Centerville in Butte County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Centerville Cemetery
Main Marker:
Burials here date back to the early 1860s but it was 1900 before the first cemetery association purchased the land from Theodore Willrich and started keeping records. In 1958 a few residents re-formed the organization which had lapsed into in-activity and undertook the task of renovation. In memory of these known pioneers whose names follow and rest here in un-marked graves this memorial is dedicated.
Charles Avisseau William Bauman George Beaumont David Bell Jacob Bieber Horace B. Cowles John Cox James Deneen Bob Dick Frederick G. Donlin Thomas Fittspatrick John Green Mrs. Wm. Hitchcock Jacob Holmes Antone Gierth Mrs. Pres Longley Charlie Ludolphi Albert Mason Henry Moore Agnes Moynahan Charles Oberteuffer Robert Richards Alpheus W. Spencer Mrs. Williams
Second Marker:
Centerville Cemetery
A Non-Endowment Cemetery
The bronze plaque in the center of the cemetery lists those miners we know are buried here in unmarked graves.
In March of 1900 five pioneer families joined together to form the Centerville Cemetery and took possession of the land from Theodore Willrich by gift deed. Donations were collected at the old John Adams store to erect the picket fence you see here today.
The organization remained unchanged until 1958 when Lois Colman led a movement to reorganize the cemetery into a formal association. Grant Benton donated additional property at this time, and the property was transferred to the new association.
[The bronze plaque mentioned as “in the center of the cemetery” is the main marker and is now located next to this marker.]
Erected 1970 by Annie E. Bidwell Parlor No.168, Native Daughters of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1900.
Location. 39° 47.972′ N, 121° 38.808′ W. Marker is in Centerville, California, in Butte County. Marker is on Centerville Road south of Pasa Way, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the cemetery just inside of the entrance gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chico CA 95928, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Centerville School (approx. one mile away); PFC. Steven J. Walberg-Riotto (approx. 3.4 miles away); Old Paradise Depot (approx. 3.4 miles away); Paradise Veterans Memorial (approx. 3½ miles away); Town of Paradise Memorial Trailway (approx. 3½ miles away); Old Paradise (approx. 3½ miles away); Dogtown (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Dogtown Nugget (approx. 3.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Centerville Cemetery. A listing of known burials with links to photos of the individual grave markers. (Submitted on April 11, 2010.)
Additional commentary.
1.
James Deneen Born 26 July 1794 in Bedford County Pennsylvania died in Jan 1851. He was shot during the Gold Rush. It is believed he found Gold and they stole it.
I am a distant Cousin to James Deneen daughter. We believe this is him as it is in the right place as family member from his line think so also. It would be interesting if we could find out more on why he was shot.
James lived in Lapeer County Michigan before he went out to California find Gold. his wife Elizabeth Miller is Buried in Lapeer County Michigan.
— Submitted April 6, 2011, by Darlyne C. McCullen of Howell, Michigan.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,219 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 11, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 12, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.