The Johnstown Cemetery
The Johnstown Cemetery was incorporated in 1849, when the old burial grounds on Green Street became full to capacity. The first burial was Peter McKie, Vice President of the newly formed cemetery association. Resting peacefully among the winding roads and elaborate headstones, you will find politicians, bankers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, wealthy industralists and ordinary citizens who helped shape the city of Johnstown,
As you wander its winding roads, you may come upon the resting place of Helen Ireland Hayes, not the actress, but the poet and artist. Or perhaps Harriet Clute, who developed a nurses training program and earned the nickname “The Florence Nightingale of America.” The cemetery is also the resting place of Rose Knox of Knox Gelatin. You may even come upon the gravesite of Cora Jeffers. As local lore reports, she was shot by an elderly suitor when she refused to marry him.
You might discover the gravesite of Judge Daniel Cady who was elected to the State Assembly and was a Supreme Court Judge. You have probably heard of his more famous daughter, Elizabeth Cady Stanton who worked tirelessly for women’s suffrage. There is John McNab, one of Gloversville’s wealthiest citizens. He was buried here after ingesting carbolic acid on his 86th birthday. P. Z. Drumm, owned the Drumm House located next to the Colonial Cemetery on Green Street. There are many military graves in the cemetery honoring those who have served their country in war and peace. And there is Potter’s Field where the less fortunate are buried.
For more interesting stories about those who are buried here, join us for one of our cemetery tours. There’s a lot to be learned from a cemetery.
