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Anna Sophia Olson
abt 16 years old in Denmark |
“Show me the manner in which a nation or a community takes care of its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the character of its people, their respect for the law of the land and their loyalty to high ideals.” –William Gladstone
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| Anna Sophia Olson Wasden |
Close of the Scipio Pioneer Cemetery
"On January 21, 1894 a meeting was held to consider the propriety of closing the old graveyard for interments. The ward has the title to it I having got it from Brother Croft last summer." - Thomas Memmott, Vol. 1, page 182 (1/21/1894)
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Scipio Pioneer Cemetery
Picture taken by Phil Wasden 8/7/2006 |
Today, 11-27-07, I helped install a beautiful memorial marker in the Scipio Pioneer Cemetery. I feel a peaceful "closure" to memorializing great-grandmother Anna Sophia Jensen Olson Wasden and her twin-son, Peter. The marker is located next to her brother-in-law, Frederick Wasden. Eighty-two people were buried before the Cemetery was closed in 1894. Over the years, residual numbers have been added by way of spouse and family members. Only a few have a marker of any kind to identify the deceased. Rocks, bottles, and boards are used to indicate where "someone" may be buried. Only a few have a marker with an inscription of any kind. A large portion of the graves are "unmarked." For over one hundred and thirty-seven years, Anna Sophia and her son Peter, have laid in unmarked graves in a sadly neglected Scipio Pioneer Cemetery. I suppose that a flat rock inscribed with her information using a SharpieÔ marker, lobbed into the Cemetery, would satisfy the basic requirements for a memorial. I determined to undertake this project without jeopardizing my level of support to any other obligations. Should you be in the Scipio area, visit the Pioneer Cemetery and ponder some of the stalwart pioneers buried there particularly, Anna Sophia and Peter. Whether anyone visits or not, they will be remembered!
I love you more!
Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, and Phil
