Milton C. Dodge, 1870-1942

Milton C. Dodge was born in Ottawa County, Ohio in 1870  to Mr. and Mrs. Wyman Dodge.  By 1880, Milton’s mother was a widow, and the family, which consisted of Sarah Dodge and her three children, was residing in Monroeville, Ohio. In 1897,  Milton C.  Dodge married Katherine Elizabeth Ohlemacher. The Milton C. Dodge family lived in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio in 1910. By this time Mr. and Mrs. Dodge had two sons, named Howard and Lehman. Milton C. Dodge died on December 31, 1942. He was residing in Akron, Ohio at this time and had previously been employed at Goodyear Aircraft.  Mr. Dodge’s remains were brought to Sandusky, Ohio, for burial at Oakland Cemetery.

Joseph Ackermann

Joseph Ackermann was born in 1863. In the 1870 U.S. Census, he was listed in the household of George and Catherine Ackermann, along with his five siblings, in Berlin Township, Erie County, Ohio.  Joseph Ackermann died at the age of 12, on December 1, 1875, and he was buried in Perkins Cemetery in Erie County. The finger pointing upwards on his tombstone represents the hope of heaven.

Langhorne Monument at Rock Creek Cemetery

Photograph by T. Renwand

This beautiful ornate cross at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C. honors the memory of the Langhorne family. John Devall Langhorne was an early graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He took part in the naval attack on Vera Cruz in 1847.  In 1853, John retired from the Navy and he started a banking business in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1884, he moved his family to Washington D.C. Mr. Langhorne died at the age of 91 on November 24, 1915. John D. Langhorne was survived by eight children at the time of his death. An obituary for John D. Langhorne appeared in the November 26, 1915 issue of the New York Times.

Photo credit: Thank you to my nephew for taking this picture.

Mrs. Sophia Houpt

Sophia Heyer Houpt (sometimes spelled Haupt) was born in Pennsylvania in 1818 or 1819. She married George Washington Houpt. By 1850, George W. and Sophia Houpt were residing in Chatfield in  Crawford County, Ohio. There were four  children in the household at this time, ranging in age from ages two to eight, all born in Pennsylvania. Sadly, Mrs. Sophia Houpt died on November 18, 1875. She was buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Lutheran Church in Chatfield, now known as Nazareth Lutheran Church. Sophia's tombstone features a hand pointing down, and grasping a broken chain, which symbolizes the Lord reaching down and breaking the chains of death.

Mrs. Sophia Houpt's tombstone is located in a beautiful, peaceful rural setting.

Rest in peace, Sophia Houpt.

Archibald C. MacLeod, a Native of Canada

Archibald C. MacLeod was born in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada on February 20, 1871. His parents, Donald and Margaret MacLeod, had both been born in Scotland. Archibald's occupation was wood carver. Archibald C. MacLeod was the second spouse of Mary Zipfel Grummel, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Constantine Zipfel. Mr. Archibald C. MacLeod passed away on October 5, 1932. He was buried at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. His wife survived for many more years.

Paul Clauer, Cholera Victim

Paul Clauer died from cholera on July 28, 1849, during a cholera epidemic that swept through Sandusky, Ohio. Note from  Katharyn L. Wunderley's book entitled CHOLERA VICTIMS OF 1849: IN SANDUSKY, ERIE COUNTY, OHIO, indicate that Paul Clauer was a fireman for the Mad River Railroad. He died while in Urbana, Ohio. Paul Clauer was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. He was aged 34 years, 4 months, and 5 days. A German inscription on his tombstone lets us know he is most likely of German heritage. The willow trees at the top of his tombstone symbolize mourning.
Paul Clauer's surname appears with variant spellings of Glauer, Clower, and Klauer.

Remembering the Old Neighborhood

My Childhood Home in Bay View

My mother, Joyce Parker Orshoski, often told me about her fond memories of her grandparents' farm in Perkins Township.

Neighbors shared farm equipment, as well as labor, during threshing times on the farm. A the end of the day, a big dinner was held at the home of the farm where most recent threshing had been done. There was good food and lots of stories at those dinners, which made for lasting memories for all those who attended.

My dad, Paul Orshoski, Sr., grew up in the very small community of Bay Bridge, where the majority of the menfolk worked at the Medusa Portland Cement Company. Dad's grandpa, father, and uncles all worked at "the mill," and when Dad was old enough, he too worked at Medusa. It was hard work, but hundreds made a good living at that old cement factory, which closed in the early 1960s.

