Dils Cemetery
Located in Parkersburg, Wood County, W.Va.
Situated behind the Parkersburg branch of the Williamstown National Bank, 3002 7th Street, Parkersburg, W.Va.
With its first known internment, that of Philip Dils in 1801, the Dils Graveyard ranks as one of Parkersburg, West Virginia’s earliest community burying grounds. As with most early graveyards it began as a family burying ground; in this instance, of the Philip Dils family, the largest landholder in that section. As the Dils family grew and the area became more populated, the cemetery developed into a small community graveyard. Even though the land was well outside of city limits (Parkersburg was then the newly established town of Newport, western Virginia), it was situated along a busy thoroughfare, later to become part of the great Northwestern Virginia Turnpike. The cemetery is near Worthington Creek, a tributary of the Little Kanawha River. Historian John Albert House [1854-1938] describes the graveyard as follows: "The Old Dils Graveyard lies over two miles from the uttermost limit of the Parkersburg of one hundred years ago, yet it is now inside its eastern suburb. The southwest corner has the oldest graves, dating back to the [eighteen] Twenties and Thirties (and earlier). The surface of the ground is smooth, sloping gently from east of the middle to the western line. The southern half is cleft by the two steep hollows, at the junction of these hollows is a spring." A deed describes the cemetery as "being one acre, more or less". In 1857 the Roman Catholic Church also established a graveyard in the area. It abutted the Dils Cemetery property on the east side.
In 1870 the Dils Graveyard, then owned by Philip Dils descendant James McNeil Stephenson, was deeded over to trustees, namely David H. Dils, William M. Evans, Andrew Murdy, and R.B. Stephenson. James McNeil Stephenson, however, did retain the rights to a small portion of the cemetery (adjoining the Catholic Cemetery) as a plot for his own family. This large family plot was sometimes referred to as the Stephenson Cemetery [not to be confused with the Stephenson Cemetery that is located behind the old Corning Glass Works]. James McNeil Stephenson, his wife, and possibly three infant children were buried there but were later disinterred and relocated to Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Until perhaps ten years ago, the oldest original headstone remaining at Dils was a monument to Captain James Foley, an American Revolutionary War soldier. It was replaced by one of his descendants with a durable marble veteran's marker.
Dils Graveyard is the final resting place of many soldiers who served in the United States Civil War. Years ago, every Decoration Day (Memorial Day) soldiers' graves were tended to and adorned with fresh flowers by members of the G.A.R. and other fraternal groups.
One of the most interesting events associated with this cemetery was the March 6, 1868, public hanging in, or near, the cemetery of the convicted murderer Joseph Eisele, alias John Schafer. (<--- Click on name for more information)
Only a small portion of the original headstones remain intact ~ some have been destroyed or removed by vandals, some fell over decades ago are now concealed by layers of sod, while most of the earliest sandstone markers have merely weathered away.
Since neither the City of Parkersburg, the County of Wood, nor the State of West Virginia have laws set in place for the perpetual care of defunct cemeteries, the maintenance of the Dils Graveyard has, over the course of time, been sporadic. City workers, Governor's Summer Youth Program participants, and others have, from time to time, tried to get a foot-hold on the upkeep; however, the elements and vandals always take their toll. In August 2002 the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society (www.wchps.com), through the urging of Karlyn E. "Karlie" Lowers (direct descendant of Civil War soldier Samuel L. McHenry), began the monumental job of restoring the then-neglected cemetery. Brush was cut, litter picked up, grass mowed, and over time, fallen headstones set back into place. The Society is currently raising money to establish a perpetual maintenance fund.
In 2010 a decorative entrance arch was installed from funds obtained from the Oakland Foundation. A dedication ceremony for the arch was held May 22, 2011.
Although there is no known sexton's register listing all burials, readings of the graveyard's headstones have been recorded several times, such as John House's 1913 notations, the Historic Records Survey funded and conducted by the Works Progress Administration in 1931, and readings conducted by the Old Bible and Cemetery Records Committee of the West Augusta Genealogical Society in 1964. Below is a "new" list of burials, compiled from the above headstone readings, newspaper obituaries, family records, etc. Each entry contains the following information (if available): decedent's name, date of birth, date of death, parents' names, spouse's name, military service, headstone notation, source notation, and obituary information. The "headstone" or "footstone" notation indicates the presence of a gravestone for that individual as of 2011. The source notations (the numbers following each entry) correspond to the sources used. A complete list of the sources appears at the end of this list.
All remaining gravestones have been photographed and can be viewed here. Names that are underlined are linked to a photo. To see the photo, just click on the name.
