09/09/2001
(Fowler/Mundy Pioneer Cemetery after clean-up.)
The Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries started in May 2000 by Jeff Kempf,Sr., as an effort to generate public awareness about the neglected pioneer cemeteries of Marion County, Indiana. Marion County has hundreds of abandoned or neglected pioneer cemeteries, the oldest of which now approach 250 years. The goal of Marion County, Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries is to restore; preserve, protect and honor the place where Indiana pioneers blazed a trail for us. Our pioneer ancestors deserve better treatment than leaving their final resting place desecrated, abandoned and destroyed! Hello my name is Jeff Kempf,Sr.
FEATHERSTON PIONEER CEMETERY NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!! Or "Boxwood" Pioneer Cemetery as its known by Perry Township because it's abandoned.
Click link below to see photos and more information on this site! Its basically a huge empty lot with only one headstone behind a tree. Its between houses in a five year old development. PLEASE HELP US GET A READING AND HELP RESTORE SOME DIGNITY TO THESE INDIANA
PIONEERS! THANKS.
Jeff Kempf, Sr. [email protected]
THIS
PHOTO IS BOXWOOD PIONEER CEMETERY TAKEN SUMMER 2000. THIS DOUBLE
LOT PROBABLY HAS GRAVES UNMARKED EXCEPT THE ONE IN THE PICTURE
OF SARAH FEATHESTON. 
Pioneer Cemetery Restoration
CHECK OUT MY LINK TO HELP LOCATE BUCK CREEK PIONEER CEMETERY.
Buck Creek pioneer cemetery
The following is an article written by Meredith Thompson from the Indiana Genealogical Society's April, 2000 newsletter.
Jeff Kempf,Sr. is taking on the plight of the Fowler/Mundy Pioneer Cemetery in the southwest suburbs of Indianapolis. Kempf is not a native Hoosier, having moved to the area only a few years ago, but a visit to the Indiana Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Project website (www.rootsweb.com/~incur/) caught his attention when he saw that the Marion County cemetery was listed in the website's "Hall of Shame." "Cemeteries are cherished and honored sites for genealogists, especially pioneer cemeteries," Kempf says.
He estimates that there are 30-40 buried in the cemetery, dating back to the 1800s. Along with much of central Indiana, Perry Township is undergoing a shift from a rural to suburban community. The Fowler/Mundy Pioneer Cemetery is now located in the middle of a woods in a housing development known as Southern Dunes. The damage did not occur during the development process but from years of past neglect. Kempf was dismayed when he saw what the cemetery looks like today: "Broken headstones, some in many pieces, sunken graves and markers so you can't see them at all, overgrown with mold, mildew, weathering, trees...its terrible." Kempf has contacted several local officials, including the Perry Township trustee and the Department of Natural Resources.
He reports that several of the homeowners were not even aware there was a cemetery nearby but have been supportive of his efforts to have it restored : "Most are of the opinion that all cemeteries should be respected and taken care of and that's great." If you'd like to join his campaign, you can contact Jeff Kempf,Sr. at 4408 Dudley South Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46237; Phone (317) 780-6812; e-mail [email protected]
(Jungle like over-growth at Fowler/Mundy Cemetery.)
(Before picture.)
JOIN PERRY TOWNSHIP PIONEER CEMETERY SOCIETY.
Those interested in joining the Perry Township Pioneer Cemetery Society please contact Jeff at e-mail above. I think this would be an excellent way to help with care and restoration of Perry Township pioneer cemeteries. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.
INDIANA ANCESTORS
Indianapolis Star Newspaper
VICKTORIA HIZER has run two articles on Fowler/Mundy pioneer cemetery. Both articles have been under "Did you know?" Vicktoria describes how Fowler/Mundy is in need of restoration and asks readers to contact Jeff Kempf,Sr. at 317-780-6812 for details. Also mentioned to readers is the Perry Township Pioneer Cemetery Society and encouraging them to join. Also some of the surnames buried there include FOWLER, MUNDY, CUSTER, TRACY, and BELL and others yet to be discovered. GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER is also talked about in Indiana Ancestors as having distant relatives buried here. Vicktoria says that
Mr.Kempf was instrumental in preserving this cemetery and now needs the help with the care and preservation of all the pioneer cemeteries in Perry Township. He is forming the Perry Township Pioneer Cemetery
Society. 
Mr. Kempf has made contact with two descendants of two different pioneers buried in Fowler/Mundy cemetery and has been assured that his plight and efforts are appreciated and needed.
LETTER REGARDING FOWLER/MUNDY PIONEER CEMETERY
There was once a town just south of cemetery. The only road to the town ran by the cemetery, there was a north to south fence row east of cemetery, a little north of the cemetery and west was another fence row, that fence row ran east and west, south of that fence row was the town about 1/4 mile west of the cemetery. I know for a fact that some headstones were stolen for
Halloween parties. Indiana University had some students there in the early 1970's cleaning and fixing up the area. The rumor was that Custer's mother or grandmother was buried there. They also did some research. There was a lot of arrowheads found in those two fields west of the cemetery.
ON JULY 4, 2000 I HELPED TO CLEAR SEVERAL PATHS AT FOWLER/MUNDY CEMETERY FROM 10:00 TO 2:00 P.M. THIS AS AN ADVANCE PREPARATION FOR THE JULY 15TH CLEAN-UP!
IT WAS A VERY HOT BUT A REWARDING WAY TO CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY AND REMEMBER OUR PAST!
July 15, 2000 was a great day for Fowler/Mundy Pioneer Cemetery as 30 people volunteered to clean-up the site. My wife and children joined me on this day as we helped clean-up this Historical site.
Elizabeth Custer and the other pioneers buried there are gleaming once again. Karen Glasser whom is a descendant of Elizabeth Custer told me how thankful she is about the transformation so far. We still have a lot to do!!!!! Thank you to all who supported the efforts and helped clean-up. Pictures will be posted of the clean-up soon.
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Links to other sites on the Web
SOUTHPORT CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)
FOWLER/MUNDY PIONEER CEMETERY picture site, please look!
RESTORATION of Fowler/Mundy Pioneer Cemetery
Perry Township Index, Washington Township & Lawrence Township
Cemeteries.
Boxwood Cemetery cries out for restoration in Southport!
(Oct. 18, 1884), Discovered Baby Ivey A.
Klepfer, (1 yr., 4 mo.), Headstone. Where does it belong?
yahoo
© 2000 [email protected]