Establishment and Additions
Oak Hill Cemetery was established in 1847, when Harvey Jones donated the first four or five acres to the Town of Neenah (the city was not yet established).
According to an official City of Neenah report, Harvey Jones donated five acres of land for a cemetery. According to the minutes of a Town of Neenah meeting, Neenah purchased four acres of land from Harvey Jones for $40. While the records are unclear as to whether the land was donated or purchased, and how many acres it was, it belonged to Harvey Jones.
A woman named Mary Ann Neff was the first person buried at Oak Hill. She died on September 28th, 1847.
The original cemetery was located in what is now the north/east part of Oak Hill.
The first addition was made in 1868. William Merriman donated the land for the addition. However, it is believed that his land was being used prior to the official donation. William's daughter Clara married F. C. Shattuck (one of the founders of Kimberly Clark Corporation) and she improved and donated the land for Shattuck Park.
The cemetery grew alongside Neenah. The City of Neenah purchased additions in:
1875 (from William Tipler)
1879 (from Benjamin Feeman)
1924 (from John Grimes)
Oak Hill Cemetery was established in 1847, when Harvey Jones donated the first four or five acres to the Town of Neenah (the city was not yet established).
According to an official City of Neenah report, Harvey Jones donated five acres of land for a cemetery. According to the minutes of a Town of Neenah meeting, Neenah purchased four acres of land from Harvey Jones for $40. While the records are unclear as to whether the land was donated or purchased, and how many acres it was, it belonged to Harvey Jones.
A woman named Mary Ann Neff was the first person buried at Oak Hill. She died on September 28th, 1847.
The original cemetery was located in what is now the north/east part of Oak Hill.
The first addition was made in 1868. William Merriman donated the land for the addition. However, it is believed that his land was being used prior to the official donation. William's daughter Clara married F. C. Shattuck (one of the founders of Kimberly Clark Corporation) and she improved and donated the land for Shattuck Park.
The cemetery grew alongside Neenah. The City of Neenah purchased additions in:
1875 (from William Tipler)
1879 (from Benjamin Feeman)
1924 (from John Grimes)
Public Burying Ground with Sextons
Most cemeteries today are church or privately owned. Oak Hill has been owned by the City of Neenah since its establishment. However, individual caretakers, also known as Sextons, lived on the cemetery grounds and maintained it. One of the earliest known Sextons was Christopher Kurtz. He retired in 1870. However, the Sexton position stayed in the Kurtz family for almost one hundred years after his retirement. William Kurtz is credited with organizing and updating the burial records. Roy Shoman was the Sexton after the last Kurtz. Oak Hill management was transferred to the City of Neenah after Shoman retired in 1950.
Most cemeteries today are church or privately owned. Oak Hill has been owned by the City of Neenah since its establishment. However, individual caretakers, also known as Sextons, lived on the cemetery grounds and maintained it. One of the earliest known Sextons was Christopher Kurtz. He retired in 1870. However, the Sexton position stayed in the Kurtz family for almost one hundred years after his retirement. William Kurtz is credited with organizing and updating the burial records. Roy Shoman was the Sexton after the last Kurtz. Oak Hill management was transferred to the City of Neenah after Shoman retired in 1950.
Cemetery Advancements
Years and years ago, the Sexton had to hand dig graves. In the winter, caskets were stored in a vault until the ground softened. A chapel and vault were built on the cemetery grounds in 1924. Today, Oak Hill Cemetery has mechanical diggers and equipment, meaning people can be buried year round.
The photo above is of the cemetery chapel built in 1924. The chapel was donated by D.W. Bergstrom. The building was designed by the Milwaukee firm Eschweiler and Eschweiler. It has beautiful stained glass windows and chandeliers. The chapel was originally used for funerals or graveside services if the weather was inclement. The building next door is the cemetery vault. It was also built in 1924 and was donated by Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Babcock and the Misses Helen and Elizabeth Babcock. The vault could hold up to 70 caskets when digging graves was not possible.
Years and years ago, the Sexton had to hand dig graves. In the winter, caskets were stored in a vault until the ground softened. A chapel and vault were built on the cemetery grounds in 1924. Today, Oak Hill Cemetery has mechanical diggers and equipment, meaning people can be buried year round.
The photo above is of the cemetery chapel built in 1924. The chapel was donated by D.W. Bergstrom. The building was designed by the Milwaukee firm Eschweiler and Eschweiler. It has beautiful stained glass windows and chandeliers. The chapel was originally used for funerals or graveside services if the weather was inclement. The building next door is the cemetery vault. It was also built in 1924 and was donated by Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Babcock and the Misses Helen and Elizabeth Babcock. The vault could hold up to 70 caskets when digging graves was not possible.
Memorials
Many veterans are buried at Oak Hill from veterans of the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The picture on the left is the WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, and Korean War memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery. The picture on the right is the Civil War memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Many veterans are buried at Oak Hill from veterans of the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The picture on the left is the WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, and Korean War memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery. The picture on the right is the Civil War memorial at Oak Hill Cemetery.
History of Surrounding Cemeteries
Today, the City of Menasha owns Rest Haven Cemetery.
(Village) In 1853, Menasha became a village. Two sections of Oak Hill were given to the Village of Menasha government. There was still only one cemetery.
(Town) When Neenah and Menasha became two different towns, the Town of Menasha established its own cemetery (which became Rest Haven).
(City) The City of Menasha was established in 1874, the City of Menasha wanted part of the Town of Menasha’s cemetery.
St. Margaret’s Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery next to Oak Hill. F. J. Sensenbrenner donated the land to the St. Patrick Parish. The cemetery is named after Sensenbrenner’s wife, Margaret Sensenbrenner. There are two stone pillars indicating the entrance to St. Margaret's Cemetery. Additional signage of St. Margaret's Cemetery has now been installed.
Today, the City of Menasha owns Rest Haven Cemetery.
(Village) In 1853, Menasha became a village. Two sections of Oak Hill were given to the Village of Menasha government. There was still only one cemetery.
(Town) When Neenah and Menasha became two different towns, the Town of Menasha established its own cemetery (which became Rest Haven).
(City) The City of Menasha was established in 1874, the City of Menasha wanted part of the Town of Menasha’s cemetery.
St. Margaret’s Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery next to Oak Hill. F. J. Sensenbrenner donated the land to the St. Patrick Parish. The cemetery is named after Sensenbrenner’s wife, Margaret Sensenbrenner. There are two stone pillars indicating the entrance to St. Margaret's Cemetery. Additional signage of St. Margaret's Cemetery has now been installed.
Newspaper Archive. "Oak Hill Is One of First Cemeteries." Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. 14 June 1968. Print.
Local History Document
Neenah Club Noon Luncheon (January 9th 1995)
The Story of Oak Hill Cemetery
Local History Document
Neenah Club Noon Luncheon (January 9th 1995)
The Story of Oak Hill Cemetery