Known Burials
- Allton, Catharine - d:Oct. 17, 1855, 23y, wife of Montraville Allton headstone 1 2 3
- Ankrom [male] - d:1907, son of R. L. Ankrom 7 [obit DSJ Feb. 16, 1907, pg. 1, column 2]
- Archer Child - d:1898, child of George Archer 7 [obit DSJ Dec. 8, 1898, pg. 4, column 4]
- Baker, Annie E. - d:Feb. 17, 1896, 45y, wife of David Baker 7 [obit DSJ Feb. 18, 1896, pg. 5, column 3]
- Baker, Catharine - d:1877, 73y, wife of Jacob Baker headstone 2
- Baker, Jacob - d:1884, 84y, husband of Catharine (Nye?) headstone 2
- Barnes, J. M. - [Civil War soldier - Company "F", Fourth W.Va. Infantry] veteran's headstone 1 2 3
- Blankenship, Ruth - dau. of Elisha [obit PSWS Feb. 14, 1902, pg. 7, column 2 and 3]
- Boehm, Delia - d:1898, 32y 9m, wife of Ked Boehm 7 [obit DSJ March 3, 1898, pg. 8, column 3]
- Bosley, Franklin B. - b:May 14, 1887, d:July 12, 1897, 10y 2m 2d, son of Henry C. and Racheal L. Bosley family stone 1 4 7 [obit PS July 12, 1897, pg. 8, column 3]
- Bosley, Henry C. - b:1852, d:1905, husband of Racheal L. family stone [obit DSJ Nov, 28, 1905, pg. 1, column 4]
- Bosley, Racheal L. - b:1853, d:September 25, 1930, wife of Henry C. Bosley (Wood Co. death record lists death date as Sept. 25, 1929 4) family stone 8
- Bosley, Thomas O. - b:June 21, 1890, d:Feb. 21, 1933, 42y, son of Henry C. and Racheal L. Bosley, husband of Addie Buchauers family stone 8
- Bosley, William A. - b:Oct. 7, 1876, d:August 5, 1897, 20y 9m 28d, son of Henry C. and Racheal L. Bosley family stone 1 4 7 [obit PS Aug. 6, 1897, pg. 5, column 3]
- Brown, Hannah - d:March 7, 1848, 76y, wife of Thomas Brown headstone 1 2 3
- Brown, John - 7 [obit DSJ May 2, 1894, pg. 8, column 4] [relocated to Riverview Cemetery, see DSJ June 1, 1894, pg. 3, column 3]
- Brown, Mrs. Eva - [African-American] d:1900 7 [obit DSJ April 21, 1900, pg. 1, column 8]
- Carroll, Anna Burns - native of Ireland, d:Jan. 10, 1855, 34y 2
- Chaddock, Belle - dau. of A. C. [obit PS Aug. 15, 1904, pg. 5, column 3]
- Chaddock, Charles Robert - b:June 20, 1932, d:Dec. 5, 1932, 5m 15d, son of Charles Edward and Nancy Mabel (Ross) Chaddock 8
- Clegg, Jack - d:1900 7 [obit PS July 2, 1900, pg. 3, column 3 / PS July 4, 1900, pg. 4, column 4 / PS July 5, 1900, pg. 5, column 4]
- Cobb, Mrs. H. C. - d:1897 7 [obit PS Nov. 2, 1897, pg. 8, column 3]
- Conley, Clarence G. - d:1896, 10m, son of William Conley 7 [obit DSJ Sept. 2, 1896, pg. 3, column 5 and PS Sept. 2, 1896, pg. 8, column 2]
- Conley, John Fought - d:June 18, 1890, 10m 13d, son of William H. and Mary E. Conley 4 7
- Conley, Mrs. W. H. - 7 [obit DSJ Jan. 8, 1891, pg. 3, column 2]
- Conrad, Mrs. Elizabeth - d:May 24, 1889, 82y 7 [obit DSJ May 24, 1889, pg. 4, column 3]
- Corbin, Alexander - d:1896 7 [obit DSJ March 10, 1896, pg. 3, column 5 and DSJ March 11, 1896, pg. 5, column 2]
- Corbin, Mrs. - d:1896, mother-in-law of C. E. Shattuck 7 [obit DSJ Oct. 2, 1896, pg. 1, column 5]
- Craig, Mrs. Rhoda - d:1897 7 [obit PSWS Feb. 12, 1897, pg. 2, column 1]
- Creel, Edwin L. - cb:May 31, 1853, d:Nov. 3, 1866, 13y 5m 3d, son of Hugh P. and Delilah E. (Foley) Creel headstone 1 2 3
- Creel, Hugh Phelps - b:May 8, 1824, d:Aug. 27, 1865, 41y 9m 19d, son of Thomas Athey and Priscilla (Phelps) Creel, husband of Delilah Foley [Civil War Sgt. - Company "A", Fifteenth W.Va. Infantry] headstone 1 2 3
- Creel, James B. - cb:Dec. 11, 1856, d:March 26, 1857, 3m 15d, son of Hugh P. and Delilah E. (Foley) Creel headstone 1 2 3
- Creel, Robert K. - cb:Dec. 8, 1854, d:Feb. 11, 1856, 1y 2m 3d, son of Hugh P. and Delilah E. (Foley) Creel headstone 1 2 3 Robert K. has his own headstone; his name is also inscribed on a larger marker on opposite side of brother James B.'s name.
