Finding aid for the Cable Family Collection

Biography of Laurence Cable

Laurence Cable (Lorenz Kobul) was born on 9 April 1824 along the Franco-German border in Siegen, Alsace-Lorraine. Following an older brother's footsteps, Laurence emigrated to the United States on 29 March 1843 to avoid conscription into the French military. Approximately fifty-seven days later, the nineteen-year-old immigrant arrived at New Orleans, where he soon departed for Washington, Indiana to visit his brother. Following a visit to Sandusky, Laurence worked during the next few years as a cabinetmaker with Charles Zollinger and H.F. Ferry.

During a break from his studies at the University Notre Dame (where he studied from 1846 through the spring of 1847) Laurence again visited Sandusky, where he met and soon married Josephine Zercher. After returning to Washington, Indiana, Laurence's wife died on 24 June 1849 during a cholera epidemic, leaving him a four-month year old daughter also named Josephine. In the fall of 1849, Laurence posited his daughter with his in-laws who resided in Tiffin, Ohio and started working for the Mad River Railroad Company. Three years later while working for Ben Icsman during the construction of the Bay Bridge, Laurence married Victoria Stoll (1829-1874). Laurence and Victoria had five children: Caroline (1853-1944), Sophia (1854-1883), Edward J. (1856-1913), Frank L. (1860-1913), Albert J. (1865-1881), and Herman N. (1867-1930). Laurence's first child, Josephine, married Alex Deck, bore no children, and died on 26 July 1912.

After returning to the Mad River Railroad from 1853-1856, Laurence partnered with Samuel J. Catherman, building two-thousand reapers invented by a Mr. Henderson. In 1856, Laurence and John Bricht purchased the John Bean store, which they jointly operated until 1867 following Cable's purchasing of Bricht's interest. In 1880, Laurence sold his interest in the store to his two sons, Frank L. and Edward J. Cable. In 1872, Laurence was named President of the newly formed Third National Bank, later renamed the Third National Exchange Bank. Laurence served in this position until his death on 16 October 1904.

Mr. Cable also played a significant role in the organizing of the Lake Shore Railroad. Before his death, the retired entrepreneur purchased the Keach Home and donated the property to the Sisters of Charity. The gifted property became the Providence Hospital. Laurence and his two sons Edward and Frank developed Cable Park. Laurence purchased the old Erie County Fairground site in 1900 with the intent of building an upper middle class neighborhood. Following their father's death in 1904, his sons guided the project to fruition. Cable Park is comprised of two city blocks on Wayne Street between Scott Street on the north and Cable Street on the south. Laurence Cable also served on Sandusky city council and two terms as a township trustee.

Scope and Content

The Cable Family Collection includes approximately 75 items relating to Laurence Cable and his sons Frank L. and Edward J. Cable. Items located in folders two, three, and four contain contracts, financial forms, and items relating to the Cable Family's real estate endeavors. Much of the items within the collection are associated with Cable Park in Sandusky, Ohio.

Statement of Arrangement

Indexing Terms

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Preferred Citation

Cable Family Collection, Sandusky Library Archives Research Center