AKA:  Gakle Cemetery

Number of Burials (approximate): 200

Dates of Activity: 1830 - present

Documentation/Publication: 

CCGS, The Cemeteries of Colebrook, East Keating, Grugan, Leidy, Noyes, and West Keating Townships (2008)

Directions/GPS: 

From the intersection of Jay and Water Streets in Lock Haven (the Lock Haven Courthouse), travel west on Water Street for 1 mile.  Turn right onto PA Route 120 (Susquehanna Avenue) and travel 38.3 miles.  The cemetery is on your left at a sharp curve in the road, down over the hill, overlooking where the Sinnemahoning Creek meets the Susquehanna River.  You must park at the curve, along the road.

GPS = N41 15.721 W77 54.330

Landowner / Caretaker:

Keating Cemetery

Star Route - East Keating Township
Westport, PA 17778

Condition/Needs: 

Very good

History:

John Kryder, who was born at Dunnstown in 1800 and died at Keating in 1875, was one of the pioneer settlers in what is now East Keating Township, Clinton County, having come there in 1819.  Kryder was known as a bear hunter, river pilot, mill wright, lumberman, and expert carpenter.  He married Martha “Mattie” Lusk, daughter of Patrick Lusk, who had come to the region with her brother Robert to guard their father’s land claim and were the first settlers.  John Kryder raised a large family of children.  He was survived by two sons, Durrell and Allison Kryder(who are buried at Stimpson Cemetery) and one daughter, Clarissa, who married Wallace Gakle.

Although no records seem to exist, the cemetery appears to have started as a burying-ground of John Kryder and Mattie (Lusk) Kryder family, and came into use for members of the surrounding community.  The oldest marked grave is that of Letha Kryder, dated 1836, probably a child.  It is interesting to note that Martha is apparently buried under her maiden name and John’s grave may be the one marked with a fieldstone beside her.  Wallace Gakle became very prominent in the community and was elected as Clinton County Commissioner, leaving a family equally as prominent.  It is easy to understand how his name became associated with the family/community burying ground in later generations.