A Sole Soul on the Prairie

On a recent visit to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, I learned there are 5 pioneer cemeteries on the property.  They are only open for visiting by escort or during special programs in the summer.

There is one grave that is open to visit: that of George Newton.

Newton Cemetery

George Newton's grave marker

Like many of the early settlers, George Newton was a young man from Vermont.  The local stories say that Newton was a farmhand who died along the trail on which he is now buried.  A stone marker was erected, and the Newton Cemetery and single grave has been cared for ever since. George's life is short on details but his death is marked forever.

1860 Federal census: Illinois, Will County, Town of Wilmington, p 99, line 15

along Newton Trail, the cemetery is after the far stand of trees

Newton Trailhead

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie trails

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© 2012 Sally Knudsen