Had a little bit of experience with some cemetery serendipity when at the Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, Indiana. Right after I finished photographing the Civil War cannons and the Veterans memorial, I felt drawn to turn to my left. There I noticed a surname that was familiar and I walked over to the gravesite.
The Schell family plot appeared before me. Though not a blood relative, I have done research on this family due to their connections. Elizabeth E. Walker (c1830-1907) who married Dr. Frederick A. Schell had been previously married to Eli Davis, my maternal 4th great-granduncle.
Eli Davis was the son of John and Susannah (Unknown) Davis of Monroe County, Indiana. I do not have his birthdate, and he may have been born in Virginia. He was married to Elizabeth E. Walker, daughter of Gideon and Susannah (May) Walker, on 29 April 1848 in Monroe County, Indiana.
Poor Eli died between the time of his marriage and May 1849, when his probate court records indicate he had died. I know of no children born to Eli and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth married Dr. Frederick A. Schell on 14 February 1850 in Monroe County, Indiana. They were the parents of at least three children : California, Dorothy and Walker.
Locating the tombstones, I learned that Frederick was a veterans of the Mexican War in Company I of the 16th Infantry, as well as the Civil War as assistant surgeon of the 6th Indiana Cavalry.
Frederick and Elizabeth are buried together next to all three of their children and their son-in-law