- Creel, Willie M. - cb:March 28, 1850, d:April 2, 1874, 24y 0m 5d, son of Hugh P. and Delilah E. (Foley) Creel headstone 1 2 3
- Cross Child - d:Oct. 25, 1889, 8y, child of Mr. and Mrs. Munroe Cross 7 [obit Oct. 26, 1889, pg. 4, column 2]
- Curtis, Hannah E. - b:1861, d:Sept. 28, 1905, dau. of John and Savilla Nofsinger, wife of William Sherman Curtis 4 7 [obit DSJ Sept. 28, 1905, pg. 1, column 4]
- Curtis, William Sherman - b:June 30, 1864, d:Nov. 25, 1915, son of William Walker and Rebecca (Wetzel) Curtis, husband of Hannah Nofsinger 5
- Dils, Albert L. - b:March 30, 1834, d:Nov. 10, 1843, son of Hugh P. and Susan (Logan) Dils headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Ann E. - b:1828, d:1903, dau. of Philip Washington and Lucia (Foley) Dils [obit DSJ Jan. 26, 1903, pg. 1, column 5]
- Dils, Ariantha - b:1758, d:(July 26, 1843 according to John A. House / July 2, 1845 according to WPA records / July 9, 1845 according to on-line family records), 86y, dau. of Tunis Tunison, wife of William Dils (1764-1811) 1 2
- Dils, Arthur Alonzo - b:Dec. 14, 1851, d:Jan. 16, 1853, son of Peter Emery and Elizabeth (Fought) Dils headstone 1
- Dils, Belinda Jane - cb:Dec. 19, 1826, d:June 2, 1893, 71y 5m 14d, dau. of Samuel Wilkes, wife of William Smith Dils headstone 1 2 3 7 [obit PS June 2, 1893, pg. 1, column 1]
- Dils, Berlin - b:Dec. 18, 1813, d:June 10, 1883, son of Philip Washington and Lucia (Foley) Dils, husband of Elizabeth Ellsworth 7
- Dils, Catherine - b:circa 1795, d:?, dau. of Moses and Sarah (unknown) Pilcher, wife of Henry "Hogs" Dils 1
- Dils, Edward - d:June 11, 1886, 35y 7 [obit DSJ June 12, 1886, pg. 3, column 3]
- Dils, Foley - b:March 18, 1848, d:April 8, 1914, 66y 20d, son of James and Sophronia (Foley) Dils 5
- Dils, George - b:Aug. 26, 1836, d:Feb. 26, 1839, son of Hugh P. and Susan (Logan) Dils headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Henry (Hogs) - b:circa 1795, d:July 25, 1861, 66y, son of Henry and Christina (unknown) Dils, husband of Catherine Pilcher headstone 1 2
- Dils, Hugh Phelps - b:Dec. 26, 1802, d:Sept. 30, 1868, 65y 9m 4d, son of William and Ariantha (Tunison) Dils, husband of Susan Logan headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Hugh Phelps Jr. - b:May 27, 1843, d:March 23, 1867, 23y 9m 26d, son of Hugh P. and Susan (Logan) Dils, husband of Harriett Simpson [Civil War soldier - Company "H", Eleventh W.Va. Infantry] headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, James - cb:March 28, 1813, d:March 9, 1853, 39y 11m 9d, son of Tunis and Mary (Cain) Dils, husband of Sophronia Foley headstone 1 2
- Dils, Lodema - b:April 26, 1829, d:Feb. 11, 1831, dau. of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils headstone 1 3
- Dils, Louisa Ania - b:Sept. 11, 1840, d:Oct. 13, 1845, dau. of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Lucia (Lucy) - b:1793, d:Dec. 6, 1870, dau. of James and Mary (Langfitt) Foley, wife of Philip Washington Dils 6
- Dils, Moses P. - b:April 6, 1821, d:May 31, 1822, son of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils 1 2 3
- Dils, Mrs. Frank - d:Jan. 31, 1899, 21y, wife of Frank Dils (Frank Dils is the son of Barcum Dils and grandson of Philip Washington Dils) 7 [obit PS Feb. 1, 1899, pg. 1, column 2]
- Dils, Peter Emery - b:Dec. 8, 1831, d:June 14, 1881, son of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils, husband of Elizabeth Fought [Civil War soldier - Company "G", Sixth W.Va. Infantry] veteran's headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Philip - d.1801, husband of Mary Hoffman 1
- Dils, Philip Washington - b:Sept. 17, 1788, d:Nov. 7, 1849, son of William and Ariantha (Tunison) Dils, husband of Lucia Foley headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Samuel P. - b:1853, d:Aug. 1, 1890, 37y 5d, son of William Smith and Belinda Jane (Wilkes) Dils headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Sarah M. - b:July 25, 1839, d:July 7, 1840, dau. of Hugh P. and Susan (Logan) Dils headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Sophronia/Sophia - b:ca. 1813, d:July 21, 1899, dau. of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley, wife of James Dils 7 [obit DSJ July 22, 1899, pg. 5, column 3]
- Dils, Stephen P. - cb:Oct. 24, 1823, d:Sept. 11, 1850, 26y 10m 18d, son of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils, husband of Hannah Ann Rhodes headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, Susan - b:Sept. 29, 1807, d:Feb. 29, 1884, 76y 5m, dau. of Henry and Susan (Skinner) Logan, wife of Hugh P. Dils headstone 1 2 3
- Dils, William - b:1764, d:Aug. 11, 1811, son of Philip and Mary (Hoffman) Dils, husband of Ariantha Tunison 1 2
- Dils, William - b:November 1, 1797, d:August 24, 1847 Stone erected by Dryden Parker headstone unearthed in 2011
- Dils, William Jr. - b:Nov. 14, 1794, d:Aug. 2, 1844, son of William and Ariantha (Tunison) Dils, husband of Catharine Foley 2
- Dils, William Smith - b:July 8, 1816, d:July 8, 1876, 60y, son of Philip Washington and Lucia (Foley) Dils, husband of Belinda Jane Wilkes [Civil War soldier, Company "A", 39th Kentucky Infantry] headstone + veteran's headstone 1 2 3
- Ditman (female) - d:March 6, 1890, 1y, dau. of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Ditman 7 [obit DSJ March 7, 1890, pg. 3, column 6]
- Eagle, Elizabeth E. - dau. of D. S. Eagle [obit DSJ Aug. 3, 1903, pg. 4, column 1]
- Eagle, Iowa M. - d:Aug. 31, 1889, dau. of Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Eagle 7 [obit DSJ Aug. 31, 1889, pg. 4, column 2]
- Eagle, Mrs. M. J. - [obit DSJ June 15, 1903, pg. 4, column 5]
- Earl, John A. - cb:March 21, 1860, d:Sept. 3, 1877, 17y 5m 13d, son of John and Clara Earl 1 2
- Eisele, Joseph (aka John Schafer) - b:Oct. 25, 1833, d:March 6, 1868, husband of Hildegard Armbruster. Found guilty of murder in Wood County, W.Va., and was executed by public hanging.
