Vandalism of Seventeen Gravestones Saddens Caretaker Zehnder, 96
Looked after state’s first E.U.B. Cemetery Since 1910.
Farmington Dakota County Times, Dec. 7, 1967
C.J. Zehnder, 96, has been taking care of Minnesota’s first Evangelical church and cemetery since 1910. On Sunday, the elderly man was broken hearted. Vandals had knocked down 17 stones in the picturesque and peaceful Salem Church Cemetery which he gave tender-loving care of those 57 years.
With tears in his eyes, the elderly caretaker said that his late father, Frederick Zehnder, had helped build the little white church which bears an 1857 date. His mother, brother and father all lie beneath the sod of that beautiful wooded place which is fenced off, beside a small lake. However, the Zehnder stone was too large for the apparent wild party of vandals. They couldn’t knock it down.
Toppled tombstones include (L-R): Kurth; Witthans (Lot 2); Haberoth (Lot 66). The Zehnder (Lot 5) tombstone was not toppled. Note the shadow of an early fence that ran parallel to Upper 55th Street.
The graves now numbering 105, had been undisturbed all these years. Zehnder, the father of Earl Zehnder, said “we never heard of things like this years ago.” There was no vandalism except a few harmless Halloween pranks. He was also saddened to learn that the nearby Riverview Cemetery in West St. Paul has also been wrecked.
The old man has vowed to fix up those stones, some of which are inscribed in German. “I’ll get it done, but not this fall,” he said sadly.
The church which is located on Salem Church Road, south of West St. Paul, has an 1857 date on a sign outside the small structure. It served until the congregation joined with another in West St. Paul, and the building was too diminutive for practical modern use.
Toppled tombstones include (L-R): Lenz (Lot 19); Pieper (Lot 32). The tombstone that appears to the right, is that of Edgar A. Schmidt (Lot 33). It will be moved from the pictured foot position to the head position, sometime later. Also, in view is an early west fence and the Laschinger home.
He has enjoyed fixing up the place since 1910 when the last regular service was held. Whenever it needed painting, or the shingles needed repair, or when the plaster needed patching, Zehnder was on hand. About the only bad happening of which anyone knows, was a chandelier missing many years ago.
The historic site is a treasured spot of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, because it is Minnesota’s first sanctuary. Anniversary services or special events have been held on occasion in the latter years.
Zehnder, whose wife died 21 years ago, now lives alone in a house adjacent to a son’s farm. He is still able to care for himself, although he admits that his health is no longer tip-top. He has kept himself busy all the time, and this fact is “the spice of long life,” he said.
He is well-known by the old-timers in northern Dakota County, having been born “on the other place in a log house in 1871.” His father came from Germany in 1856, and there are numerous relatives throughout Dakota County.
Toppled tombstones include (nearest to furthest): Kaun (Lot 2); Seidel (Lot 16); Luise Goldberg (Lot 16); Lick (Lot 22); Schumann (Lot 22); Bosshardt (Lot 21); Engel (Lot 31). The outhouse can be seen in the distance.
If you enjoyed this post, visit our history page where you can download the Annals of Salem EV Kirche and its supplement. Thank you to Trustee Neil Danner for his countless hours of research to compile this valuable information!