BROWN CEMETERY: I preface the following mention of "Brown Cemetery" (located along Lake Road near the most eastern border of Vermilion, Brownhelm Township, Ohio - just west of the old Lorain Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant) with the first few words of an old poem written by American poet Walt Whitman:
The Centenarian’s Story
GIVE me your hand, old Revolutionary;
The hill-top is nigh—but a few steps, (make room, gentlemen;)
Up the path you have follow’d me well, spite of your hundred and extra years;
You can walk, old man, though your eyes are almost done;
Your faculties serve you, and presently I must have them serve me...
Until very recently the cemetery, just visible in the above photograph, was abandoned and, left to the device(s) of nature and, perhaps, man had fallen to ruin. Although folks interested in the history contained it had very much wanted to preserve the final resting place of 30 or more early citizens of the "Fire-Lands" somehow the ownership of the property had slipped through public hands. Retrieval of it seemed impossible. But, hopefully, that is now not the case.
As one can see by the photo the place is being cleaned up. A young person and their mother took it upon themselves to begin clearing the area. And another caring individual came in and cut down some trees and heavy brush. Their efforts are to be commended.
Presently (I believe) the Brownhelm Historical Society will be working to accomplish further restoration as well as doing fresh research into the backgrounds of those buried there. The project is worthy of note for numerous reasons - not the least of which is the idea that there is something extremely shameful about the residents of any community allowing the wholesale desecretion of any burial place old or new.
This is not to blame anyone for that which happened. There is little to be gained by grousing over that matter. But there is a lesson here: Let no one assume that cemeteries are so sacred that they can't or won't ever be forgot.
Poet Whitman made that point many times during his lifetime; he loudly protested the building of sky-scrapers in New York City atop the graves of Revolutionary soldiers. But it happened.
The following is a dated list of those buried in this cemetery and those who might be buried there:
Abandoned Cemetery - Brownhelm Twp.
LIST OF NAMES
Names compiled and submitted by Ted Reising, Florence, Ohio 1995
BELDON, Bildad b. 1742 Wethersfield Conn. d. 4 Aug 1824 ae. 82 Rev. War Soldier.
CLAUS,Philip d.10 Dec 1857 ae. 50y 6m 17d
CLAUS, George see Klaus
ENGELBRECHT, Johannes d.12 Mch 1855 ae. 51y 6m 17d
GRUNEWALD, William d. 23 Jan 1859 ae. 6m(?) son of J. & A.
HAHN, Dorodea (HUER) b. 14 Apr 1799 d. 21 Jan 1853 “2 tilh [sic. children]. 4,7,8.” wife of Peter
HART, Judah b. 1777 d .26 Jly 1824 ae. 48y
HEUSNER, Jacob b. 12 Apr 1847 d. 20 Mch 1850 son of J. & E.
JAMES, Stephen Jr. d. Nov 22 (no year) ae. 15y
KLAUS (a.k.a. CLAUS), George b. 6 Jan 1845 d. 24 Mch 1849 son of A. & K. E.
KICHMAN, Augusta Magdalena b. 24 Sep 1854 d. 1 Aug 1858 dau. of Adam
KUHL, Anna M. b. 28 Nov 1854 d. 14 Jne 1857 dau. of Henry
KUHL, Georg d. 14 Mch 1862 ae. 5y 2m 11d son of Henry & Anna C.
LOTZ (a.k.a. LUTZ), Gertrude d. 19 Jne 1859 ae. 53y 6m 16d wife of Henry
LOTZ (a.k.a. LUTZ), Henry d. 28 Sep 1860 ae. 58y 1m 18d
SHALLHAUS, Georg b. 11 Apr 1851 d. 20 Jan 1858
SCHALLHAUS, Jacob b. 12 Mch 1841 d. 3 Jly 1850
SCHROEDER, Henry d. 24 Aug 1841 ae. 39y
SLY, _?_ d. 13 Nov 1824 ae 17 - Dau. of _?_ & Zilpah [stone broken, names missing]
The following inscriptions are recorded in a previous Lorain County Cemeteries survey, but these stones could not be located (1995):
BACHMANN, Charles George d. Dec 1861
BACHMANN, Dorethea b. Feb 1845 d. 30 Sep 1847
BARNUM, Leman d. 11 Aug 1827 ae. 35y b. Sheffield, Mass. d. Brownhelm
BARNUM, Minor_ies? b. 14 Nov 1808 d. 7 Jne 1830
GOODRICH, Charlotte b. 23 Jne 1801 d. 7 Jne 1830
MUENSTER, Anna B. d. 24 Feb 1849 ae. 49y wife of Jacob
SMITH, Charles d 2 Oct 1840 ae. 43y
WAGNER, burkhardt d. 1862 b. Germany
WELLS, Jason b. 17 Apr 1807 d. 2 Oct 1828 b. Hartford, Conn.
WINTHROP,_?_ d. 12 Oct 1834 ae. 17y 5m 15d - dau. of Elijah & Eunice
Those who have some information on any of the persons listed might want to contact the Brownhelm Historical Society. It should be interesting to see how things develop as time passes...
The Bildad Belden Tombstone
1930: This is a toughie as it pertains to identifying all the children in this pic. "Viewer" Dorothyi Koontz (who now lives in Huron, O) mailed me the photo (along with several other items) so I could scan, and add it to the Vermilion Area Archival Society archives but she could only identify one person in the portrait: Dorothy (Schroeder) Koontz. She is the 3rd person from the left in the back row. The shadows were captured outside Vermilion's State Street School. Vermilion photog Rudy Moc was likely responsible for the pic
Dorothy noted that "about 20 of us from Class of 41 got together in late summer this year." She thought that "Nuggie" (Hayes) Cook might recognize some of the children.
