Bentleyville, Ohio
Union Cemetery in Bentleyville, Ohio, dates back to 1859, 70 years before the village broke away from Solon and set up a government of its own. The cemetery, located near the intersection of Solon and Liberty Roads, actually has a history that related to the founding of Shaker Heights as well, thanks to one man: Ralph Russell.
Who Was Ralph Russell?
Ralph Russell was born in Connecticut in 1789. He served in the War of 1812 and then moved west to Ohio. A curious man, he spent some time in Lebanon, Ohio, after learning about the Shaker religion, and managed to convert some of his family, friends, and neighbors. After moving up to the northeast area of the state, his converted group donated a collective 1,300 acres of land to create a village centered around the religion. They named it North Union Village, although now it’s called Shaker Heights.
Later on, Russell and his immediate family moved to what is now Bentleyville, setting up a cemetery on their property. Called Union Cemetery, he sold plots to his neighbors, although the records show that there are over 21 members of the Russell family buried there, making it more of a family cemetery than anything else.
The first person buried in the cemetery was Ralph Ellsworh Russell, the son of Ralph Russell and his wife Laura. Several of their other children, including Hezikiah Loomis Russell and his infant son Nelson (their grandchild), and their only daughter, Laura Josephine Russell, who died at the age of six, are also buried there.
Restoring Union Cemetery
As time went by, the cemetery was overlooked and neglected, records lost to time, and the gravestones allowed to crumble. That is, until 2010 when a local high schooler, Mitchell Black, selected the cemetery as his Eagle Scout project. New headstones were donated, the cemetery was cleaned up and restored, and information about the family and cemetery, in the form of plaques, was added to provide context for future visitors.
Visiting Union Cemetery
Union Cemetery is located near the intersection of Solon and Liberty Roads. Take Liberty Rd south until you see the sign and a short, uphill path. There’s a small turnoff on the side of the road, but no real parking, so be careful. It’s worth it, though, to see this piece of history.
Found in Ohio 