James Dewitt, pioneer settler of Perkins Township

According to a newspaper article in the February 4, 1886 issue of the Sandusky Register, James Dewitt, a pioneer settler Perkins Township, was born at Harmony, New Jersey on March 4, 1812 (although his tombstone reads he was born March 11, 1813.) Erie County Probate Court lists the marriage date of James Dewitt and Sidney Ann Macky as February 16, 1843.













Sadly, the first Mrs. James Dewitt died on August 27, 1849. Her tombstone at Perkins Cemetery reads Cidnea A., Wife of James Dewitt.























On April 28, 1850, James Dewitt married Elizabeth Wolverton, who was sometimes known as Ann Elizabeth. Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Dewitt died on December 18, 1868. She was buried next to Mrs. Cidnea Dewitt at Perkins Cemetery.






















Mr. James Dewitt passed away on February 2, 1886, having outlived both his wives. His funeral was held at the Perkins Methodist Church, and he was buried in Perkins Cemetery. James Dewitt and his first wife were the parents of well known Erie County Common Pleas Judge, James Lloyd Dewitt.

James O. Hoyt and William W. Hoyt, Brothers Who Died During the Civil War

Though the words on the tombstone are barely legible at this time, an article by Wilber A. Phillips, which appeared in the May 27, 1934 issue of the Sandusky Register, tells us the inscription that was engraved on the Hoyt brothers' tombstone back in 1863. The inscription reads:

Erected by the members of Company G, 123rd O.V.I.
to the memory of

James O. Hoyt
died
At Romney, Va., March 5th, 1863
Age: 22 yrs., 10 mos., & 2 days
and
William W. Hoyt
died
At Winchester, Va., May 18th, 1863
Aged 21 yrs., 10 mos., & 18 days

"How sleep the brave
Who sink to rest
By all their countries
Wishes blest.

By unseen hands their
Knell is rung
By unseen forms their
Dirge is sung."


After seeing this tombstone at the old Perkins Cemetery in Erie County,Ohio, Mr. Phillips wrote an article for the Sandusky Register entitled "Modest Shaft Over Twin Graves in Perkins Cemetery Has Story."

The author spoke with relatives of James and William Hoyt. He learned that James and William Hoyt were the sons of pioneer residents George Hoyt and his wife, the former Almira House. Almira House settled in Perkins Township with her family in 1815, coming from Connecticut by oxen train. George Hoyt was born in Vermont, and in 1833, he made his way to Ohio by river and lake boat, stage coach, on horseback, and partly on foot. Almira and George were married in 1835 in Perkins Township, and they had a total of ten children. When their sons enlisted in the 123rd Infantry, their father told them to "be just in their dealings with their fellow men." Many tears were shed as they went off to war. Both James and William Hoyt died in camp after contracting typhoid fever. The article continues, "Later their loving comrades of Co. G., 123rd O.V.I. placed the memorial which now like a silent sentinel, guards their final resting place, thus marking a hallowed spot of Ohio soil."

The Hoyt brothers were originally buried in the old Perkins Cemetery. The cemetery was relocated during another war, World War Two, when the U.S. government bought a large portion of land in Perkins Township for a munitions factory. You can still see the tall tombstone which honors the Hoyt brothers at the Perkins Cemetery. Though it is hard to read, it is located between the Morrow and the Eddy family lots. If you look closely, you can read the name Hoyt on the side of the stone that faces east.

A beautiful angel welcomes visitors to Perkins Cemetery today, where so many pioneer residents now rest in peace.

Who Was Susan Stephens Goucher-Riblet?

This simple stone honoring the memory of Susan Stephens Goucher-Riblet is found at the Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, just off Route 250. I wondered to myself, " Who was this person with so many names?" By searching Family Search for death records, I found a death certificate for Susan Riblet, who died in Cuyahoga County on January 2, 1931. She was age 95 years, 8 months, and 27 days. Her parents were William H. Stephens, a native of Pennsylvania, and Mary Havelick, who was born in Staten Island, New York.

A free database from the Cleveland Public Library, the Cleveland Necrology File, had this brief death notice for Susan:

Name: Riblet, Susan J.
Date: Jan 4 1931
Source: Source unknown; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #068.
Notes: Riblet: Susan J., widow of the late Henry K., beloved mother of Mrs. Horace Fisher, Mrs. B. S. Grosscup and Mrs. Ida A. Green, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Horace Fisher, 2596 Colchester Road. Friday evening, Jan. 2, 1930. Funeral services and burial at Perkins, O., Monday, Jan. 5, at 1 p. m.

