Gottlob Hermann/Gottlieb Herman

In the 1900 U.S. Census, Gottlieb Herman (spelled Gottlob Hermann on his tombstone) was residing in Sandusky,Ohio with his wife Lizzie, and Edward, age 20, and Mary age 15. Records at Family Search indicate that on August 24, 1882 Gottlieb married Elizabeth Kilcher. Gottlieb and Elizabeth were both born in Germany, as were both of their parents.

On September 5, 1921, Gottlieb Herman died at his home on Center Street, at age 77. Funeral services for Gottlieb Herman were held at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Chester Witzel, on Thursday, September 8, under the auspices of the I.O.O.F. Rev. Buxton of Huron officiated, and burial was at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. An I.O.O.F. symbol, which features three links representing Friendship, Love, and Truth, is found on the tombstone of Gottlieb Herman/Gottlob Herman.

Elizabeth Marshall Cross

My great great great grandmother, Elizabeth Marshall Cross, was born in Germany in 1845. Her father was Nicholas Marshall (sometimes spelled Marschall) who was born in 1815 in Licherode, Hesse, Germany. According to the book SANDUSKY THEN AND NOW, Nicholas was first married to Ann Elisabeth Schmidt, and secondly to Catherine Elisabeth Erckmann. (Unfortunately we do not have enough information to know if Elizabeth Marshall was the daughter of Anna or Catherine Marshall. )The Marshall family settled in Sandusky, Ohio in 1848. In the 1850 census the family appeared in Portland Township in Erie County, Ohio. Portland Township was an early name for a portion of the city of Sandusky. Nicholas was 34 in 1850. His wife Catherine was 31. Elizabeth was listed as being age 6, and her brother Ernst was 10 years old. The census enumerator wrote down Ernst's name as Antz, but all other records list his name as Ernst. During the Civil War, Elizabeth's brother Ernst Marshall and her future husband James Cross both served as Union soldiers. She must have spent many hours hoping and praying for their safe return.






On July 1, 1867, Elizabeth Marshall married James Cross. In the Civil War pension file of James Cross, we see a listing of the children of James and Elizabeth. (Double click on the image below for an enlarged view.)


















In the 1870 Census, Elizabeth and James Cross were living in the home of James Cross's widowed father, a native of England. They had two little children, and the James' brother and sister also lived with them. By 1880, Elizabeth and James had six childen. Elizabeth's oldest son, Nicholas Charles Cross, became a Brother with the Xaverian Brothers. In a biographical sketch of Nicholas Charles Cross, who became known as Brother Sulpicius, I read that though Elizabeth Marshall Cross was a convert to the Catholic Church, she read scriptures to the children every morning and evening. It is not a surprise that her son and granddaughter both devoted themselves to a life devoted to religious service.

In the 1900 Census for Erie County, James and Elizabeth Cross had only two children left at home, and Elizabeth's father Nicholas Marshall was living with them. A brother of James Cross resided with James and Elizabeth as well. Elizabeth Marshall Cross died on September 6, 1907. She was laid to rest at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio. She spent her life nurturing others, and her family missed her deeply.

Tombstone Tuesday: Peter Harris

This over one hundred and fifty year old tombstone honors the memory of Peter Harris at Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. According to ERIE COUNTY, OHIO, CEMETERY CENSUS BEFORE 1909, Peter Harris was born on March 29, 1814, and died on September 2, 1858. (Click on the image for a larger view.)

Carnival of Genealogy: What tree best represents your family’s history?

The topic for the 110th Carnival of Genealogy asks the question:

What tree best represents your family’s history?

For most of my life, I have been surrounded by Cottonwood trees that are so numerous in northern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources states that the Eastern Cottonwood prefers moist soils, but, it adapts surprisingly well to harsh conditions, especially poor, dry soils. Cottonwood trees often grow to a height of 80 feet. In so many branches of my own family tree, my ancestors often faced harsh conditions. Julius House and his family traveled from Connecticut to Ohio in a covered wagon in 1815, and when they arrived in Ohio, they had to build their own home, and grow their own food! I feel strongly that Daniel and his young son Patrick Larkins dealt with poverty in their native land of Ireland. Great Grandma and Grandpa Parker lost their beloved family farm when the government took their land by eminent domain for the war effort during World War Two. My mom lost both her parents before she was 18 years old, but she taught us how to love and live, and be thankful for the small things. My dad had only a 10th grade education, but he was the best plumber I ever knew, and he truly lived the Golden Rule, making friends with most everyone he ever met.

Hardship builds character, and many of my German and Hungarian great grandparents dealt with discrimination, because they spoke with an accent, and they were not accustomed to the ways of America when they first arrived here. I am thankful for my hearty ancestors, who were brave, and knew how to face trials. As the cottonwood tree grows tall, so did many branches of my family tree grow to be quite large. It is a joy to learn about them, and also to hear about so many other Geneabloggers' and Graveyard Rabbits' families as well!

Eleutheros Cooke House

In 1995, Estelle M. Dorn bequeathed the Eleutheros Cooke House to the Ohio Historical Society. The Cooke House was built by Eleutheros Cooke, Sandusky's first lawyer, in 1843-1844. It originally was located in downtown Sandusky, but was later moved to 1415 Columbus Avenue in the 1870's. A total of three families have lived at 1415 Columbus Avenue. The last owners were Randolph and Estelle Dorn. They purchased the house in the 1950's. The Dorns redecorated the house, and the Cooke House today looks as it did when Mr. and Mrs. Dorn resided there.

Image courtesy WikiPedia

Eleutheros Cooke served in Congress as Representative from Ohio from 1831 to 1833. His son Jay Cooke, was well known as a financier during the Civil War. According to his Congressional biography, Eleutheros Cooke died in Sandusky, Ohio, on December 27, 1864, and he was buried at St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

The Eleutheros Cooke House is open from Noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., from April to December. Admission is free. This historic home is managed by The Old House Guild of Sandusky.

Leontine E. Butler

At the time of her death, Leontine E. Butler was the only child of Sandusky residents Jay C. Butler and his wife Elizabeth Hubbard Butler. An article in the September 5, 1877 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that Leontine E. Butler died at Mackinac, Michigan on Monday, September 3rd, at the age of nine months. She was buried in Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. Leontine's father, Jay Caldwell Butler was a Veteran of the Civil War. His letters were published in 1930. A picture of Leontine's mother and younger sister can be seen at the Sandusky History website.

Mysterious Angelic Stone at Oakland

This beautiful tombstone is found in Block 77 of Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. The inscription is in German, so I am guessing this stone honors the memory of a female of German descent, who was born in 1832 or 1833 and passed away in 1872. Her first name may be Annie, but I cannot read her last name. The tombstone was created by Christian Schlenk. The top portion of the tombstone features sculpted cording, and the lovely female face is adorned with flowers.



















This mysterious tombstone is close to grave markers of members of the Wilken, Schoepflin, and Krawetzke families, so she may be related to one of these families. If anyone knows the identity of the name on this lovely tombstone, please leave a message in the comments field. Thanks!