In reviewing the history of Rutland, Illinois for the sesquicentennial (1855-2005), the following article from the Rutland Record, February 3, 1900, - remininscences of early settlers by John Wadleigh - revealed, Henry W. Cooley, son of L. W. Cooley, to be the first person buried in the Rutland Cemetery (12-10-1855, 16 yrs 2 mo 4 days).

Wadleigh recalls - "Wolves were quite plentiful in those early days, and at the request of Mr. and Mrs. Cooley, we visited the spot where the internment was made quite often, that we might assure those parents that no harm had occurred to the grave of their son." The Cooley's lost a second son, John B. Cooley (8-28-1859, 4 yrs 6 mo). The stones were two of the six reset in 2002.

Heroes existed in the everyday struggle of the early settlers and our veterans interred in the Rutland Cemetery. Among the veterans are twenty-none Civil War Veterans and one each from the Black Hawk War, Mexican and Spanish War.

Early plots before 1949 are without perpetual care funding. The Cemetery Association is supported only by interest from the care fund, therefore, funds are needed.

Those who wish to donate to the 2005 Fund Drive to Facilitate Civil War Era Stone Repair, should send the donation to the Treasurer:

Janet Kemp
414 Johnson Street
Minonk, IL 61760

The Rutland Cemetery Board thanks you for your consideration.

Allen Renken, President
Robert Thies, Secretary
Janet Kemp, Treasurer

Civil War renactments take place each year at the Rutland Cemetery