Indian Valley (Condit) Cemetery
Attention Funeral Homes, per section 3.4 of our Cemetery Rules, we need to be contacted for each service conducted at the cemeteries. The whole of Section 3 will explain why. For the most up to date contact information, please refer to the Township Officers link on Warren County Iowa Auditor page. You may also send an email to: Squaw Creek Township which is then forwarded to each member of the board.
History
Based on the research we have come across to date, Indian Valley Cemetery also known as Condit, was initially established in 1854 when the first burial, which was on private property at the time, was a stillborn child by the name of Elizabeth Williams. She was the daughter of Uriah and Jane Williams and died February 17, 1854. The second burial was another daughter of Uriah and Jane's by the name of Florence. She was only 14 months old at the time of her death September 25th, 1856.
It wasn't until 1900 that the 1.5 acres the cemetery currently resides in were deeded to Squaw Creek Township for the use as a cemetery by Japhia Condit. It is unclear when the cemetery adapted the name of Indian Valley, but the Indian Creek runs through the valley just North of the cemetery so it was most likely named after the area in which it resides. It is also referred to as Condit after the generous property owner who deeded the land.
Japhia Condit was born August 16, 1825 in Essex County, New York. He moved with his parents to Gallagher County Ohio in 1839. He married Mary A. Hawk on Sept 15, 1855. Japhia, Mary moved to Warren County in the spring of 1857 and settled on 80 acres of land. They eventually grew that acreage to 397 acres. Japhia was a member of the M. E. Church and was elected Town Clerk, Trustee and Justice of the Peace. He was also School Treasurer for at least eleven years. Japhia and Mary had seven children: Phebe A., John S., Elvey O., Harvey L., unknown infant, Hattie, Mary H. of which Hattie and two infants died.
Fun Facts
"OWN DAUGHTER" OF REVOLUTION LIES UNDER PINES Believed One of Two Buried in Warren County. Under the big pine trees in the Condit cemetery in Squaw Creek Township, at the top of the old Indian creek hill, lies the grave of an "Own Daughter" of the American Revolution. She was Catherine Wetzler Taylor, ancestress of Verna Shupe of Lacona, and of Leo and Ralph Morris, Vance Butler, Andy Goodrich and Mabel Goodrich Camy. She was a daughter of John Wetzler, who according to the History of Lancaster County (PA), was in the 7th class of the 2nd battalion of the Lancaster county militia and saw service on a tour of Bucks county in September of 1781. He is also listed as having seen service in Capt. Michael Holderbaum's company. See her complete story at Find a Grave - Catherine Wetzler Taylor.
You travel a portion of the Jefferson Highway to get to this cemetery. Go to our About Us Fun Facts page to see more information and additional links regarding this historical highway.
On August 24th, 2021 Township resident Sam Lawyer earned the higest achievement possible in the Boy Scouts of America. We can now proudly display the plaques on our flagpoles that Sam installed. Go to our About Us Fun Facts page to see more information regarding Sam's Eagle Scout project.
Those resting in peace in the cemetery can be found at:
Indian Valley Cemetery Burial Information - as known by the Trustees of Squaw Creek Township.
Indian Valley Cemetery Map - as known by the Trustees of Squaw Creek Township.
Iowa Genealogy Web Project - Indian Valley Cemetery Burials.
Sentry Mapping Ground Penetrating Radar Project - Indian Valley Cemetery Burials. This link was provided by Sentry Mapping Services who provided Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) services in May 2023. You will need to zoom in on the map. Names will appear once you zoom in close enough. If you click on a grave, you will see a picture of the grave, if there is one, and the years of birth and death, if they are available. Solid gray graves are veterans. Striped gray graves are Unknowns and will be marked as such in the spring of 2025.
Pictures of gravestones can also be found at:
Iowa Grave Stones - Indian Valley Cemetery
Location
Indian Valley Cemetery is located at 22163 120th Avenue, Indianola, Iowa.
Directions from Indianola: Follow Highway 69 South to 120th Avenue, turn left (South). Follow 120th Avenue South for 3.7 miles jogging to the left twice to stay on 120th Avenue. This route is all gravel, except Highway 69.
Directions from Medora, Iowa: At the intersection of County Road G76 and Highway 69 go East for 1.4 miles. Turn left (North) at 120th Avenue and travel for .8 miles. This route is gravel for the last .8 miles.