Athens Lunatic Asylum Cemeteries contain the remains of several Lawrence County, Ohio Veterans Researched and submitted by :
Doug McCabe, Curator of Manuscripts, Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections
Alden Library, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
How to Research Ancestors in Asylums
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The project to place additional flat markers at the graves will allow each patient to be identified with their name, birth date, and death date. The only requirement by the Ohio Department of Mental Health is that a living descendant makes an application to place a marker. The markers must be of a particular size and style with limited information etched into them. We have made a special arrangement with a local monument company to handle the arrangements and do the stone at the bargain price of $200. (If the family cannot afford the marker, we have privately raised funds available to cover the cost.) Then, volunteers set the stone at the grave site. The motivation for this project? We believe these patients deserve the dignity and respect (long overdue) that anyone else enjoys who is buried in a cemetery. Numerous new markers have been installed, including 44 (42 veterans and two civilians) put in last week. Tomorrow, we will install one civilian marker after our second annual Veterans Day ceremony. – November 2011 |
The Athens Lunatic Asylum Cemeteries contain the remains of several Lawrence County veterans. These men were patients at the Asylum, died there, and were not claimed for burial in their home county. These men are:
- John Bartram, grave #849, Musician, Civil War, 13th OVI F&S
- William Carroll, grave #833, Corporal, World War I, 330th Inf., Co. G and 30th Inf., Co. D
- Joseph Duvall, grave #213, Private, Civil War, 41st Missouri Inf., Co. I
- Eugene Hughes, grave #677, Private, World War I, 158 Dep. Brig., Co.
- Delaney Shifflet, grave #83, Private, Civil War, 64th Illinois Inf., Co. I
- James Steel, grave #254, Regimental Quartermaster, Civil War, 1st OVI, F & S
- Benjamin Swartwood, grave #122, Private, Civil War, 39th OVI, Co. B
- Andrew Waddle, grave #229, Private, Civil War, 45th Kentucky Militia, Co. F
We have been divesting ourselves of Local Government Records; some have already been transferred to the Ohio Historical Society. We still have some records but want to transfer those back to the County offices.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
849 John Bartram 1842 1935
Admitted as John Bartram, patient #9585, in 1934 from Lawrence County. Admission Records are missing.
The 1880 Census shows a John, 42, resident of Ironton, native of West Virginia, stone cutter, could read and write, living
with his wife Mary (39, keeping house), Nancy (15), Ellen (13), and Anna (8). The 1900 Census shows him as 56, a resident of Upper Township, a native of Virginia, a day laborer, wife Mary (59).
The Ohio Roster shows he was in the 13th OVI, F & S, as a Musician (drummer), entering the service at 19 on June 5, 1861, and discharged on March 11, 1863, on a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability. This information is confirmed by The National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System.
The National Archives Rolls show he enrolled at Camp Dennison on June 5, 1861.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
833 William Carroll 1895 1934
He was admitted as William Carroll, patient #8980, in 1931 from Lawrence County. Admission Records are missing.
The 1920 Census shows him as 24, a resident of Ironton, a native of Ohio, moulder, living with father-in-law William Myers 65, blast furnace foreman), wife Edana (20), and Earlma (1). The 1930 Census shows him as 34, resident of Upper Township, native of Ohio, foundry moulder, widowed, could read and write, veteran, living with father James (70, native of Kentucky), mother Sara (66), Virgie (26) and daughter Erlona (11).
The World War I Draft Register shows him as 22, born in 1895, a resident of Ironton, a laborer, and single. Ohio Military Men 1917-1918 shows him as enlisted September 22, 1917, in 330th Infantry Company G until July 20, 1918, and in 30th Infantry Company D, making PFC December 6, 1917, promoted to Corporal January 24, 1918, busted to Private May 13, 1918, promoted to Corporal November 14, 1918, and honorably discharged June 10, 1919. This information is confirmed by Ohio Soldiers in World War I.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
213 Joseph Duvall 1830 1892
He was admitted as Joseph Duvall, patient #2644, in 1892 from Lawrence County. Admission Records are missing.
