William and Elizabeth Gatton came to Muscatine County in 1839 and one can only sumise that they fell in love with the area bordering the Cedar River for this is where they owned land and established a home--then apparently chose to be buried on this land on a spot so spectacular that were they alive they could look out at all their land, the river and today watch the operations of the huge Wendling rock quarry to the east.

To reach the spot, one follows Highway 6, going west and crossing the main Cedar River bridge. There is a secondary road that turns off to the right or north and follows along beside cottages on the river bank, past the Wendling quarries and makes a large turn to the West. One comes to a farm with the house on the north side of the road and the barns on the south. There is a long lane that follows along a fence row south of the barn for a long way, mabe (sic) three quarters of a mile.

Looking to the south there is a high knoll in the hills. One must climb the fence at the corner and climb at least another quarter of a mile in a big pasture. The graves are in a cluster of brush and dominated by a big old cedar. A strong iron fence made in Kenton, Ohio surrounds this twelve feet square plot. It has a gate in it and is surprisingly good shape considering that this is a pasture with cattle in it.

A supurb view to the north shows the cabins along the river, to the east the quarries, and to the south and west woodlands. It really was worth the climb!! a tall monument stands there. It has a tapering square shape that is sort of folded, tasseled drape in stone. On it is inscribed the following information:

"Elizabeth H. Gatton

William D. Gatton died 1876 aged 83 years.

William and Elisabeth Gallo were married October 28, 1823 in Holmes County, Ohio
Moved to Muscatine County October 1939."

The library article also contains the following note:

"Have been told that in summer of 1972, these two graves were moved to Moscow cemetery because of approaching Wendling quarries."

If anyone in the Muscatine County area has been to this area or would attempt to follow the directions contained within, it would be interesting to find out if the quarries have swallowed up this scenic area. IF this place still exists and the stones are still in place, we would like to know so that the Iowa Pioneer Cemetery Preservation Law might be used to preserve it.