- - - - HISTORY OF PLEASANT VALLEY CEMETERY - - - -

OKLAHOMA COUNTY OK

Pleasant Valley was the first church and cemetery established between the Canadians Rivers after the opening of Oklahoma in 1889. The people made a brush arbor that served as their church until a building was completed in 1890. One of the members donated 0.5 acres of his homestead to the church for use as a cemetery. After he received a patent on his land in 1892, John P. Lawson and his wife, Mary J., deeded the 0.5 acres to the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association. The same year the cemetery association purchased an additional 1.5 acres adjoining the church for $25.00. The church moved into town when the railroad was built in 1903. The town was called Benton at that time. Later it was renamed Wheatland.

A 1964 canvass listed 677 names. Fifty 1890's burials were found in the cemetery. The first burial found in the cemetery was that of Lizzie, wife of T. S. Sawyers, died January 27, 1890, age 31 years, 8 months, 21 days. Also found was the headstone of Rev. John W. Headrick who died March 4, 1897. It reads "As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you must be. Prepare for death and follow me." The stone of Rev. B. J. Hartsfield who died December 6, 1899 reads, "Servant of God well done. Rest from thy loved employ. He read Luke 21 and a family prayer a few minutes before he died."

{Information obtained from OK County Cemetery Index - compiled by OK County HCE Genealogy Group, page 87.}