Literary connections: A focus on books at this year’s Bluff City Cemetery Walk
The 37th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22, will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Gail Borden Public Library. All of the former residents featured on the cemetery walk have an association to either literacy, books, or Gail Borden. This year, each portrayal will include suggestions on what that Elginite’s favorite book might have been.
Every year in late September, the Elgin History Museum hosts the cemetery walk at the majestic Bluff City Cemetery on Elgin’s southeast side.
Greeting you at the entrance to Bluff City Cemetery will be Alfred B. Church (1844-1911), a prominent Elgin figure who, with his brother Samuel, supported the local community through significant philanthropy. Arriving in Elgin around 1868, Alfred worked as a bookkeeper for the Elgin milk condensing company, eventually becoming its superintendent. He transitioned into real estate, partnering in ventures like the Elgin Improvement Association and investing in local development. Alfred and his wife, Mary, built notable homes and contributed generously to institutions like the Gail Borden Library. Alfred and his brother Samuel donated a mansion on Spring Street to be used as the second library building so long as it be named the Gail Borden Public Library in honor of their stepfather.
The 70-minute guided tour will showcase the grave sites of seven Elginites portrayed by actors in period costumes.
See portrayals of early Gail Borden Library directors Louis Yarwood, Cecil Harvey, and Katherine Abbott as well as other local notables Arthur Newsome, Edward Lovell, David C. Cook, and Abby Wing.
• Arthur Newsome was born May 16, 1826, on a plantation in North Carolina. Enslaved and moved to Alabama, he endured harsh conditions and family separation. After escaping to Union lines during the Civil War, he helped to load over 100 friends and family on an empty boxcar headed back to Elgin and then joined the 5th Minnesota Infantry Regiment to participate in the fight for freedom. Post-war, Arthur reunited with his family in Elgin. He fought for civil rights, successfully advocating for school integration. Arthur co-founded the Second Baptist Church in Elgin and built homes for the Black community. Arthur earned broad respect in the community before passing away at nearly 90, leaving a legacy of resilience and advocacy for equality.
• Louis Henry Yarwood, born in 1827 in Oriskany, N.Y., moved to Elgin thanks to his pioneering uncle Ruben. Initially working as a bookkeeper, Yarwood later ran a drugstore, sold insurance, and musical instruments. He became Elgin's first librarian in 1874, blending his love for art with his library duties until his controversial dismissal in 1882. He then focused on his true passion, art, founding the Elgin Art Association and exhibiting his work locally. Yarwood also served as a trustee and educator at Elgin Academy. His legacy endures in Elgin’s cultural and artistic landscape.
• Abby Wing, born to Henry and Martha Saunders in 1829 in New England, became a pioneering educator and philanthropist in Elgin. Moving west in 1854, she started teaching in a one-room schoolhouse and later contributed significantly to literacy and education in Elgin. Wing established the city's first public primary school in 1857 and continued to innovate in teaching methods. She and her husband, William H. Wing, were active in community service, founding Sherman Hospital and supporting the Gail Borden Public Library. Tragically, her life was cut short by a fire in 1897. Her legacy endures in Elgin's educational and civic advancements.
• Edward Coultas Lovell’s life was deeply intertwined with the growth of Elgin. Born in 1842 to Vincent Lovell, an early settler and education advocate, Edward pursued education himself, attending Elgin Academy and the University of Michigan. His career included roles as a teacher, principal, Civil War administrative assistant, and later, a lawyer and mayor of Elgin. He was dedicated to education, supporting compulsory education legislation, and contributing to the Gail Borden Public Library. He faced personal tragedies, losing family members, and his young son, Vincent. Despite hardships, he remained committed to Elgin, leaving a legacy of civic and educational contributions before his death in 1901.
• Cecil Harvey, born on July 12, 1845, to pioneer parents, spent most of her life in Elgin. After her own schooling she was an educator for 16 years. She transitioned to librarianship in 1882 after some controversy over the previous librarian's performance. Despite a reduced salary, she embraced her role, significantly expanding the library's collection from 2,000 to 14,000 books. The Elgin Public Library became the Gail Borden Public Library on her watch after the donation of property from the stepsons of the famous milk condenser. She remained dedicated to improving the library and providing access to information for the community. Unmarried, Cecil was active in her community, participating in the Universalist Church, Elgin Woman’s Club, and Every Wednesday Literary Club. Her life was fulfilling but cut short by cancer in 1903. Her contributions were acknowledged by a heartfelt resolution from the library board, highlighting her extensive literary knowledge and significant influence on the library's development.
• David C. Cook, born Aug. 28, 1850, in East Worcester, N.Y., was a pioneering publisher and philanthropist. Raised in a faith-driven household, he faced financial hardship when his father's venture failed, leading his family to Illinois. Despite early setbacks, including the devastating 1871 Chicago Fire, Cook rebounded by establishing a successful publishing business in 1875. He created “Our Sunday School Quarterly” revolutionizing Sunday school resources. By 1882, he relocated to Elgin, revitalizing a woolen mill. After health issues led him to California, he found new success and returned to Elgin, solidifying his company’s prominence. His legacy endures in the David C. Cook Publishing Co.
• Katherine Abbott’s Elgin roots trace back to parents, Frank and Dora. Her father, a Civil War veteran, settled in Elgin after working at the Elgin National Watch Factory, where Katherine’s siblings would eventually also work. Instead, Katherine pursued a career in library science. After graduating from the library school in Madison, she began working at the Gail Borden Public Library in 1889 and became head librarian in 1903. She oversaw five renovations and expanded the library’s collection significantly, including establishing a children’s section. Katherine retired in 1943 after five decades in service, leaving a lasting impact on the community’s literary resources.
The annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk has been a tradition since 1987. Each year, hundreds of people enjoy the outdoor theatrical performance and the beauty of the historic cemetery grounds.
Tickets are $20, with timed entry rather than open all-day tickets, so choose the best show time for you. For tickets, go to elginhistory.org/2024-cemetery-walk/. There will be no tickets available at the gate.
Times are 3 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. It is a rain or shine event. Learn more at facebook.com/ElginCemeteryWalk/.