Log House Site Tombstones

The O.H.S. Log House site features two grave markers located on the grounds*.
Here is some information curated by our members about the people they belong to.
*Note: The actual gravesites are not on the Historical Society grounds.

Louis Blanke Tombstone

Louis Blanke, legally known as Lewis Blanke, was born in 1837. He emigrated from Bergholzhaussan, Prussia (Germany) to St. Louis, Missouri in 1860.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Louis enlisted into the Union Army of the United States in April, 1861. He enlisted into the 3rd Missouri Infantry US, Company E, also known as Fremont's Hussars and was a fifer. This unit participated in the following battles:
The Camp Jackson Affair, May 10, 1861; The Battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861 and The Battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861. When the 3rd Mo.Infantry US disbanded he enlisted into the newly formed 4th Missouri Cavalry US, as a Bugler. These units were organized in South St. Louis and commanded by Franz Siegal. He was wounded in the leg on April 15,1862 at Pilot Knob, Mo. He was hospitalized for most of 1863 and returned to the 4th Missouri, Company G, as a Bugler. In July 1864 he was promoted to Chief Bugler, Field and Staff, in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, US. He saw action throughout Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. He was discharged in October, 1864 when his enlistment was up.

Louis Blanke died on October 30, 1906, and is interred in the family plot at Bethania Cemetery located in Wellston, Missouri. The Overland Historical Society acquired this original headstone through donation from a non-relative.

Click *HERE* for more information and links about Louis Blanke

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Elizabeth Boothe Tombstone

Elizabeth Booth (née Link) was born November 5, 1817, a daughter of Absalom and Magdalen Link, notable early settlers of St. Louis County. Elizabeth married James Boothe in 1834 and they were the parents of eight children. The Overland Historical Society discovered this original headstone beneath the McElhinney - Andrew Link log house when it was moved to this location from near the Missouri River. Myldred Link, the great granddaughter of Absalom and Magdalen Link, donated this original headstone and the log house to the historical society. Elizabeth Link died on February 27, 1889, and was initially interred at Mount Pleasant. In 1972, she and sixty-four other Link descendants, were removed to St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Below is a photo of the McElhinney-Link log house during its deconstruction in 1980, when Elizabeth Boothe's headstone was found.

Below is a map of where the McElhinney property was originally located (blue mark).

Click *HERE* to open an article about the property's transfer to the OHS by Myldred Link, daughter of Andrew Link

Click *HERE* for more information and links about Elizabeth Boothe