By Leslie Korenko

A comprehensive, richly detailed, and surprisingly entertaining history of Kelleys Island, a small remote island in Lake Erie. Its history is told by the islanders, in their own words gently blended with narrative text. You can read their correspondence and letters to newspapers, as well as articles found in an incredible handwritten newspaper-The Islander. The island is now a resort, but 175 years ago it was the wilderness.

Covering the period 1810-1861, the book contains 328 pages, 160 illustrations, and an extensive index and bibliography. There are stories of the early squatters who occupied this wild, unsettled and remote part of Ohio as well as first-hand accounts of the building of the Johnson's Island prison and a visit to the soldiers stationed at Tennessee during the early days of the Civil War. A must have for anyone doing genealogy or who is interested in the early history of northwest Ohio.

On April 15, 1861 President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen. A week later the first Kelley's Island men answered that call. The South had succeeded from the Union. Before the war finally ended, 100 men would be sent from the shores of Kelleys Island to fight for the reunification of the country serving in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, the 38th, 100th, and 101st Ohio Infantries, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery and the 130th Ohio Volunteer Militia. Their stories are told through the first-hand accounts by the soldiers themselves. By 1864, 100 of the 600 residents of Kelleys Island had enlisted. Although the book covers the island's history during the Civil War years, it is not all about the war. Property changed hands, couples got married, and the island community prospered. Some of the island's classic houses were built and grape fever was fueling a growing wine industry. The islanders held dances, festivals and entertainments. Even at this time the island was fast becoming a place of resort where people could come to get away from the city and take in the clean, refreshing lake breezes.
 

By Leslie Korenko

On April 15, 1861 President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 militiamen. A week later the first Kelley's Island men answered that call. The South had succeeded from the Union. Before the war finally ended, 100 men would be sent from the shores of Kelleys Island to fight for the reunification of the country serving in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, the 38th, 100th, and 101st Ohio Infantries, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery and the 130th Ohio Volunteer Militia. Their stories are told through the first-hand accounts by the soldiers themselves. By 1864, 100 of the 600 residents of Kelleys Island had enlisted. Although the book covers the island's history during the Civil War years, it is not all about the war. Property changed hands, couples got married, and the island community prospered. Some of the island's classic houses were built and grape fever was fueling a growing wine industry. The islanders held dances, festivals and entertainments. Even at this time the island was fast becoming a place of resort where people could come to get away from the city and take in the clean, refreshing lake breezes.


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