A Gaggle of Geese

In between cemetery hopping and celebrating Mother's Day weekend, my grandsons and I saw these geese and goslings close to Sandusky Bay this morning. (Click for a larger view.)

Capt. Owen "Oat" Smith

According to his death certificate, Owen Smith was born in Lorain, Ohio on March 27, 1867 to Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. As an adult, he lived in Erie County, Ohio. In the 1910 U.S. Census, Owen Smith listed his occupation as boat captain, and in 1920, he stated he was a fisherman. Owen Smith was married to a lady named Abbie, and they had a large family of seven children.

On May 6, 1932, Owen Smith passed away.The Oakland Cemetery interment card for Mr. Smith states that Owen Smith died as a result of pneumonia. His address was listed as Willow Beach. Willow Beach was a neighborhood off West Monroe Street on Sandusky's west side, not far from Lion's Park. Owen Smith was buried at Oakland Cemetery where his tombstone reads:

Capt. Oat Smith
1867-1932

Great Grandma Irene and Grandma Doris at the Beach

My Great Grandmother Irene is pictured at the Cedar Point beach with her young daughter Doris, about 1913 or 1914. With them are family friends Anna and Paul Miller. When I asked my mother to tell me more about Anna and Paul Miller, she could only tell me that they moved out of the area, and that Paul died young. Gram Irene would go on to have a lot of heartache, in regards to relationships, personal finances, and losing dear loved ones when they were way too young to die. But in this beach scene, she appears to be having a quiet relaxing day with little Doris, Anna, and Paul. (I wish I had a better quality image of this picture!)

You can view several vintage views of the Cedar Point Beach by visiting the Columbus Memory website. Simply enter the search terms Cedar Point Beach.

Springtime Views of Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery

*Click on images for a larger view.

Old Presbyterian Cemetery in Apple Creek, Ohio

On a recent trip to Ohio's Amish Country, my husband and I stopped briefly at the Old Presbyterian Cemetery in Apple Creek. The cemetery was established in 1820.

















Many of the stones are very old and show a lot of weathering.


















The name of Amos Brown, who died on October 5, 1874, appears several times in the chapter about East Union Township in HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO, by Ben Douglass.























The Apple Creek Presbyterian Church, which was organized in 1815, became the Apple Creek United Methodist Church.

As we drove south into Holmes County, we shopped at many of the local shops, bakeries, and several other unique stores. We found delicious cheese and meat, and wonderful baked goods! It is so interesting to see the farms of the Amish and Mennonite residents. Many Amish and Mennonites do not have automobiles or use electrical appliances. It is like going back in time to drive down the country roads.













The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center features a video and a 265 foot mural which explains the history and heritage of the Amish and Mennonites who live in Holmes and Wayne Counties and the surrounding areas in Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday: Sweet Little Bud

This small tombstone is located in Block 21 of Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery. The inscription reads:

Julia H.E.
Daughter of
G.& C. Schneerer
Died May 4, 1872
Aged 2 mos., 14 d.

Sweet little bud for earth too fair
Has gone to heaven to blossom there.

Italian Memorial Sculpture, 1820-1940, by Sandra Berresford

Recently I borrowed this item through the ClevNet Library Consortium. It is a book entitled: Italian Memorial Sculpture, 1820-1940. The author is Sandra Berresford, and photographers are Robert W. Fichter and Robert Freidus. The book was published in London in 2004 by Frances Lincoln. Also included in this amazing book are essays by James Stevens Curl and Fred S. Licht; and articles by Francesca Bregoli and Franco Sborgi. The photographs are fantastic, and show many examples of the artwork found in several Italian cemeteries. You can read reviews of Italian Memorial Sculpture, 1820-1940 at Amazon.com, where you could also purchase the book.

If you go to the ClevNet listing for the book Italian Memorial Sculpture, 1820-1940, you can click on the icons "Reviews" or "Preview" for more information.























If you purchase, borrow, or read this book, you will be in for a treat, learning much about Italian Art History as well as gaining knowledge about the the beautiful cemeteries of Italy!