Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Odd Fellows Cemetery

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 6, 2015

1. Odd Fellows Cemetery Marker

Inscription. This Cemetery was established in 1880 by the Banner Lodge Chapter of the Odd Fellows Fraternal Order. This Cemetery was enlarged by the Daughters of Zion in 1881, the Good Samaritans in 1884, and the Silver Moon Chapter of the Odd Fellows in 1885. It is the final resting place for many of Knoxville's early noted black preachers, political figures, educators, business pioneers, and other outstanding community leaders.

Erected by Tennesse Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1E 98.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 35° 58.523′ N, 83° 53.926′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of Bethel Ave. and S. Kyle Street on Bethel Ave.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Knoxville TN 37915, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Confederate Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); First African American Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Clair Cobb (approx. 0.4 miles away); War on the Home Front

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Knoxville (approx. half a mile away); Magnolia Avenue History (approx. half a mile away); Ruth Cobb Brice (approx. half a mile away); William Francis Yardley (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 6, 2015

2. Odd Fellows Cemetery Marker

In Memoriam of Knox County’s Citizen’s Interred Here image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 24, 2021

3. In Memoriam of Knox County’s Citizen’s Interred Here

Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire;
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed,
Or walked to extasy the living lyre.

Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark, unfathom’d caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

Some village Hampden, that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood,
Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest;
Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country’s blood.

Erected by order Knox County Quarterly Court
1937

The poem is "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," by Thomas Gray, 1751

Graves of Calvin Fackler Johnson, and his wife, Maggie image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 15, 2023

4. Graves of Calvin Fackler Johnson, and his wife, Maggie

Johnson was a former slave turned successful businessman and philanthropist.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,005 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2015, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.