Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Seventh Annual Great Genealogy Poetry Challenge

Bill West has just announced the Seventh Annual Great Genealogy Poetry Challenge!  

Recently I ran across this poem in  a 1910 promotional item that was once given away by the Jarecki Chemical Company in Sandusky. 




A transcription of the poem reads:

Let other cities boast their iron,
Their steel and earthenware,
Rubber goods, tile, pottery, shoes,
Or glass in ample share;
But famed Sandusky leads the van,
For all that man can wish,
To lumber, grain - in lime, in stone -
AND BEATS THE WORLD FOR FISH.

In the  the early twentieth century, Sandusky was a leading fish market on the Great Lakes. The Jarecki Chemical Company (no longer in business), made fertilizer from fish byproducts, from the 1880s to the 1930s. This little poem reminds me of a time when  the people who lived in my town lived a much simpler life, times my parents and grandparents spoke of often.




Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sentimental Sunday: Ad from Schumacher's



When my great grandmothers were young adults, this advertisement from Sandusky's H.G. Schumacher store, which appeared in the September 24, 1912 issue of the Sandusky Register, promised to offer to the ladies of Sandusky just what they were looking for! Long coats and hats with fancy feathers were in style in the fall of 1912 in Sandusky, Ohio!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Miller Huggins in a Vintage Coca Cola Ad



















This ad for Coca Cola from the Sandusky Star Journal of June 10, 1916 features baseball manager Miller Huggins, then manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. Though Miller Huggins had a law degree from the University of Cincinnati, he is best known for his career in baseball. He managed the New York Yankees from    1918 to 1929.  Miller Huggins died at the age of 50 on September 25, 1929, and he was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Click here to see the entry for Miller Huggins at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in New York.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Ettie S. Norris Buxton, Wife of J.C. Buxton


































Henrietta Stevenson Norris was one of eleven children born to Nicholas B. and Elizabeth Betsy (Blanchard) Norris. She was born on June 16, 1832 in New Hampshire. Henrietta, known fondly as "Ettie" married John C. Buxton on November 16, 1853. Sadly, Ettie died on September 23, 1860 at the age of 28 years, 3 months, and 7 days. She was buried in the Norris family lot in the North Ridge section of Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.





Sunday, September 20, 2015

Lotz-Claven Monument at St. Joseph's Cemetery






















In Section B of St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio, is a monument which honors the memory of several members of the Lotz and Claven family. The name of Henry J. Lotz appears on the top of the side of the monument which faces east. Henry J. Lotz ran a grocery store in Sandusky, where Joe Sundae's is now in business, from the 1850s to the 1880s. Henry J. Lotz died on October 18, 1887. His wife, the former Bridget Claven, died on March 9, 1889. The names of Teresia Lotz, who died on August 27,1856, and Jane Lotz, who died on July 17, 1857, most likely daughters of Henry and Bridget (Claven) Lotz. appear underneath the names of Henry and Bridget. On the side of the monument which faces to the west, are the names of Bernard Claven, the father of Bridget Claven Lotz, who died on January 28, 1853, and the name of Catherine Lutz,who was the daughter of Henry and Bridget Claven Lotz. (Lutz is an alternative spelling of Lotz.) Catherine Lutz was age ten months, at the time of her death on July 19, 1853. 





















A lovely angelic face with wings adorns the top of the monument honoring the Lotz and Claven families.



Saturday, September 19, 2015

SNGF: September 19, 2015

Randy, at Genea-Musings has given us this assignment tonight:

1) What did your mother really like to do in her work or spare time?  Did she have hobbies, or a workshop, or did she like cooking, or reading, or watching TV?

3)  Tell us about it in your own blog post, in a comment on this post, or in a Facebook or Google+ post.

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My mother, Joyce Parker Orshoski, like to do many things. She led a children's church choir for many years. She loved to plan family picnics and holiday gatherings. She enjoyed going to all the school and sporting events of her children and grandchildren. But the thing I recall most about Mom is that she loved to keep score at baseball games!


















Usually at the ball park in Bay View, along Sandusky Bay in Erie County, Ohio,  Mom would keep score of the atom league games. Then she would tally up all the hits, runs and RBIS, and Dad would dash the article into the night drop box at the Sandusky Register. Those young ball players surely enjoyed seeing their names in the local newspaper! I miss my mom so much, but this snapshot brings back such happy memories of Mom in her favorite activity!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Upcoming Cemetery Walk to Focus on Sanduskians of German Descent













Many people who have called Sandusky home have ancestors of German descent. Click here  to read the Sandusky Register article about upcoming "Cemetery Walks" at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery which will focus on those of German descent.


Sunday, September 13, 2015

John J. Fitzpatrick, Died in a Railroad Accident






















John Fitzpatrick was fatally injured in an accident in Sterling, Ohio on September 12, 1890, when he lost his grip while boarding the caboose of the Cleveland, Wheeling and Lorain Railroad. He had resided in Sandusky until a bout 1885, when he moved to Lorain, Ohio.  Mr. Fitzpatrick left behind his parents and a young wife. John Fitzpatrick was buried in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. An obituary for John Fitzpatrick appeared in the September 13, 1890 issue of the Sandusky Register.


