Cemetery History
ISU Cemetery
Excerpted from Iowa State University Retirees Committee Brochure
A walk among the graves is like a travel through history. The names of numerous prominent people are encountered on markers. The contributions of these individuals have been recognized in the naming of campus buildings, dormitory floors, and streets. Following are a few of the noteworthy burials:
| University President | Term of Office |
|---|---|
| Adonijah S. Welch (1821-1889) | 1868-1883 |
| Seaman A. Knapp (1833-1911) | 1883-1884 |
| William M. Beardshear (1850-1902) | 1891-1902 |
| Raymond A. Pearson (1873-1939) | 1912-1926 |
| Charles E. Friley (1887-1958) | 1936-1953 |
| James H. Hilton (1899-1982) | 1953-1965 |
| W. Robert Parks (1915-2003) | 1965-1986 |
- Henry Gilman (1893-1986) professor of chemistry, pioneer in organometallic research, author of classic texts in organic chemistry, first ISU faculty member elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
- Maurice D. Helser (1890-1956) first director of personnel, dean of the junior college, professor of animal husbandry.
- Kung Fan Chi (1900-1929) student from China majoring in horticulture, killed in an auto accident, reputed to be a direct descendant of Confucius. A bronze plaque on his marker reads: "Above all nations is humanity," the motto of the Cosmopolitan Club, of which he was past president.
- Anson Marston (1864-1949) first dean of the College of Engineering, member of the Iowa Highway Commission for 23 years.
- Louis Pammel (1862-1931) professor of botany, researcher in weeds, grasses and plant pathology, initiated one of the first university programs in bacteriology.
- Maria M. Roberts (1867-1942) dean of the junior college, alumna (1890), professor of mathematics, chair of the Student Loan Fund.
- Fredrica Shattuck (1883-1969) professor and head of the department of public speaking, organized the Iowa State Players and produced plays for 20 years, promoted presentations by professional theatrical troupes visiting campus, helped found the Speech Association of America.
- Margaret Sloss (1901-1979) first woman to receive a doctorate of veterinary medicine from Iowa State, served as faculty member for over 40 years.
- Frank Spedding (1902-1984) one of the nation's leading atomic scientists, pioneer researcher with rare earths, organized and directed the chemistry phase of the historic Manhattan Project, founded the Institute for Atomic Research and the Ames Laboratory of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
- Edgar W. Stanton (1850-1920) dean of the junior college, acting president (four times), professor of mathematics, alumnus (1872), active in numerous phases of the institution's life for 50 years, donor of the carillon in memory of his wife, Margaret.
- Tom L. Thompson (1849-1875) the earliest burial, member of the first graduating class (1872), orphan and brilliant student sponsored by President Adonijah Welch, faculty member at Arkansas State College, died of pneumonia while serving as winter caretaker of partially heated "Old Main."
- Mary B. Welch (1841-1923) founder of home economics education both at Iowa State and at land grant colleges nation wide, active in the women's suffrage movement, wife of Adonijah Welch.
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www.fpm.iastate.edu/cemetery/noteworthy.asp