- Fickisen, Elizabeth Erb - (German spelling “Fickeison”), b:Feb. 18, 1857, d:Oct. 21, 1901, wife of Jacob Fickisen headstone 2 3 [obit PS Oct. 22, 1901, pg. 4, column 2]
- Fickisen, Walter - (German spelling “Fickeison”), b:Sept. 19, 1890, d:April 30, 1899, 8y 4m 4d, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Fickisen headstone 2 3 4 7 [obit PSWS May 5, 1899, pg. 7, column 5]
- Foley, Barnett H. - cb:Aug. 2, 1819, d:Sept. 30, 1876, 57y 1m 28d, son of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley, husband of Mary A. Creel headstone 2
- Foley, Bushrod W. - b:Feb. 2, 1840, d:Aug. 17, 1862, 32y 5m, son of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley headstone 1 2 3
- Foley, Hannah H. - b:Dec. 13, 1791, d:June 9, 1866, 74y 5m 26d, dau. of Hugh and Hannah (Neal) Phelps, wife of Mason Foley headstone; her inscription is also engraved on back of husband's headstone
- Foley, Hannah H. - b:circa 1828, d:Oct. 29, 1861, dau. of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley, wife of John H. Foley [first cousins] 4
- Foley, Hugh P. - b:March 4, 1814, d:April 4, 1862, 48y 1m 2d, son of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley, husband of Priscilla Creel headstone 1 2 3
- Foley, James - b:1727, d:Jan. 8, 1808, 81y, son of John Foley, husband of Mary Langfitt [Revolutionary War Captain, U.S. Army] veteran's headstone 1 2
- Foley, Martin - b:1835, d:1839, son of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley headstone very worn, only “Martin” is legible 6
- Foley, Mary - d:Dec. 12, 1890, 60y, dau. of Scarlet and Mary (Neal)? Foley 7 [obit DST Dec. 12, 1890, pg. 4, column 6]
- Foley, Mary A. - b:Nov. 15, 1829, d:Nov. 11, 1870, 39y 11m 20d, dau. of Thomas and Priscilla (Phelps) Creel, wife of Barnett H. Foley headstone 1 2 3
- Foley, Mary H. - d:March 12, 1835, 72y, dau. of Francis Langfitt, wife of James Foley headstone 1 2 3
- Foley, Mason - b:Jan. 16, 1781, d:Feb. 24, 1876, 95y 1m 8d, son of James and Mary (Langfitt) Foley, husband of Hannah Phelps headstone 1 2 3
- Foley, Priscilla - b:Dec. 25 1819, death date not engraved, dau. of Thomas and Priscilla (Phelps) Creel, wife of Hugh P. Foley headstone 1 2 3
- Folk, Sarah - wife of Daniel Folk [obit PS March 6, 1905, pg. 2, column 4]
- Foremast, Mrs. John - d:Aug. 27, 1896, 55y 7 [obit DSJ Aug. 28, 1896, pg. 1, column 4]
- Fornash, Charles F. - b:July 7, 1846, d:July 18, 1913, son of John and ?(Hickle) Fornash [Civil War soldier - Company "D", Fifteenth W.Va. Infantry] headstone + veteran's headstone (veteran's headstone spells last name Farnash) 1 2 3 5
- Fornash, Debby - b:Dec. 29, 1835, d:Aug. 27, 1896, 60y 7m 28d, 1st wife of Charles Fornash headstone 1 2 3 7 [obit PS Aug. 28, 1896, pg. 5, column 3]
- Fornash, M. C. - b:April 13, 1848, 2nd wife of Charles Fornash headstone 1 2 3 Inscriptions for Charles, Debby, and M.C. Fornash are on one marker.
- Fornash, Mrs. Fred AKA Mrs. Floyd - d:1907 7 [obit DSJ May 21, 1907, pg. 1, column 5]
- Forshey, Ruth - dau. of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Forshey 7 [obit PSWS Aug. 23, 1895, pg. 2, column 5]
- Fought, Delilah E. - b:May 16, 1824, d:Dec. 19, 1901, dau. of Mason and Hannah (Phelps) Foley, wife of 1) Hugh P. Creel and 2) William O. Fought 4 [obit PS Dec. 19, 1901, pg. 1, column 1]
- Fowler, Mrs. - d:Sept. 10, 1889, 34y 7 [obit DSJ Sept. 10, 1889, pg. 4, column 3]
- Francis, Thomas - [obit DSJ Marh 25, 1901, pg. 1, column 7]
- Givens, Victor - d:1903, 2y, son of Albert Givens [obit PS March 7, 1903, pg. 6, column 5]
- Goff, Linnie A. - 7 [obit DSJ July 14, 1906, pg. 1, column 2]
- Hace, Hattie - cb:April 21, 1893, d:July 11, 1893, 2m 20d 4
- Headley, Marry Katheryn - b:Feb. 19, 1901, d:April 15, 1901, dau. of A. N. and Bertha V. Headley headstone 1 2 3
- Hendershot (female) - d:1900, dau. of William Hendershot 7 [obit PS Sept. 10, 1900, pg. 3, column 3 and PS Sept. 12, 1900, pg. 6, column 4]
- Hendershot, Ralph L. - b:June 9, 1900, d:Sept. 9, 1900, son of W. H. and L. A. Hendershot 2 3
- Hickman, Mr. E. W. - d:1900 7 [obit Feb. 1, 1900, pg. 5, column 3]
- Hill Child - d:1900 7 [obit DSJ Jan. 10, 1900, pg. 1 column 6 and DSJ Jan. 12, 1900, pg. 3, column 4]