Note: While his tombstone lists his name as John Fitzpatrick, the obituary in the Register listed his name as John F. Patrick

Friday, September 11, 2015

Rev. Patrick Henry Brown, 1834-1878


































Rev. Patrick H. Brown was born in 1834. In the 1850 Census, Patrick Henry Brown was residing in Clinton County, New York, with a large family. Most likely his parents were David and Bridget Brown. In 1860, Patrick Henry Brown’s name was listed on the census record as Henry Brown. He was age 25, residing in Cleveland, Ohio . His occupation was “Roman Catholic student.” In 1870, the U.S. Census lists Henry Brown, age 35, in the same residence as David Brown, age 67. His occupation was clergyman.

According to the website of the Immaculate Conception Parish of Ravenna, Rev. Brown was assigned to the Catholic church at Hudson, Ohio in 1860, and he later served churches in Ravenna and Kent as outreaches of the Hudson church. Father Brown worked earnestly on raising funds for the building of a church in Ravenna. In the 1870s, Father Patrick H. Brown moved from the Catholic church in Ravenna to the St. Columba Catholic Church in Youngstown, Ohio. Father Brown became sick and died in late September of 1878. His remains were brought to the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. Members of the St. Columba Church erected the beautiful monument in memory of Rev. Patrick H. Brown. This inscription is located on the side of the monument which faces north. Father Brown died while he was still in his forties.


















Father Brown is credited with bringing the Ursuline Nuns to St. Columba during his years of ministry in Youngstown. He wanted the nuns to teach in parochial school at St.Columba. A picture of Father Brown can be seen at the website of St. Patrick Catholic Church, from his years of ministry in Kent, Ohio.





Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Tombstone Tuesday: Eckert Monument at St. Mary's Cemetery

































Frederick and Elizabeth Eckert were both natives of Germany. They were members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky. Frederick Eckert died on November 4, 1914 in Lucas County, Ohio. Mrs. Elizabeth Eckert died on May 20, 1916. The Rev. J. S. Widmann officiated at the funerals of Mr. and Mrs. Eckert, according to their obituaries. Burial for both Mr. and Mrs. Eckert was at St. Mary's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. An obituary for Elizabeth Eckert appeared in the May 22, 1916 issue of the Sandusky Register. Mr. Frederick Eckert's obituary was in the November 6, 1914 issue of the Sandusky Register.  A beautiful monument created by Conrad Keim honors the memory of Frederick and Elizabeth Eckert. Christ on the cross and a scroll adorn the grave marker of Mr. and Mrs. Eckert.



Sunday, September 6, 2015

Daniel G. Donohue Answered the Final Summons
















Daniel G. Donohue was born in Oswego, New York in 1858. He moved to Sandusky, Ohio about 1882, after having worked in Elyria in the railway department of the U.S. Postal Service. After moving to Sandusky, Mr. Donohue was self-employed as a book salesman. Daniel G. Donohue was known for his unfailing good humor, as evidenced by this headline which appeared in the January 10, 1908 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal.






















Mr. Donohue was well known in political circles, and he worked for a time as a guard at the Ohio Penitentiary. Daniel G. Donohue died on January 9, 1908, on his fiftieth birthday. Mr. Donohue was survived by his wife and three children. He was a faithful member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Daniel G. Donohue was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: 5th Grade Memories

Randy, at Genea-Musings, has given this assignment today:

1)  Remember when you were 10 or 11 years old and in fifth grade at school?  Was that one of the best times in your life?  Or not?

2)  Tell us about your fifth grade memories and the highlights of that time of your life - in your own blog post, in a comment to this blog post, or on Facebook or Google+.

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When I was in the 5th Grade, I attended this building in Castalia, a part of Margaretta Local Schools. 

My teacher was Mrs. Hacker. I thought she was the most beautiful lady I had ever seen! (And she even knew my neighbor Johnny.)In the 5th grade, our big field trip was to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. It was so much fun! We got to go to Dearborn on the train, and he had to bring both a packed lunch and supper. I don't recall a lot of what we learned, but we had the basic classes: math, social studies, music, language arts, science, and physical education. Also, I enrolled in band for the first time in Grade 5. I played trombone, and later switched to alto clarinet.

Image courtesy commons.wikipedia.org

For one six weeks term we actually got to go swimming in the school's pool. One special memory I have is that when I was in the 5th grade, my mother announced she was going to have another baby. I was so excited that I told my teacher, and everyone in my class. Matt wasn't born until I was in the fall of Grade 6, but he was so special. I honestly cannot recall ever having a real argument with Matt. Because I was 11 when he was born, I was like another mother figure to him.

















Now the old school serves as a Middle School. Matt is all grown up, with four children. His oldest recently got married. Thanks for sparking these terrific memories, Randy!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Wednesday's Child: Gertrude Schenk






















According to her death record, at FamilySearch, Gertrude Margurite Schenk was born on January 12, 1915 to Henry and Catherine (Herber) Schenk. She died of pneumonia shortly after her first birthday, on February 12, 1916, and she was laid to rest at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. A dove adorns the tombstone of young Gertrude Schenk.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

William Hall, First Known President of the Charitable Irish Society Founded

Photo by T. Renwand.


































On a recent trip to Boston and New York, my nephew took some pictures at the Granary Burying Ground. Above is the tombstone of William Hall, who was a leather dresser by trade. He is also believed to have been the first president of the Charitable Irish Society, founded in Boston in 1737. William Hall died on August 16, 1771, at the age of  75. A head with wings adorns the top of his tombstone. The Old Granary Burying Grounds are on the Irish Heritage Trail in Boston.