"Had you ever met him you would never forget him."
WELL WORTH ANOTHER LOOK: Gosh, how I love these old pictures. This one taken at the front steps of Vermilion's old Congregational Church on Division / Main streets just north of the Vermilion Township Hall is captivatingly beautiful. And this, like numerous other pix has appeared in past editions of "VV". But tis worthy of another look, and further comment.
I only recognize - definitely - one person in the photo. That is the gentlman seated at the far right of the front row. It is the unforgettable (at least to me) Presdee B. Morgan. Morgan and his family go back to the very beginnings of the Congregational church's history in Vermilion Village. Presdee's mother and father provided the church with its first organ music. His mother played a lap organ with baby "P.B." on one knee - the organ on the other - and his father, "F.W." pumped air into the instrument. F.W. would serve the church as an organist (using, of course, a larger instrument) longer than any other church organist every served in that capacity in the United States.
Presdee would serve the church in a number of capacities throughout his life. Aside from it's various and numerous ministers there was, likely, no more important person in the life of the church. He is clearly the most important non-clerical personage to ever have served the church. Had you ever met him you would never forget him.
The only other personage in the pic that I might recognize (by pictures alone) is the parson. I think it may be the Reverend Mr. H.K. Williams. Though Williams only served the church for a few years (1912-1914) his influence was large. So large that it is still evident today - almost a century later.
Historically,
"To identify the boys I had to go through the entire book..."
THERE’S FANCY FOOTWORK IN 1919: I often feel very privileged because 1 get to see so many pictures of people and places of Vermilion's yesteryear on a relatively regular basis. The downside (if there actually be any) to this process is that not all the photographs come with captions. What vexes me the most are the pictures of people without names. Places 1 can often identify. But people - that's another matter. And guessing (I have found) names is not a real good idea. When the accompanying photo was loaned to me by Vermilion residents, Warren and Anita Mehnert, no one had a clue as to the identity of the boys in it. It was obvious that this was the VHS boys basketball team of 1919, and that it was a Rembrandt Studio picture taken by early Vermilion photographer L. R. Moc. But that was all that was obvious. In the case of pictures like this positive identification resources tend to be very limited. First person recognition is almost an impossibility. So what to do? I hope that it does not escape anyone but we have a great resource in our local library. There did I find a copy of the Hi-Times from the year 1919 with all the information 1 wanted on this photo and more. The Hi-Times was the predecessor of the VHS Log book. I'm not sure but it may have been printed by my grandfather, P. Roscoe, owner/publisher of The Vermilion News. He did that sort of thing. One more difficulty with this particular picture was that it doesn't have captions (even in the book) with the picture. To identify the boys I had to go through the entire book in an effort to spot each one in a place where they are specifically pictured (i.e. with their respective class). Team members pictured (top 1. to R.) are: (I could find no first name) Mayer; . Don "Count" Lawless; Raymond "Dutch" Leidheiser; and Walter Kobs. Those pictured at the bottom (L. to R.) are: Mark Harris; Carl "Cy" Englebry; and Decourcey "Crummie" Crum. This ball team posted a 12-6 record for the 1918-19 season. It was the best record in the Erie County League (we now call them conferences). At that time folks understood this team to have "the finest record in the history of Vermilion High School". (Bear in mind that the sport had only been in existence for 18 years by this time.) Vermilion's highest scoring game was against Castalia who they thrashed 52- 19. Their lowest scoring game was with Oak Harbor where they were overwhelmed with a 11-9 defeat. That must have been a real squeaker. That is actually not such an exaggeration because it was a tournament game held at Tiffin. For Crum, Englebry, Kobs, Lawless, and Leidheiser these were the final games of their high school careers. As seniors they would soon embark upon their individual life courses. 1 don't know what happened in the lives of each of these men. Of the group 1 only remember one person. That is. Ray "Dutch" Leidheiser. For whatever reason Mr. Leidheiser retained the nickname "Dutch" throughout his life. He and his wife owned and operated the Leidheiser Restaurant where the Admiral Debbie's Desserts is now located. They lived in the pretty brick house on the east side of Grand Street between South and Ohio streets. Dutch was the boss, the chef/cook, and an inimitable prankster. Local resident Lucile (Hull) Clark, who worked in the eatery some years ago, recalled the day Dutch sent her on an errand to Lorain to get a Pie Stretcher. When she got to the supply company they immediately asked her if she knew "Dutch" Leidheiser. Given this bit of information it is very plain to see that at least one member of this Sailor crew retained a sporting spirit long after he set sail from the S(State) S(Street) High School so long ago. Wonderful!
Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 10/04/2004; Written 9/30/2004.
Children of Vermilion, O.
