Belle Plaine - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 41.898750 by -92.257083

This is a nice monument in Oak Hill Cemetery. It is 15 feet high with a granite base. There are inscriptions on three sides - the west side reads "In Memory of Union Soldiers and Sailors 1861-1865." The south side "In Memory of the Unknown Dead." The north side "Erected by the WRC No. 130 John B. Hancox Post, No. 314 GAR Department of Iowa, and Citizens of Belle Plaine." No dedication date is given. The cemetery is on the east side of town off 13th Street. The monument is at the west entrance to Oak Hill Cemetery. Photo taken 10/4/19. Thanks to David Shedlock for the old photo.

Blairstown - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 41.889100 by -92.084233

This is a 25 foot soldier monument in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. There are inscriptions with Civil War soldiers on three of four sides. It was dedicated in 1907. There are 43 Civil War Veterans buried in the cemetery. It is about 3/4 miles south of town. Follow Locust Street south to the cemetery. The photos were taken 10/4/19. The second image is an old undated photo of the monument - note that is was in town and now is located in the cemetery. Thanks to Danny Krock for furnishing this photo.

Vinton - Governor Buren Sherman Monument - GPS Coordinates: 42.161316 by -92.009716

Governor. Sherman (1836-1904) was a Civil War Veteran who served in the 13th Iowa Infantry Regiment. He was wounded at Shiloh on April 6, 1862 and promoted to Captain shortly afterwards. He resigned from the Army about a year later due to his injury. He was a lawyer who served as a Judge and State Auditor and then as Governor from 1882 - 1886. Note the braille on the lower part of the monument - Vinton was the location for the School for the Blind. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Take East 9th Street east to the cemetery. He is buried in a grove of large pine trees straight west of the Soldiers Monument. Photo taken 10/4/19.

Vinton - Plaque honoring Captain Thomas Drummond - GPS Coordinates: 42.161983 by -92.034444

     Captain Drummond (1832-1865) moved from Ohio to Iowa in 1855 and became editor of the "Vinton Eagle". He was also a member of the Iowa Legislature and was responsible for legislation establishing the Iowa School for the Blind in Vinton. He served in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry, the 4th Iowa Cavalry, and the 5th U. S. Cavalry. He died April 2, 1865 of wounds received in the Battle of Five Forks, Virginia. He also fought in other major battles in the East.
     This plaque is placed in the lobby of Old Main at the School for the Blind (now named Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School). The School is at 10th Street and G Avenue in Vinton. Photos taken 7/2/13.
     Also shown are historical markers in the St. Clairsville, Ohio cemetery where Captain Drummond is buried next to his mother. The final two photos are from Find-a-Grave and were included 11/21/16. There is also excellent historical information on the Find-a-Grave site. Thank you to Larry Eastman and Jo Porter for notification about these memorials.