Mount Vernon Oakwood Cemetery was founded by Samuel H. Watson and Van Wilbanks and consists of 58.89 acres. The first burial was Frank M. Watson on October 7, 1875. The cemetery was deeded to Oakwood on July 6, 1883. Its first officers were G.F.M. Ward and John H. Rackaway. Those buried here include James M. Pace, the first mayor of Mount Vernon; C.W. Pavey and W.B. Anderson, Civil War generals; John A. Wall, county historian; L.L. Emmerson, governor of Illinois from 1929 to 1933; Andy Hall, A.M.A. Doctor of the Year in 1949; and Lewis Brake, Veterans World War One National Commander.