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.