The first section of Oakwood Cemetery was an acre of land on Baird Road, acquired from Nathan Fisk. The oldest marked grave is that of Daniel Penfield’s miller, John Strowger, who died September 8, 1812. Graves that had been located in the burying ground at the Four Corners of town were moved to Oakwood sometime before 1825.

By 1887 the cemetery consisted of six acres and by 1960 it had grown to 24 acres. In 2021, the cemetery covers 28.9 acres.

The Oakwood Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1889 under the statutes regulating rural cemeteries. It is a corporation of lot owners whose “deeds” are recorded in the Penfield Town Hall.

Penfield Town founder, Daniel Penfield and his wife Mary are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, along with three of Mary’s siblings. Also buried in Oakwood Cemetery is a local blacksmith, Timothy Bush. Mr. Timothy Bush is the third great grandfather of President George H.W. Bush. There are many soldiers buried at Oakwood Cemetery including:

• 9 soldiers from the American Revolutionary War
• 15 soldiers from the War of 1812
• Over 50 soldiers from the American Civil War
• Soldiers from 20th Century Wars

The mausoleum was added in 2008.