- Hill, Miss Nora - d:1898, 27y, wife of George Hill 7 [obit DSJ Dec. 1, 1898, pg. 3, column 3]
- Hill, Sarah Ann - cb:April 1819, d:Oct. 21, 1846, 27y 6m, dau. of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils, wife of Alfred Hill headstone 1 2 3
- Hopkins, David - b:Sept. 27, 1798, d:Dec 14, 1862, 64y 3m, son of David and Susannah (Drake) Hopkins, husband of Francis Rust headstone 1 2 3
- Hopkins, David T. - d:July 1, 1837, 5y, son of David and Francis (Rust) Hopkins headstone 1 2 3
- Hopkins, Francis G. (Rust) - b:Mar. 2, 1799, d:Mar. 31, 1882, wife of David Hopkins headstone 1 2 3
- Hoss, John - [African-American] b:circa 1832 7 [obit PS Jan. 19, 1891, pg. 2, column 5]
- Hoy, Mary - wife of William [obit DSJ July 16, 1904, pg. 4, column 3 and 4]
- Hoy, Myrtle - d:March 12, 1901, 20y 8m 17d, dau. of William [obit PSWS March 15, 1901, pg. 5, column 3]
- Hoy, Peter - son of William [obit DSJ April 17, 1902, pg. 5, column 7]
- Hurst, Millard M. - b:April 19, 1900, d:May 15, 1901, son of George and Emma Hurst headstone 2 3 4
- Inman, Maria T. - cb:Feb. 18, 1831, d:April 24, 1845, 14y 2m 6d, dau. of James and Narcissa (Cass) Inman headstone 2
- Jackson, Mrs. Tom - [African-American] 7 [obit PS July 18, 1894, pg. 5, column 4]
- Jameson, E. J. - [obit DSJ Oct. 26, 1903, pg. 5, column 3]
- Johnson, Elizabeth - d:July 13, 1847, 4w, dau. of Ebenezer and Ann (Lyons) Johnson headstone 1 2 3
- Johnson, Jacob - [African-American] d:Jan. 21, 1899, 69y 9m 7 [obit PS Jan. 23, 1899, pg. 5, column 4]
- Johnson, James - d:May 6, 1844, 46y headstone 1 2
- Johnson, James N. - d:June 22, 1853, 26y, oldest son of James headstone 1 2 3
- Johnson, Joseph - cb:April 24, 1851, d:April 14, 1852, 11y 21d, son of E. and A. headstone 3
- Johnson, Reta Inez - b:Sept. 13, 1874, d:Jan. 17, 1887 headstone 1
- Kenney, John - son of Thomas Kenney 7 [obit PS Aug. 24, 1894, pg. 8, column 2]
- Kibler, Abbie Esther (Essie) - b:May 20, 1895, d:May 7, 1897, dau. of J. W. and A. J. Kibler headstone 2 7 [obit PS May 10, 1897, pg. 7, column 3]
- Kibler, Charles W. - cb:Dec. 22, 1866, d:Feb. 5, 1868, 1y 1m 14d, son of Daniel J. and Sarah A. Kibler headstone 1 2 3
- Kibler, Daniel J. - b:1845, d:April 4, 1926, 80y, son of Samuel and Leanah (Ward) Kibler, husband of Sarah A. Ward 8
- Kibler, Elizabeth - b:March 16, 1850, d:Aug. 2, 1914, 64y 4m 17d, dau. of Jacob and Cathryn (Nye) Baker 5
- Kibler, Estella M. - b:Sept. 4, 1897, d:Dec. 19, 1898, dau. of J. M. and A. J. Kibler headstone 2 3
- Kibler, Leanah - b:Sept. 18, 1803, d:April 12, 1896, dau. of Richard and Leanah Ward, wife of Samuel Kibler headstone 1 2 3 7 [obit DSJ April 14, 1896, pg. 3, column 5]
- Kibler, Samuel - b:July 9, 1802, d:May 17, 1896, son of John and Eve (Hershberger) Kibler headstone 1 2 3 7 [obit DSJ May 18, 1896, pg. 4, column 4]
- Kibler, Samuel E. - b:1837, d:1862, son of Samuel and Leanah (Ward) Kibler headstone 1 2 3
- Kibler, Sarah A. - b:May 1, 1845, d:Dec. 23, 1899, dau. of J. M. and R. Ward, wife of Daniel J. Kibler headstone 1 2 3 3 7 [obit Dec. 29, 1899, pg. 4, column 3 and WSJ Jan. 4, 1900, pg. 8, column 6]
- Kibler, Thomas - b:1833, d:1852, son of Samuel and Leanah (Ward) Kibler headstone 1 2 3
- Lacefield, Alfred - [African-American] d:April 21, 1884, 84y 7 [obit April 26, 1884]
- Lewen Child - d:1900 7 [obit PS Sept. 1, 1900, pg. 2, column 3]
- Linehart, James - b:March 17, 1827, d:Aug. 4, 1898 3
- Linhart, Nancy - cb:March 26, 1822 in Ireland, d:Nov. 15, 1877, 55y 7m 20d, dau. of James and Jane Muckle (Irish spelling Meikle), wife of Samuel Linhart [possibly related to McCulley family] headstone 1 2 3 4
- Lowther Infant (male) - d:July 14, 1895, 6m, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Lowther 4 [obit WSJ July 25, 1895, pg. 1, column 4]
- Lucas, Elda Florence - b:Dec. 4, 1895, d:June 16, 1903, 8y 5m 12d, dau. of William Nelson and Emma Lucas headstone [obit DSJ June 17, 1903, pg. 4, column 4]
- Lucas, Emma Florence - b:April 3, 1866, d:July 25, 1903, 37y 3m 22d, wife of William Lucas headstone 1 2 3 [obit DSJ July 25, 1903, pg. 1, column 4] Elda and Emma Lucas share same marker
- Lucas, William Nelson - b:May 11, 1863, d:Jan. 9, 1916, 52y, son of William and ? (Bailey) Lucas, husband of Emma 5
