District History

Union Cemetery

Two hundred years creates a lot of history. Many of those that participated in its making now reside at Union Cemetery.

A stroll between the headstones and monuments reveal familiar and not so familiar names. Whether we know the names or not, there is a history behind each one.

Union Cemetery owes its now 200 year existance to its first resident, Balser Hess who owned some of the land the cemetery now occupies.

Balser Hess was born in Wurtenburg, Germany in 1741 and came to America aboard the Neptune in 1751. A wife, nine children, a revolutionary war and a move to Ohio later, Balser Hess set up a tavern, a tannery and a shoemaking business on part of his 320 acres. When Hess died in 1806 it is doubtful that his family could have forsaw that 70,000 others would join Balser in his place of rest.

HALL OF FAME

Sporting greats Wayne "Woody" Hayes, Fred Taylor, Lyn St. John and Charles "Chic" Harley are all buried at Union Cemetery.

The man with the big hamburgers and the bigger heart, Wendy's founder Dave Thomas is also buried at Union Cemetery.

LINKS

A Mike Hardin piece reflecting on the 200th anniversary of Union Cemetery.

The official website of the Cemetery Association

Numerous excellent images are on the Franklin County Cemetery Photos Website

A few nice photos of the cemetery.

Info on a few of the better known residents and some that aren't as well known.

Images on this site

UNION CEMETERY

Union Cemetery Association
3349 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43202
Phone: 614 267-5471