When I was young, we lived in Bay View, just down the road from Bay Bridge. 

We had wonderful neighbors there. Ed and Agnes B. were just a few doors down, always willing to lend a helping hand.Mom and Agnes shared countless cups of coffee.Ed gave driving lessons to both Mom and myself. Living in a community with lots of children, we never lacked for someone with whom to play!

Years later, when Dad was terminally ill with lung cancer at age 55,  our neighbor Ed sat by his side in the hospital. He watched as Dad suffered from the effects of the disease, and the unwelcome side effects of the powerful pain medication. By Ed sitting with Dad for a while, Mom was able to go home for a bit, to take of the many household duties that accompany a family with lots of children. 

In the very early days of our time in Bay View, Uncle Wayne and Aunt Betty and their three kids lived next door. The kids created a ball field in two adjoining large back yards. There were picnics, birthday parties, and so many heartaches and joys as the children all grew up.

Mabel used to mend our clothes, when necessary, and Janet babysit the little ones when grandkids came along. Kay made us wonderful special dinners, and shared in our holiday festivities like she was a family member. The close ties to the neighbors, family members, and friends in our old neighborhood will never be forgotten.

Charles Schenk, 1860-1880

Charles Schenk was born on November 19, 1860. In 1880, he was residing in Perkins Township, Erie County, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Schenk, along with several siblings. Sadly, Charles Schenk was killed on October 3, 1880, in a hunting accident. He was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. The lettering on the metal grave marker was in the German language. An article about the tragic death of Charles Schenk appeared in the October 4, 1880 issue of the Sandusky Register.

Johanna Larkins McClain

Johanna Larkins was born about 1842, the youngest daughter of Daniel and Johanna (Skehan) Larkins. Originally from County Tipperary, Ireland, Daniel Larkins and his family settled on farmland in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio prior to the younger Johanna's birth. The family was Irish Catholic, and Johanna had several older brothers and sisters.

By 1880, Johanna Larkins had become married to Thomas McClain of Bellevue, Ohio. Thomas was a widower with two young daughters, Nora and Bridget.  Thomas and Johanna would have another daughter to add to the family, Mary McClain, born about 1877, according to U.S. Census records.

Thomas McClain died on January 10, 1891. He was buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Bellevue, Ohio. In the early 1900s, Johanna Larkins McClain moved to Cleveland, where she resided with her daughter Mary.
Joanna died on May 9, 1909. She was laid to rest beside her husband Thomas at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Bellevue, Ohio. How I would have enjoyed talking with her, and asking her about the early years of her life! She was the baby sister of my three times great grandfather Patrick Larkins.

My great grandmother, Irene Larkins, always carried on the family tradition of hospitality, offering coffee and cake to visitors. I am sure Johanna shared that same tradition. Another tradition in the Larkins family was to visit the graves of loved ones often, and remember them by placing flowers on  their tombstones.

Very Simple Timeline for My Mother Joyce Parker Orshoski

Randy at Genea-Musings has challenged us to create a timeline in today's edition of Saturday Night Genealogy Fun.

Below is a very simple timeline marking just a few highlights in my mother's life.

I created this timeline at Teachnology.com. It was free and very easy to use, but it did not allow for many details. My mom packed a lot of life into her years on this earth. 

She had six children, twenty grandchildren, and many, many great grandchildren. I think she worked at least fifteen different jobs. She went back to work after becoming a widow in her fifties. I miss Mom every day, and am thankful she told me so many family stories!

Horace Aplin, 1805-1871

According to the 1850 U.S. Census, Horace Aplin was born in the state of New York in 1805. In 1850, he was working in Sandusky, Ohio as a grocer. An article in the Firelands Pioneer  records the date of Horace Aplin's marriage to Julia E. Peck as January 21, 1840 in Norwalk, Ohio. Rev. Alfred Newton of the First Presbyterian Church in Norwalk officiated at the wedding. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY, OHIO, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, states that Horace Aplin was a trustee of Portland Township (Portland Township eventually became a part of the city of Sandusky) in 1849, 1854, and 1855. In 1858, Horace Aplin became a Justice of the Peace. On October 9, 1871, Horace Aplin died in Sandusky, Ohio. He was buried in the North Ridge section of Oakland Cemetery. After Mrs. Julia Aplin passed away in 1903, she was buried next to her husband in Oakland Cemetery.

