J. L. Scherz, Sr.

John Louis Scherz, Sr. died on April 19, 1894. His obituary in the April 20, 1894 Sandusky Register, reported that he had been sick for two years with bronchial problems.

Mr. Scherz was born in Heidelberg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1846. He settled briefly in Galion before moving to Sandusky. He first married Anna Shaetler, who died in 1866. He married Mary Von Sickle after the death of Ann. J.L. Scherz was a pattern maker, working first for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad, and then for the Big Four.

The article in the Register stated, "Mr. Scherz was in every respect an admirable citizen. He was a staunch believer in the principles of the Republican party and at one time represented the Fifth ward on the Board of Education. Upright and honorable in all his dealings, he enjoyed the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends."

J. L. Scherz, Sr. was buried in Oakland Cemetery next to his first wife Anna. He was survived by his widow, and a son, J. Louis Scherz, Jr. and Mrs. Julia M. Wagenet. The tombstone of Anna Scherz, the first Mrs. J. L. Scherz, Sr., who died on September 21, 1866, is pictured below.

George L. Marshall

While only in his early forties, George L. Marshall died suddenly at his home on McDonough Street in Sandusky, on January 30, 1902. The article in the Sandusky Register the day after Mr. Marshall's death reported that George was sweeping the snow from his sidewalk when he felt faint, and went into his house. "Inside of a a few minutes he was no more, his life departing quietly and unostentiously before medical aid was available." The article continued to say that George L. Marshall was "well and favorably known not only among the railroad men but generally." Mr. Marshall had been a brakeman on the Lake Shore Railroad. He was survived by his widow and three young children. His brother, John Marshall, had died only the week before.

In August of 1902, the members of Sandusky Camp No. 54 of the "Woodmen of the World," of which George had been a member, erected a monument in Oakland Cemetery in memory of George L. Marshall.

Orin Aden Rice, Civil War Veteran

Orin Aden Rice was the son of Charles and Laura Rice. He served in Co. B of the 101st Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. After the war, Orin worked as a conductor on the Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark Railroad. He married Harriet Olivia Allen in January of 1868, according to Erie County Probate Court records.

On September 2, 1868 Orin was involved in a railroad accident in Licking County, Ohio. He died as a result of a skull fracture, which occurred when the train went under a trestle, Orin was caught between the top of the railroad car and the trestle. Orin Aden Rice was buried at Oakland Cemetery on September 3, 1868. He was survived by his wife and elderly mother. Mr. Rice's obituary is found in the Sandusky Register of September 2, 1868. Orin's widow later remarried, and she filed for Orin's Civil War pension in 1916, when she was living in Chicago, Illinois.

At the very top of the tombstone for Orin Aden Rice are the words: My Beloved Husband.

Wesley B. Jennings

Wesley B. Jennings, a well known railroad employee of the Big Four, died on June 17, 1904. His obituary, which appeared in the June 18, 1904 Sandusky Register, gave many details concerning the circumstances on the evening of his passing.

Friday afternoon, Wesley Jennings went to Cedar Point, and had a hearty supper. While reading the newspaper after supper, Mr. Jennings asked his daughter to play a selection on the piano. Before the song was finished, Mr. Jennings threw his hands in the air. His family called Dr. Lehmann and Dr. Blakeslee, but Mr. Jennings had already died before the physicians arrived.

Surviving Wesley Jennings were his wife, two sons, a daughter, three brothers, and 2 sisters. The Sandusky Register article stated: "Mr. Jennings was one of the most prominent railroad men in this section of the country, being for twenty-three years a passenger conductor on the Big Four between this city and Springfield. Few, if any, of the employees of the company were so favorably known along the line as Mr. Jennings."

The burial service for Mr. Jennings was held at Oakland Cemetery by members of the Elks Lodge. Many floral tributes were sent, including a large floral column from the employees of the Big Four, which represented a broken shaft. Wesley B. Jennings was age 64 at the time of his death. He had served as a Sergeant in Company G of the 123rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.

Thomas Francis Larkins

To the left, Thomas Larkins appears in a four generation photo with his daughter, Irene Larkins Risko, granddaughter Doris Wheeler Parker, and great granddaughter Joyce Parker, who later married Paul Orshoski, Sr.


Thomas Francis Larkins was born in 1869 to Irish immigrants Patrick Larkins and Bridget Ryan Larkins. Both Thomas and his father worked for the railroad in Sandusky, and later Thomas worked as a nickel plater, repairing bicycles and sewing machines. He sold “Ohio” bicycles at his shop as well. In 1912, Thomas F. Larkins was issued a patent for a Music Leaf Turner, was can be viewed online at Google Patents.

Thomas married Mary Louise Cross, known as Lulu or Lula,and they had three children, Edwin, who died in infancy, and Irene and Thomas Arthur Larkins. After Mary Louise (called Lou) died in 1912, Thomas married again, to a woman of German descent, Emma Leicke. Emma was beloved by the Larkins grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In his later years, Thomas F. Larkins suffered a stroke, and was cared for by his daughter Irene, at the same time his granddaughter Doris was dying of cancer. Thomas Francis Larkins died on September 11, 1944, and is buried in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, near his first wife, Mary Louise Cross Larkins, a descendant of Charles Cross..

Though the tombstone for Thomas Larkins gives his birth as 1879, that was an error. His death certificate states he was born in 1869.

Below is a transcript of an article about a birthday party for Mr. Larkins when he turned thirty years old. The article was found in the March 3, 1899 issue of the Sandusky Star.

Pleasant Birthday Anniversary

Mr. Thomas Larkins of Madison Street
entertained his friends to the number of
35 last evening, the event being his
thirtieth birthday anniversary. Music,
singing and dancing was indulged in
until a late hour. Refreshments, including
all the delicacies of the season,
were served at midnight.