Near Iola in Grimes County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Zion Cemetery
Zion Cemetery is the final resting place of early pioneers of Grimes County and their descendants whose memory is preserved here. Methodist Episcopal Church, South, now known as Zion United Methodist Church, formed in 1852 when settlers purchased three acres of land from L.E. Jones. Initially on this property, a log cabin church also served as a school, known as McCary School.
When death entered the settlement, graves were placed among the trees, thus beginning the Zion Cemetery. Although the church later moved to Iola, the cemetery remained in the community and continued to grow. In August 1867, Priscilla McMahan donated 3.46 acres adjoining the original approximate 3-acre tract. Many burials at Zion Cemetery represent early pioneers and settlers of the area, including the gravesite of Katy Holland McDowell Treadwell Cobb (1815-1886), a member of Austin's Old Three-Hundred. The earliest grave in the cemetery is that of John William Diserens (1839-1857), who died on July 12, 1857. John William, the son of early pioneer, john David Diserens (1796 1867), is also buried here.
The cemetery is also the final resting place of veterans of the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War. Also represented are those lost to the Yellow Fever Epidemic in 1867 as well as numerous infant burials. The Iola Cemetery Association founded before World War II, manages the historic cemetery with ownership remaining with the Zion United Methodist Church in Iola.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2017
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20130.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical date for this entry is July 12, 1857.
Location. 30° 46.139′ N, 96° 5.491′ W. Marker is near Iola, Texas, in Grimes County. Marker is at the intersection of County Highway 108 and Sollock Lane, on the left when traveling west on County Highway 108. The marker is located in the front center section of the Zion Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Iola TX 77861, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Katy Holland McDowell Treadwell Cobb (within shouting distance of this marker); Town of Bedias (approx. 8˝ miles away); Bedias First Baptist Church (approx. 8.9 miles away); Steep Hollow Cemetery (approx. 12.9 miles away); Richardson Perry Cenotaph (approx. 12.9 miles away); Jozye Church and Cemetery (approx. 13.4 miles away); Site of Bullard Community (approx. 14˝ miles away); CCC Camp Site (approx. 15.4 miles away).
Also see . . . Iola, Texas. TexasEscapes.com (Submitted on October 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.