My Baby Brother Matt Orshoski, 1962-2019

My youngest brother, Matthew Steen Orshoski, passed away peacefully this morning, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Matt and I never had cross words. He was supportive of me through all the ups and downs of life, which were many. Since I was 11 when he was born, I literally saw him grow up!

One of my first memories of Matt was before he was born! I told my Aunt Betty, who lived next door, that I wanted to give my mom a baby shower, even though it was her fifth baby. Well Aunt Betty's mom Audrey owned the Log Cabin, a restaurant in our small community. Aunt Betty paid for everything, I am sure, and she arranged for a lovely baby shower for my mom, in a the special party room at the Log Cabin. Everyone had a wonderful time.

The summer Mom was expecting Matt, a family friend, Bill K., used to drop off fresh sweet corn and tomatoes to our house, on his way across the Sandusky Bay to make a delivery to a farm market. Mom loved that fresh produce so much! Matt loved sports, and he practically grew up on the ball field in Bay View, where my Dad coached baseball.

Matt and his wife wanted to have a family, and it was quite some time before that happened. They went on to have four children, three grandchildren, and another baby on the way. Matt loved his family SO much!

The last several years, Matt's health declined more and more. He spent over three years in a nursing home. Having been a coach, a plumber, and active in the church and community, it was frustrating for him to be so idle. His greatest joy was when loved ones would visit. More than one person has said that they went to see Matt to cheer him up, but it turned out that Matt cheered up the visitor instead! Matt is at peace now, and since singing was one of his favorite pastimes, I can picture him singing in a Heavenly choir!!! We are glad he will be reunited with our mom and dad.

Love you Matt O., and thanks for all the memories!!

This link takes you to the obituary of Matt Orshoski.

John E. Nolan, Corporal in Company B

John E. Nolan's name appears in the 1880 U.S. Census. He was the nine year old son of John and Teresa Nolan, and the family resided in Sandusky, Ohio.  John E. Nolan served as a Corporal in Company B of the Ohio Sixth Infantry during the Spanish American War. This unit received a warm welcome when they returned home to Sandusky. Sadly, John E. Nolan died in Cleveland, Ohio on March 19, 1914. He was buried at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.

Lettie May, 1878-1931

In the 1880 U.S. Census, there is a Letta May, age one, listed with Julian and Mattie May in Gentry County, Missouri. By the time of the 1900 U.S. Census,  Lettie May was a student at the Normal School at Madison Lake, South Dakota, now Dakota State University. She was 21 in 1900. A very brief article in the July 23, 1920 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal stated:

Miss Lettie May of Washington D.C., is spending three weeks with Miss Waye Wonnell of S. Columbus Ave.

On August 21, 1931, Lettie May died in Brooklyn, New York. Her occupation was listed as accountant, and her parents were Julian May and Martha Black. Lettie's remains were returned to Sandusky, Ohio for burial at Oakland Cemetery.  These brief obituaries are found in the 1931 OBITUARY NOTEBOOK at Sandusky Library.

So far I have not been able to determine exactly when Lettie May resided in Sandusky, but the fact that she was buried at Oakland Cemetery indicates that she most likely did have ties to the area.

Dora Hutchins, 1862-1882

Dora Hutchins was born on May 15, 1862. Her parents were Charles and Electa Hutchins. Sadly, she passed away from consumption as a young woman, on August 20, 1882. Dora Hutchins, who had a brother named Charles L. Hutchins, was buried at Sandusky, Ohio.

SNGF: Were You in a Youth Organization

In today's version of Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, Randy from Genea-Musings  has challenged us to answer the question "Were You in a Youth Organization." I was a Girl Scout; my younger brother Paul was a Cub Scout; and my sister Robin was once a Brownie Scout! Pictured below are my brother and I in our Scout uniforms in the early 1960s.

From Grades 2 through 12, I was a member of the Girl Scouts. I was first a Brownie Scout, in Grades 2 and 3.

Image courtesy Ebay

Below is my Brownie World Association Pin, which was only in use from 1956 to 1976.

