Portsmouth’s Old Catholic Cemetery Transfers Ownership

“The old Catholic Cemetery, lying north of the city on the boulevard, which was the burial place for the local Catholics for many years preceding the war and afterwards, will soon be a thing of the past. By deed which was presented for record at the recorder’s office on Thursday, Bishop Hartley, of Columbus, in whose name the title has been vested for several years, disposes of the old burying ground to Frank Bihlman, a resident of the boulevard, who owns considerable land in the vicinity of the old cemetery. The consideration named in the deed is $1.00.”

“The Catholic Church came into possession of the property on September 22, 1858. The land was purchased of Nicholas Hubbard and the deed was made to John Baptist Purcell, then Bishop of this district.”

“The old cemetery has not been used for twenty years and most of the bodies that were buried there have been removed to the new cemetery in Greenlawn.”¹

Opposed to Sale of Old Cemetery

“Some quiet talk is heard of certain persons protesting against the sale of the Old Catholic cemetery in Clay township to Frank Bihlman necessitating as it will the removal of the remains of departed relatives. Just what the talk will amount to is not known. Mr. Bihlman himself said Tuesday he had not heard of any opposition. All of the ground at one time was owned by his grandfather, Nicholas Haubert, who deeded it to the Bishop of the diocese of Columbus. “²

Church Buys Back the Old Cemetery

“Opposition which developed against the same of the old Catholic Cemetery in Clay Township has caused the repurchase of the same by Mgr. A. Nonnen, pastor of St. Mary’s Church.
Announcement to that effect was made at the services Sunday and thanks were publicly extended to Frank Bihlman, the buyer, for his kindness in agreeing to part with the ground as soon as advised that protests were being made over the deal. The cemetery has long since been abandoned but it appears there was a strong sentiment against the sale which would have necessitated the transferring of remains of departed relatives of many to other graves.”³

1. Old cemetery bought by frank bihlman. (1911b, January 26). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
2. Opposed to sale of old cemetery. (1911b, February 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
3. Church buys back the old cemetery. (1911, February 6). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.