Henry C. Campbell, Son of David Campbell

Henry C. Campbell was born about 1825 to David Campbell and his wife, the former Mary Jones Todd. In 1846, Henry C. Campbell married Wealthy Wells. In the December 18, 1848 issue of the Sandusky Clarion, the name of Henry C. Campbell is listed along with his father and brother. The newspaper entitled the Sandusky Clarion was edited, printed and published by David Campbell and Sons at that time.

At the time of the 1850 U.S. Census, Henry C. Campbell and his wife Wealthy were residing with Henry’s father David Campbell. Two young daughters of Henry and Wealthy Campbell also resided in the household. Their names were Kate and Mary. Sadly, Henry C. Campbell died on August 31, 1852. He was buried at Oakland Cemetery.

Patrick Toomey, A Native of Ireland

Patrick Toomey was born in Ireland about 1822. He and his wife Eliza/Elisabeth were residing in Sandusky, Ohio in 1867, according to the city directory. The 1860 U.S. Census indicates that the Toomeys  had three daughters, each born in a different state. Catherine Toomey was born in Vermont, about 1844. Susan Toomey was born in Massachusetts in 1851, and Mary Toomey was born in Ohio in 1855. Patrick Toomey died on August 28, 1867, at the age of 45. He was buried at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. His wife Elisabeth died on February 5, 1880 at the age of 64. Below is a very brief death record of Patrick Toomey in the Holy Angels death records, a part of the Toledo Diocese records on file at FamilySearch. 

John M. Schwab, Civil War Veteran

John M. Schwab was born in Germany about 1841. In 1860 he was listed in the Martin Schwab residence in Sandusky, Ohio in the U.S. Census.  During the Civil War, both John M. Schwab and his father Martin Schwab served in the Third Ohio Cavalry. By 1869, John Schwab was working as a clerk at the Post Office. In 1870, John Schwab was married to Mary, and they had two small children. Census records indicate that John’s mother, Elizabeth Schwab, was also living with them in Sandusky, Ohio. On August  21, 1872 John M. Schwab died in Tecumseh, Michigan, at the age of 51. He was buried at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. His tombstone is adorned with a finger pointing upward, which represents the hope of Heaven. 

Gary Will be Missed!

My mom, Joyce Orshoski, is pictured here with Gary Lindsley on his farm in 2008. A few days ago Gary passed away after suffering injuries in an automobile accident. Gary's obituary is found at the Firelands Obits website. (Mom died in 2010, after a long battle with cancer.) Gary Lindsley was not related to us, but we shared a lot of cousins. Gary's mom and dad, Cliff and Leona Lindsley lived on a farm in Perkins Township near  where my Parker grandparents and great grandparents used to live. After the U.S. Government took over several acres of farm land in the 1940s, for a munitions factory for the war effort, all the farmers had to re-locate. Gary's parents moved to a lovely farm in rural Bellevue. When my siblings and were young, we used to enjoy the long drive to the Lindsley farm in Bellevue. Uncle Cliff and Aunt Leona welcomed us with open arms. Gary was older than were, and he was quiet during our visits, but wonderful memories were made. Though those Perkins Township farmers moved away from their farms, many of the families kept in touch through the years, and I cherish the memories of Gary and his family. We'll miss you Gary!

Byron Smith or William B. Smith, Jr.

This lovely monument at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery honors the memory of Byron Smith, who was born on January 6, 1830, and died on August 22, 1881, at the age of 51 years, 7 months, and 16 days. Though the monument indicates Mr. Smith's first name was Byron, the Erie County Cemetery Census, Before 1909 states that his name could also be William Smith, Jr. The 1855 Sandusky City Directory lists a W.B. Smith, Jr., with a residence at 51 Franklin Street, and occupation, livery business. Though not many details are known about William Bryon Smith, Jr., this lovely monument keeps his memory alive.

