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RESTORATION OF OLD CEMETERIES
AS 'FAMILY' PROJECT
by Lovell C. Fulbright

This edition of the Newsletter contains a story by myself telling of my experienced while searching for and finding the old and no longer used Hooper Cemetery, in Laclede County, Missouri, where my great-grandfather, Daniel Fulbright, was buried in 1835.

While me and my 77-yearold sister, Veda, experienced anxious moments, perhaps the most important facet of the story and our experience is the deplorable condition in which we found the old cemetery. (For details please read the "Anxious Moments" story.) Also, of note, is the fact that, while at the time failing to find a grave marker of Great grandfather Daniel, we did find a large stone marking the burial place of Daniel's brother, John Fulbright and his wife, Mary Jane.

This is the distinguished John Fulbright, who, along with another brother, William, were the co-founders of what is now Springfield, Mo. These three brothers, Daniel, John and William, along with two others, Martin and David, were all sons of John William Fulbright, and grandsons of Johann Wilhelm Volbrecht (our immigrant ancestor).

Given the terrible condition of the cemetery and considering thin fact that his great-grandfather, Daniel, and the notable John, were both buried there, I make the following statement and request:

"I would like to see some enthusiasm generated among the direct descendants of Daniel and John Fulbright, toward a project for the restoration of Hooper Cemetery. I have approached a few of these descendants, including Jean Hamilton Burgess, a descendant of Springfield co-founder, who have expressed encouraging interest in such a project. In addition, there is the possibility that Laclede County might assist or at least cooperate in the restoration.

Therefore, I'm requesting that any readers of this newsletter, and especially direct descendants of Daniel and John, who might be interested in a restoration project, to contact me: Lovell C. Fulbright, (either by mail or phone) at 1216 Genelle Drive, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 - phone (615) 859-1589. If sufficient interest is shown, we could then form a committee to look into the situation and assess costs, etc., of such a project. If found feasible, then we might organize the group and formulate a plan to put it into action.

While we are appealing especially to descendants of those buried in Hooper Cemetery, we invite anyone interested to join us in this worthwhile 'memorial' endeavor.

Incidentally, if there are those who are not sure of their ancestry, as it pertains to Daniel and/or John Fulbright, they might check with the Fulbright Family Association historian, Ed Stout, or peruse a copy of his genealogical chart.

Respectfully,
Lovell C. Fulbright