Jones Cemetery
Utopia vicinity, Bandera County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1879, the Rev. Irvin Jones (1825-1903) deeded two acres of land on his homestead to the Utopia Methodist Church for use as a cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth, had been buried in the center of the two-acre site upon her death in 1886. Early settlers of the Taylor and Utopia communities are buried in the Jones Cemetery, as are several Civil War veterans. Others interred here include Mexican War veteran and Texas Ranger Ben Highsmith and the Rev. O.A. Fisher, an early area Methodist minister. George Barker, a teacher credited with giving "Utopia" its name, is also buried here. (1985)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1879 the Rev. Irvin Jones deeded two acres of his homestead to the Utopia Methodist Church for a cemetery, and his wife Elizabeth was buried at its center in 1886. Early settlers of the Taylor and Utopia communities rest here, alongside several Civil War veterans and the Mexican War veteran and Texas Ranger Ben Highsmith. Also interred is George Barker, the teacher credited with giving Utopia its name.
Why it matters
A pioneer burial ground like this preserves the collective memory of a frontier community, gathering its founders, ministers, and old soldiers in one enduring place.
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Related people
- · Rev. Irvin Jones
- · Ben Highsmith
- · George Barker
- · Rev. O. A. Fisher
Themes & tags
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