The George Washington Elm Tree in Sandusky

On June 14, 1932, members of the Elks Lodge planted the "George Washington" elm tree at the park at the intersection of West Adams Street, Huron Avenue, and Wayne Street in Sandusky, Ohio. The tree was to commemorate both Flag Day and the George Washington Bicentennial. Judge E.B. King told the crowd that had gathered for the tree planting, that "Great problems often times harder than those we face today were met and conquered by George Washington with a courage and a steadiness which should stand forever as an example to us." Many of our ancestors have often driven by this location, which is now a park named for Wade Dauch, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Dauch. You can read about the tree planting in 1932 in the June 15, 1932 issue of the Sandusky Register, available on microfilm at the Sandusky Library.

James and Margaret Saunderson

James and Margaret Saunderson were born in Ireland. According to his tombstone, James had been a native of Belfast, Ireland. By the 1840s, James Saunderson was residing in Sandusky, Ohio, where he was employed as a soap and candle maker. This small advertisement appeared in the March 16, 1847 issue of the Sandusky Clarion.

James Saunderson died on June 5, 1883,at the age of 78.  He was buried at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. A very tall monument honors the memory of James and his wife. The inscription on his tombstone reads:

It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins.  Mach. 2B12C May he rest in peace

His wife, Margaret Saunderson, died on June 17, 1895 at the age of 75. An inscription on her tombstone reads:

May she rest in peace, Amen.

Albert and Louisa Umber

Albert Umber was born in Germany on July 19, 1842, to Casper and Catherine Umber. He married Louisa Welchle in 1867 in Loerrach, Baden, Germany. In 1869 Albert and Louisa Umber, and two young daughters emigrated to the United States aboard the ship Harmonia. By 1870 the Umber family was residing in Erie County, Ohio, where Albert worked as a farmer. On November 28, 1901, Louisa Umber died as a result of heart trouble. Mr. Albert Umber passed away on March 1, 1917. Both Mr. and Mrs. Albert Umber were buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. A cross adorns the top of their tombstone, along with the letter "U."

Nicholas G. Norris, A Manufacturer of Shoes

According to the book Lineage and Biographies of the Norris Family in America, Nicholas G. Norris was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, on February 28, 1795, He married Elizabeth "Betsy" Blanchard in 1822. Nicholas G. Norris was a manufacturer of shoes. He moved to Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio about 1850, and he died there on May 14, 1855. Nicholas G. Norris was buried in the Norris family lot at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. The word father is inscribed on the top of his tombstone.

Solome Koehler, 1795-1880

Solome Koehler was born in 1795, and she died on May 13, 1880. She was buried in Block 67 of Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.   At first I was unable to read her name clearly, but when I decreased the brightness of the digital image, the letters in Solome's name were somewhat more legible.

A few more details about Solome Koehler/Salome Koehler are found on Rootsweb. It appears that she was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, and she was survived by three children and some grandchildren. She had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thank you for the names that were entered into the database of Evangelical obituaries that have been abstracted and loaded onto Rootsweb!

Norman Koegele

According to the book ERIE COUNTY CEMETERY CENSUS BEFORE 1909, Norman Koegele died at the age of two months, on May 7, 1896. He was the son of George C. and Caroline Koegele.  Young Norman Koegele was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. You can view the interment record for Norman Koegele at FamilySearch. His name is at the bottom of the image.

Even though this child died over one hundred years ago, his name is still visible on his tombstone at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Young Corell Children

At Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery are two tombstones which honor the memory of the children of Ira and Helen Corell, who died very young. Edgar Corell was born on April 7, 1882, and died on July 29, 1882. Edgar's  sister was named Helen, after her mother. 

Helen Corell was born on November 21, 1892, and died on March 14, 1894. An inscription at the base of her stone reads: Asleep in Jesus. Though their lives were brief, I am sure these little ones were loved and cherished by their parents.