Pleasant Hill History Center

Newton Township Civil War Monument

“Dedicated by the grateful people of Newton Township, in memory of her fallen heroes who died in defense of the Union and who sleep in unknown graves”

The Civil War Monument is located in the center of Pleasant Hill. The monument was erected in 1895 at a cost of $725.00, by the Dan W. Williams Post #369 of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Women’s Auxiliary Williams Relief Corps #97. It was financed in part by the voters of Newton Township by approving two $250.00 Bonds to be used for the purpose of the erection of a Civil War Monument. The monument is signed “L. Wallace P.H.O.” who was the stone cutter and contractor who erected the Monument.

The names on the monument are: Jerry W. Teeter, Philip H. Reiber, Martin Elifritz, Josiah Coate, William H. Dunlap, Robert Sheets, Isaac W. Furnas, Henry Long, Job Pearson, David Shoe, John A. Book, and Alfred Hayworth. These soldiers were killed in action during their enlistment in the Civil War.

On August 12, 1895, the village Council passed an Ordinance #86, granting the privilege of constructing a Soldier’s Monument in the center of the crossing of Main and Cross Streets.

The day of the dedication was October 31, 1895. A large crowd gathered. There were speeches and music from the town band. Charles Schuesslin, a local butcher, had prepared an entire beef and gave free soup. Mrs. Delilah Reiber had the honor of unveiling the Monument. She was the mother of three soldiers killed in the Civil War.

An iron fence was to be placed around the monument, but due to lack of funds the fence was installed a year or two later.

The base of the monument is one piece of limestone that came from the local quarry. The Vermont Granite was shipped from Vermont on the C.H.&D railroad. The soldier standing on top of the Monument came from Italy.

The iron fence was removed in 1902 when the traction line was installed through Pleasant Hill.

The Monument still stands as a memorial to those heroes who died serving their country.