Zistel Monument at Oakland Cemetery

This large monument honoring the memory of several members of the Zistel family is located in the North Ridge portion of Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. The patriarch of the Zistel family was Louis Zistel. He once ferried passengers to Cedar Point, in the 1870s. During the Civil War, he took prisoners to Johnson's Island in his boat. A popular business he operated was the Atlantic Gardens, a saloon in downtown Sandusky that was frequented by many German-American residents of Sandusky. Mr. Zistel died on March 6, 1899. A transcription of his obituary from the March 6, 1899 issue of the Sandusky Star reads:

Louis E. Zistel, one of the oldest and most highly respected German residents, died at his residence, 319 Meigs St., at an early hour this morning.  He had been ill but a short time when death came as the crowning victory of a long and useful life.

The deceased was nearly 71 years of age and, with the exception of two years spent in Germany, had lived here continuously since he was 19 years of age.  He was born in the village of Zatlan, in Sax-Coburg, April 23, 1828.  When 19 years old he came to America and made Sandusky his place of residence.  After living here about three years he returned to Germany, where he was married.  After spending two years there he returned to Sandusky and became the engineer and later captain of one of the lake steamers.  During the war he commanded the boat which ran between this city and Johnson's Island.  His face was a familiar one upon our streets and all respected him.

Seven children survive him as a result of the first marriage.  Three sons, Oscar, Ottomer and Oswald, reside in this city.  One other son, Herman, is a resident of Coldwater, Mich.  His three daughters, Mrs. Adam Meyer, Mrs. Charles Smith and Mrs. Charles Schippel, all live in Sandusky.  His wife by a second marriage also survives him.

In 1877, Louis Zistel was issued a patent for an ice elevator. One of the pages from patent number 186, 781 is pictured below.