The research that I have done convinces me that Thomas S. and Margaret Swift Dulin are buried in The Union Campground Cemetery. They do NOT have tombstones, and I probably will never fmd any. Aunt Mary Ann (Dulin) Overstreet, is quoted as being at the cemetery on “Decoration Day” and telling some of the grandchildren that their greatgrand parents are buried “here” and marked with “these rocks.”

The Dulin Family moved to Greene County, Missouri in 1851 from Robertson County Tennessee. The land was plentiful, cheap and less crowded. They moved to Section 3, Township 30, Range 21, where Thomas S. Dulin received a land grant in 1854 for 130 acres at $1.25 per acre. He was a farmer.

The Dulin family lived “up the road” east of the cemetery. They went by the cemetery many times on their way home or going somewhere. One of the fIrst “Dulins” buried in the cemetery was Josie Ann Giles Dulin. She married Andrew Jackson Dulin (son of the above couple) on 24 Jul 1865 in Cooper Co. MO. Florence McMurray Dulin verified her death as 13 Feb 1866. Florence was the second wife of Andrew Jackson Dulin and the above information is in his Civil War File. Andrew and Florence moved to Texas and are buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery in Dallas.

Florence’s brother was William Newton McMurray and married Margaret Ellen Dulin (daughter of the above couple). Both W.N. and Ellen are buried in Union Campground with tombstones, along with their two daughters, Alta and Daisy.

John Wesley Dulin, (son of the above couple), and Elizabeth Null’s youngest child ”was killed when a brother pulled a mallet off a high shelf, that hit him in the head killing him.” His name was Wesley Franklin born 21 Dec 1861 and died in 1867.  Information is from Charles Dulin.  Wesley does not have a tombstone.

Margaret “Peggy” Swift Dulin is listed in the Greene Co. MO 1880 Federal Census. Thomas and Peggy probably married in Robertson Co TN ca. 1834. Robertson Co. courthouse burned during the Civil War. No marriage date has been found. Their first child, Sarah was born about 1835. Thomas S. married for the second time 4 Oct 1885 in Greene County to Rachel Atkins. Margaret died between 1880 and 1885 and from the dates we can expect that they were close to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. SpringfIeld, MO does not have newspapers for this time period. We can only surmise that she, too, is buried “in the cemetery down the road” without a tombstone.

A tombstone with Eliza J. (wife of J.W. Doolen) born 15 Jun 1855 died 6 Sep 1888was found in 1960s by John & LeMerle Cochran when they did a reading of this cemetery. I think the Louisa (Eliza) listed in 1850 census as the daughter of Thomas S. and Margaret. Eliza J. Dulin and J.W. Doolen married in Greene Co MO on 13 Oct 1880. It appears that Eliza and J.W. had two children buried close to their mother. One tombstone has “infant” 10Jul 1882and another with Hattie J. born 27 Aug 1885 and died 12 Jun 1887. All three of these tombstones are missing in 2003.

The SpringfIeld Express, June 12, 1891, listed “Thomas S. Dulin, age eighty-two years, seven months died at his home six miles northeast of SpringfIeld, MO, Sunday, June 7, 1891 after twelve days of suffering. He was born in Virginia in 1808, moved to Middle Tennessee when a boy, lived there until 1851, moved to Greene County MO, where he has lived ever since. He was a member of the Methodist Church over 50 years, and died in his faith.”

Sarah Dulin Kennedy (dau of John W.) another grand child of the above couple died in childbirth on 14 Jun 1894 age 21. She is also buried at the cemetery with no stone per Charles Dulin.

Alonzo Dulin died 17 Jul 1907 age 42. Ethel Dulin born 15 Nov 1902died 24 Feb 1911age 9 years.

 Infant of Walter P. Dulin, age 7 months died 10 Sep 1907. On Wednesday 11 Sep 1907 Springfield, MO Republican. “The seven month old infant of Walter P. Dulin, who lives four miles north of the city, died Tuesday morning off summer complaint. The funeral will be held this afternoon and the interment will be at the Union Camp burial ground.”

Children of John Wesley, Alonzo and Ethel were buried at Union Camp Cemetery, then on 26 Jun 1924 they were moved to East Lawn Cemetery where their tombstones are today. (Information from Paxson Funeral Home records 1900-1926.)

 John Wesley Dulin born 2 Mar 1837 and died 15Mar 1916from an accident with a sawmill. He was buried in Union Camp Ground Cemetery. Three years later, his family had his body exhumed and buried him at Greenlawn Cemetery. The Cemetery was deteriorating and no one was taking care of it is the reason for the move.

 I am sure these people would be very appreciative that there is a small group of people interested in preserving this cemetery. I know that I am. I hope that this organization will be successful in leaving a legacy for the future of the cemetery.

by Hazel Dulin Voris 2003