Did You Know?

In 1918, Osage World War I veteran, Pierce St. John started the Pierce St. John Cemetery. St. John wanted to have a cemetery where not only his family could be laid to rest, but also Native American veterans. His reasoning for wanting to include Native American veterans in his family’s cemetery was because at the time Native Americans were not considered citizens of the United States government. Since they were not citizens they were not eligible to be buried in national cemeteries, even though they had served in the U.S. military.

The Pierce St. John Cemetery is located on the original St. John family homestead, between Pawhuska and Barnsdall. Over the years the family of Pierce St. John has continued to maintain the cemetery. They also have received help from the American Legion Post 198 with maintaining the site. Post 198 also holds a memorial ceremony every Veteran’s Day at the site.

Unfortunately, now the cemetery is full. However, current land owner and descendent of Pierce St. John, William St. John, has started an effort to expand and reopen the cemetery. William wants to continue with his great-grandfather’s legacy by making the cemetery available to future generations of his family and Native American veterans.

If you would like to help William in his expansion efforts of the Pierce St. John Cemetery please contact him at 918-260-1256 or via e-mail at william.stjohn@gmail.com