1862 to 1921." There was one gravestone that would be difficult for any observer to miss. The name Braby stands out above the others, and the marker is very elaborate and pretty. From Matthew Kingman, single copy marketing manager at The News, I understand one of the Braby gentlemen operated a store in the area. The main stone is surrounded by eight family members. There are several instances of entire families buried here, which is not unusual for older cemeteries where generation after generation has been buried. It was sad to see graves of infants. One in particular had a lamb carving on the gravestone. Some engraving was tough to read, but not that of the Davidson family, who originally founded Wampum. There are other notables buried here, too, including L. Butler Hennon, the famous basketball coach at Wampum High School. And like all older cemeteries, there is representation from every major war Americans fought in. There was one marked U.S. Army for a man who died in 1886. While a few of the older graves were more ornate, some simply say "In Loving Memory" or "At Peace,'' such as the person who was born in 1848 and died in 1922. Others have small white crosses, and there was another with two hearts linked together with the name of the husband and wife. Some decorations include angels and cherubs. It is also interesting to pick out unusual first names such as Garvin and names from the past including Levi. On some graves, there are large photographs of the deceased, while on others there are small oval snapshots. Standing on a knoll, it was particularly windy. In fact, the wind had knocked several decorations over. Despite the onset of cold weather, it was easy to see several magnolia bushes, now sleeping for the winter. At the top of the hill stands a simple wooden cross. As I prepared to leave, I again neared some of the oldest plots. Next to a tall oak tree are several markers and it seemed like a peaceful spot for eternal rest. While I was on this little jaunt through the southern portion of the county, I drove through Wampum. It was fun meeting Annie Boyer and the ladies who form We Care at Wampum United Methodist Church. They get together several times a year to prepare soup, homemade bread and additional goodies for shut-ins and others in the community. I was lucky enough to sample the delicious outcome of their talents. I also had a chance to see the inside of this 123-year-old church - the oldest one in Wampum. The burgess (equivalent to our modern-day mayor), Edward Kay, helped tremendously in getting the church built, and it still has its original windows. It always amazes me there are actually four churches in this borough, all practically within a stone's throw of each other. All these explorations offer important connections to what has transpired in this county over the years and help weave a fascinating story. I may have picked one cold morning for this particular expedition, but this peek into the past is like taking a page from a history book. (If you know of an interesting or unique person or place in your part of the county, contact Lugene Hudson for Cruisin' the County at 654-6651, ext. 620.)