Asiatic Cholera Epidemic in Pleasant Grove Township

In 1832, Asiatic cholera was brought to Illinois by the troops that General Scott brought to Chicago to aid in the Black Hawk War. Between 1832 and 1851, Charleston and its surrounding townships were struck by epidemics of Asiatic cholera. The 1851 epidemic, which affected Charleston, Janesville, and Goosenest Prairie (the latter two being located in Pleasant Grove Township), was especially deadly. The Thomas Lincoln Cemetery is the site of a common grave for thirty-three individuals who lost their lives to the disease between 1840 and 1851. The grave was originally marked with the planting of cedar trees; in 1984, a monument was placed near the site of the grave.

Cedar trees that marked the common grave of thirty-three
Asiatic cholera victims that died between 1840-1851

Front of grave marker for Asiatic cholera victims
It reads:
IN MEMORY OF
THE 33 ASIATIC CHOLERA
DEATHS BETWEEN
1840-1851

NATIVE CEDAR TREES
MARKED THE COMMON GRAVE
UNTIL 1984

Back of grave marker for Asiatic cholera victims
It reads:
ASIATIC CHOLERA WAS INTRODUCED
INTO ILLINOISIN 1832 BY THE TROOPS GENERAL
SCOTT BROUGHTTO CHICAGO TO AID IN
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

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