Looking for Susan on the 1880 U.S. Census, I found her listed as Susan J. Riblet, age 42, living in Vermilion, Erie County, Ohio with her husband Henry Riblet, with children Jessie and Joey Riblet. May Goucher, age 13, is also living in the Riblet household.

When I entered the name Susan Stephens, combined with a spouse's surname of Goucher, I found an application for a marriage license for Susan Stephens and William Goucher in Erie County, Ohio on December 22, 1856.

By taking the information from a tombstone, and searching a variety of online resources, I learned a lot about Susan Stephens Goucher-Riblet, who now rests in peace at Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio.

Note: Susan's sister, Mary Marilla Stephens Greene, once overheard a plot to free prisoners from the Johnson's Island Prison during the Civil War. Read about it here.

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Cemeteries

The prompt for Week 9 of 52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy, from Amy Coffin at We Tree, and hosted by Geneabloggers, is: Cemeteries

Genealogists understand the full value of cemeteries and appreciate them in ways most others can’t see. Share a cemetery or cemetery experience for which you are most thankful. What makes this place special? What does it mean to you and your family history?

A cemetery that is very special to me is the Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio. My mother took me to cemeteries often throughout her life, something she had also done with her grandmother in years gone by. Below is a snapshot of my brother and I at the Parker lot in Perkins Cemetery in 1962.

Many of my ancestors in my Mom's paternal lines are buried at the Perkins Cemetery, from the Parker side, House side, along with the former neighbors and extended family members of the Parker and House families. If you look at the map of Perkins Township in the 1896 Erie County Atlas, you will see many of the names of the homeowners on the tombstones in the Perkins Cemetery. The original Perkins Cemetery was in an area of Perkins Township which was taken by the U.S. Government by eminent domain during World War Two for the war effort. A company was hired to disinter the bodies of those buried at the old Perkins Cemetery, and the remains were re-buried at the site of the current Perkins Cemetery just off Route 250. A marker placed by the Erie County Historical Society summarizes the relocation of the Old Perkins Cemetery to its current location.

My father, who died in 1983, and my mother, who died in 2010, are now buried in Perkins Cemetery. We visit Perkins Cemetery often to reflect on our happy memories of when Mom and Dad were still with us. How I wish I could walk through the Perkins Cemetery with them today!

Wordless Wednesday: Stewart Family Lot at Perkins Cemetery

(Click on image for a larger view.)

Grandpa Charles Steen’s Horse Named Hester Belle

In Google Books, I came across my Great Great Grandfather’s name in conjunction with a horse he owned in the 1890’s. Great Great Grandpa Steen's name was Charles F. Steen, but he often went by C. F. Steen. The publication in which I located Grandpa Steen's name was entitled Wallace’s AMERICAN TROTTING REGISTER, and the listing appeared in Volume XI, and was dated 1892. Printing was by the John Morris Company of Chicago, Illinois.





















Here is the listing for Hester Belle from Wallace’s American Trotting Register:





Hester Belle was a chestnut mare who was foaled (born) in 1891. The sire (father) was Strathbridge, and the dam (mother) was Ophelia. Ophelia was the product of the union between Strathmore and Zora. Hester Belle was bred by C. F. Steen. I do not have much experience in interpreting the pedigrees of animal, but after seeing the movie Secretariat, I can understand the excitement connected with a new foal, and the implications of having an impressive blood line. Here is the C.F. Steen family in the early 1900’s.















I only wish I could ask Grandpa Steen some questions about his experiences with horses back on his farm in Perkins Township!


















Many thanks to the U.S. Trotting Association and my co-worker Karen for helping me to interpret Hester Belle's listing in Wallace's AMERICAN TROTTING REGISTER.

One of Mom's Last Wishes Fulfilled

The last few weeks of Mom's life, she indicated that besides her death date being engraved on the front of her and Dad's tombstone, she also wanted their six childrens' names engraved on the back on the stone, along with the year of their birth. Mom had seen this on another monument, and thought it would be nice for future generations to know about her nuclear family. Today was the first time I had a chance to see the newly engraved tombstone. It is beautiful, and it is exactly as Mom would have wanted it. Balconi Monuments did the engraving, which now is done with a computerized sandblasting procedure. It is so rewarding to see one of Mom's final wishes be finalized.

