Research of Union Campground began early in 1994. A new-looking marble tombstone attracted our attention, simply because it was a recent addition and was set among other old and broken stones in an area to the northwest section of the cemetery. This area later was determined to be the Freeman family plot. The etched lettering on the tombstone disclosed the following details: Elizabeth Snow Appleby Wife of W.A. Appleby Born: June 17, 1828 Died: May 21, 1864

We wondered who had cared enough to replace a damaged stone, especially since the graveyard had been abandoned for many years. We found the answer we were seeking from the Peryer Monument Company on West Kearney, Springfield, MO. On April 14, 1971, Mr. Leonard Appleby (now deceased) ordered a new tombstone for Elizabeth Appleby. When the new stone was completed on May 10, 1971, it was delivered to Mr. Appleby to his home address, Route 10, Springfield, and he then took it to the cemetery and set the stone by himself.

Marriage records of Greene

November 2000

County, MO., Book A, reveal Elizabeth Snow was married to George W. Freeman on November 29, 1846. Mr. Freeman died a few years later in 1852. He is buried in Union Campground. On March 28, 1855, Elizabeth was united in marriage to William A Appleby and the ceremony was performed by Rev. C. C. Williamson of the Kickapoo Prairie Church (later to become Mt. Comfort Church). The marriage took place at the residence of Horace Snow. William A. Appleby owned acreage in Franklin Township. He first purchased 80 acres in Section 27, Township 30, Range 21 on January 16, 1839. He later purchased 40 acres in the same section on January 26, 1848, then added 40 acres in the same section on March 24, 1856. For a number of years the Hall School House, located on his property, served as a meeting place for the Bellview Presbyterian Church (according to Holcombe’s History of Greene County, p. 899).

The Greene County Missouri 1860 Census lists William A. Appleby age 43; Elizabeth age 32; Samuel 4, Sarah 2; David 4/12; W.W. 19; Susannah 15; Scott 12; John 11; Mary 9; William Freeman 12; and George Freeman 7. Fairbanks & Tuck, Vol. I, p. 864, mentions the marriage of Sarah L. Appleby to Henry F. Kennedy on April 6, 1885. When Elizabeth died, her remains were probably placed by those of George W. Freeman in Union Campground. His tombstone was read in the 1960s by individuals from the Church of the Latter Day Saints but at the present time his stone cannot located. It could be one of the weathered stones found on or near the Freeman plot, but the lettering has long-since been obliterated by the forces of nature. Only a footstone has been discovered bearing the initials “G.W.F.” -continued page 2

by: Jean Gaffga Rayl, Member, Greene Co. Historical Soc.: Member, Founders Park Historical Research Committee

Edited by:  Joanna Coonrod, Great Granddaughter of Elizabeth Snow Appleby