- Lyons, James L. - cb:Feb. 10, 1858, d:Feb. 26, 1859, 1y 0m 16d, son of Joseph and Margaret (Dils) Lyons headstone 1 2
- Lyons, Joseph - b:Nov. 15, 1824, d:Oct. 11, 1874, 49y 10m 26d, son of James and Nancy (Gance) Lyons, husband of Margaret Dils [Union Civil War soldier] headstone 1 2 3
- Lyons, Joseph Jr - b:1855, d:1896, son of Joseph and Margaret (Dils) Lyons inscription on side of Margaret Lyons’ headstone 1 7 [obit DSJ Dec. 16, 1895, pg. 4, column 3]
- Lyons, Margaret - b:1827, d:May 6, 1909, dau. of Henry and Catherine (Pilcher) Dils, wife of Joseph Lyons headstone 1 2 3
- Lyons, Zachariah Taylor - b:April 9, 1847, d:June 4, 1910, son of Joseph and Margaret (Dils) Lyons [Civil War soldier - Company "A", Third W.Va. Cavalry] 1
- Mansell, Sarah E. - d:Dec. 2, 1903, 76y 4 [obit DSJ Dec. 4, 1903, pg. 8, column 1]
- Marr, Esther R. - b:Nov. 1, 1898, d:Nov. 16, 1898, dau. of Henry C. and Martha E. Marr headstone 1 2 3
- Marshall, Nettie - d:1897, dau. of Jackson Marshall 7 [obit DSJ June 22, 1897, pg. 8, column 4 and PS June 22, 1897, pg. 5, column 2]
- McCombs, Charlie - cb:June 14, 1864, d:May 5, 1865, 10m 21d, son of Neil and Frances (Cunes) McCombs headstone 2 3
- McCombs, Neil - b:circa 1830 in Ireland, d:Aug. 6, 1870, 40y, husband of Frances Cunes headstone 1 2 3
- McCulley, Eleanor - b:Jan. 20, 1827, d:Feb. 24, 1914, dau. of James Muckle 5
- McCulley, James - b:March 17, 1827 in Ireland, d:Aug. 4, 1897 [Civil War soldier - Company "D", Fourth W.Va. Infantry] headstone + veteran's headstone 1 2 3 (headstone erroneously engraved with the death date of 1898)
- McCulley, Nelly V. - b:Sept. 28, 1878, d:March 6, 1879, dau. of E. J. McCulley headstone 3
- McHenry, Fannie - b:April 2, 1859, d:June 7, 1919, 59y 2m 5d, dau. of George and Jane (Dils) McHenry 5
- McHenry, Florence - d:April 25, 1890, 8y, dau. of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver H. McHenry 7 [obit DSJ April 25, 1890, pg. 3, column 2]
- McHenry, George - b:Oct. 27, 1814, d:Dec. 30, 1894, parents unknown, husband of Jane Dils 7 9 [obit PS Jan. 2, 1894, pg. 7, column 1]
- McHenry, Ida May - b:June 29, 1900, d:July 28, 1901, 1y 1m, dau. of Granville Jefferson and Rosanna (Carnes) McHenry 4 [obit PS July 29, 1901, pg. 4, column 1]
- McHenry, Jane (Dils) - b:May 31, 1820, d:Oct. 3, 1868 according to family Bible/Oct. 22, 1868 according to county records, wife of George McHenry 9
- McHenry, Leroy - [obit PMN Dec. 26, 1902, pg. 1, column 5]
- McHenry, Lillie Irene - d:Jan. 27, 1905, 11m 20d 4
- McHenry, Oliver H. - b:circa 1849, d:1895, husband of Frances "Fannie" Haddox 7 [obit WSJ Aug. 15, 1895, pg. 8, column 2]
- McHenry, Samuel L. - b:Sept. 20, 1816, d:Feb. 22, 1901, husband of Elizabeth Sturm [Civil War soldier - Company "K", First Ohio Light Artillery] veteran’s headstone 1 2 3 [obit PS Feb. 23, 1901, pg.6, column 4]
- McKinley, Mrs. Elizabeth - d:1900 7 [obit WSJ Nov. 1, 1900, pg. 6, column 2]
- McLeod, Mrs. Benjamin - 7 [obit DSJ Feb. 21, 1906, pg. 7, column 3 and 4]
- Melville, Abram - [Civil War soldier] 10
- Moore, Blanche - b:1896, d:1907, dau. of Nettie Moore 7 [obit DSJ Oct. 18, 1907, pg. 1, columns 4 and 5]
- Morris, Robert I. - son of Charles Morris [obit PS Sept. 5, 1901, pg. 5, column 3]
- Murdy, Mary - b:circa 1859, wife of Robert Murdy 7 [obit DSJ Sept. 24, 1906, pg. 4, column 5]
- Murdy, Mary A. - cb:March 4, 1836, d:June 4, 1852, 16y 3m, dau. of Andrew and Eliza Murdy headstone 1 2 3
- Murdy, Robert T. - d:April 28, 1897, 10y, son of Robert Murdy 7 [obit DSJ April 29, 1897, pg. 1, column 7]
- Nash, Cora - dau. of William [obit PS Aug. 2, 1901, pg. 4, column 4]
- Nofsinger, John - b:Aug. 4, 1827, d:June 30, 1903, husband of Savilla Brown headstone 1 2 4 [obit DSJ June 30, 1903, pg. 4, column 4]
- Nofsinger, Savilla - [spelled Sivilla on marker], b:April 16, 1829, d:Jan. 5, 1902, dau. of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stuckey) Brown, wife of John Nofsinger headstone 1 2 3 [obit DSJ Jan. 6, 1902, pg. 8, column 3]
- Norris, Charles - [obit DSJ March 28, 1903, pg. 1, column 2]
- Norris, George - [obit PSWS Sept. 3, 1901, pg. 3, column 5]
- Oaker, Orley - 7 [obit PS Feb. 6, 1894, pg. 4, column 4]
