Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013,
                           All Rights Reserved
                          U.S. Data Repository

    Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
=========================================================================
U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.
Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so.
=========================================================================
Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================

Source: Painesville Telegraph, December 31, 1940

                      FORMER LAKE CAPTAIN
                      TAKEN BY DEATH AT 81
                      -------------------
                  ASHTABULA, Dec. 31. - Valentine
                  (Al) Siering, 81, former lake
                  captain and for many years a
                  decorator and painter, died Mon-
                  day in his home here.  One of
                  Ashtabula Harbor's oldest and
                  best known residents, he was
                  stricken three weeks ago with
                  paralysis that caused his death.
                    Born in New York city, Mr.
                  Siering had been a resident of
                  the Harbor nearly 65 years, com-
                  ing here in 1876.
                    He began a maritime career in
                  the United States Navy as a youth
                  and served four years.  He enjoyed
                  the distinction of being a member
                  of the crew of the navy's first 
                  steel boat, the U.S.S. Michigan.
                    He continued his nautical career
                  on the Great Lakes through the wind-
                  jammer and steamship eras.
                    He rose to become master of the
                  steamer Orinoco and later of the
                  Anna C. Minch, which sank last
                  month in the disastrous storm that
                  swept Lake Michigan.
                    While pursuing his nautical oc-
                  cupation, he prepared himself for
                  his later career as a painter and
                  decorator in the studio of William
                  Flood and Max Gook in Cleveland.
                    He entered business here as a
                  contracting painter and decorator
                  in 1918 after his retirement from
                  the lakes.  
                    His wife and two sons, Robert
                  C. Siering of Ashtabula and Harold
                  Siering of Detroit, survive.
                    Funeral services will be held at
                  9 a.m. Thursday.
                  
===========================================================================