The 1860 Census shows him as 33, a resident of Elm Township in Putnam County, MO, a native of Ohio, a farmer, and living with his wife Mary (21) and Phebe (1). The 1880 Census shows him as 50, a resident of Windsor Township, a native of Ohio, a laborer, wife Mary (40, keeping house), Mary Brammer (18), and Rose Brammer (16).
The 1890 Census Veterans Schedule shows him as a resident of Bartramsville, had enlisted in 1863 as a Private in the 41st
Missouri Infantry Company I., The National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, shows Joseph Duvall serving as a Corporal in the 50th Missouri Infantry. American Civil War Soldiers and US Civil War Soldiers confirm this.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
677 Eugene Hughes 1887 1923
He was admitted as Eugene Hughes, patient #7449, in 1922 from Lawrence County. Admission records are missing.
The 1900 Census shows Eugene as 8, resident of Raleigh, NC, native of North Carolina, living with father James (56, drayman), mother Gracie (46), Henry (21, farmer), James (19, farm hand), Eddie (17), Mary (15), Joseph (13) and John (13). The 1920 Census shows him as 38, a resident of Ironton, a native of North Carolina, a junk wagon driver, single, could read and write, and rooming with Jeanie Weaver.
Graves Registration (ACRec) shows him in the 158 Dep. Brig., Company 14, as a Private from October 29, 1917, through June 9, 1918, SN 196735, born in 1887 in Rocam, NC, and died November 11, 1923. Ohio Soldiers in WWI shows him as 25, from Ironton, entered the service as a Private on October 19, 1917, with the 158 Dep. Brig. 39 Company, transferred to the 161 Dep. Brig. 14 Company and honorably discharged Jun 9, 1918, with a 25% disability.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
83 Delany Shifflet 1826 1881
He was admitted as Delany Shifflet, patient #1100, in 1880 from Muskingum County. Admission Records indicate he was 54, a resident of Zanesville, violent and threatening. He was admitted on October 22, 1880.
The 1850 Census shows Delany as 22, a resident of Bureau County, IL, a native of Virginia, and a farmer living with his wife Lydia (26) and Fanny (1 month). The 1860 Census shows this Delany as 34, resident of Dover Township in Bureau County, IL, native of Virginia, laborer, living with wife Lydia (38), Francis (10), Mary (8), Sarah (4), and Catherine (1).
The US Civil War Draft Registration for 1863 in Dover Township, Bureau County, Illinois, shows him as 36, a farmer, and a native of Virginia. The 1880 Census shows him as 54, a resident of Dover Township in Bureau County, Illinois, a native of Virginia, a farmer, living with his wife Lydia (59, keeping house), Frank (18, farm hand), Catherine (21) and Lillie Powell (5).
The US Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles shows this Delaney of Freedom IL enlisting March 8, 1864, as a Private in the 64th Ill Company I and mustering out July 11, 1865. The American Civil War Soldiers confirm this information.
The National Archives Rolls show he enlisted November 1, 1861, at Princeton, IL, mustered on November 1, 1861, at Springfield, IL, born in Harrisburg, VA, 34, 6’ 4 ¾”, black eyes, black hair, dark complexion, $400 bounty, discharged June 5, 1862, on Certificate of Disability by order of General Rosencrans, re-enlisted in same Regiment February 5, 1864
at Springfield, mustered on May 8, 1864, at Springfield, wounded and in Division Hospital at Big Shanty GA June 29, 1864 – June 1865, and mustered out July 11, 1865, near Louisville, KY.
A VA grave marker was installed on 10/29/11.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
254 James Steel 1829 1896
He was admitted as James Steel, patient #504 and 1234, in 1876 and 1881 from Lawrence County. Admission Records indicate him as 48 or 49 and a resident of Lawrence Township. Admitted January 18, 1876. Re-admitted December 20, 1887, as 44.