HELP: Vermilionite Janet Ford stopped by the other day with several pix. Among them was the group pic seen above. Evidently this photo was among those given her by another Vermilion resident - Mrs. Porter (sorry but I can't recall her first name.). Mrs. Porter was a long time employee at Hart's Drug Store.
Anyway, we're looking for the names of the youngsters in this photograph. We do know that "Jimmy" (Albert) Hart is in the group. He's the little guy in the dark shirt, second from the right, on the bottom row. It appears that Jim might have been about three or four years old when someone caught these shadows. Therefore; the photo must have been taken in about 1914-15.
I think the little gal on the top row at the far right is my mother Ella G. Roscoe. And I think that the girl in the plaid dress in the top row - second from the left - is Vera Nichols (Thompson).
I'm not (off-hand) familiar with the locale of the photograph. But the children appear to be dressed in their Sunday best, and also appear to be holding what may be a flower in their hands.
If anyone can shed some light on the identies of these youngsters and / or what they're gathered for the input would be appreciated by all...
PAINTING THE TOWN: As previously mentioned this is a preview piece for a new webpage that I am currently developing. Using a new software program in conjunction with Adobe's Photoshop CS4 & 5 I am able to take some already wonderful pix of Vermilion, O. and make them (at least in my view) more "wonderfuller"
JUST A SIGN - BUT: This plaque would have made my parents and grandparents happy. Last week I featured the building on which this sign is located in the "Now and Then" feature in "VV". It is - as I then stressed - an interesting structure with an interesting history. But what I didn't say is that everything inside the building is pretty much the way it was from about the 1920's to 1964 when publication of the newspaper ceased.
It is truly amazing.
If you'd like to take a virtual tour of the building you can visit my Vermilion Ohio Historic Pix site, and find the museum link for your tour. A while back I did a video tour podcast of the place. But I used my old video camera. Perhaps I should make another video with my new cam. It really, really is a very interesting place.
October 23, 2010 7:42 AM
Beautiful.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
February 20, 1902.
A BAD WRECK. A Lake Shore Coal Train Goes Down To Destruction Monday. BRIDGE NEARLY RUINED. Traffic Blocked for Many Hours – No Loss of Life.
About 9:30 o'clock Monday morning occurred one of the most complete smashups that ever took in this section of the country. Workmen were engaged in repairing the bridge and had raised a rail in order to replace ties. While they were doing this a train heavily loaded with coal came down the grade from the east and before it could be stopped went to destruction. Flagmen had been stationed at a safe distance and torpedoes placed on the track each way to warn approaching trains, but for some reason or other the train was not stopped in time to prevent the accident. As accounts vary, only an investigation will determine the facts of the case. It is evident that the engineer tried to stop the train is the drivers of the engine are worn flat where they slid on the track. The engine and several cars passed over the bridge in safety, but the rails spread in the rest of the train was thrown from the track. Three or four cars remained on the bridge but tearing up the track and otherwise damaging the west span. About 15 of the cars were thrown from the bridge carrying the span with with them. Two or three cars and the caboose remained on the track. No lives were lost. Wrecking trains were sent for immediately and work was commenced in clearing the track. It was late in the evening before the bridge was open for traffic, all trains using the same track. All trains excepting the accommodations were sent over the southern division. The loss to the L. S. & M. S. Company is quite heavy, not only on the bridge and train, but by the delay in traffic. The wrecking crews have been working day and night and now most of the wreck is cleared away. The coal, about 300 tons was sold to C. F. Decker, a local dealer and the rubbish burned.
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LOCAL BRIEFS.
Prices on carpets and furniture always right at Wickens and Ransom's store, Lorain, Ohio. N. A. Foster was in Lorain Monday. Floyd Quigley of Oberlin spent Sunday at home. Geo. P. Wahl was in Elyria and Wellington Saturday. Smoked hams 12 1/2 cents per pound at Sherod's market this week. Mrs. Haber of Brownhelm spent Sunday with Mrs. J. Lang and family. If you have anything to sell Advertise. Call up phone 193 and we'll do the rest. Miss. Maud Day of Brownhelm spent Sunday with with Miss Emma Nuhn. Pictures of the wreck may be had at this office. Order at once if you want any. Miss Gertrude Sawyer returned from Wellington Monday evening where she has been the guest of D. B. Goodsell and family. M. Ackerman has moved his family to Vermilion and is occupying the residence of Mrs. Lewis Wells. Mr. Ackerman is employed by one of the Lake Shore Electric cars which passed through here. Mrs. Lewis Wells ua home from Oberlin and is in very poor health. Miss Belle Copeland, is the guest of Mrs. Edith Gordon and daughter. Bu your sewing machines, oils, needles, and repairs at G. P. Wahl. Mr. and Mrs. George Lap returned Thursday from a few days visit with Lorain relatives. Henry Alexander of Detroit visited with his mother, Mrs. George Lapp several days last week. A large number of people were in town Monday afternoon to view the wreck on the Lake shore Ry. Miss Maud Law of Cleveland is to be entertained at the home of her brother Ed Law and family. Mrs. Lara and and Earnest and daughter returned home Saturday after a weeks visit with friends in Cleveland. Died–at his home 3 miles south of town, Chester King, aged 86. Funeral services were held this morning at 10 o'clock to Rev. Kayley officiating.