Elizabeth Harpster, wife of B.F. Harpster

Elizabeth Arnold Harpster was the first wife of Benjamin F. Harpster. Benjamin and Elizabeth were married on November 9, 1869 in Sandusky County, Ohio. Elizabeth Harpster died on June 22, 1876, at the age of 30. She was buried at the Reformed Church Cemetery, now the St. Paul United Church of Christ Cemetery at the corner of Kilbourne and Gardner Roads in Bellevue, Ohio.

John M. Storrs, Died in Perkins Township

John M. Storrs was born in 1823, and he died on August 14, 1848 at the age of 23. He was buried in Perkins Cemetery in Erie County, Ohio. Most likely, John M. Storrs is related to Reuben Storrs, who settled in Perkins Township in the early 1800s.

Basball Sunday at the Soldiers Home Grounds

This advertisement ran in the August 14, 1919 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal. The baseball team from the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home was slotted to play the team from Ann Arbor. The ad stated that the Soldiers' Home team was endeavoring to "put Sandusky on the base-ball map." Baseball has been a popular game in Sandusky for many, many years, with leagues ranging in age from the T-ball set to Adults.

Cuyler Leonard, 1821-1859

Cuyler Leonard was born on January 5, 1821. He was married to Julia Seely, according to his son's marriage record. The Morgan Library of Ohio Imprints indicates that in 1843, Cuyler Leonard was a tutor at the Western Reserve College. Cuyler Leonard practiced law with Lucas Beecher in Sandusky, Ohio. In this advertisement, from the August 26, 1853 issue of the Sandusky Daily Commercial Register, we see that Cuyler Leonard was in a legal practice with Jacob Camp.

Sadly, Cuyler Leonard died on August 11, 1859 at the age of 38. He was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery.

Sentimental Sunday: Old Pictures from Steve's Tavern on the Wall at Rayz on the Bay

At a recent family get-together, held at Rayz on the Bay on the waterfront in Bay View, my sister R.Christmas took some digital pictures of some old pictures on the wall. They were from the days when the tavern in Bay View was known as Steve's Tavern. In the 1950s and 1960s, Steve and Mary Glaros used to own the tavern, along with several cottages that were for rent for vacationers and fishermen.

I used to babysit for some of the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Glaros, and more than once, we were treated to delicious cheeseburgers from Steve's Tavern at suppertime!

On an occasional Friday night, my dad would stop in at Steve's. Once in awhile my mom would make me go to Steve's, and tell my dad he better be getting on home! How I hated that task! Dad would always just laugh, but his buddies would taunt him that his wife had sent a message to him to get home! We all really enjoyed seeing these old pictures, and it took us back to our childhood in Bay View.

Note: Photo credit, R. Christman

Elisa and Sophia Silva Both Died in 1849

This tombstone at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio honors the memory of the wife and daughter of Dr. L.A. Silva, who both died in 1849. Mrs. Elisa Silva died on April 23, 1849. Sophia Silva, the daughter of Dr. L.A. and Elisa Silva, died during the cholera epidemic, on July 29, 1849. Dr. Silva went on to marry again, and he died on December 29, 1875. He was buried across the road in the St. Mary's Cemetery. Rest in peace Elisa and Sophia!

Mrs. Emily J. Siggens

According to her death record, Mrs. Emily J. Siggens was born in Nottingham, England to Robert N. Carter, and his wife, the former Mary Ann Harrison Spencer. Emily and her parents moved to the United States when she was very young. By the 1870s, the family was residing in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio, where her father was employed as a tool maker. Emily J. Carter married George Siggens about 1880. Mr. and Mrs. George Siggens had four sons. Three of the Siggens sons served in the military during World War One.  One of the sons, Ernest Siggens, was a popular football player at Sandusky High School, and he went on to become the Mayor of Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. Emily Siggens passed away on August 2, 1940. She had been preceded in death by her husband George, and her son Ernest. Emily was survived by three sisters, three sons, and three grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Emily Siggens were held at the Calvary Episcopal Church, and burial was at Oakland Cemetery. An obituary for Emily Siggens appeared in the August 2, 1940 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal.