Near Glenrock in Converse County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Alvah H. Unthank

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

1. Alvah H. Unthank Marker

Inscription. Nineteen-year-old Alvah Unthank was one of a group of young men who left Newport, Wayne County, Indiana, for the goldfields of California in 1850. On June 23 the wagon train passed Register Cliff, south of Guernsey. There Alvah inscribed his name: A.H. UNTHANK 1850.
In the early evening hours on June 28 the party made camp here by the North Platte River on account of the sudden sickness of Alvah. On June 29 a family friend, Pusey Graves, wrote: "Lay by today to doctor and nurse Alvah. June 30 Alvah getting worse it's quite hopeless complaining none. July 1 Alvah rapidly sinking. July 2 in the early morning hours Alvah died." Cholera has taken its toll.
Graves wrote: "Alvah lay clam bore his suffering patiently and uttered not a murmer or groan. Bid his father to be of good cheer. His child has paid the great debt of nature. Procured a large neat headstone. Solomon Woody carved the inscription." At noon Tuesday, July 2, 1850, the solemn task of burial took place.

Erected 1988 by Oregon-California Trails Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1850.

Location. 42°

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49.571′ N, 105° 47.42′ W. Marker is near Glenrock, Wyoming, in Converse County. Marker is on Tank Farm Road (County Route 27) near Business Interstate 25, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1504 Tank Farm Road, Glenrock WY 82637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Deer Creek Station (approx. 4.8 miles away); Ferdinand V. Hayden (approx. 4.9 miles away); Rock in the Glen (approx. 5.3 miles away); Site of Brigham Young (BYX) Mail Station (approx. 5.7 miles away); Sharp, Franklin and Taylor, (approx. 8.1 miles away); Ayres Natural Bridge Park (approx. 9.2 miles away); Ada Magill (approx. 9.7 miles away); Oregon Trail (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glenrock.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

2. Alvah H. Unthank Marker

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

3. Alvah H. Unthank Marker

Oregon Trail Marker, adjacent to the Alvah Unthank marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

4. Oregon Trail Marker, adjacent to the Alvah Unthank marker

Oregon Trail
Marked by the
State of
Wyoming
1913

The grave of Alvah H. Unthank image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

5. The grave of Alvah H. Unthank

located on the hill behind the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 663 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on July 25, 2021, by Jeff Wilson of North Springfield, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 6, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.