Notice!
The News is mailed regularly each week to our subscribers. If you don't receive your paper call at this office, but first make sure that some of the family has not taken it from the Post Office. If a person receives a copy of the News which is addressed to another he will confer a favor on us and at the same time obey the law by returning it to the post office at once. All sample copies are marked as such, which is a postal law. Don't blame the postmaster or printer until you have some foundation for such blame. REMEMBER: the News is mailed to subscribers regularly without exception. If you don't receive your paper call at the printing office.
Elyria people are having quite a time over the waterworks question. Enough time is been wasted and printer's ink has been used during the past few months to build and equip a first-class plant. Still the question of piping water from Lorain is no nearer settlement than at first.
------------------------------------------- SHORE ROAD.
Baby cabs that Wickens and Ransoms Lorain Ohio. Mrs. Eldridge is visiting her brother, Mr. Chapin, Ceylon. Farmers along the shore have been very busy the past week filling their ice houses.They report the ice to be of fine quality and 18 inches in thickness. Geo. Risden and wife entertained about 20 of their Ridge friends last Wednesday evening; it being Mr. R’s. Birthday. A lunch was served in a good time was had by all. Henry Nuhn is in poor health not being able to be out. We here that A. R. Rumsey gave his hired man his first boxing lesson last week. The many friends of Ms. Mrs. Geo. Pelton will be pleased to hear she is better and able to come home again. Jas. Goldsmith, who has had cancerous growth removed from his ear, is getting along nicely. Mrs. A. G. Risden entertaining the 224 Anna Valentine party last Friday afternoon. A number of the ladies were attired in their wedding gowns which had not been worn for years. The styles not being altered they looked a little quaint and old-fashioned. But we must admit they appeared quite bright bride-afide. A good time was had. Mrs. Clarence Hoffner and little daughter Doris, of Toledo, spent a few days last week with Mrs. H. Johnson. D. Barnes spent Monday with Ceylon friends. A number of from the shore attended the dance at L. Saunders last Friday evening. Black, Pelton and Young furnished the music. A. Snyder, was been very sick is able to be around the house. A. R. Rumsey purchased a find team, harness and wagon at Cleveland last week. Mrs. Austin Andrews spent Thursday with Mrs. Johnson.
H. M. Smith, superintendent of the Lorain & Cleveland division of the L. S. Electric Ry. has been promoted to the superintendency of the Cleveland–Norwalk division of the line which may possibly include the road to Toledo.
An Inspection Tour.
The officials of the Lake Shore Electric passed through town on a tour of inspection at about 11:30 AM Tuesday. The trip from Lorain was quite a contrast to that of a few months ago.
Suicide of former Huron Boy.
James Wilson, well-known to many of the people of Vermilion, formerly a resident of Huron, committed suicide by shooting himself on the Erie St. pier at Cleveland, Saturday morning. His body was found by two boys who notified the authorities. He was about 20 years old and lived with his mother and a half brother and sister. His father lives in Huron. He told his mother Friday evening that he wished he was dead, and seem to be very despondant, not having been able to secure work and being in poor health. She tried to cheer him up but without success. He left the house and did not again return. His mother was worried and thought something it happened and when notified she broke down completely. The remains were taken through here on the Lake Shore Ry. Monday afternoon on the way to Huron where the funeral took place Tuesday. The family have the sympathy of all.
Joseph Baldwin Dead.
Joseph Baldwin, age 79 years, died at his home in Rugby Friday morning. He was stricken with paralysis Wednesday and lingered only two days. The funeral took place from his late home Sunday.
Cheap Coal!
300 tons of Massillon Lump bought from the Lake Shore railway wreck, which I am selling at a sacrifice. Now is the time to place your order. C. F. Decker.
Card of Thanks.
We wish to thank those friends and neighbors at Rugby who so kindly assisted in caring for our father during his sickness and death. Henry T. Baldwin. Frank O. Baldwin, Chas. Eight. Baldwin.
Postmaster Missing.
Bellevue is having a big sensation. Postmaster Schuyler of that place is reported missing. It is claimed he is short $1000 in his accounts also that he took $900 with him when he lefts.