- Park, John - [obit PS April 9, 1903, pg. 8, column 4]
- Parks, William C. "Clyde" - 7 [obit DSJ Jan. 15, 1906, pg. 1, column 2]
- Pilcher, Linnie Willis - d:Jan. 10, 1890, 35y, wife of Walter W. Pilcher 7 [obit DSJ Jan. 11, 1890, pg. 3, column 3]
- Pilcher, Moses - b:Jan. 16, 1771, d:Aug. 19, 1822, son of Joshua and Catherine (Ballard) Pilcher, husband of Sarah (unknown) headstone 1 2 3
- Pilcher, Sarah - b:Dec. 10, 1771, d:April 20, 1835, parents unknown, wife of Moses Pilcher headstone 1 2 3
- Plate, Harold R. - d:July 29, 1899, 1y 11m, son of Albert and Anna Plate 7 [obit PS July 29, 1899, pg. 4, column 2]
- Provence Child - child of J.S. [obit DSJ July 3, 1901, pg. 8, column 3]
- Race, J. L. - 7 [obit DSJ May 10, 1906, pg. 8, columns 3 and 4]
- Riley, Silas - d:Dec. 7, 1904, son of William W. and Celia (Harper) Riley, husband of Mariah A. Nicholas [Civil War soldier - Company "D", Tenth W.Va. Infantry] 1 2 3 4 7 [obit DSJ Dec. 7, 1904, pg. 8, column 3]
- Robinson, Dora May - b:Aug. 8, 1880, d:Oct. 22, 1885, 5y 2m 4d, dau. of Dudley and Prudence Robinson headstone 2 3 4
- Robinson, Dudley - b:Aug. 17, 1841, d:June 7, 1889, husband of Prudence headstone 1 2 7 [obit DSJ June 8, 1889, pg. 3, column 5]
- Robinson, Learmont Lewis - b:Jan. 13, 1864, d:Dec. 20, 1886, son of Dudley and Prudence Robinson headstone 2 4
- Robinson, Mary E. - b:March 7, 1867, d:Sept. 13, 1886, dau. of Dudley and Prudence Robinson headstone 2 Inscriptions for Dora M., Dudley, Learmont L., and Mary E. Robinson are on one marker.
- Rollins, D. H. (male) - cb:April 27, 1898, d:July 2, 1898, 2m 5d 4
- Rose, Olevia - cb:Nov. 5, 1843, d:May 20, 1872, 28y 6m 15d, dau. of Hugh P. and Priscilla (Creel) Foley, wife of James Hamilton Rose headstone 1 2
- Roth Child - d:Feb. 11, 1890, child of Miss Emma Roth 7 [obit DSJ Feb. 12, 1890, pg. 4, column 4]
- Rule, Mattie - b:June 8, 1887, d:Nov. 23, 1890, 3y, dau. of Barnett Owen and Margaret A. (McHenry) Rule [Margaret McHenry Rule is the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Sturm McHenry] 4 7 [obit DSJ Nov. 24, 1890, pg. 3, column 4]
- Seargeant, William H. - b:June 2, 1858, d:July 29, 1892, son of William H. and Ellan Seargeant headstone 1 2 3
- Sims, Felix - b:Oct. 1822, d:1903, husband of Lenore [obit DSJ April 7, 1903, pg. 5, column 4]
- Sisk, Walter M. - d:1896, son of William F. Sisk 7 [obit PS Oct. 15, 1896, pg. 5, column 3]
- Smith, Maria - d:June 23, 1832 [could be 1852], 29y 1m 6d, wife of Josiah F. Smith headstone 1 3
- Smith, Mrs. Margaret - d:1898 7 [obit DSJ Aug. 15, 1898, pg. 8, column 3]
- Sotherland, John - cb:Nov. 1, 1770, d: Sept. 4, 1836, 65y 10m 3d, husband of Nancy Ann Foley headstone 1 2 3 6
- Sotherland, Nancy Ann - b:Dec. 26, 1776, d:Aug. 23, 1866, dau. of James and Mary (Langfitt) Foley, wife of John Sotherland 6
- Sprouse, Grace - b:June 22, 1904, d:April 9, 1933, 28y 9m 17d, dau. of James P. and Sarah (Mathison) Hickman, wife of Roy Sprouse 8
- Stephenson, Agnes Miller - b:March 9, 1814, d:Jan. 14, 1893, dau. of Kenner Seaton and Sarah (Ingraham) Boreman, Sr., wife of James McNeil Stephenson (Agnes was a sister of Arthur I. Boreman, West Virginia's first governor) relocated to Mt. Olivet Cemetery 1 7 [obit PS Jan. 14, 1893, pg. 4, column 4]
- Stephenson, James McNeil - b:Nov. 4, 1796, d:April 16, 1877, 80y, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Dils) Stephenson, husband of Agnes Miller Boreman 1 relocated to Mt. Olivet Cemetery
- Stephenson, Lucy - b:April 11, 1856, d:1893, dau. of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Stephenson 7 [obit PS May 3, 1893, pg. 2, column 2]
- Stephenson, Two Infants - children of James McNeil and Agnes (Boreman) Stephenson probably were originally interred at Dils Cemetery and later relocated to Mt. Olivet Cemetery
- Stewart, James - 7 [obit DSJ May 14, 1894, pg. 8, column 4]
- Sutherland, John J. - b:Apr. 9, 1803, death date not engraved, son of John and Nancy Ann (Foley) Sutherland, married 1) Delilah E. Phelps May 15, 1826, 2) Mary Kincheloe headstone 2 3 7 [obit PS Feb. 4, 1892, pg. 2, column 3]
- Sutherland, John M. - cb:July 18, 1828, d:May 22, 1839, 10y 10m 4d, son of John J. and Delilah (Phelps) Sutherland headstone
