Stolen Gratis gravestone found in Covington, PCHS seeks owners

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EATON — The Preble County Historical Society recently acquired a gravestone which research showed to belong in Fairview Cemetery in Gratis, and the Historical Society is searching to find a family member to claim the stone so it can be returned to its permanent site and restored.

The gravestone belongs to a Jacob Nicodemus, who lived from 1838 to 1887 in Preble County.

In June, PCHS received a call from Tilda Phlipot, director of the Shelby County Historical Society, with news of acquiring the stone. Nicodemus’ gravestone was found laying in a yard near a road in Covington, Ohio.

Nicodemus’ obituary was published in the Eaton Register and reads, “Jacob Nicodemus, living near West Florence, died suddenly on July 28, 1887 of heart disease.”

Following some research, Phlipot found information pertaining to Jacob Nicodemus and his family. Nicodemus’ family links include his father, Joshua Nicodemus (1810-1883); his mother, Catherine Shuey Nicodemus (1806-1847); and his siblings, Joshua Nicodemus (1832-1914), Aaron Nicodemus (1834-1917) and Sophia Nicodemus Sayler (1841-1927). Nicodemus married Catherine Sweney Nicodemus (1839-1924). Together they raised their son, William Sweney Nicodemus (1864-1939).

Jacob served as a part of the 156th Ohio Infantry, Company F, and is buried in Section F of Fairview Cemetery in Gratis, Ohio.

Anyone able to collect the headstone or share information regarding family relations should contact PCHS director Misti Spillman, at 937-787-4256 or [email protected].

A headstone belonging to Preble County resident Jacob Nicodemus (1838 to 1887) was found in Covington, Ohio and has been taken into possession by the Preble County Historical Society.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2016/08/web1_Nicodemus-Stone-Picture.jpgA headstone belonging to Preble County resident Jacob Nicodemus (1838 to 1887) was found in Covington, Ohio and has been taken into possession by the Preble County Historical Society. Mary Siekman for The Register-Herald
Historical Society seeks rightful owners or info

By Mary Siekman

For The Register-Herald

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