Marriage Records in Family Search for My Great Grandma and Grandpa Yeager

After spending a few minutes browsing through Family Search, I quickly learned interesting details about my father's maternal grandparents' marriage. First, I ran into their marriage record that was recorded at the Erie County Courthouse. I had always thought that they were married in Ottawa County, Ohio, since my great grandmother, Lena Piehl, was from Oak Harbor, in Ottawa County, Ohio. Their application for marriage was recorded on September 28, 1903, on page 115 of Volume 12 in the large books of Marriage Records housed in Erie County Probate Court. Judge U.T. Curran signed the license. Grandma's surname was misspelled Pheil, and her father's name was listed as Martin, instead of Ferdinand. The minister who was expected to perform the ceremony was Rev. Joseph Widmann, a minister at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky, Ohio. I always recall hearing it said that Grandma Lena Piehl Yeager was a staunch Lutheran, and I was very surprised to hear that she was married in a Catholic Church, though I knew that Grandpa Andrew Yeager had been baptized as a Catholic in Germany.

Having at hand the exact date of the marriage license, I then looked up their marriage record in the St. Mary's Catholic Church Records, a part of the Ohio Diocese of Toledo Catholic Parish Records, 1796-2004 available at Family Search. The record states that Andrew Yeager married Helena Piehl at St. Mary's Catholic Church on September 30, 1903. Standing up for them were Uncle Frank Yeager and Aunt Martha Piehl. Father F.A. Reuter signed the record, and on the right hand side of the marriage record is written in Latin a phrase that roughly translated reads:

Mixed Religions

To the best of my knowledge they raised all their children in the Lutheran faith, and many of their grandchildren and great grandchildren also were brought up as Lutherans. Though they were labeled as having a marriage of "mixed religions" they celebrated both a 25th and 50th wedding anniversary, with large family gatherings to celebrate each. In my memory bank, I recall Great Grandma Yeager as a very quiet, soft spoken dear older lady. She was as gentle as could be, and I personally never heard her raise her voice to anyone. Looking at these 1903 marriage records makes me think that either Grandma or Grandpa Yeager, or perhaps both of them, may have been considered rebellious, for marrying outside of the faith in which they were brought up! On my way to work in downtown Sandusky, I pass by the Erie County Courthouse and St. Mary's Catholic Church several times a week. Now I can associate both of those buildings with my dear great grandparents!

Booklet from St. Mary Parish, 1855-1955

Recently, I had the opportunity to view a booklet put out by St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky, Ohio on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the parish in 1955. It is not in my personal possession but the owner allowed me to take digital pictures of the contents of the booklet. (Keep in mind that I am an amateur photographer!) To my knowledge, none of my own ancestors are in this publication, but my family and I have many friends with deep ties to St. Mary's Catholic Church, and it was very interesting to learn more of this church's history.























Click on the phrase Kizoa slideshow: St Mary Parish, One Hundred Years: 1855-1955 to view a slideshow of the booklet.

Kizoa slideshow: St Mary Parish, One Hundred Years: 1855-1955 - Slideshow

Rev. J. S. Widmann

A photograph of Rev. Joseph S. Widmann appears in the book HISTORY OF THE WESTERN RESERVE, available on Google Books, and in most larger Ohio libraries. Joseph S. Widmann was the son of Daniel and Mary Haffner Widmann, of Sandusky County, Ohio. He was born in Rice Township on January 4, 1861. Rev. Widmann received his education at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Widmann was ordained for the priesthood on April 8, 1892.

Rev. Widmann began his position as curate (one who assists a rector) at St. Mary's Catholic Church on 1892. He served in that capacity for ten years, and then was the Pastor of St. Mary's parish for seventeen years. Father Widmann was devoted to the parish of St. Mary's Church, and also was very active in the community. The December 18, 1918 Sandusky Register stated that "Sandusky had no more loyal or enthusiastic citizen in Chamber of Commerce, the old Business Men's Association, and other acitivies...he was a supporter of any project that seemed likely to advance the city's interests." On October 14, 1903, Rev. J. S. Widmann led in prayer at the convention of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association, held in Sandusky. It was through Father Widmann's efforts that the St. Mary's school building was built, the cornerstone having been set in 1909. The Register article continued, "This building stands as monument to his indefatigable zeal and ability.

Father Widmann passed away on December 10, 1918, after suffering a stroke. Church bells tolled at the report of Rev. Widmann's death. He had been greatly admired by not only church members, but by citizens throughout Sandusky and Erie County. Rev. Widmann's funeral was largely attended, and he was buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Sandusky.

Ambrose Lieb, Stone Cutter

An ornate cross is found at the top of the monument which honors Ambrose Lieb, who died in Sandusky, Ohio on June 2, 1916. According to his death certificate (available at Family Search Labs) Ambrose Lieb was born to Herman Lieb and Elizabeth Gollas in Germany on December 28, 1845. An obituary appeared in the Sandusky Register on June 3 and June 6, 1916.

Ambrose Lieb was "one of the most highly respected citizens of the community." He passed away at his residence on 918 Shelby Street. He had been a resident of Sandusky for almost fifty years, and worked as a stone cutter and mason. Ambrose Lieb was survived by his wife, five sons, four daughters, twenty-one grandchildren, and four sisters, three of whom resided in Germany. The funeral for Ambrose Lieb was held at St. Mary's Church with Rev. Joseph Widman officiating. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Adam J. and Arthur Tight, Victims of the 1929 Cleveland Clinic Disaster

The 1929 OBITUARY NOTEBOOK, housed in the Archives Research Center of the Sandusky Library, contains three pages of articles reporting on the deaths of Adam J. Tight, a well known Sandusky contractor, and his son Arthur Tight. The father and son both died as a result of of being overcome by poisonous fumes after a series of explosions which swept through the Cleveland Clinic. The explosions began in the X-Ray department. A total of 123 individuals died and 92 people were injured in the Cleveland Clinic disaster.

On Wednesday, May 15, 1929, Arthur Tight went to the Cleveland Clinic for an examination, and his father Adam accompanied him. Both men died shortly after the explosion in the X-Ray Department, which was followed by fire. Carl Sartor of the Frey Funeral Home brought back the remains of Adam Tight, while Ed Andres from the Charles J. Andres Sons Funeral Home brought back the body of Arthur Tight. Mrs. Tight was devastated by the news of the death of both her husband and son.

Members of the Elks Lodge and the Knights of Columbus paid their respects to the Tight family on Sunday. Funeral services for Adam and Arthur Tight took place on Monday, May 20. Arthur's funeral services were conducted first at the family residence on Carr Street, and then a high mass was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father W. C. Zierolf as celebrant. Adam Tight's funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the family home, with Lutheran pastor Rev. Theodore Stellhorn officiating.

Besides the widow, Mrs. Catherine Tight, Adam Tight was survived by a son Alvin, and a daughter Mrs. Eugene Thomas. Alvin Tight, a college student at the time of his father and brother's deaths, later become a successful physician in Sandusky. Adam J. Tight and Arthur Tight were buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, along with Mrs. Catherine Tight, who passed away in 1962.