The Oak Mound Cemetery Board of Directors and Somonauk United Presbyterian Church of rural Somonauk will hold a cemetery walk at 2 p.m. Saturday at the historic cemetery on Chicago Road.
The historic cemetery is four miles east of Route 23 and two miles west of Somonauk Road. According to a news release, the rolling land and old oak trees create a peaceful resting place for many of the early pioneer settlers of the greater Somonauk area.
The lives of eight people who are buried in the cemetery will be portrayed during the afternoon.
Among them are James H. Beveridge, who served as Illinois State treasurer in 1864; William Patten, an early settler who farmed in rural Somonauk and served in the state legislature; and the Rev. Lee E. Walker, who was a chaplain with the 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division, in World Word II.
Originally a family burial ground on the corner of a farm, Oak Mound Cemetery became a public cemetery in the mid-1800s. In the early 1900s, James, George and Henry Patten bought additional acreage and made many improvements to beautify the grounds, building a caretaker's house, mausoleum, and the 1,070-foot-long Bedford stone fence.
According to a news release, thoughtful care of the cemetery maintains its beauty for all who are buried there and their families.
There is no admission. Refreshments will be served at the church following the cemetery walk. For more information, contact Bud Burgin at 815-756-8101 or mrsburgin@yahoo.com.
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