Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Grace Estella Lindsley


 













Grace Estella Lindsley, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lindsley, died on October 26, 1905, shortly after her 4th birthday. A lovely poem appeared in the local newspaper, written by Mrs. Lizzie Ferguson. Grace was first buried in the old Perkins Cemetery. Afer a munitions plant went in near the old Perkins Cemetery, all the graves were re-interred at the current Perkins Cemetery.

It reads:

There is many an empty cradle

There is many a vacant bed

There is many a lovely bosom,

Where joy and life has fled.

For think in every graveyard,

The little hillock lies:

And every hillock represents

An angel in the skies.

Rest in peace, young Grace.




Saturday, January 3, 2026

Veteran Donald McClellan


 







Donald McClellan was killed in action while serving in Okinawa during World War Two. He died on May 23, 1945 at the age of 33. Thank you for your service! Donald McClellan is buried at Oakland Cemetery near his father, Rev. Henry Lincoln McClellan, former rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Sandusky, Ohio.

Friday, December 26, 2025

Hortense Herman, Journalist

Hortense Sophia Herman was born in Clark County, Ohio in 1908 to Henry L. Herman and his wife, the former Jennie Schadel. For almost fifty years, H.L. Herman owned and operated a jewelry store in downtown Sandusky.  Hortense Herman graduated from Sandusky High School in 1926.

Image from 1926 SHS Fram

She went on to study at the Ohio State University. She was a well known journalist in the Chicago area for many years. Below is a transcription of an obituary for Hortense Herman Kaye, which appeared in the Chicago Tribune of October 11, 1999. 


Hortense Herman Kaye, age 90, dear sister of Ruth Ach Bernard; preceded in death by one brother. David Herman; and her parents Henry and Jenny Herman; also survived by her loving nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends. Services Monday, October 11, 1999, 4 p.m. at The Piser Chapel, 5206 N. Broadway, Chicago. 

Interment will take place in Sandusky, OH. Mrs. Kaye was an accomplished journalist and a pioneer in her field. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her work in newspaper journalism. Among her credits include The Chicago Tribune "Feminique" section (which she co-developed); the Chicago Editor for Home Furnishings Daily, Architectural Digest and House and Garden Guide.


Hortense Herman Kaye, aka Hortense S. Herman, was buried at the Oheb Shalom Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, near her father and mother.

Photo credit: J. Mazza




 

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Mary Steen Hill was Postmistress at Berlin Heights, Ohio


 









Mary Steen Hill (1849 - 1936) was my 2nd Great Grand Aunt on my Mom's Steen line. I was browsing through online records of the U.S. Post Office at the  National Archives online, and came across a document that had her name listed as the Postmaster at Berlin Heights, Ohio. The document was issued by the Post Office Department, and was dated December 18, 1902.




























Mary Steen Hill died long before I came along, but she probably got to know several members of the Berlin Heights community during her time at the Post Office. 

More historical records from the U.S Post Office can be found online at the National Archives.

Monday, November 3, 2025

Cora Akins Casselman



 

Cora Belle Akins was born in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio in 1877 to Frank A. Akins and his wife, the former Martha Eddy. She married Edward S. Casselman in 1917. Edward worked for the U.S. Government. Some sources list him as a fish culturist, while others list him as a construction engineer. In 1920, the Casselmans resided in Vermont. By 1930, they moved back to Erie County, Ohio. Edward S. Casselman died in 1933, after a lengthy illness. Cora continued to live in Sandusky, residing with her stepmother, Alice Akins. Cora Akins Casselman died in 1944, and was buried in the Akins family lot at Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Children of John M. and Anna M. Zimmerman

In Section A at St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, is a tombstone that honors the memory of two children of John M. and Anna M. Zimmerman.

Anna Catharine Zimmerman died on August 13, 1859, at the age of 19. Her brother, Charles F. Zimmerman died on March 25, 1870, at the age of 32.

The Zimmerman tombstone has been cleaned recently. It is amazing how legible the lettering is on the monument, considering that the individuals passed away well over 100 years ago.

Rest in peace, Anna and Charles.

 

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Harrison P. Idlor


 











Harrison P. Idler (sometimes spelled Idlor) died on August 4, 1889, and he was buried in Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. An entry in the 1876 Hellrigle City Directory for Sandusky lists an H.P. Idlor as a storekeeper for the B and O Railroad shops. Harrison's death record lists his occupation as bookeeper. In the 1880 U.S. Census, he was listed as the grandson of James and Mary Paul. His great grandfather was William Kelly, builder of the  Marblehead Lighthouse.