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Wellsville council approves restoration work and historical marker for pioneer Thomas Kington
Summary
The Wellsville City Council authorized Jodell Rupp to proceed with restoration of Thomas Kington’s headstone and placement of a small historical marker at the Wellsville City Cemetery; the project will follow existing size parameters for monuments and involve youth fundraising and outside stonework offered at-cost.
The Wellsville City Council on Jan. 15 approved a request to restore the grave marker of Thomas Kington and install a modest historical marker at the Wellsville City Cemetery.
Jodell Rupp, a Wellsville resident, asked the council for permission to lift and re-set Kington’s headstone, replace a missing decorative ball atop the marker and add a low-profile historical marker describing Kington and the group of English pioneers he led. Rupp said the state church presidency supports the project and that local youth would raise money to pay for the work in June, with an anticipated public recognition around the state conference in August.
“...we'd like to lift it all the way up, give it 4 sides, and tell more of his personal history,” Rupp said while showing photographs and examples of historical markers the group could use.
The council’s cemetery overseer, Bob Lindley, said the restoration is acceptable as long as the new marker and any replacement stone comply with the city’s cemetery size parameters. “My only concern is is we have some parameters that the headstone can only be so big,” Lindley said, noting dimensional limits for double headstones and maximum heights.
Ron, chair of the Wellsville historical committee, confirmed the committee has already performed restoration work on other graves and indicated willingness to coordinate. Rupp said Ron Smaley, stake president in Preston, Idaho, offered to have a funeral-home-affiliated stonecutter do the work “at cost.” Rupp also said President Nasr (the church’s state presidency) suggested the marker verbiage would be prepared through the church’s historical channels to reflect the pioneer group’s story.
Council members discussed locating the marker within existing open space near the Kington plot and confirmed there appears to be room for a small, low-lying marker without disturbing adjacent graves. Rupp and committee members said they will attempt to contact next of kin before moving any stones to avoid disturbing family members.
A motion to allow Jodell Rupp to proceed with the historical work passed after a short council exchange; the minutes record the motion, a second, and the council’s affirmative vote.
The council asked Rupp to coordinate measurements and next steps with Lindley and the historical committee so the work remains within the city’s rules. Rupp said youth fundraising will be used to pay for the marker and that volunteer and in-kind contributions have been offered by out-of-area supporters.
What’s next: Rupp will work with Bob Lindley and the historical committee to confirm exact measurements, coordinate family-notification efforts and proceed with ordering the marker if those checks allow.