After Grade 3, we got to become a "fly up." We went from Brownies to becoming actual Girl Scouts. One of my very favorite Scout leaders was Mrs. Winnie Sessler. Mrs. Sessler was our school cook, and she loved us young ladies so much! She took us camping, taught us how to make all-day lollipops at her house, and guided us along the way to earning many, many Girl Scout badges! We got to go to cooking school at Columbia Gas. We learned how to be a home nurse. One Spring we made refreshments, and had a dance at one of our members' big farmhouse. We slept in sleeping bags, made campfire stew, and fried up homemade donuts. We sat upon homemade "sit upons." Our dishes were washed in "swishy bags." The songs we sang are still very vividly in my memory bank.

Thanks for the fun trip down Memory Lane, Randy! I made lifelong friends in Girl Scouts, and had hundreds of memorable moments along the way.

William Van Gorder, Civil War Veteran

Image Courtesy FindaGrave

William Van Gorder was born in the state of New York about 1821. In the 1850 U.S. Census, William was residing in Chemung County, New York, aged 28. His occupation was listed as  farmer. During the Civil War, William Van Gorder served with Company B of the New York Infantry, and later he served in Company D. of the 9^th U.S. Reserve Corps.  The first wife of William Van Gorder was Lorinda Westfall, who had been married to a Mr. Stedge before she wed Mr. Van Gorder. Lorinda died in 1875. She was buried in the West Carlton Cemetery in Barry County, Michigan.

After Lorinda’s death, William Van Gorder married Lorinda’s sister Eliza Jane. Eliza Jane Westfall had previously been married to Wheeler Nodine, and a Mr. Burr. A Westfall descendant stated that Eliza Jane and William Van Gorder separated in 1879. William Van Gorder died on February 24, 1898. He was buried next to his first wife Lorinda in Barry County, Michigan.

According to records at FamilySearch, Eliza J. Van Gorder applied for a 

Civil War widow’s pension. She filed for the pension in the state of Minnesota.

Eliza Jane Van Gorder died in 1903. She was buried in Frazee, Becker County, Minnesota. Her tombstone lists her name as Eliza J. Nodine.

Discovering Just a Bit about Wheeler Nodine

You may recall that the lineage of my great great grandmother, Sarah Steen, was very complicated. Her biological parents were Wheeler Nodine and Eliza Jane Westfall Nodine. Sometime after her birth in 1850 in Michigan, Wheeler  and Eliza Jane Nodine gave baby Sarah to the sister of Eliza Jane, Huldah. Huldah was married to Henry Milner, and they had a lovely farm in Perkins Township. Sarah went on to marry Charles F. Steen, and they too were engaged in agricultural pursuits. Sarah is the lady on the left in the picture below.

Today as I was looking over my DNA relatives on 23andMe, I discovered a cousin that most likely is connected to me through Wheeler and Eliza Jane Nodine. I realized that I did not know much about my biological three times great grandfather Wheeler Nodine. Looking back through my Flickr photos, I discovered the death date of Wheeler Nodine was listed as Feb. 10, 1872, in Michigan. (This family Bible is now in the collections of the R.B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums.)

Then I found property that was owned by the Estate of W. Nodine in the Barry County Atlas of Michigan, housed at Michigan County Histories. It looks like at one time Wheeler Nodine owned property in Carlton, a community in Barry County, Michigan.

To date, I have not yet found a death record from a courthouse for Wheeler Nodine, and I would surely love to know the story of how Sarah went from her biological parents' home in Michigan to the Henry Milner residence in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio.

Jacob and Anna Ruth

According to History of Erie County, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich (Mason and Co., 1889), Jacob Ruth was born in Germany in 1831, and he emigrated to the United States in 1859. He worked as a dealer in and packer of pork, and curer of hams and bacon. On June 2, 1860, Jacob Ruth married Anna Hoerner. A listing in the 1876 Sandusky City Directory shows a J.Ruth as a partner in the Bear and Ruth firm.

The 1880 U.S. Census shows Jacob and Anna Ruth resided on Franklin Street in Sandusky with their three sons. Mrs. Anna Ruth died on January 19, 1901, at the age of 63. She was buried at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. Afer the death of Anna Ruth, Jacob married Anna Katherine Schlessman. Jacob Ruth died on August 8, 1912. He too was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery. Sadly, the second Mrs. Anna Ruth died only a few months later, on October 29, 1912.

