My second great-grandfather Jacob Koebe Mueller was buried at Chicago’s Oak Woods Cemetery one hundred and four years ago today.

1910 Death Certificate Mueller, Jacob K

During our trip to Chicago last weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Oak Woods Cemetery and see Jacob’s grave site in person.

I had called ahead to ask for the section and plot number. The women in the office at Oak Woods were very helpful. They provided me with a clearly labeled map.

Jacob, Elise (nee Schmitt), Alfred and Otto Mueller in Haven of Hope at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago

It was a tad more challenging than we anticipated because Section F Division 5 is much larger than it appears. I thought the more detailed map might help, but as you can see

Chicago’s Oak Woods Cemetery Section F Division 5

the map was difficult to read. Fortunately a Find A Grave contributor had previously taken a photo, so I knew the color, shape, and juxtaposition of the headstones. After walking back and forth across Section F multiple times, I saw this:

Are those my 2nd great-grandparents’ headstones?

The closer we got, the faster my heart started beating. When I was near enough to read their names, tears filled my eyes.

Jacob and Elise Mueller as we found them.

Using our cemetery kits, my husband and I removed the leaves, dust and dirt from the surface of each headstone and the area around them. I added flowers in a vase.

Jacob and Elise were cared for by their descendants.

Oak Woods Cemetery is beautiful and the weather was perfect on the day we visited. I felt my 2nd great-grandparents could rest easier knowing they had not been forgotten by their family.

I know I did.