The 1850 Census shows him as 21, a resident of Lawrence Township, a native of Virginia, laborer, living with his father John (61, farmer), mother Rebecca (57), and Rebecca (18). The US Army Register of Enlistments showed a James A., 21, born at sea, enlisting November 4, 1850, at Harrisburg as a recruit and was discharged with an ordinary disability on March 21, 1851.
The Ohio Roster shows a James Steele, 29, enlisted April 17, 1861, as Quarter Master Sergeant with the 1st OVI, was promoted to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant June 17, 1861, and mustered out August 16, 1861. The US Army Register of Enlistments shows James R as 34, enlisting November 3, 1864, in the 2nd Cavalry and discharged with a disability November 21, 1864, as a rejected recruit.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
122 Benjamin Swartwood 1848 1886
He was admitted as Benjamin Swartwood, patient #1575, in 1884 from Lawrence County. Admission Records indicate he was 36, a resident of Rome Township, a native of Lawrence County, a farm laborer, married, no religion, suicidal and dangerous. He was admitted on December 10, 1884.
The 1850 Census shows him as 2, resident of Rome Township, native of Ohio, living with father E. (35, laborer) and mother Sarah (32).
The 1860 Census shows him as 13, a resident of Windsor Township, a native of Ohio, living with father E.E. (45), mother Sarah (44), Sarah (9), and Alfred (6).
The 1870 Census shows him as 21, a resident of Rome Township, a native of Ohio, making staves, living with father Ebenezer (55, farmer), mother Sarah (47, keeping house), and Alfred (16, farm worker). The 1880 Census shows him as 32, a resident of Rome Township, naive of Ohio, cooper, living with his wife Lavina (22, keeping house) and Edward (7).
The Ohio Roster shows him as Startwood, 18, substitute entering January 6, 1865, as a Private in the 39th OVI Company B and mustered out July 9, 1865. American Civil War Soldiers, US Civil War Soldiers, and US Soldier Records and Profiles confirm this information. The Civil War Pension Index shows him applying for an invalid pension in September 1884 and his widow from West Virginia on March 17, 1886.
The National Archives Rolls show his name as Swartwood / Swathwood / Swarthwood, enlisted January 5, 1865, at Ironton, OH, mustered on January 18, 1865, at Columbus, OH, 18, farmer, blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, 5’ 7”, substitute for Daniel B. Miller, captured March 23, 1865, escaped April 1865, in hospital at New Bern NC April 10, 1865, and mustered out July 9, 1865, at Louisville KY. POW.
Note from Martha: He was married to the infamous Fanny Sweet alias for Rachel Brown, and Benjamin later committed suicide.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
229 Andrew Waddle 1847 1893
Admitted as Andrew Waddle, patient #2364 and 2626 in 1890 and 1892 from Lawrence County. Admission Records are missing.
The 1880 Census shows him as 33, resident of Upper Township, native of Ohio, farm hand, could read but not write, living
with wife Ann (26, keeping house), Benjamin (7), Eliza (6), sister Sabera (24), nephew Willie (3) and brother-in-law William Warren (21, laborer).
The Ohio Roster shows him as a Private in Company F of the 45th Kentucky Infantry. This information is confirmed by the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System. The 1890 Census Veterans Schedule shows him as from Coat Run in Lawrence County and the 45th Kentucky Mounted Infantry.
ATHENS LUNATIC ASYLUM CEMETERY
Grave # Name Year of Birth Year of Death
7200 Charles Frederick Venz died 1927
Charles Frederick Venz was admitted to the Athens Asylum in 1920 as patient number 7200 from Lawrence County according to the Athens Asylum Admissions Index. We do not have any admission or patient records on him. He died of Chronic Cirrhosis of the Liver. He was buried in grave number 638 in Cemetery 2 on September 26, 1921. His grave is marked with a headstone with just the grave number.
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