Cousin Patti and Kathy's Grandma Ruth

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Ruth Norma Henrietta Lessenthien was born in Sandusky, Ohio in 1902, to Ferdinand Lessenthien and his wife, the former Adelaide Schmidt. Ruth was baptized at St. Stephens Church in Sandusky, which was primarily a German speaking congregation at the time.

Many thanks to the Special Collections Librarian at Sandusky Library for finding the baptism document on microfilm!

Ferdinand and Adelaide Lessenthien had a large family of two daughters and three sons. Between 1920 and 1930, Ferdinand disappeared, and Addie was on her own to raise these children. In 1922, Ruth Lessenthien married Sam Spinello, a shoe repairman who had been born in Sicily, Italy. They had two children, Evelyn and Harold (fondly called Sonny.) By 1942, Sam and Ruth divorced, and Ruth married Anthony Capozzi, another shoe repairman of Italian descent.

In the fall of 1964, Ruth Capozzi was in an automobile accident, and suffered a skull fracture. Eventually she moved to her son's home in California, where she died from a heart attack in 1967. Her final resting place is at Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. 

Tombstone photo courtesy FindaGrave contributor 47135363

Both Ruth and her mother Adelaide were strong women. Their grandchildren and great grandchildren remember them both fondly!

 

St. Lorenz Lutheran Cemetery in Frankenmuth, Michigan

St. Lorenz Lutheran Church was founded by the original German settlers of Frankenmuth. You  can read about the history of this historic congregation here.  

The south cemetery across from the St. Lorenz Church was the original cemetery. Many of the tombstones date back to the nineteenth century.

The north cemetery is adjacent to the church. The website of the St. Lorenz Church features an "occupant list" of those buried in the St. Lorenz Cemetery up to the end of 2021. There is also a helpful cemetery  map on the church website. 

If you visit the charming town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, consider taking a side trip to the St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and St. Lorenz Cemetery!

Mary Caroline Wakeman Dibble

Mary Caroline Wakeman was born in 1801 in the state of New York to Adams and Susanna Wakeman. She was the first wife of well known shipbuilder Daniel Dibble. Sadly, Mary Caroline Dibble while in her forties, on December 1, 1842. She was buried at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery.

Finding Ferdinando Mazza on a Passenger List

Ferdinando Mazza is an ancestor of one of my friends. We have both been learning about the Italian heritage of Sandusky, Ohio.

You can search for passengers who entered the U.S. at the free Ellis Island Passenger Search database or at FamilySearch.org. Both databases require a free registration.

Ferdinando Mazza departed from Genoa, Italy, on February 25, 1906, aboard the ship Il Piemonte, and he arrived at New York on March 18, 1906.  He was listed as number 18 on the passenger list.

He stated that he was going to Sandusky, Ohio, to join his brother Guglielmo.

Several individuals of Italian descent were also traveling to Sandusky, Ohio on this voyage. Surnames included Berardi, Corelli and Magi.

One can learn so much about their family history by searching through passenger lists! If you have ancestors who came to the U.S. between 1892 and 1924, try searching for them online! Happy hunting!

Moore Monument at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery

Henry Moore was born in Germany in 1826. He came to the U.S. in 1846. In 1849 he settled in Venice, Ohio, and that same year, he married Mary J. Bourke. He ran a general store in Venice with James McGookey. Mr. Moore also served as the Postmaster in Venice, Ohio for several years. During the Civil War, Henry Moore was in the 145th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After being ill for some time, Henry Moore died on November 5, 1905. Funeral services were held at the Masonic Temple, and he was buried at Oakland Cemetery.

George A. Moore, son of Henry and Mary J. Moore died from typhoid on on March 27, 1906. Sadly, Mrs. Mary J. Moore died on July 29, 1906. Within nine months, three members of the Moore family all passed away. The Moore monument at Oakland Cemetery honors the memory of father, mother, and son. May they rest in peace.

Lurena Strong Todd, 1777-1851

Lurena Strong was born in Lee, Massachusetts to Ozias Strong and his wife, the former Susanna West. She married Amos Todd in New York in 1794. She died in Sandusky, Ohio in 1851, and was buried in Oakland Cemetery.  The tombstone of Lurena Strong Todd is barely legible now, but you can faintly read the words Amos Todd. 

According to the interment card for Oakland Cemetery, on microfilm at Sandusky Library, it once read, "Relic of Amos Todd."

 One of Lurena's daughters, Mary Jones Todd, married David Campbell, who was the founder of the "Sandusky Clarion," the predecessor of the "Sandusky Register." Her youngest daughter, Lydia Mahala Todd, married William T. West, who was a prominent businessman in Sandusky, and operated the West House hotel with her brother for many years.

 Rest in peace, Lurena Strong Todd!

Charles Hoffman, 1868-1941

Charles J. Hoffman was born in Sandusky, Ohio to parents of German descent, Daniel and Philippina (Fuchs) Hoffman. He worked in the family coal business, and also was associated with the Hoffman Manufacturing Company in Sandusky. One of the items made at the Hoffman Manufacturing Company was an elevating truck. Below is a portion of the patent for the truck.

Charles Hoffman and his wife Katie Rittman Hoffman were the parents of four children. On October 4, 1941, Charles J. Hoffman died at University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was buried at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. Charles J. Hoffman had been widely known in Sandusky, Ohio. An obituary for Mr. Hoffman appeared in the October 4, 1941 issue of the Sandusky Register Star News.