Bankert Cemetery is located in Alexander County, two miles west of
the town of Gale, Illinois. Situated on a high wooded ridge that overlooks
the surrounding farmlands.
Following is a listing of known burials and additional genealogical
information compiled by the author, Kevin Snell and updated in 1995.
1 - Holshouser, Lois Verdean, Aug 10, 1931-Aug 11, 1931, (daughter
of Wm. Albert & Alberta Kaufman Holshouser. This unmarked grave is located
at the end of infants grandmothers, Daisy Kaufman's footstone.)
2 - Kaufmann, Frank B., Dec 26, 1866-Jan 4, 1889, (son of Adam
Kaufmann)
3 - Kaufman, Mary Alice, wife of Eugene Kaufman, died Dec 8,
1902, Aged 29 yrs. A loving wife, a mother dear a faithful friend lies
buried here. (Mary Alice was the first wife of Eugene, some records
indicate that her DOB was Feb 25, 1873. She was the daughter of Malinda
Lee Callens & stepdaughter to Pink Callens.
4 - Kaufman, George W., Sept 27, 1859-July 15, 1880, (son of
Adam Kaufmann)
5 - Two small stones appear to be infant burials. (possibly Kauffman
children)
6 - Kaufman, Friederike, wife of Adam Kaufmann, June 27, 1838-June
12, 1878, (maiden name Hoofmaster or Hoofmeister. Authors gg-grandmother)
7 - Kaufman, Adam, Dec 25, 1826-Dec 14, 1905, A father and a
husband dear. A faithful friend lies sleeping here. (authors great great
grandfather, immigrated from Germany in 1840 alone at the age of 13
yrs)
8 - Unmarked Kaufman infant grave (great grandchild of Adam Kaufmann)
9 - Kaufman, Eugene, Jan 30, 1861-Feb 13, 1947, Daisy,
Mar 10, 1880-Nov 16, 1960, (Daisy was Eugene's second wife. Her name
was actually Laura Ellen Lawrence but was called by her nicname, Daisy.
She was the daughter of John F & Sarah J Lawrence. Some records indicate
that Eugene's year of birth was 1868. Eugene was the son of Adam & Friedereke
Kaufmann.)
10 - Kaufman, Lloyd E., son of Eugene & Daisy Kaufmann, Oct 22,
1915-Feb 7, 1919, A loved one from us is gone, A voice we loved is stilled.
a place is vacant in our home which can never be filled. (child was
grandson of Adam Kaufmann)
11 - Kaufman, Flora, daughter of Eugene & Alice Kaufman, Feb.
9, 1902-Feb. 15, 1902, Like a flower she passed away, Destroyed in all
her bloom, waking in a brighter time, she finds no death or gloom.(baby
is granddaughter of Adam Kaufman. Flora's middle name was Ellen.)
12 - Kaufman, Julia, daughter of Eugene & Alice Kaufman, May.
9, 1899-Sept. 2, 1899, Sleep on sweet babe and take thy rest, God called
thee home, he thought it best. (infant was granddaughter of Adam Kaufman.
Julia Adline was twin to Ida, whom survived childhood.)
13 - Moll, Maryan, wife of Hamilton A. Moll, and daughter of
Adam Kaufmann, April 12, 1864-Mar. 24, 1886 aged 22yrs, 11 mths, 9days.
(two actual stones present on the following plot, one having been covered
with earth for years)
14 - Simpkins, Louisa, wife of W.C. Simpkins, died Feb. 18, 1900,
41yrs, 9mths, 27days. (date of birth should be approx. May 22, 1858.
daughter of Adam Kaufmann)
15 - Simpkins, W. Columbus, Nov.2, 1861-Apr.27, 1931, husband
of Louisa Simpkins
16 - Goodman, Arthur S. Feb. 28, 1902-Jan. 18,1967, Beulah A.,
Sept.2, 1911-Jan. 18, 1980 (Beulah is the daughter of Eugene & Daisy
Kaufman)
17 - Benifield, Charley L., Jan 26, 1875-Jan. 6, 1918, (husband
of Molly Kaufman Benifield whom is buried at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.(this
is Adam Kaufmann's son-in-law)
18 - Benifield, ??, Jan 11, 1902-Jan 18, 1902, A little Bud of
love to Bloom with God Above. (this is Charlie Edward Benifield, son
of #17 above. Charlie L and Mollie Kaufman Benifield. Infant was the
grandson of Adam Kaufmann)
19 - Kaufman, Robert E., Sept 10, 1861-Mar 12, 1888, George &
Eve lies to my right and left (Robert is the son of Adam Kaufmann)
20 - Simpkins, William Harley, son of W.C. & L. Simpkins, Died
Sept 24, 1886, aged 8 yrs, 8 mths, 28 days, (DOB Dec 27, 1877, child
was the grandson of Adam Kaufman)
21 - One small stone marker, idenity unknown
22 - Goodman, Rachel E., Feb 8, 1860-Jan 23, 1884, Though short
my day yet now I rest, and praise my god amoung the best.
