Veteran Donald McClellan

 

Donald McClellan was killed in action while serving in Okinawa during World War Two. He died on May 23, 1945 at the age of 33. Thank you for your service! Donald McClellan is buried at Oakland Cemetery near his father, Rev. Henry Lincoln McClellan, former rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Sandusky, Ohio.

Hortense Herman, Journalist

Hortense Sophia Herman was born in Clark County, Ohio in 1908 to Henry L. Herman and his wife, the former Jennie Schadel. For almost fifty years, H.L. Herman owned and operated a jewelry store in downtown Sandusky.  Hortense Herman graduated from Sandusky High School in 1926.

Image from 1926 SHS Fram

She went on to study at the Ohio State University. She was a well known journalist in the Chicago area for many years. Below is a transcription of an obituary for Hortense Herman Kaye, which appeared in the Chicago Tribune of October 11, 1999. 

Hortense Herman Kaye, age 90, dear sister of Ruth Ach Bernard; preceded in death by one brother. David Herman; and her parents Henry and Jenny Herman; also survived by her loving nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends. Services Monday, October 11, 1999, 4 p.m. at The Piser Chapel, 5206 N. Broadway, Chicago. 

Interment will take place in Sandusky, OH. Mrs. Kaye was an accomplished journalist and a pioneer in her field. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her work in newspaper journalism. Among her credits include The Chicago Tribune "Feminique" section (which she co-developed); the Chicago Editor for Home Furnishings Daily, Architectural Digest and House and Garden Guide.

Hortense Herman Kaye, aka Hortense S. Herman, was buried at the Oheb Shalom Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, near her father and mother.

Photo credit: J. Mazza

 

Mary Steen Hill was Postmistress at Berlin Heights, Ohio

 

Mary Steen Hill (1849 - 1936) was my 2nd Great Grand Aunt on my Mom's Steen line. I was browsing through online records of the U.S. Post Office at the  National Archives online, and came across a document that had her name listed as the Postmaster at Berlin Heights, Ohio. The document was issued by the Post Office Department, and was dated December 18, 1902.

Mary Steen Hill died long before I came along, but she probably got to know several members of the Berlin Heights community during her time at the Post Office. 

More historical records from the U.S Post Office can be found online at the National Archives.

Cora Akins Casselman

 

Cora Belle Akins was born in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio in 1877 to Frank A. Akins and his wife, the former Martha Eddy. She married Edward S. Casselman in 1917. Edward worked for the U.S. Government. Some sources list him as a fish culturist, while others list him as a construction engineer. In 1920, the Casselmans resided in Vermont. By 1930, they moved back to Erie County, Ohio. Edward S. Casselman died in 1933, after a lengthy illness. Cora continued to live in Sandusky, residing with her stepmother, Alice Akins. Cora Akins Casselman died in 1944, and was buried in the Akins family lot at Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.

Children of John M. and Anna M. Zimmerman

In Section A at St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, is a tombstone that honors the memory of two children of John M. and Anna M. Zimmerman.

Anna Catharine Zimmerman died on August 13, 1859, at the age of 19. Her brother, Charles F. Zimmerman died on March 25, 1870, at the age of 32.

The Zimmerman tombstone has been cleaned recently. It is amazing how legible the lettering is on the monument, considering that the individuals passed away well over 100 years ago.

Rest in peace, Anna and Charles.

 

Harrison P. Idlor

 

Harrison P. Idler (sometimes spelled Idlor) died on August 4, 1889, and he was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. An entry in the 1876 Hellrigle City Directory for Sandusky lists an H.P. Idlor as a storekeeper for the B and O Railroad shops. Harrison's death record lists his occupation as bookeeper. In the 1880 U.S. Census, he was listed as the grandson of James and Mary Paul. His great grandfather was William Kelly, builder of the  Marblehead Lighthouse.

Thomas Coners

Thomas Coners, age 61, died on October 8, 1886. An article in the Clyde Enterprise of October 14, 1886, reported that Mr. Coners (spelled in the  news article as Corner) had died following a threshing accident in Castalia, Ohio. Thomas was assisting J. Atwater in theshing, when he fell fifteen feet off a straw stack. 

The article stated that "He was a most worthy and industrious man, of excellent disposition, and without an enemy in the community."

Thomas Coners was survived by a wife and three children. His final resting place is at Saint Joseph's Cemetey in Sandusky, Ohio.