City Marshall George Washington Gilbert

                  

These badges were once worn by Sandusky’s City Marshal, George Washington Gilbert. They are now in the historical collections of the Follett House Museum. George W. Gilbert served as Marshal in 1895 and 1896. His office was on the second floor of the city’s central fire and police station, seen here in 1901, at the time of President William McKinley’s death.

According to a Sandusky Register article written by Helen Hansen on June 18, 1989, in about 1904 the title of city marshal was changed to police chief, when Charles Weingates held that position. 

From 1887 to 1900, George W. Gilbert served on the City Council. For many years Mr. Gilbert also worked as a fisherman. He died on April 25, 1926, at the age of 79, survived by four sons and four daughters. His obituary in the Sandusky Register of April 27, 1926 stated that he had been one of Sandusky’s best known residents.

City Officials' Picnic on Johnson's Island, 1910

In 1910, representatives from several different Sandusky city departments had a picnic at Johnson’s Island.

Seated in the boat are: Mr. Hornig, Mr. Gremelsbacher, Mayor George Lehrer, chief of police, C. A. Weingates; Lee Mears (with banjo), unidentified, Health Inspector, Jacob Bickel, and Water Works employee Frank Schoefflin.

Standing are: Fred Thompson, Patrick Regan, Jack Weltlin, City Engineer Smith, John Bing, unidentified, unidentified Dan Loveland, Health officer Dr. Reader, City Treasurer, Al Wiesler, unidentified, City Auditor Joseph Loth, Water Works Superintendent Nathaniel Cronenmet, and City Solicitor, George Steinemann.

Standing in last row are: George J. Lehrer, Lawrence Holtz, Park Superintendent Jacob Roth, unidentified, Hayes Loth, and Charles Gremelsbacher.

An article by Karl Kurtz from the October 28, 1978 Sandusky Register also features this photograph from the Archives Research Center of the Sandusky Library.