Living In Brookfield, WI - History

There are untold numbers of reasons to love living in Brookfield WI. Among them is the appreciation that is frequently displayed for that which has gone before us.

On a shady slope along Brookfield Road, just south of Capitol Drive is a tiny slice of living history.

Oak Hill Cemetery is aptly named, with mature oaks towering over neat rows of stone memorials on a 3 or 4 acre hill. A walk through the neat rows reveals that this lovely final resting place has been serving Brookfield Families during three centuries!

The earliest markers are dated all the way back into the mid 1800's, even before Wisconsin attained statehood! The latest - well the latest is a fresh gravesite with a very contemporary memorial stone.

Wandering a little farther along, I am amazed with this discovery......

When you do the math, you'll discover Nathan Hatch was 19 when he enlisted to fight for the independence of this struggling nation! A FOUNDING FATHER among us! Think deep about the sacrifice of the people who believed in something better and went on to live the rest of their lives DOING it! He moved to Wisconsin when he was 86 years old! Without the benefit of Tylenol or Lipitor I might add...

I'm proud that my community is proud of this man's contribution. It takes immense courage to do the things this man and most people of his era had to do to survive and indeed, thrive. I, for one, appreciate the pioneers of history who made our current world possible. Would they have ever imagined the world as it is today? Let's make sure our actions make our ancestors and decendants proud.