Purdue University is Located on Indiana State Road 26, half a mile West of "Chauncey Hill" which is at the intersection of State Road 26 and U.S. Highway 231. John Purdue is buried in Memorial Mall which is encircled by Marsteller Street and Oval Drive, both of which intersect with State Road 26. The grave of John Purdue is directly East of the entrance to University Hall which is on Oval Drive.
David E. Ross is also buried on the Purdue University Campus. The grave of David Ross can be reached by taking University Street North from State Road 26, and then taking Stadium Avenue West. On the North Side of Stadium Avenue is the "David Ross Memorial and Garden," there is a long stairway winding up the hill to his final resting place.


Aerial View of Campus


Note: All text in Green are comments which I have added for correction and clarification.



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University Hall Plaque
UNIVERSITY HALL IS THE ONLY BUILDING REMAINING OF THE ORIGINAL SIX-BUILDING PURDUE CAMPUS. CONSTRUCTION OF "THE MAIN BUILDING", ITS ORIGINAL NAME, WAS BEGUN IN 1871 WHERE SMITH HALL PRESENTLY STANDS. THIS WORK WAS HALTED WHEN THE UNIVERSITY PURCHASED LAND NORTH OF STATE STREET, AND THE FINAL CONSTRUCTION WAS STARTED IN THE FALL OF 1874, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE FIRST STUDENTS ARRIVAL. THE COST TO COMPLETE THE BUILDING WAS $35,000, AND IT WAS DEDICATED IN NOVEMBER OF 1877. IT WAS USED AS A CLASSROOM, AND AS THE UNIVERSITY'S FIRST LIBRARY. IT ALSO HELD THE CHAPEL AND THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE UNTIL FOWLER HALL WAS BUILT IN 1904. UNIVERSITY HALL WAS REMODELED IN 1961.

JOHN PURDUE REQUESTED THAT HE BE BURIED IN FRONT OF UNIVERSITY HALL, AND HIS GRAVE DIRECTLY EAST OF THE BUILDING STILL SERVES AS A MONUMENT TO HIM AND THE UNIVERSITY THAT HE LOVED.
-Mortar Board, 1984

The building was christened "University Hall" on November 21, 1877. A nickname for the building, which can be found in the 1900 Debris, was "The Main Building" . The 1889 Debris refers to the building as "University Hall".

Considering, that following the death of John Purdue, there was a committee assigned to locate an appropriate spot on campus for his burial, I don't believe he specifically requested to be buried in front of University Hall.


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Grave of John Purdue
Class of 1946 Memorial Gifts: To John Purdue -- a man of vision who shared a dream, and shared his name to give life to our beloved University -- this graveside plaza and fountain restoration are dedicated with everlasting respect and deep admiration by the Purdue University class of 1946. Dedicated April 26, 1997

The grim shadows of a world at war marked our days at Purdue. May the Class of 1946 World War II Memorial Scholarship -- established during our Fiftieth Anniversary Reunion year -- bring the light of knowledge to deserving Purdue students in the decades ahead as we remember those of our class who sacrificed to cast off the darkness of war and forge a more peaceful world.

The remains of John Purdue repose in front of University Hall at the base of the flag pole, and for many years, his final resting place was marked only by a simple hedge.

John Purdue was born on October 31, 1802 near the town of Shirleysburg in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. John was an only son born to poor imigrints Charles Purdue and Mary Short.
John Purdue died on September 12, 1876 in his room in the Hygenic Institute at Lafayette, Indiana. John Purdue never married, and he left no descendants.


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John Purdue Memorial Plaque

John Purdue
October 31, 1802 -- September 12, 1876

". . . , said institution shall have the name and style of 'Purdue University'; and the faith of the state is hereby pledged that said name and style shall be the permanent designation of said institution, without addition thereto or modification thereof." -- Acts of Indiana, 1868

John Purdue donated 100 acres of land and $150,000 for the development of the university. He died the day classes began in the third year the university was opened to students, after having visisted with faculty and students earlier in the day. It was his wish to be buried on the campus in a simple grave, for he considered Purdue University to be his true monument. He lies fifty feet west of this marker.

At the time when the Indiana State Legislature was considering the location of a new university, in accordance with the Morrill Act of Congress dated July 2, 1862, John Purdue pledged $150,000 payable in 10 annual installments. In addition, he promised to procure 100 acres of land for the new University; which, he did through the generous support of the citizens of the Town of Chauncey.

As a grade school student in the Lafayette School Corporation, I was given the impression that Purdue University was given its name because it was built on a farm which belonged to John Purdue, and which he generously donated. Whether I was explicitly told this or left to draw the conclusion, I do not know; nonetheless, the erroneous impression was created. Though perhaps technically accurate, the wording of this marker serves not only the furtherance of this error in the minds of others, but also it serves to dishonor those generous citizens of Chauncey who selflessly gave up a portion of their private lands, in a concerted effort with John Purdue, to help give birth to this noble institution.

Also, the State Legislature did not confer the University with the name of "Purdue" until May 6, 1869, when they passed House Bill 156 by a vote of 76 to 12.


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Grave of David E. Ross

David E. Ross
1871 -- 1943

Dreamer

Builder

Faithful Turstee

Creator of
Opportunity For
Youth


David Edward Ross was born into a prominent Lafayette family on August 25, 1871 at the family farm near Brookston in White County, Indiana. David was the only son of George Henderson Ross and Susan Booth. David E. Ross died on June 28, 1943 in Home Hospital at Lafayette, Indiana. David Ross never married, and he left no descendants.


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David E. Ross Memorial Plaque

David E. Ross
1871-1943

Inventor, industrialist, phillanthropist, and education pioneer, David Ross was Purdue University's most influential benefactor during the first half of the twentieth century. After graduating in 1893 with a degree in mechanical engineering, he combined mastery of engineering principles with a billiantly creative mind to become one of the most productive inventors of mechanical devices in American history. His inventions, including the most widely used steering gear in the world, made him wealthy, and he constantly sought ways to share his fortune with Purdue. As president of the University's Board of Trustees, he helped revolutionize higher education by fighting for use of scientific research as a teaching method. In 1924, he and author-playwright George Ade provided the funding for the Boilermaker football stadium that still bears their names. Despite his great wealth, influence, and success, David Ross never lost touch with his Hoosier roots. He spent his life near the family farm where he was born, and he devoted himself to the University he loved. The great center of learning that Purdue became is his legacy.





This Page was created by Jason G. King on September 4, 2001.
These stones were recorded by Jason G. King on September 15, 2001.
E-mail: thefamilyhistory@yahoo.com