Here is a closeup of the names:























A loved one has placed a lovely cross at the front of the tombstone of Paul & Joyce Orshoski at Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio.


















It features a well loved scripture verse. Though we had many ups and downs, growing up in a big family in the 50's and 60's, we always had plenty of love.

Fall at Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio

Many of my ancestors from my mother's Parker, House, and Taylor lines are buried here at Perkins Cemetery, along with their neighbors and friends. The leaves are just starting to change colors here in North Central Ohio.

Red berries are vibrant on the tree adjacent to the House monument, where lie the remains of Julius House, his first wife Percy, his second wife Mehitable, and his daughter Harriet.



















An angel is found at the entrance to the Perkins Cemetery, as well as a marker which provides historical information about the cemetery.

Sentimental Sunday: Memorial Day 1962

After a Memorial Day parade from the Venice Cemetery to the old Venice School, my brother Paul and I went with our family to visit the graves of my mother's parents, grandparents,and great grandparents in the Parker family lot at the Perkins Cemetery. We were Graveyard Rabbits "in training."

Mrs. Janet Baumeister

Janet Parker was the only daughter born to Leroy and Ada Steen Parker. She was born on November 14, 1914 in Perkins Township. In the 1930's, Janet Parker married Paul Baumeister. They lived in Bay View, Ohio, a small community on Sandusky Bay, and they had three children. Paul was an excellent mechanic, and he worked at Union Chain. Janet worked for many years at the New Departure Division of General Motors.

Sadly, Mrs. Janet Baumeister died unexpectedly on May 26, 1960, at the age of 45. Her youngest daughter was not yet ten years of age at the time of Janet's death. Janet's funeral was held at the Richard Bertsch Funeral Home, with Rev. Kurt Meuschke and Dr. Herbert Thompson officiating. Janet was buried at the Perkins Cemetery. Her husband Paul passed away in July of 1982.

Mrs. Percy House

Mrs. Percy House, born Percy Taylor in Connecticut in 1786, came to Ohio with her husband Julius House in 1815. The June 1865 issue of the Firelands Pioneer tells of the fourteen families from Connecticut who packed their belongings into covered wagons led by oxen and horses. John Beatty led the group. At the time of the long journey, Percy had four children ranging in age from infancy through age seven, that she had to care for along the way. Making meals, washing clothing, sleeping in the wagon (or at strangers' homes on occasion), must have been very challenging in 1815. Her husband was sick with fever during part of the trip. Then, after arriving in Ohio, the new settlers had to build their cabins, raise crops and livestock, make the family's clothing, and survive the long cold winters, with no modern conveniences. Percy was truly a pioneer woman.

After arriving in Ohio, Percy House would have three more children, the baby, Amelia, being born in 1822. On February 3, 1827, Percy House passed away after a lengthy illness. Her obituary appeared in the March 5, 1827 issue of the Sandusky Clarion.

Here is a transcription of the obituary of Mrs. Percy House:

On the 3d of Feb. 1827, in full assurance of hope, Mrs. Percy, wife of Julius House, Esq. aged 41. She was for upwards of 22 years an acceptable member of the Methodist E. Church. In her Christian character she was truly amiable, constantly laboring to attain to the happy art of holy living; by which means the pleasing current of practical piety ran parallel with her Christian course in the church militant.

She ever appeared peculiarly anxious to promote peace, brotherly love, and harmony amongst Christians, and good will to all mankind. Her religious acquaintance will lament the loss of good and constant friend. Her husband has lost a valuable wife, and the seven promising children an affectionate mother, who may all entertain the reviving consolation, that their loss is her infinite "gain", aid if not wanting to themselves they will meet her again, where (illegible word) pain and parting can never enter.

She was a great sufferer, especially in the last six weeks previous to her death. She often was heard to say, in her moments of keen distress: How long—Oh How long ere I shall be released from these sufferings, and be at rest? She had an unshaken confidence in God, in whose infinite mercy, she had hope. Of all such it may be truly said "O blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

Happy soul thy days are ended,
All thy mourning days below,
Go by angels guard attended.
To the sight of Jesus go.

