Oshkosh in Garden County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
John Hollman Grave
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2023
1. John Hollman Grave Marker
It has been estimated that at least 20,000 persons died on the overland trail, between 1842 and 1859. This averages ten graves per mile over the 2,000 mile trail. Of the hundreds who died while crossing Nebraska, only seven identifiable graves remain.
Most trail graves had crude wooden or animal-bone markers. A very few had formal stones or iron wagon wheel rims. The nearby grave of John Hollman, like others in Western Nebraska, was marked by a roughly fashioned local rock. Though most of the others have disappeared, Hollman’s still stands, its crude lettering giving his name and that he died in June 1852.
Many overland travelers died from accidents, while a few were killed by Indians. The great majority died from disease. Asiatic cholera was the main killer, coming up the Mississippi from New Orleans. Parties crossing Missouri spread it across the Plains. It is not known how John Hollman died, but 1852 was a very bad cholera year and numerous deaths were recorded in this vicinity. Wagon ruts are still visible in parts of Garden County. Local rock formations were commented upon by many diarists. These remain today as a part of our historical heritage. The adjacent directional stone marker has been moved from its original site.
Erected by Historical Society of Garden County;
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1852.
Location. 41° 22.672′ N, 102° 20.869′ W. Marker is in Oshkosh, Nebraska, in Garden County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 27 and Road 54, on the right when traveling south on State Highway 27. Marker is located in a pull-out at the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oshkosh NE 69154, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oregon Trail (here, next to this marker); Oregon Trail Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Blue Water (approx. 9.1 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. John Hollman (1833-1852) (Find a Grave). Excerpt:
The grave is located on private property, but is open to the public. To reach(Submitted on August 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)it, drive south on Highway 27 from Oshkosh, Nebraska. Cross the North Platte River bridge, then turn right onto a graveled county road. Drive 1/10 mile west and the Hollman grave is to your right (north) atop a knoll.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 20232. John Hollman Grave Marker(looking west from Nebraska Highway 27 • related marker is on the right) Inscription:
John Hollman
Died June 5
1852
Age, 19 yrs & 4 Mo
Wis
2. John Hollman Grave (Oregon-California Trails Association). Excerpt:
For many years nothing was known of John Hollman other than his tender age of 19 and his home state of Missouri. The inscription on his headstone is barely legible. A State of Nebraska Oregon Trail marker says “John Hollman Died June 5, 1852.” Research conducted in the past 10 years has revealed more information about this young man...(Submitted on August 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Cholera: A Trail Epidemic (National Park Service). Excerpt:
In the early years of the California gold rush, cholera struck each spring at the thronging jumping-off towns along the Missouri River where thousands of gold seekers and Oregon-bound emigrants gathered to outfit. Travelers spread the infection among the unsanitary outfitting towns and carried it west from campground to campground and waterhole to waterhole. “For four hundred miles the road was almost a solid graveyard,” recalled George Tribble, who traveled to Oregon in 1852. “At one campground I counted seventy-one graves.”(Submitted on August 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 20, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
