Political Mementos from Joseph G. Cannon

Sandusky resident Leo Kugel donated two political mementos from Joseph G. Cannon’s unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1908 to the historical collections of the Sandusky Library. At the Republican National Convention in Chicago, Joe Cannon received fifty eight votes for the presidential nomination. Of course, William Howard Taft won the nomination and he went on to win the U.S. presidential election in November. 

Joseph G. Cannon, often known as “Uncle Joe,” was a longtime member of the House of Representatives, serving from 1873-1891, 1893-1913, and 1915 -1923. He was Speaker of the House from 1903 to 1911.

Joe Cannon wielded a great deal of power in the House of Representatives. People all across the U.S. had strong feelings about Mr. Cannon, ranging from admiration to contempt. His image graced the cover of the very first issue of Time Magazine. When he died in November of 1926, the news was featured on the front page of the Sandusky Register.

A brief excerpt from the article read “No other public man of his time was at once so strongly hated politically and so strongly loved personally.”

Ione Klenk Wiechel’s Book Plate Collection

Bookplates (aka Ex Libris) have been a popular method throughout history for book owners to create a personalized method of showing ownership of their books. The creative quality and informational value of many bookplates has inspired collectors and artists. 

Mrs. Ione Klenk Wiechel, a longtime member of the American Society of Bookplate Collectors and Designers, shared her hobby of collecting bookplates, calligraphy, and miniature books with the community through an exhibit at the Sandusky Area Cultural Center from November through December of 1979.

After her death Mrs. Wiechel’s bookplate collection was donated to the Sandusky Library. The collection features bookplates owned by individuals and businesses of Sandusky and Erie County. 

This bookplate once belonged to Judge Ebenezer Lane, former Common Pleas Judge and Judge of Supreme Court of Ohio:

Esther Sloane Curtis was the granddaughter of abolitionist and former Sandusky Mayor Rush Sloane:

Author and local historian, Charles E. Frohman, was a past president of the Ohio Historical Society. His bookplate reflects his many interests, including nautical history, the theater, and the history of Sandusky industry. Mr. Frohman’s bookplate was designed by Norman Lonz and Harold Zeitsheim.

Daisy A. Kugel was graduated from Sandusky High School in 1896. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1900, and graduated from Columbia University in 1909. From 1911 to 1927, Miss Kugel served as Director of Household Arts at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

There are several more bookplates in the holdings of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center. Ask for assistance at the Reference Services desk if you are interested in viewing Ione Klenk Wiechel’s bookplate collection.