Union Cemetery (Columbus)

Balser Hess, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, established a farm on the site in the early 19th century. Hess is thought to be the first burial there, in 1806. It was established as a public cemetery in 1847.[1]

The cemetery lies just east of State Route 315, and is responsible for that highway's infamous "hospital curve." The Ohio Department of Transportation had sought for years to seize cemetery land for the road, but the Supreme Court of Ohio sided with the cemetery. Eventually a compromise was reached resulting in a short east–west leg of the route running between the cemetery to the south and Riverside Hospital to the north.[2]

Notable individuals buried at the cemetery include:

• Harry Gard, Co-founder of CompuServe [3]
• Myron B. Gessaman, Mayor of Columbus [3]
• Hank Gowdy, Professional baseball player for New York Giants and Atlanta Braves [4][3]
• Chic Harley, Ohio State football player[3]
• Woody Hayes, Ohio State football coach [4][3]
• Paul M. Herbert, Three-time Lieutenant Governors of Ohio, Ohio Supreme Court Justice [3]
• Arthur G. James, Surgeon, founder of The James Cancer Hospital [3]
• Clayton Jones, Co-founder of CompuServe [3]
• Benny Kauff, Professional baseball player for New York Giants [4][3]
• Hank Marr Jazz Musician [4]
• Joel Parsons, Civil War veteran, winner of the Medal of Honor [4][3]
• Buck Rinehart, Mayor of Columbus [4]
• Harley E. Rouda, Sr founder of HER Realty Company, father of U.S. Congressman Harley Rouda[3]
• Esco Sarkkinen, Ohio State football player and assistant coach[3]
• Lynn St. John, Ohio State basketball coach[3]
• Fred Taylor, Ohio State basketball player and coach [4][3]
• Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy's [4][3]