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 early 20th century by descendent 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.

Frederick Bronnenberg, Sr., 1775-1853, patriarch of this prominent early Madison County family, 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 family became wealthy, and he 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 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.) Both Frederick, Sr., and Frederick, Jr., their wives, Barbara and Hulda respectively, along with numerous family members are buried at the Bronnenberg Cemetery along with neighboring Chesterfield settlers. The stone pictured above right, commemorating Frederick, Sr., and wife Barbara, was placed at a later date in the old section by relatives.

As evidenced by the larger, fancier stones of the late 19th century, the old section in the northwest corner of the Bronnenberg Cemetery holds many of the more affluent members of the family. To the right of these stones is the White River. Beyond the trees and down the hill is the Timberline Campground.

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