We shall see. This is a fairly good scan of the photo. The faces of all the children are very clear. So maybe some other "Viewers" might recognize a few of them. And if I find a pic of the same class(es) during a later year I can compare the faces and put some names to them.
Whatever the case, this is certainly a nice photograph - and I'm pleased that Dorothy would allow me the opportunity to scan it.
"Mr. Decker's Red Tie"
DECKER'S LIVERY STABLE: Long, long before Vermilion's Ritter Library was built...and long, long before ground for Walker's state-of-the-art garage was broke there was Decker's Livery Stable. This is a scan of one of Vermilionite Frank Homitz's color pencil drawings of Mr. Decker at his stable. Actually this same pic can be faintly seen as the background for "Views" each week.
When Frank gave me a copy of this drawing he referred to it as something like, "Mr. Decker's Red Tie" - pointing out that, on a whim, he made Decker's bow-tie bright red. I found it to be an amusing, and quite appropriate, title.
One of the things I have some trouble with in connection to these drawings is trying to reproduce / scan it and come up with the correct colors. Apparently Frank has the same problem when he has copies made from the original. The copier tends to bring (at least in this instance) out the yellows in the drawing when, in fact, they are browns.
With this scan I've tried to bring up the browns as best I could without having seen the original.
It's not too bad.
Despite that techno-babble I appreciate Frank's work. It, like the red tie, has a distinctive and very pleasing personality.
Esther's Certificate of Election - 1941
MRS. COUNCILMAN: This is another new (to me) historical fact to be added to the Historical Archives of Vermilion, Ohio. This certificate was one of the items Dorothy Koontz mailed, and allowed me to scan, during the week. And it was, like a million, zillion, other things news to me.
This is the official certificate of the election of Dorothy's mother, Esther B. Schroeder to the Vermilion Village Council in November of 1941.
I had not (until I saw this) ever wondered when the first female member of Vermilion's council was elected. And I don't know if Mrs. Schroeder was the first - but she certainly had to be one of the first.
Those were War Years. And it may very well be that the door (finally) stood open for women to run and hold political offices which were traditionally reserved for men. I don't know if this was, in fact, the case - but it is something worth investigating.
In later years (the ones I can recall) it would be people like Dawn Full, Marie Tansey, and Margaret (Tansey) Shafts who, as females, held those offices. But it was not until the end of the 20th century that women commonly ran for, and held, those seats.
This was a real eye-opener for me (historically).
THE '08 VAAS CALENDER: The new Vermilion Area Archival Society calendars for 2008 have been printed and are now on sale for $5 each.
This year the subject of the calendar is the late Don Englebry's remembrances of "Growing-up in Vermilion". Very nice.
Those who want to purchase a calendar can find them at Brummer's Candy Store on Main Street in Vermilion. And those who need to order them by mail can send their check,or money order to the VAAS, P.O. Box 14 in Vermilion, Ohio 44089.
I will not, personally, be selling these items via mail or email orders.
After "Smitty's" Bait
SOME NEW BIOS: Recently I've added 2 new (or relatively new) biographies to theVermilion Biographies section of "Views".
One is, perhaps not a real bio, but a story about Morris "Jib" Snider. And the other is a brief bio of the well known Vermilion entreprenuer Warren "Smitty" Smith.
"Smitty's" bio features more pix than I've ever used in any of the other biographies. But it makes for a pleasant read.
Thus far, I've done almost 25 of these vignettes. By next year at this time I'd like to have at least 25 more. And I'm working on it.
The newer pieces will feature more pix and, in some cases, utilize new software approaches to production - to hopefully make them more fun for digital readers.
But in the meantime I hope you enjoy those that have been writ.
Faith Kishman - November 2007
PODCAST #50: This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #50Vermilion Views Podcast #50 features Vermilion native Faith Kishman speaking at the November meeting of the Vermilion Area Archival Society about how she became interested in genealogy - and specifically presenting some artifacts / letters she uncovered whilst researching the background of her mother's family. This is the first of perhaps 2 or 3 parts of her session at Vermilion's Ritter Public Library.
For those who are not paying attention - kindly take note of the fact that I have produced an archive (that can be found in the "Links" section of the page) that will allow "Viewers" an easier way to access past podcasts.
Note: (1)that the podcasts are in the archives; (2)that one can easily listen to them on-line and / or copy them (for free) to their PC or Mac for later listening; and (3) that all have also been preserved, by myself, on a separate hard-drive and on CD's. Anyone unable to listen to, or acquire the audios on-line and wishes to acquire a copy of any of these audio casts and / or recordings of persons who have spoken at a Vermilion Area Archival Society meeting during the last 12 months can do so by contacting me, and paying a small cover fee for recording materials.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Looking for the latest information about VHS Class Reunions, The Vermilion Area Archival Society, Eden Valley Enterprises events, and Hope Home in Kenya. Follow the link to the Vermilion Locals page. Something new (mit a few new pix added) for your enjoyment.
The Beat Goes On: The page is generated by the dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that
is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the links. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-4459
"Come, to Homercles." -Homer Simpson
Vol.5, Issue 35, November 17, 2007
© 2007 Rich Tarrant