A bronze plaque now appears next to the Mount Union Cemetery grave marker of Reuben Shipley, who was buried under the surname Ficklin. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Janet Cornelius, Mount Union Cemetery sexton, speaks to the crowd on hand at Saturday’s bronze plaque dedication. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Local Girl Scouts served as the color guard at the event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Mount Union Cemetery’s Janet Cornelius unveils the new bronze plaque in recognition of Reuben Shipley. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Mount Union Cemetery’s Janet Cornelius unveils the new bronze plaque in recognition of Reuben Shipley. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Local Girl Scouts served as the color guard at the event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Peter Sleeth, retired journalist, was among the contributors to the project who received a thank you from the Winema Chapter of the National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
R. Gregory Nokes, who wrote a chapter on Shipley in his book, “Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory,” was on hand for the ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
The NSDAR’s Jane Buck led the dedication ceremony. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Chaplain Winifred Kovacik, center, gives the invocation to lead off Saturday’s dedication ceremony.(Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
Local Girl Scouts served as the color guard at the event. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
DAR members pose for a group photo with the new bronze plaque. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
The April 30 event drew an estimated 75 people to the grave site of Reuben Shipley. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
A close-up view of the new bronze plaque. (Photo by Brad Fuqua/Philomath News)
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Brad Fuqua, Philomath News

bradfuqua@philomathnews.com

Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.