Bronnenberg Cemetery

Pioneer Cemeteries and Their Stories,

Madison County, Indiana

Location: north side of North Street at the end of Skyview Drive, one-half mile off of SR 32 in Chesterfield

As the dates on the gateposts explain, this cemetery was begun in 1836 by the Bronnenberg family and is situated on what used to be a Bronnenberg farm. A brick Victorian farm house built a little later in the century by a member of the family is located across the road just west of the cemetery. The Bronnenberg was a private graveyard even up until 1895 when historian Samuel Harden was publishing The Pioneer. With the help of a donation in the 20th century by descendant Estes Bronnenberg, 1892-1966, the cemetery was incorporated into a burial business serving the town of Chesterfield and surrounding area. The stone pictured below left tells of his contribution and greets the visitor upon entering the gate.

The stone above right is for Frederick Bronnenberg, Sr., 1775-1853, patriarch of this prominent early Madison County family. He was a veteran of the War of 1812 and is listed in the American Legion's Cemetery Record of Deceased Veterans. The Bronnenberg family is of German heritage with ancestors having first settled in Pennsylvania. Frederick, Sr., and his seven sons and three daughters came to the Chesterfield area around 1821 from Ohio. There are two stories as to why the Bronnenberg family stopped in Union Township. One relates that they were originally headed for the Illinois territory. A Bronnenberg child died, and the family decided to stay where the child was buried. Another states that one of Frederick's oxen broke down.** Unable to travel further, he was aided by William Dilts who informed Frederick of the disserted McChester cabin where the family could obtain shelter. Frederick Bronnenberg, Sr., was a tanner by trade and started the first tan yards in the county as early as 1831. Later, Frederick, Sr., also built a saw mill and a grist mill--some of the first mills in the county. The stone commemorating Frederick, Sr., and wife Barbara, c.1789-1857, is of a later architectural period; it was erected by descendants.

The Bronnenberg family became wealthy, and Frederick, Sr., and his sons and descendents owned numerous farms in various townships. The farm that Frederick Bronnenberg, Jr., 1812-1901, inherited from his father included the ancient burial mounds of the Adena/Hopewell people. Frederick, Jr., is credited with preserving during his lifetime those archaeological treasures. (For more on Frederick, Jr., and Mounds State Park, go to Union Township page.)

The large grey monument above is for Frederick Bronnenberg, Jr., and wife Hulda. Frederick, Jr., is credited with preserving the Adena/Hopewell mounds which are around 2000 years old. The mounds form the basis for beautiful Mounds State Park. The other stones surrounding this memorial are also for members of the Bronnenberg family.

The oldest section of the Bronnenberg Cemetery is on a little knoll in the northwest corner. It is here that the private graveyard for the family was begun with the first burial being eighteen year old Isaac Bronnenberg who died September 19, 1836. Two unnamed infants followed, one in 1841 and another in 1842. Lura died in 1846 and Sarah in 1847, both one year old. Those are the Bronnenbergs with the earliest gravestones. Eventually the head of the family Frederick, Sr., died in 1853, and his wife Barbara in 1857.

As evidenced by the larger, more elaborate grave markers, in the picture at right, the little knoll in the northwest corner, the oldest section of the Bronnenberg Cemetery, also holds many of the more affluent members of later generations. To the right of these stones is White River. Beyond the trees and down the hill is the Timberline Campground.

Down through the generations, over 130 Bronnenberg family members have been laid to rest at this family burial ground. Over twenty-five of those were children born in the 19th century. The death rate among the young then was often as high as one out of three. In the picture above, the tablets reset in cement from mid 19th century, in the foreground, and the later square blocks, in mid ground and background, mark the graves of children. In fact, from this view there are only four stones for adults; all the rest are for children.

Maggie, left, and James, right ,were both two years old when they died in 1874 and 1851 respectively. James's tablet is one of the oldest stones still intact. Maggie has a pretty podium style marker. In the Victorian era, the book on the top represented the Bible, and the drape with tassels symbolized mourning for the departed.

As was the custom of the time, the services of the burial ground were offered to friends and neighbors who also lost loved ones. The Nelson family had three unnamed infant daughters die, one each in 1839, '41, and '42. Bodle, Forkner, Pugsley, Thumma, Thomas, and Fitts are other surnames of early settlers who helped to forge a community in the wilderness of Union Township.

The Nelson family is represented by the beautifully preserved obelisk for William's son Frederick, right, who died "Aug. 18, 1856 aged 19ys. 11ms. 21ds." Extra expense provided the portrait framed by garland, the stenciled border marking the first name, and the almost discernible verse below the age line.

At left is the broken tablet for the infant daughter of the Nelsons who was "born Nov. 17, 1842 aged 1 day."

"In

Memory of

Elizabeth wife of Samuel Bodle

who died ? ?

July (?) 13th 1844 aged

39 years ? ? ? ?"

Omitted on the attached burial list by some oversight, the stone at left is one of the earliest still intact in the cemetery. Made of granite, the stone may still exist unbroken for that reason. That also may explain why the incising looks shallow when compared to Samuel's stone, below right. Granite is much harder than the soft white marble so popular later in the 19th century.

At right is the nicely preserved Victorian stone for Samuel Bodle, perhaps the one married to Elizabeth above. He died "Oct. 17, 1865 aged 65Y 3M & 5D." That would make his birth year around 1800. The hand pointing heavenward emphasized his religious faith.

Above, left to right, "Caroline wife of John Thumma died Nov. 25, 1864 23YRS 5MS & 6DS." The figure at the top was probably an angel when first carved. Middle left, "John Thomas died Apr. 16, 1853." Unfortunately, the bottom half of the stone containing the line for his age is missing. Judging from the its size, though, this was a stone for an adult. Middle right, "Hannah E. dau. of C.W. and M. Fitts died Feb. 17, 1869 aged 19Y 1M 4D." At far right, John Pugsely, who died in 1868, is listed on the east face of this monument while others of that name are on the west face.

As can be seen in the picture below, taken near the memorial for Frederick and Barbara Bronnenberg, Sr., since the incorporation of the cemetery in mid 20th century, sections, stretching towards North Street, have been added and filled with the modern-day residents of Union Township, Chesterfield, and Bronnenberg family members.

**In the summer of 2007, an old skull of a large ox was discovered buried in Mounds State Park, just northwest of the Bronnenberg house built by Frederick, Jr., and wife Hulda. The skull was sent to the Department of Natural Resources for analysis as to age. Results will be posted.

Click here for a list in .pdf format of burials with headstones.