We’re excited to launch our official blog, Stone and Spirit, a space where the past meets the present in meaningful and unexpected ways.
Here at Chestnut Grove Church & Cemetery, every headstone, hymnal, and hand-carved pew tells a story. Through this blog, we’ll be sharing those stories — from historical deep dives and restoration updates to profiles of those buried here, reflections on local folklore, seasonal photos, and community happenings.
Whether you’re here for the history, the heritage, or the hope of discovering a forgotten tale, we hope this blog becomes a place of connection for you.
Visit the Stone and Spirit Blog regularly for new posts. Have a story or family connection to Chestnut Grove?
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The oldest known burial in our cemetery is a mystery…
Faded Stones, Forgotten Stories
Near the edge of the road stand two weathered headstones—so worn by time that their inscriptions are no longer legible. According to a copy of an old cemetery map, the name listed near this spot is simply “Christian Buck.”
After some research, the only Buck family I’ve been able to trace is that of Christifer (Chris) Buck, born in Bavaria, Germany in 1829. He married Sarah Johnson in 1870, when she was around 29 years old. Sadly, Christifer passed away just five years later in 1875.
Sarah eventually remarried and is buried alongside her second husband in a different cemetery.
It’s likely that the larger stone marks Christifer’s final resting place—and the smaller, unmarked grave beside it could be that of a child, whose name and story have been lost to time.
I’ll continue to dig into the records in hopes of learning more about this family. Every name, every stone, deserves to be remembered.
Off to research — Becky 7/10/2025
