Friday, December 26, 2025

Hortense Herman, Journalist

Photo credit: J. Mazza

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 was a graduate of Sandusky High School, and 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.


 

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

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.