Erastus Sheldon, Pioneer Resident of Sandusky, Ohio

Erastus Sheldon and his wife, the former  Angeline Adams, were pioneer residents of Sandusky, Ohio. According to the April 18, 1933 issue of the Sandusky Register, the Sheldon homestead was a stone structure that stood north of the Old First (Presbyterian) Church on Jackson St. in Sandusky, Ohio. (The former Sheldon home no longer stands.) Below is brief genealogical information about Mr. and Mrs. Erastus Sheldon from a book entitled The Descendants of Thomas Olcott.

Erastus and Angeline Sheldon both died in 1852 and were buried in the North Ridge section of Oakland Cemetery.

Townsend, Montana was Named for a Sandusky Native

Image of Townsend, Montana courtesy Wikipedia

In 1834 (sources vary as to exact year of birth) a baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Townsend, named Susan Townsend. When Susan was a young woman  her parents and sister all died during the 1849 Cholera Epidemic. Susan went on to marry Charles Barstow Wright, an executive in the Northern Pacific Railway. The town of Townsend, Montana was named after Mr. Wright's wife's maiden name, Townsend. Charles Barstow Wright (1859-1832) and Susan Townsend Wright (1834-1882)  are both buried at the Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To read more about Townsend, Montana, see these links.

Townsend, Montana

Information on Townsend, Montana from "Helena As She Was"

Leopold Monat, Sandusky Businessman

Photo credit: J Mazza

This lovely monument at the Oheb Shalom Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio, honors the memory of Leopold Monat, who was born in Germany in 1832, and died in Sandusky, Ohio on November 24, 1895. During his time in Sandusky, Ohio, Leopold Monat operated a men's clothing store in downtown Sandusky in West's Block on Columbus Avenue, often in partnership with his brother in law Moses Lebensberger. The following obituary appeard  in the Firelands Pioneer in 1896:

Mr. L. Monat died at the residence of M. Lebensburger, at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, Nov. 24, 1895.  Mr. Monat was one of Sandusky's oldest business men, but during the past fifteen years had not been actively engaged in business..  He came to Sandusky from Dayton in 1852 and has ever since been a resident of this city.  Immediately after his arrival here he engaged in the clothing and gent's furnishing business with Mr. M. Lebensburger.  It was from this was formed the now well known house of M. & A. Lebensburger on Columbus Avenue.  He never married and always made his home with Mr. M. Lebensburger.  He was a member of the board of trustees of the Masonic temple building association.

Masonic emblems are found at the top and side of the monument for Mr. Monat.

According to the will of Leopold Monat, on file at Erie County Probate Court, as well as at Ancestry.com, he left bequests to: The Ladies Library Building Fund of Sandusky, Jewish Orphan Asylum of Cleveland, Ohio, the Sir Moses Montifore Kesher Home for the Aged, Hebrew Union College, the Masonic Home at Springfield, Ohio, and he left money for his sister, sister in law, and  several nieces and nephews. Several relatives of Leopold Monat are buried at the Oheb Shalom Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, including his brother in law Moses Lebensberger and Joseph Joseph, and their families.

Leopold Monat was active in his new homeland, and was very generous, even in his death. Rest in peace!

Note: The surname Lebersberger is sometimes spelled Lebensburger.

 

Florence Veterans Park

 

My brother recently drove a tour bus to Florence, South Carolina. One of the stops was the Florence Veterans Park. Many statues and plaques honor the memory of United States Veterans from wars and conflicts of the 20th century. To the right is a statue entitled "Aviator."

The ship's bell was from the USS South Carolina.

This plaque describes Florence, South Carolina during World War Two.

Below is a picture which features of piece of the USS Arizona.

This scultpure honors survivors of World War Two Concentration Camps, Fannie and Marcus Palkovich. It is entitled "Alone with Memories."

There are  many more points of interest at the Veterans Park. Thank you all Veterans for your service!

Be Aware of Spelling Variations in Your Family History Research

My great grandparents had an infant daughter who died at birth on October 24, 1917. While I know Great Grandpa Joseph Orshoski as having the surname Orshoski, his infant daughter's name was listed as Infant Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Orsike. The little one was buried at Venice Cemetery.

The youngster whose tombstone reads Simione Minosio, had the name of Sam Meno on his death record.

The well known Sandusky electrician Joseph Fresch (1897-1986) listed his name as Giuseppe Piscitelli on his World War One registration form!

Be aware that as you search through vital records and Find a Grave listings, you may find many spelling variations! Happy searching!

Abraham Cuddeback Served in Revolutionary War

 

Today  I learned, from cousins sharing on FamilySearch, that my 6x great grandfather, Abraham Cuddeback, served as a Captain in McClaughry's Regiment in the New York Militia. Below is a chart that shows my maternal grandfather back to Abraham Cuddeback.

According to the book Caudebec in America, Abraham Cuddeback was born on October 31, 1738 in the state of New York. He died on August 25, 1817. He worked as a farmer, weaver, shoemaker, and was known for being a great marksman. During the American Revolution, he was in the Battle of Lackawaxen, and he was in command at Fort Gumaer during Brandt's invasion. He and his wife Esther had six children, one of them being my 5x great grandmother Jemima Cuddeback Westfall. My branch of the Westfall line moved west and settled in Michigan and Ohio. Abraham Cuddeback was buried in the Gumaer Cemetery in Orange County, New York.

Ireland Catholic Parish Records Found at FamilySearch

 

Today as I was browsing around my family tree in FamilySearch.org, I found a listing for my ancestor Daniel Larkins. He was born in Killenaule, County Tipperary, in Ireland. His parents were Gregorio Larkin and Maria Meehan. Though there is no image, it is helpful to learn of this database. Daniel Larkins emigrated to the United States, and is buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Though his tombstone reads that he was aged 107, following vital records, he was aged 95 at the time of his death.

If you have ancestors of Irish origin, check out the Ireland Catholic Parish Records at FamilySearch.org.

Note: There are spelling variations of the name of Daniel Larkins, aka Danniel Larkin.