Julius House remarried, to Mehitable Hollister, who must have played a key role in raising the House children. The House family was very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Perkins Township. I think their deep faith helped them cope with the challenges, losses, and the plain hard work which accompanied pioneer living. Mrs. Percy House, is buried in Perkins Cemetery, beside her husband Julius, the second Mrs. Julius House, and her daughter Harriet.

Carol Ann Parker

Carol Ann Parker was the second child of Glenn and Florence Lindsley Parker, born on July 28, 1934. Little Carol Ann died of pneumonia when she was only nine months and one day old, on April 29, 1935. She was buried in the Parker family lot at Perkins Cemetery. Carol's parents and big brother were so saddened by her death. Her picture had just recently appeared in the Sandusky Daily News for a baby contest. Besides her immediate family, Carol Ann Parker was survived by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Parker and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lindsley. Two of her great grandmothers were still living at the time of her death, Mrs. Marian Parker and Mrs. Sarah Steen.

This touching poem, saved by Mrs. Leroy Parker in a scrapbook of family momentos, was read at Carol's funeral at Trinity United Methodist Church. (Click for a larger view.)











Carol is pictured below with her parents and her brother Richard. A few years later, Glenn and Florence were blessed with another baby girl, Lois. Lois was the delight of her family, and she brought them much joy in the years to come.

Paul and Maribel Parker

Paul Parker was the youngest son of Leroy and Ada Steen Parker. He enjoyed helping his father on the family farm. In 1937, Paul Parker married Maribel Storrs. Paul and Maribel are pictured below at a family picnic in the 1950's at the home of Paul's niece, Joyce Orshoski.

Paul and Maribel were both descended from pioneer settlers of Perkins Township. They had only one child, a baby girl named Shirley, who died in infancy, in 1941. Paul's niece recalls that his nickname was "Day" or "Scribby," and that everyone loved Paul. He had a terrific sense of humor.

In 1951, Paul was involved in a serious accident that left him paralyzed for several months. He recovered, but he never went back to work after that. He enjoyced riding a bicycle, and doing woodwork projects. Paul Parker died on April 17, 1967 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Sandusky, Ohio, following an illness of several months. He was buried in Perkins Cemetery. Maribel Storrs Parker died in 1979.











Paul is pictured below, visiting with Cliff Lindsley at a family picnic. Cliff's sister Florence married Paul's brother Glenn Parker.

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Parker

Glenn Parker was the oldest child of Leroy and Ada Steen Parker. Shortly after Glenn was born, the article below ran in the November 5, 1919 issue of the Sandusky Register. The writer suggests that since Charles Steen (Ada's father) was the president of the Erie County Agricultural Society, Mr. Steen may be swayed to vote for his new grandson at the baby contest during the Erie County Fair.



















During his busy life, Glenn Parker was a Perkins Township Trustee, an employee of Barr Rubber, a bus driver for Perkins Schools, and he worked on the family farm in Perkins Township of Erie County. Since his father was a concessionaire at Cedar Point, Glenn is sure to have spent many summertime hours at the amusement park as well. One of the concessions with which Roy Parker was associated with was the Noah's Ark.

On June 1, 1927, Glenn Parker married Florence Lindsley. Florence was a descendant of W. D. Lindsley, a former U.S. Congressman. Florence and Glenn had three children: Richard, Carol, and Lois. Carol died as an infant on April 29, 1935. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Parker were active in the Perkins Grange. For many years they made their home at the southeast corner of Bogart Road and Route 250. My great Aunt Florence had so many wonderful qualities; she was dignified, confident, and she had the kind of wisdom that comes from having so many years of rich life experiences, including love of family, some heartaches along the way, and a lot of hard work. Glenn Parker died on January 14, 1974, and Florence passed away on January 28, 1979. They are buried in Perkins Cemetery.

Pictured below are Florence and Glenn Parker with their children Richard and Carol, about 1935.




A large stone marks the Parker lot in Perkins Cemetery.

Philo St. John

The tombstone of Philo St. John is located at Perkins Cemetery in Erie County. The inscription states that Philo St. John was fatally wounded at Lexington, Kentucky.

A biographical sketch of Alva St. John, Philo's brother, in HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY, OHIO, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, reports that Philo St. John was was son of James and Amarita St. John, and that Philo had enlisted in the Third Ohio Cavalry in 1861. See Google Books to read the History of the Service of the Third Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry.