The Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery was established in 1874 and minutes of the meetings were recorded, but it wasn’t until May 30, 1892, that D. Lehners was appointed sexton and clerk by the Board of Trustees and started keeping a journal of the transactions and burials for the cemetery. Mr. Lehners served as sexton and clerk until 1906 and his journal and burial records are by far the best in the history of the cemetery. His burial recordings define how he identified the Tiers (I), and (II), and plot numbering from left to right. His system is the system used to identify all plots in this compilation. The size of a full lot was 20’x20′, and a half lot was 10’x20’. There are 10 lots in the Old Section that are only 16′ x20′ , (Lot #13, 14, 39, 40, 65, 66, 91, 92, 117, and 118). There are some lots in the New Section that are 16’x20′ as well.
On February 17, 1906, the trusteeship of the Phoenix Pioneer Cemetery was turned over to the Phoenix School Board and Dietrich Lehners was relieved of his positions as sexton and clerk. There are minutes to confirm his removal and Mr. Lehners was given compensation for his services. The Journal of the cemetery transactions was legible and lot purchases and ownership was recorded during the Phoenix School Board years, but there were no records kept of burials.