Flanked on each side by century old arbor vitae, a narrow driveway leads visitors to the original grave site of the earliest Bishop Hill colonists, established in 1847. Due to the lack of documentation and absent or damaged stones, specific resting places of those who died when the colony was in its infancy are unmarked and unknown.
Efforts by the village council members, concerned residents who acted as cemetery consultants, and the Bishop Hill Old Settlers’ Association led to the erection of a special monument to honor those who lived and died in the colony’s earliest days.
Harvey Ponder of Lacky Monument also acted as an advisor and helped design the special stone that sits in the middle of the original section of the cemetery.
The inscription on the stone reads: “This monument stands in honor of the early pioneers who left Sweden to make their home on the Illinois Prairie. We pay tribute to their courage and today, mark their graves with remembrance and gratitude.”
According to Terri Wigant, village clerk, the monument measures five feet tall and features a QR code on the lower front section. This code allows the viewer to access the website and information on the printed cemetery records. A digitized version is also in the works. The website is available at www.bishophillil.gov. and includes information on the history of the Bishop Hill cemetery, as well as the Red Oak Grove cemetery that lies west of the village and the LaGrange Monument near Osco, Ill., where victims of the 1849 cholera outbreak were buried in a mass grave.
On the back of the monument is a map of the original section that offers reference points.
In her opening remarks, Wigant explained how she and the village treasurer, Sharon Wexell, applied for the Illinois Cemetery Relief Grant that helps cemeteries in need of repair and maintenance.
“We were one of ten recipients that were awarded the $20,000 grant, and part of this helped pay for the stone,” she said.
Wigant told the story of the Swedish immigrants who left their homes behind and spent months on board ships, crammed below deck with no windows, medical care or basic comforts. Upon reaching the New World, they faced more months of travel across land by foot and wagon.
Arriving in Bishop Hill in September of 1846, they were ill-prepared for the hardships of an Illinois winter. Many died during the winter months and were buried, often with only a wooden stake as a marker.
“This monument is a symbol of our respect and pride in those people, for we would not be here today if it were not for their courage,” said Wigant.
Those given special notice for their assistance by Wigant and Wexell were Jeff Olson, Diane Lindbom, Lacky Monument and the Old Settlers’ Association. Wigant also paid tribute to the late Cheryl Wexell Dowell, who helped to create the cemetery booklet.
“Many people made this monument happen,” said Wigant. “We can now pay homage to our Swedish ancestors who created this wonderful village.”
Pastor Rebecca Gearhart of the Bishop Hill Methodist Church, led the group in prayer, asking those present to remember the faith and courage of the early colonists.
“They were led here by faith and perseverance and will not be forgotten,” the pastor said.
She then invited the group to an ice cream social on the church lawn and a weaving demonstration in the church’s basement.
