Near Dowagiac in Cass County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indian Lake Cemetery

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

1. Indian Lake Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Indian Lake Cemetery has been in use since the 1840s and contains the remains of many of the earliest settlers of Silver Creek Township. Many of the community’s first funerals were held in a log schoolhouse immediately to the south of here. In 1852 William Ridenour deeded the property containing the growing cemetery to the township, and in 1869, the township sold the property to the Indian Lake Cemetery Association. In addition to the graves of early settlers, the cemetery contains those of many veterans, including two who fought in the War of 1812 and several who served in the Civil War. Pioneering surgeon Alice Conklin (1868-1958) is also interred here.

Erected 2013 by Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L1724.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 42° 0.359′ N, 86° 11.621′ W. Marker is near Dowagiac, Michigan, in Cass County. It is at the intersection of School Street and Sink Road, on the right when traveling west on School Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dowagiac MI 49047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater South Bend

and in Southwest Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church (approx. 3.6 miles

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away); Dowagiac Civil War Monument (approx. 4.2 miles away); Criffield-Whiteley House / Harry and Sara Ethel Whiteley (approx. 4.2 miles away); Willis M. Farr (approx. 4.4 miles away); Dowagiac World War II - Korean Conflict - Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 4.4 miles away); 19th Michigan Infantry Memorial (approx. 4.4 miles away); St. Paul's Church / Episcopal Church (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dowagiac.

Also see . . . Dr. Alice Iva Conklin & Women in Early Medicine. Article by Jeannie Watson. (Submitted on July 15, 2014.)

Photographed by Lou Donkle, July 2, 2022

2. Indian Lake Cemetery Marker

The marker is shown in this view with an additional tablet.

Indian Lake Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

3. Indian Lake Cemetery

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

4. Indian Lake Cemetery

Log Schoolhouse Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

5. Log Schoolhouse Site

Site now occupied by school building built in 1865

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

6. Indian Lake Cemetery Marker

View to east along School Street

Headstone of Thomas True, Jr. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

7. Headstone of Thomas True, Jr.

Civil War Veteran
Co. B 7th Michigan Cavalry

Grave Site of Dr. Alice Iva Conklin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, July 9, 2014

8. Grave Site of Dr. Alice Iva Conklin

Indian Lake School - 1865 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, July 2, 2022

9. Indian Lake School - 1865

The school is across the street from the cemetery. It was built after the cemetery was first used.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,566 times since then and 90 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1. submitted on July 15, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 2. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 15, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 9. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.