23 - One stone marker, idenity unknown
24 - One stone marker, idenity unknown
25 - M. J. G., died 1878, (Gearing family member burial, this
headstone is hand etched out 3" shale rock found locally. This is possibly
the grave of Mary Gearing born 1870, daughter of Mary & John)
26 - Gearing, Mary, Feb 4, 1861-Oct 23, 1897, (This headstone
is hand etched out of shale rock)
27 - Gearing, John E., Jan 2, 1849-Aug 12, 1902, (Husband of
Mary Gearing)
28 - M. A. G., died 1878, (Gearing family member burial. Headstone
is hand etched out of shale rock
29 - Gearing, Eve V., March 27, 1888-Nov 15, 1890, (possibly
child of Mary & John Gearing)
30 - Monument at top of Bankert Cemetery, Inscription reads: In memory
of the family of G. W. Gearing, Died 1851, F. Bankert,
Died 1865, Mrs. S. G. Bankert, Died 1880, Ballance of the family
is four children. (1860 Alexander County Census list a Frederick Bankert
age 49; wife- Sophia 37 yrs; son-Lenuul 9 yrs; dau-Catharine 6 yrs;
son-John 11 yrs and Frederick Jr 2 yrs. also in this household was Rachael
Gearing 6 yrs old.)
31, 32, 33 & 34 - Four stone marked graves near the above monument,
running along the top of the cemeterys ridge at its highest point. (these
are possibly the grave of the Gearings and Bankerts mentioned on the
above monument)
35 - Lonheinne, H. C., Recruit 19th US Infantry, (civil war veteran)
36 - Edmonson, R. M., Co. M, 6th Illinois Cav., (civil war veteran),
(This is the grave of Robert Edmondson, brother to #39 below. the 1870
Alexander County Census shows he was born ca 1835 in Tenn)
37 - Damron, Wm. J., Co E, 18th Illinois Infantry, (civil war
veteran)
Graves #38, 39 & 40 are within a steel fence
38 - Damon, W. S., Co M, 6th Illinois Cav., (civil war veteran),
(first husband of #39 Allie and brother inlaw to #36)
39 - Lonhienne, Allie L., wife of U. L. Lonhienne, died Sept
8, 1911 Aged 69 yrs, 11 mths, 24 days., (she is a sister to # 36 and
widow of #38. She is buried between her first and second husbands)
40 - Lonhinne, Urbain J., May 24, 1862-Dec 30, 1915, (second
husband of Allie #39)
41 - Craig, Rachel, In Memory of Rachel, wife of Nathaniel Craig,
Died Mar 30, 1868, aged 36 yrs ___mths ___days.
42 - Craig, John, July 29, 1828-May 13, 1877, Aged 48 yrs, 7
mths, 14 days, Erected by Wife (husband of Sarah Craig) (This is a very
large headstone, approx 6' tall with a very ornate top, deeply engraved)
43 - Craig, Sarah, 1833-1909, (wife of John Craig)
John and Sarah Craig listed in the 1870 alexander County Census as 41
& 37 yrs old respectfully. John was born in Tenn and Sarah was born
in North Carolina. also listed in this household was: Warren Craig 6
yr old born in Ill, John Frasier 31 yurs old born in Ill, M. K. frazier
19 yrs old female born in Ill and Chert Rice 15 yr old male also born
in Illinois.
44 - Craig, Leonard, son of J. & S J. Craig, born and died Jan
23, 1862
45 - Craig, Sarah Lucretia, daughter of J. & S. J. Craig, Born
& Died Dec 10, 1861, (this is the oldest marked burial in this cemetery)
46 - Craig, Louiza Agatha, daughter of J. & S. J. Craig, Dec
27, 1856-May 1, 1862
47 - Harden, Edward, 1874-1919, Janet W. 1882-1908
48 - Two small stones near oak tree approx 10' east from footstone of
#10., (These are the graves of Albert Frank Kaufman's children, Virgil
Wayne born & died Nov 1921 and Celest Louis born Jan 8, 1924-
?)
49 - Two graves marked only by stones (near #41)
