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© 2007
Wayne Co., NEGenWeb Project
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History and listing of LaPorte Cemetery Submitted by Donna
D Shufelt The Community of LaPorte During 1869 and 1870, a number of families moved to this area as homesteaders. They were drawn to this "Great American Desert" with hopes of a new beginning during the time of expansion of the American West. Many things happened during that period of time. As the settlers established themselves in the small frame shanties, dugouts and soddies, other things were beginning to shape their future. Nebraska had just been admitted to the Union in 1867. These settlers took it upon themselves to form Wayne County (1870). That initial meeting took place in a home just south of the cemetery. It established the foundation and permanence for Wayne County as we know it today. The community of LaPorte was established in 1870 and was located 1 1/2 miles east of the cemetery site. It is considered to be the first town in Wayne County. That location is currently marked by the cupola from the first courthouse in Wayne County. Long since remodeled into a residence, the courthouse can be seen just to the south and west of that location. LaPorte, by 1875, had a population of 300. It had established itself as a thriving community and the county seat. There were banks, grocers, real estate agents, a newspaper, (The Wayne County Review) hardware businesses and a post office. Missing from this was the railroad which would have made the town complete. During this time another community, Brookdale, was beginning to take shape close to the Logan Creek, a few miles to the north and west. William Hunter Cemetery Veterans Nathaniel Allen........................War of 1812 Lee Hunter...................................Civil War In 1882 an arbitrary decision by the railroad brought the railhead to Brookdale. That community soon changed it's name to Wayne, and a vote of the people made Wayne the county seat. LaPorte literally closed it's doors. Buildings, businesses, and people moved to be part of what the railroad promised to be the center of prosperity and LaPorte, as a community, would soon vanish. The Cemetery and Cupola are all that is left to remind us of the strong pioneer spirit that developed, not only this county, but much of northeast Nebraska. At Rest The children of RH & Mary Skiles "Budded on earth to bloom in heaven" Harry b. Jan. 11, 1883 d. Feb. l, 1888 Baby b. Dec. 12, 1881 d. Jan. 5. 1882 The Durin Family Almost every family suffered incredible hardships through these early settlement days. The Durin family stands out from most. It makes one wonder how people stayed on to tame and civilize this country. The Wilson Durin Family was one of the first to arrive in this area in 1869. The family's tragedies started just 2 years later when Charles, at the age of 20, was killed by a falling tree. It is commonly believed that the cemetery site came from the Durin estate at that time. Wilson died during a winter storm in November of 1876. In October of 1878, Mrs. Betsy Durin, age 51, and daughter Anne, age 11, were burned to death in a prairie fire. Another son, Allen, was killed by lightning about the time of his mother and sisters death. He is buried in Holdrege where he was working at the time. The exact date of his death and age are not known. This account is witness to the number of hardy families, who traveled to Nebraska, managed to survive the rigors of pioneer life on the prairie, and now lie among friends and relatives from their homes in Illinois. In 1994, the Great Granddaughter, Great-Great, Grand daughter and Great-Great-Great Grand Daughter of Wilson Durin were able to visit the cemetery. In a Midwestern search for their family roots, finding this part of their family history was a major highlight of their travels. Keepers of the Cemetery Over the years, since LaPorte's last days, the town site and the surrounding area have given way to the farming industry. The cemetery owes it's existence and preservation to scores of volunteers and service organizations, who have, over the years, made efforts to preserve and take care of the grounds. In between concentrated efforts, the grounds became overgrown with brush and sucker trees. At times it would transform into nothing but an unkempt grove. In 1993 a serious effort was begun to preserve the site. Trees were removed and new trees planted. It was thoroughly cleaned and is now under the continuing care of the volunteer LaPorte Cemetery Association. There are more restoration plans for the future. Still to be done is the preservation of flower beds, head stone restoration, and someday, hopefully, a historical marker to register the site permanently. As time and money become available, the cemetery will continue to be restored to it's natural beauty and historical significance. LaPorte Cemetery LaPorte Cemetery is located 2 miles south and 3 and 1/4 miles east of Wayne, NE. The cemetery sits high on a rolling hilltop in the plain tradition of the early American rural cemetery. Located there and the remains of the pioneers that had a big part in settling Wayne County and much of northeast Nebraska. Most of these early settlers came here from Lee County, Illinois. They worked, married, raised families, and made new homes for themselves, as well as establishing a sense of community in what was then a harsh environment. These folks lived with incredible hardships. On what was then barren prairie, blizzards, prairie fires and disease were all major obstacles to what was then known as common comfort. The sparse population created a sense of loneliness that many could not endure in the vast expanses of the rolling prairie. Many became homesick and returned to their homes in the east, but most stayed and endured. The cemetery is the final resting place of adults and children who lived in or near the town of LaPorte. Many died tragic deaths, others lived full lifetimes. All contributed in their own way to the early development of Wayne County. "Our
Little Willie" Names of those
buried in this cemetery Graves are numbered for reference only. Last Name First Name Ref # Date Died Agler (Roberts) Clyde C No. 11 3 January 1875 Allen Nathaniel No. 3 1876 Cooper Jacob I No. 18 14 August 1893 Durin Anna No. 4 12 October 1878 Durin Betsey No. 4 12 October 1878 Durin Charles H No. 4 16 Februrary 1871 Durin Wilson No. 4 20 November 1876 Englert John No. 7 28 March 1876 Graham Lela May No. 8 9 September 1875 Graham Lulu Jerusha No. 9 27 August 1874 Harmon Benjamin G No. 12 18 Februrary 1881 Harmon Oscar B No. 12 2 May 1870 Hunt Clarence E No. 21 9 September 1882 Hunter Clark No. 10 12 July 1881 Hunter George No. 14 5 July 1888 Hunter Lee No. 15 Unknown Hunter Minnie Belle No. 15 29 August 1875 Hunter Enoch No. 16 1910 Hunter Patience Eliza No. 16 24 September 1881 Hunter Rebecca No. 16 Unknown Hunter Wilberton No. 19 19 Februrary 1871 Hunter William No. 19 25 November 1871 Miller Anna No. 2 1890 Miller Mrs Eleanora No. 2 18 June 1914 Olin John No. 1 22 July 1872 Richardson Lina No. 5 13 Februrary 1882 Richardson Maud No. 5 1 December 1871 Scott Willie No. 6 6 April 1873 Skiles Baby No. 13 5 January 1882 Skiles Harry No. 13 4 Februrary 1883 Townsend Alice M No. 20 6 November 1879 There are 21 head stones in this cemetery that mark the 32 people buried here. Of those 17 were children under the age of twelve. Many of the adults died before their 40th birthday. It is commonly believed that there are others buried here. They are known but to God. |