Ansel H. Gale, 1817-1869

According to the book The Gale Family Records in England and the United States, Ansel Hays Gale was born on February 16, 1817 to Deacon Solomon Gale of Bennington, Vermont, and his second wife, the former Phebe Hayes. Ansel Hays Gale married Amanda E. Spencer in 1850. They had the following children: Maria Wager Gale, born in 1851; Spencer Hays Gale, born in 1853; and Laura Johnson Gale, born in 1855. In Sandusky, Ansel H. Gale was associated with the Spencer & Gale stove store. At the age of 52, Ancel H. Gale died of paralysis, on June 23, 1869. He was buried in Sandusky’s Oakland Cemetery. Mr. Gale’s daughter Maria became the wife of Rev. Eleutheros Cooke.

Mrs. Emily Warren, 1827-1886

Mrs. Emily Warren was born in the state of New York on September 3, 1827, and she died on July 25, 1886, according to the ERIE COUNTY, OHIO CEMETERY CENSUS BEFORE 1909. In 1860, Emily was residing in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, with her husband John H. Warren, and their three sons and two daughters. John H. Warren died in 1872 at the age of 48. The final resting place of Mrs. Emily Warren was at Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. According to the Letters of Administration, on file with Erie County Probate Court, Mrs. Warren was survived by these children: Josephine Shaw of New London, Ohio, and Isabel Warren, Perry Warren, and William Warren, all of Sandusky.

Chauncey G. Bush, 1832-1860

Few details are known about Chauncey G. Bush. He was born February 2, 1832, and died on July 5, 1860. In the 1850 U.S. Census, his occupation was listed as printer. He resided in the same house as James W. Taylor, the one time editor of the Sandusky Democrat. Chauncey G. Bush's final resting place is at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery.

Mrs. Amelia Boston, Wife of Rev. Thomas Holland Boston

According to the 1850 U.S. Census, Amelia Boston was born about 1813 in the state of New Jersey. In May of 1839, Amelia Butler married Thomas Holland Boston in Albany, New York, and shortly after, they settled in Sandusky, Ohio. Rev. Boston was a minister in Sandusky, Ohio, and he was a friend of fugitive slaves, helping many to get to freedom in Canada, departing across the lake from Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. Amelia Butler Boston died on May 31, 1865. She was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery.

Janet Ritter

According to her death record, Janet Ritter was the daughter of Dr. Roland Ritter and his wife, the former Belva Dilley. Janet died as an infant, on August 7, 1938, and she was buried at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. Janet Ritter was the descendant of longtime Sandusky cigar store owner, Henry Ritter.

Frank and Julia Van Blarcum

Frank Van Blarcum was born in Sandusky, Ohio in 1870 to Aaron and Laura Van Blarcum. In 1892, he married Julia E. Ernst, the daughter of Conrad and Philipena Ernst. Frank worked as a foreman for a local building contractor, G.W. Doerzbach. On  October 12, 1915, Frank Van Blarcum died as a result of an accident in which an elevator cable snapped in the elevator of the Rieger Hotel, which was being renovated. Frank fell five stories, and it is believed that he died instantly. Also injured in the accident was Edward Rieger, the proprietor of the Rieger, but Mr. Rieger did recover from his injuries.  Frank Van Blarcum was survived by his wife Julia, four children, and two brothers. Funeral services for Frank Van Blarcum were held at the family residence on McKinley Street, and burial was at Oakland Cemetery. Mrs. Julia Van Blarcum lived to the age of 74. She passed away from heart disease on May 11, 1939.

Hummel Monument at St. Mary's Cemetery

August Hummel was born in Germany in 1854, according to U.S. Census records. His wife, Mary J. Hummel, was born in Illinois in 1863. They had two sons, Charles and George Hummel. August Hummel was a saloon keeper. In 1906, both the business and the residence were located on Decatur Street in Sandusky. On July 29, 1915, August Hummel died from cancer. His wife Mary survived him. Mrs. Mary Hummel died on November 13, 1939. A beautiful monument at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio honors the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Hummel. Created by Conrad Keim, the monument features lilies lying across the cross, with a fern. 

Alden W. Gallup, Victim of Influenza

Alden W. Gallup died on December 17, 1918, of pneumonia after having had influenza. He was born in 1890, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mozart Gallup.  Alden Gallup earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell in 1913. He had been employed at the Hinde and Dauch Company in Sandusky. Alden left behind a wife, Helen, and a young son. Alden W. Gallup was buried at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. In 1916, Alden W. Gallup and Daniel Kelleher were issued a patent for a wrapper package. The assignee was the Hinde and Dauch Paper Company. It is so sad that such a bright young man had such a short life. Rest in peace Mr. Gallup.