Howard Grant Riggs

The 1900 U.S. Census tells us that Howard Grant Riggs was born in Ohio in February, 1864. He was residing on Washington Street in Sandusky in 1900 with his parents, Thomas and Emma Riggs, along with two of his brothers. His occupation was listed as machinist. After a brief illness, Thomas Grant Riggs died at his home on January 12, 1905. Mr. Riggs had been a member of the mechanics' union, the Knights of Pythias, and the Woodmen of the World. An article in the January 14, 1905 issue of the Sandusky Register asked the local members of the Woodmen of the World to attend the funeral of Thomas G. Riggs as a group.

An early benefit of membership in the Woodmen of the World was a tombstone in the shape of a tree stump. This program ended in the 1920's, but the life of Thomas Grant Riggs was honored with a distinctive tombstone in the shape of a tree stump from the Woodmen of the World. Thomas Grant Riggs was buried in Oakland Cemetery. He was survived by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers. The tree stump shaped tombstone reminds us that the life of Thomas Grant Riggs was cut short.

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.

Judge Elisha M. Colver

In Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery is this well worn tombstone honoring Elisha Maffit Colver. A Grand Army of the Republic marker has been placed in front of the stone for Elisha M. Colver.

Elisha Maffit Colver was born in Hudson, New York in 1832. When he was a teenager, he moved with his family to Huron County, Ohio. In 1859 Elisha M. Colver graduated from Cincinnati Law School, and he began practicing law in Wood County, Ohio the same year.

During the Civil War Elisha M. Colver served as Lieutenant in Co. B of the Third Ohio Cavalry. He became Captain of Co. K, Third Ohio Cavalry in 1861. Following the war, Elisha opened a law office in Sandusky. He became City Solicitor in 1868, and was Probate Judge of Erie County from 1870 through 1878. Elisha M. Colver died on September 19, 1895. His stone is situated directly in front of Clara Prout Colver's monument. Patty Pascoe devotes three pages of her book ELECTED TO SERVE to Judge Elisha M. Colver.


The first wife of Elisha M. Colver was Clara Prout. Clara died in 1874, leaving behind several small children. In 1876, Elisha married Caroline T. Wood. Elisha and Caroline had a baby who lived for only three years.



Georgia Elizabeth Colver's tombstone has this inscription at the bottom of her stone: Our darling sleeps sweetly.























The top of her stone reads "At Rest." Georgia was born Nov. 13, (the year is illegible) and "Departed this Life October 28, 1886."