A Tour Through Time

August 18, 2007

Shepherd Sesquicentennial
1857-2007
 Contents
4 Welcome

5 Featured Graves
James Campbell (1837-1875), and James Wilsey (1811-1882)

I. N. Shepherd (1840-1920)

Ellen Swix (1844-1944)

“Spikehorn” John Meyer (1870-1959)

Katherine Mullinax (1908-1996)

James (Joker) Coon (1872-1931)

Agatha Swenson (1912-2005)

H. Herbert Perrine (1872-1964)

Minnie Vautrin (1886-1941)

Esther Mullet Kelley (1897- 1970), George Kelley (1897-1975) and Andrew
Mullet (1864-1939)

Lyle Rhynard (1919-1985)

Russel Stilgenbauer (1894-1980)

8 Facts & Information

Salt River Cemetery History

The Civil War Memorial:

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 Christian burial Practices:

Cemetery Etiquette:

Things you should not do in a cemetery

Cemetery Trivia

10 About the Historical Society

The Historical Society Story

Mission Statement

Meetings

Special Events

Become a Member

Thanks to…
Tour Guides: Presenters: Supporters:
Jenna Sandel John Wilberding Shepherd Public Schools
Cady Sandel Ben Stacy Winding Brook Golf Course
Patti Sandel Julie Salisbury Shepherd Historical Society
Deb McLoughlin Neil Nelson
Lisa Starry Heather Wolf Taps performed by Claude Lemmer
Joyce Noyes Louis Holliday
Larry Noyes Anita Nartker
Gordon Curtiss
Production: Cindy Vautrin
Arnie Hammel Ron and Kaylie Rhynard
Merrie Hammel Bill Kelley and Nancy Adams
Jon Morgan Frank Vautrin

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 Welcome
The Shepherd Area Historical Society is proud to present a
unique opportunity to learn more about our community’s
rich past. As you stroll through the Salt River Cemetery,
you will encounter the spirits of Isacc N. Shepherd, “Spike-
horn” John Meyer, Katherine Mullinax, James (Joker) Coon,
and other notable leaders from Shepherd’s past. These ap-
paritions will be joined by the living descendents of famous
former Shepherd residents like Lyle Rhynard and George
Kelley. You will hear about what life was like back in the
mid-1800’s and early 1900’s as well as these individuals’
personal trials and accomplishments.
The Cemetery Walk is intended to serve as both a memorial
for the individuals buried in the Salt River Cemetery and a
lesson about Shepherd’s past. We hope that you will leave
the cemetery with a richer understanding of your commu-
nity’s past and an appreciation for the part you play in your
community.
But your Journey Through Time does not need to end af-
ter you’ve left the cemetery. Museums like the Little Red
Schoolhouse, Powerhouse, and the Train Depot exist to pro-
vide more glimpses into Shepherd’s history. Be sure to stop
by either of these buildings for a tour.

Shepherd Area Historical Society Officers

Larry G. Noyes President Rose Cohoon Trustee
Clayton Lyon Vice President Newell Oren Trustee
Joyce M. Noyes Secretary Deanna Saunders Trustee
Loretta Koester Treasurer Susan Sazima Trustee
Jack C. Adams Trustee
Sarah Ayris Trustee
Max Berry Trustee

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 Featured Graves
The following former Shepherd residents will be portrayed during the Cemetery Walk:

I. N.
Shepherd
(1840-1920)
Early businessman for
whom the Post Office
and depot were original-
ly named in the 1880’s.
Portrayed by Ben
James Campbell (1837- Stacy

1875), and James

Wilsey (1811-1882)
Some of the earliest Coe Township set-
tlers, arrived with their families around
1854.
Portrayed by John Wilberding

“Spikehorn” John Meyer

Ellen Swix (1844-1944) (1870-1959)
“Granny” Swix was a woman of many oc- Shepherd native naturalist who lived near
cupations who died one day before her Harrison.
100th birthday.
Portrayed by Neil Nelson
Portrayed by Julie Salisbury

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 James (Joker) Coon
(1872-1931)
Most remembered as Isabella County
Katherine Mullinax Sheriff from 1917 to 1921.

