SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT

     In May of 1923 the Oakwood Cemetery Association dedicated a monument in memory of U. S. Soldiers and Sailors.  The following is an account that was printed in the Metamora Herald:

     At the soldiers’ lot in Oakwood the people assembled, while Rev. Calhoun offered prayer and then in a beautiful address declared the monument dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of all wars buried in local cemeteries, as a memorial by the Oakwood Cemetery Association.  Legion members in uniform undraped the new monument and Commander Ranney  spoke the words of acceptance and appreciation for the local post.  The Legion firing squad fired a salute.  The exercises closed with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner”, and the Ladies’ Auxiliary decorated the graves of the soldiers, while afar off in the cemetery the post bugler sounded “taps”.

     The monument to the soldiers is unique, being constructed entirely of native small boulders.  It is a massive pile about   five by eight feet at the base, tapering gradually to a height of about ten feet and surmounted by a large stone ball that is either a natural sphere, or was thus fashioned by the Indians.  It was found in pioneer times and had since been retained in the Page and McGuire families.  There are also a number of rare local geological specimens in the monument contributed by local people, one of them being an immense Indian stone axe contributed by Mr. Irving.  On the east side of the monument is placed a bronze tablet bearing the words “IN MEMORY OF U. S. SOLDIERS AND SAILORS”.

     Herman Weber of Piper City, Illinois known as an ornamental stone mason erected the monument.    

History and photo submitted by Shirley A. Adams.