aka Prince of Peace

Adams Township

Location: southwest corner of CRs 600S and 50E

    Like so many other pioneer cemeteries, the Pee-Wee is connected to a church.  In 1830, the "Pewee" Baptist Church was formed, and in 1834 a building half a mile west of New Columbus (Ovid) was constructed.  On the same hill as the church, overlooking CR 600S and the valley beyond, the cemetery was consecrated for the remains of the faithful.

    While the congregation grew in the first half of the 19th century, in the latter half, members numbered less than a dozen, and they held services just once a month.  In spite of the church's decline, the cemetery continues to be utilized by area residents and is well maintained.

    This is one of the cemeteries whose gravestone inscriptions were recorded by early 20th century Madison County historian Glen Walker.  When he passed his transcriptions onto Madison County Historical Society member W. Lloyd Scott in 1967,  Mr. Walker wrote, "My original record of the burials in the Pee Wee Cemetery was made in 1932, revised in 1942 and again in June of 1952.  It is believed to be reasonably accurate as far as it goes, but there are still a few of the old markers I have never been able to decipher."  The MCCC and 21st century genealogists remain indebted to Glen Walker for his devotion and tireless efforts.

    An indispensable craftsman to any pioneer community is buried here.  Peter Fesler/Festler was a blacksmith as well as being a farmer.  Blacksmithing was one of the most important positions among the early settlers because blacksmiths--workers in iron and metals--kept horses usable, wagons and simple tools functioning, and household appointments and farm equipment serviceable.  Peter was born in Pennsylvania in 1805 and migrated to Adams Township in 1840 along with other members of his adult family.  He purchased a farm north of Ovid/New Columbus, added several hundred acres along the north bank of Fall Creek, and eventually became financially successful enough to afford to build a brick home, a show place for its time.  Mr. Fesler was also politically involved.  He was a democrat and elected county commissioner in 1862 during the Civil War and was a stockholder in the Anderson-New Columbus Turnpike.

    Unlike his sister Catharine Fesler who married William Saunders and became a member of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Ovid, Peter was a devoted German Baptist or Dunkard.  Church services were often held in his barn before the congregation could afford to build a separate house of worship.  Mr. Fesler gave generously of his time and means toward construction of the first large German Baptist church near his home; however, he did not live to see it completed.  He died November 13, 1872 and is buried with other members of the Fesler family here at the neighboring Pee Wee Baptists' cemetery.