mantua township's West lawn cemetery
Why Cemetery Preservation Matters to Me
Cemeteries are more than burial grounds. They are a permanent record of the people, families, veterans, and community leaders who helped build Mantua Township and shape its history.
Maintaining and preserving our township cemeteries is an important responsibility. Proper care protects burial sites, preserves historical monuments and records, and ensures that future generations can learn about the individuals who came before them. Well-maintained cemeteries also provide families with a peaceful and respectful place to visit, reflect, and honor their loved ones.
As a Township Trustee, I believe cemetery preservation is an investment in our community's heritage. Through ongoing maintenance, beautification, record preservation, and long-term planning, we can continue to protect these important historical resources while treating every burial site with the dignity and respect it deserves.
Our cemeteries tell the story of Mantua Township. By preserving them today, we ensure that story will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
History
West Lawn Cemetery was established in the mid‑1800s, during a period when Mantua Township was expanding beyond its early pioneer settlement. As the small early burial grounds—such as Pioneer Cemetery and the original East Lawn section—began to fill, the township created West Lawn to provide a larger, more organized cemetery with room for future generations.
Many of the burials here date from the 1850s through the early 1900s, representing the second and third generations of Mantua’s founding families. The cemetery includes veterans of the Civil War, Spanish‑American War, and World War I, along with farmers, merchants, and civic leaders who contributed to the township’s growth.
Common surnames found in West Lawn include Loomis, King, Reed, Lanning, Moore, Sanford, Stitt, and other long‑established Mantua families.