Guest Commentary

As a young boy growing up next to Fairview Cemetery, I always looked forward to the Memorial Day Parade and the ceremonies that were held at the cemetery to remember those who served our country. The three-volley salute followed by the playing of the taps, for me, was the highlight of the ceremonial event. After all had left, I’d carefully look through the grass for any shell casings that the soldiers may have left behind. I never found one, but it was fun searching.

Days prior to Memorial Day, my brother and sister, along with our friends, would spend hours decorating our bicycles with crepe paper and streamers. Baseball cards clipped onto the spokes of our bikes with clothespins made a clicking sound as we rode. We were in our glory as we slowly peddled our bicycles in the parade for all of Martinsburg to see. The parade always ended at Fairview Cemetery with the military ceremony.

Memorial Day, too, causes me to reminisce about going to Fairview Cemetery and Spring Hope Cemetery to place flowers on the graves of family members who had passed on before us. Mason jars covered with aluminum foil holding an array of blue and yellow irises were carefully arranged into boxes and placed into the trunk of our 1951 green Plymouth. Setting the arrangements on the graves of my grandparents and great-grandparents was always a meaningful experience that I will never forget.

Seeing Fairview Cemetery, just a few weeks ago on Memorial Day, in a blanket of well-groomed green grass dotted with arrangements of beautiful flowers and waving American flags sparked so may wonderful boyhood memories.

I realize that we would not have Fairview Cemetery if it were not for the toils of generations that have gone on before us. I am so thankful for their vision and leadership.

The article that follows appeared in the Altoona Mirror on June 29, 1932. It gives some of the history of Fairview Cemetery and its early beginnings. Cemetery records indicate the earliest graves date back to 1808. We are indebted to those who helped to make Fairview Cemetery what it is today.

Cemetery Dates Back 100 Years

The oldest cemetery at Martinsburg, later chartered as the Fairview cemetery, had its beginning before the town became a borough in 1832. Starting in 1830, about 100 burials were made in the plot up to 1872 when a few more acres were added which had been purchased from Jacob Lehman. In 1874, another small addition was purchased but the cemetery became involved in debt and was sold by the sheriff. The plot was purchased by Professor J. H. Stevens and he assumed the obligations of the association and permitted burials to be made.

Through the sale of lots and the holding of festivals, money was raised to liquidate the debt and in 1874 a charter was granted under the name Fairview cemetery.

Later, and at different times, plots were added until the cemetery contains about twenty acres and is free of all indebtedness and good progress is being made on endowment for the care of the lots.

The first board of trustees met on Sept. 24, 1873, composed of the following persons: President, Theopolis Snider; secretary, John D. Keagy; D. L. Martin, Birdine Blake, Jacob Lehman, L. A. Oellig, Dr. F. G. Bloom, John H. Zook and William F. Bridenthal.

The present board of trustees is composed of J. E. Dilling, president; secretery, D. R. Earlenbaugh; treasure, E. E. Shriver; J. H. Nicodemus, C. J. Bonebrake, J. P. Rearick, C. A. Straesser, Earnest Straesser, D. W. Smith. Harry Greenleaf is sexton and grave digger.

At present, the Fairview cemetery is the final resting place of approximately 1,000 bodies.

Jacob Lehman

March 14, 1823 –November 8, 1910

Jacob Lehman was instrumental in the development of Fairview Cemetery during the early years.

Editor’s Note: Chuck Kensinger is a member of Fairview Cemetery’s Board of Directors.