Near Delphi in Carroll County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Whistler Cemetery

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

1. Whistler Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The family cemetery of William and Hannah Whistler contains their graves and those of fourteen members of their family. William Whistler bought the surrounding land in 1853 and the family moved here in 1856. In 1866, he deeded one-half acre to the Church of the Brethren United in Christ for the cemetery and a church which was built immediately to the east. Burials date from 1866 to 1894. William Henry Whistler, a member of the Lady Franklin Bay (Greely) Expedition (1881- 1884) is buried here. Nineteen of the twenty-five expedition members, including Whistler, died on Ellesmere Island in the Arctic. His funeral, held here, was attended by about 3,000 people including the Governor of Indiana.

Erected 2012 by The Delphi Preservation Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 40° 38.07′ N, 86° 36.104′ W. Marker is near Delphi, Indiana, in Carroll County. It is at the intersection of West 600 North and North 400 West, on the right when traveling west on West 600 North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4040 W 600 N, Delphi IN 46923, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and specifically in Central Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Carrollton on the Wabash (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Carrollton Bridge (approx. 3.1 miles away); Mentzer Tavern (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Wabash & Erie Canal (approx. 3.1 miles away); Wilson Bridge (approx. 3.2 miles away); District School No. 3 (approx. 3.4 miles away); Andrew Thomas House (approx. 3.7 miles away); Camden / Jackson Township (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delphi.

Also see . . . American Experience: The Greely Expedition. PBS documentary on "a daunting story of shipwreck, starvation, mutiny and cannibalism amongst a group left abandoned in the High Artic." (Submitted on December 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 2, 2025

2. Whistler Cemetery Marker

Greely Expedition Members image. Click for full size.

via National Archives (Public Domain), 1881

3. Greely Expedition Members

This photograph was taken before the expedition departed for Greenland. Pvt. William Henry Whistler, at 156 pounds the lightest man on the expedition, is the first one on the left in the back row.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.