(1908-1996) Portrayed by Louis Holliday

20th century businesswoman who owned

the Betty Barry Shop.
Portrayed by Heather Wolf

Agatha Swenson (1912-

2005)
Multi-talented Shepherd High School
teacher and musician.
Remembered by Anita Nartker
H. Herbert Perrine
(1872-1964)
Spanish-American War veteran who was
Shepherd Depot master.
Portrayed by grandson Gordon Cur-
tiss

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Minnie Vautrin (1886-
1941)
Missionary to China who rescued many
women during the Nanking massacre.
Represented by her great-niece Cindy
Vautrin
Lyle Rhynard (1919-
1985)
One of the early leaders of the Maple
Syrup Festival.
Remembered by son Ron and grand-
daughter Kaylie
Esther Mullet Kelley
(1897- 1970), George
Kelley (1897-1975) and
Andrew Mullet (1864-
1939)
Long-time Shepherd mailman, his wife
Esther and Esther’s father Andrew Mullet.
Portrayed by grandson Bill Kelley and
granddaughter Nancy Adams. Nancy
Adams will also talk about Andrew
Mullet
Russel Stilgenbauer
(1894-1980)
He was a man of many trades: mortician,
baker, hardware owner, implement dealer.
Portrayed by Frank Vautrin
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 Facts & Information
Salt River Cemetery History
The Salt River Cemetery was surveyed in 1861 and established February 5, 1862 when 1.7 acres of land
was sold to Coe Township by William R. Robbins and his wife. It was deeded to the township for the sum
of $5.00, and was to be used for a cemetery. It was called the Salt River Burying Grounds
Since then it has been enlarged to approximately 12.83 acres with approximately 6408 burial sites with
4420 occupied with an additional 1784 sold but not yet occupied and another 204 available for sale.
There is additional unimproved land, which could be used for approximately 1260 burials.
The first burial was believed to be Oliva Holland Born October 3, 1847 and buried April 22, 1851 eleven
years before it became a formal cemetery.

The Civil War Memorial:

In 1880 Coe Township decided to establish a memorial in the cemetery to honor the men killed in the
Civil War. The Boy Scouts raised up a mound and in 1911, a metal statue of a Civil War Soldier was
mounted on a marble base. The Statue was refurbished just a few years ago.

Christian burial Practices:

The burials are made with the person face up with their head at the back of the stone or to the west,
with there feet to the east so at the time of the resurrection the person raises to face the raising sun
and the lord. The man is usually buried on the right side of the lot and the women on the left, except
when the gravesites are next to a road then the man is on left.
(There is an English custom that when a woman and a man are walking along a road that the man
should walk between her and the road so she is shielded form mud water and such).

Cemetery Etiquette:
• It is the custom for visitors to walk in front of the grave of a loved one, the front of the marker is the
side that the persons name and dates are written on, that way you are not walking on the grave of
your loved one.
• When visiting a cemetery be quiet and respectful if a funeral is going on.

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Things you should not do in a cemetery
• Sit, Stand, or lean against tombstones
• Walk across fresh gravesites
• Eat or drink while in the cemetery
• Throw paper, cans, gum or other liter in the cemetery
• Enter the cemetery after dark or before dawn
• Walk dogs or take other animals into the cemetery
• Climb trees or fences
• Play loud music or make loud noises in a cemetery
• Block entrances
• Park on the grass
• Dig in a cemetery or desecrate a gravesite

Cemetery Trivia
Have you ever heard the term “saved by the bell” well here is one situation where you may have heard
it?
From approximately 1800 until about 1875 people were worried about being buried alive.
This was due to stories of scratch marks on coffin lids when graves were opened for various reasons.
One remedy and there were several, was to attach a pipe to the coffin with a piece of rope run down the
pipe and into the hands of the deceased and a bell was on the other end. Then if the deceased woke up
he could pull the rope and ring the bell for help, and he would be quickly dug up and saved. Of course
you had to have someone sit watch and listen for the bell all day and all night usually for three days.
There is no evidence that any of the above was practiced but you see references to it in history from
time to time. Today this could not happen because the doctors have better methods of examining
people and embalming,

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 About the Historical Society
The Historical Society Story
The Shepherd Area Historical Society was organized May 15, 1978. One of the high priority projects was the
preservation of the original Power House on Maple Avenue and its conversion to a museum as well as a meeting
place for the Society.

Mission Statement
Time has a way of getting away from us. Before we know it, we all grow up, marry, have children and grow old.
People and events pass almost into oblivion as though a certain time period never existed.
One of the historical society’s goals is to reacquaint our surrounding community with their roots and to remem-
ber and preserve all of the accomplishments and events of the past and make them a living reality for the gen-
eration of children yet to come.

Meetings
Monthly meetings are held at the Power House Museum on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The
society does not meet in January, February, or March. Varied and interesting programs are held.
The public is welcome to attend our meetings. The Powerhouse and the Little Red Schoolhouses are your muse-
ums, so please support them. New memberships are always welcome.

Special Events
A band concert and ice cream social, featuring the Area Community Band, is held at the park in July. In August
we host a picnic.

Become a Member
Membership Level Cost
Annual Membership $5.00
Contributing Membership $10.00
Life Membership $100.00

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