Several weeks ago Megan Heyl took this photograph of my great grandfather Louis Cleage’s burial spot in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. He doesn’t have a headstone and neither do the people buried around him. I think it looks very peaceful. So many of my ancestors do not have headstones. I really appreciate Megan and her husband taking their time to photograph the burial spots for me.
Other posts concerning Louis Cleage
I recently found out that my Great Grandfather Louis Cleage died in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1918 through a listing for Crown Hill Cemetery. I previously found him listed in the 1918 Indianapolis City Directory living son Jacob Cleage.
The death certificate says he died in Marion County, Indianapolis, Center Township at City Hospital and his full name is Louis Cleage. He was Colored and widowed. He was born in 1852 in Tennessee. He was a laborer. According to the informant, his son Jacob Cleage, Louis’ father’s name was Frank. Mother’s name unknown.
There was an autopsy performed and he died on February 7, 1918 in the P.M. of Lobar Pneumonia. His son Jacob lived at 925 Camp Street and Louis’ last address is listed as 828 Camp. He was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery Feb. 8, 1918.
What new information did I learn or have confirmed from this death certificate? I found that his father’s name was Frank Cleage. In the 1870 US Census Louis Cleage, born around 1852, was living with an older adult named Frank Cleage in Athens, TN. I assumed that Frank was Louis’ father, but relationships were not noted in the 1870 US Census.
While looking for my great grandfather Louis Cleage I encountered various spellings of his name.
1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Lewis Cleage
Home in 1870: District 5, McMinn, Tennessee
Age in 1870: 16
In 1970 Louis Cleage was living in McMinn County with who I think are his parents and siblings. I cannot be positive because relationships were not given in the 1870 census. No job description but he was born in Tennessee. I can’t find them in the 1880 Census and by that time Louis was Clage and married.
Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002
Name: Lewis Cloge
Spouse: Sela Rice
Marriage Date: 25 Apr 1872
Marriage County: McMinn
State of Tennessee, McMinn County
Marriage Bond
Lewis Cleage
23 day of April 1872
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Lewis Clage
Home in 1880: Hackberry, Loudon, Tennessee
Age: 28
Tennessee Census, 1810-91
Year: 1891
Name: Lewis Cleage
Township: Dist. 7 Male Voters
1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Louis Cleag
Home in 1900: Precinct 8, Jefferson, Alabama
Birth Date: Jun 1850
1918 Indianapolis Indiana City Directory
Living with his sons Jacob and Henry Cleage
Cleage, Lewis
I haven’t found him in the 1920 census and I haven’t found a death certificate yet. I do not know when or where he died. I don’t have a photograph of him.
I later found his death certificate. You can see it here: Louis Cleage’s Death Certificate and you may see his burial spot -> Louis Cleage’s Burial Spot
