John Stoner drowned crossing Dutch Second Creek and was the first person buried in St Matthew's Lutheran Church Cemetery. The church was organized in 1838 and the first building erected in 1845. That building was located in what is now the cemetery.

Three acres were purchased for $10 from John and Anna Wilhelm on 21 February 1845. This land adjoined that of Samuel Stoner who married Margaret “Peggy” Wilhelm. John Stoner was their son.