- Sutherland, John M. - d:April 29, 1871, 3y 8m 25d, son of Jesse L. and Narcissa Margaret (Inman) Sutherland, grandson of John J. Sutherland 2 3
- Sutherland, Mary Ann - cb:Feb. 8, 1808, d:May 5, 1882, 74y 2m 27d, dau. of Jesse Kincheloe, wife of John J. Sutherland headstone 2 3 7 [obit WSJ May 11, 1882]
- Tate, Henry - d:Jan. 13, 1896, 86y 7 [obit DSJ Jan. 13, 1896, pg. 8, column 4]
- Thompson, James - b:circa 1779 in Ireland, d:Aug. ??, 1865 headstone 1 7
- Tucker, Harlan C. - b:July 1, 1894, d:March 13, 1902, 7y 8m 13d, son of Irvin McClellan and S. L. "Rena" (Davis) Tucker headstone 2 3
- Tucker, Roy Herman - b:April 8, 1892, d:March 29, 1916, 23y 11m 21d, son of Irvin McClellan and S. L. "Rena" (Davis) Tucker 5
- Tucker, Virgil O. - b:Oct. 22, 1897, d:March 20, 1898, 5m, son of Irvin McClellan and S. L. "Rena" (Davis) Tucker headstone 1 2 3 7 [obit DSJ March 21, 1898, pg. 1, column 4]
- Tulley, Michael - cb:June 6, 1798 in Ireland, d:July 15, 1862, 64y 1m 9d 2
- Wagner, Mrs. Charles - d:March 23, 1890, 58y 7 [DSJ March 24, 1890, pg. 4, column 2]
- Ward, Lehannah - d:Jan. 13, 1851, 61y, wife of Richard Ward, mother of Leanah Kibler headstone 1 2 3
- Watkins, Joseph P. D. - cb:Sept. 18, 1860, d:Dec. 3, 1860, 2m 15d, son of John and Eliza J. Watkins headstone 1 2 3
- Williams, Alonzo - 7 [obit WSJ Jan. 12, 1893, pg. 8, column 4]
- Willis, George S. - b:July 3, 1858, d:May 20, 1882, son of Jeremiah Willis headstone 1 2 3
- Willis, Henry L. - b:June 21, 1849, d:May 18, 1877, son of Jeremiah Willis headstone 1 2 3
- Willis, Jeremiah - b:April 5, 1822, d:Aug. 4, 1876, son of Henry and Nancy Willis, husband of Mary headstone 1 2 3
- Willis, John T. - b:July 1, 1856, d:Dec. 5, 1877, son of Jeremiah Willis headstone 1 2 3
- Willis, Linnie P. - b:May 24, 1882, d:Aug. 26, 1882 headstone 2
- Willis, Maggie - b:Nov. 6, 1876, d:Feb. 28, 1877, dau. of Jeremiah Willis headstone 1 2 3
- Willis, Margaret A. - b:April 11, 1861, d:Jan. 3, 1879, dau. of Jeremiah Willis headstone 1 2 3 4
- Willis, Martha M. - b:Jan. 13, 1863, d:Dec. 23, 1878, dau. of Jeremiah Willis headstone 1 2 3 4
- Willis, William J. M. C. - b:Sept. 18, 1872, d:Dec. 17, 1876, son of A. J. and M., (grandson of Jeremiah Willis?) headstone 2 3
- Willis, William R. - b:Aug. 11, 1851, d:May 30, 1883, son of Jeremiah Willis? headstone 2 3 Willis family stone (with 2 carved books on top) includes inscriptions for Jeremiah, Margaret A., George S., Maggie, Henry L., John T., and Martha M. Willis family stone (with arches on top) includes inscriptions for Linnie P. and William R. William J.M.C. Willis has a small separate stone.
- Wilson, Mary - d:1900, dau. of William Wilson 7 [obit PS April 2, 1900, pg. 4, column 2]
- Wise (female) - d:1896, dau. of J. W. Wise 7 [obit PS Oct. 3, 1896, pg. 5, column 2 and PS Oct. 6, 1896, pg. 5, column 5]
- Wise Child - 7 [obit DSJ July 14, 1892, pg. 8, column 4]
- Wyatt Infant - d:March 20, 1903 (stillborn), possibly dau. of Charles William and Catherine (Kuble) Wyatt 4
Sources
1. Some Early City, Village, and County Burying Grounds, by John A. House, "Dils Graveyard"
2. 1931 WPA's Historic Records Survey-"Cemetery Readings," The Guy Tetrick Papers [on microfilm]
3. Wood County Cemetery Inscriptions, "Dils Cemetery," recorded by Mrs. Shirley H. Bee, Chairman, Old Bible and Cemetery Records Committee (Parkersburg, W.Va.: West Augusta Genealogical Society, 1964)
4. Wood County, West Virginia, Court House Death Records
5. Wood County Board of Health Death Certificates, 1913-1921
6. Genealogical information submitted by Richard Dils on Internet site "Ancestory.com"
7. Obituary from local newspaper (most obtained through use of Russell Roy’s Wood County, West Virginia Obits index)
8. West Virginia Vital Research Records (online through W.Va. Division of Culture & History)
9. Information from Edward "Ed" McHenry, Parkersburg, W.Va.
10. "Memorial Day-Graves Decorated: at the Dils Cemetery," Parkersburg Daily State Journal, May 25, 1885
Newspapers
DSJ = Daily State Journal
PMN = Parkersburg Morning News
PS = Parkersburg Sentinel
PSWS = Parkersburg Semi-Weekly Sentinel
PWS = Parkersburg Weekly Sentinel
WSJ = Weekly State Journal
WVWT = West Virginia Weekly Times