Representative Guerin introduced a bill Monday providing for a closed season for the use of all nets for fishing in the waters of Lake Erie from Dec. 15 to March 15. It further prohibits catching the black bass from May 26 to Aug. 1. In order to protect small fish meshes of all nets must not be smaller than 2 3/4 inches. A license fee of $.50 is to be collected for fishing and an additional fee of $.25 per ton for all fish caught. The money is to be used for the advancement culture the propagation of fish. The bill was drawn up at a meeting of fishermen held at Cleveland last Tuesday and was introduced at their request.
Hmmmmmm....
MEET HANDY, HOWELL, AND BOONE: Those who know me know that I spend the best part of every morning in the basement kitchen of the Congregational Church cooking Meals-On-Wheels. What has evolved, over time, is something I kiddingly call. "The Kitchen Cabinet. of the Lower Ministry." Sounds ominous. But this is a meeting place. There's coffee, cold pizza, candy, baked goods and conversation. And therein, and thereby, are all the problems of the world discussed and settled. Some of the attendees of the cabinet are Barb Ruggles, Jennifer Smith, Delores Adkins, her husband Franklin Delano, Larry Howell, and any other victim - I mean person - who happens upon the kitchen. And it was here that Larry Howell showed me this picture of his greatgrandfather Francis T. Handy. Handy was an early Vermilionite. Before I saw this photo, 'Larry had loaned me a log 'book Francis kept through the .late 19th century telling of his sales of things like eggs and fish. I believe there was also some record of weather conditions. Larry told me that Francis was born on a fishing boat off the coast of Connecticut on March 22, 1834. Using my powers of deduction I assume that his mother was not a passenger. I further deduce that she was probably a cook. I know that, here, on the Great Lakes, women were occasionally employed as cooks on the larger boats. Francis joined the Union Army on August 6, 1862 and served as a Private in Company E in the tooth Ohio Infantry during the Civil War. In the census of 1880 he lived in Avon, Ohio and worked as a carpenter. At that time he and his young wife (he was 45 and she was 29) had five children. Larry's family have a rather interesting background in Vermilion. His other great-grandfather, J.I: Howell (VPJ 12~15- 03), was a well-known Vermilion blacksmith. His shop was located on Main Street. When he retired, he moved back to the area where he spent his childhood in. Coolidge, Georgia. But he always kept local ties. Larry's father, Erv, was one of the friendliest, nicest fellows I've ever known. He was born in a cabin on the lake shore just west of . Edson Creek. He spent his professional life keeping the rails in order for the New York Central Railway between Lorain and Sandusky. Larry's mom was a Boone. The Boones have an extensive history in, and around, this region: Partially due to the fad that, prior to Ford's presence, the town was comprised of perhaps only about 2000 souls I knew/ ' know many Boone family members including Larry's mother. Tom (PJ 5-23- 02) and J. Boone (cousins) were great friends and neighbors to me when we were boys. But back to Francis. Francis passed back into the hands of our creator on August 12, 1903 and is buried next to his wife, Elinor A., in Maple Grove Cemetery. I would like to write more about this gentleman, but at the moment I lack the details. The photograph must suffice for now. It is wonderful. In fact, it is quite charming.
Ref: Ancestry.com; The Vermilion News microfilm archives; and special thanks to Larry Howel; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 8/12/2004; Written 8/08/2004.
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: The idea for this piece began as an idea for a coffee-table book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio and, hopefully, it will (someday) be realized.
Originally the concept - as previously stated - was just a picture book. But after mentioning such a project in an issue of my weekly web page - Vermilion Views - a reader by the name of Scott Dommin suggested that it might be interesting if it featured photographs of how people, places, and / or things in the City of Vermilion, Ohio appear today along with photos showing how they appeared in the past. Ergo; the title "Now & Then".
"What a great idea." I told both myself and Scott.
[NOTE: I've said that this is going to take some time; and so it is. While I can actually have such a book published at no cost to myself such a venture menas that I have very little control over the make-up of the a book. I don't like the trade-off. So - I'm currently toying with the idea of acquiring equipment and publishing my "stuff" (as well as others) myself. Nothings ever easy.]
This structure was built around the turn of the 20th century by the Lake Shore Electric Railyway during the brief "Hayday" of interuban transportation in Northern Ohio.
Believe it (or else) this building stands today as a memorial to the lighting of the Village of Vermilion, Ohio. For in the wake the interurbans came electric lines and, therefore, light to communities all along the southern shore of Lake Erie. Tom Edison may have made a light bulb. But Vermilion's Coen brothers were the guys who made it possible for it to work in this part of Ohio.
Through the years the old station has served as a home base for various concerns - realty, architecture, law, and banking. Today the building is owned by Vermilionite David Fischer, and a counselling service currently occupies the rooms.
This week I employed another animated graphic to display the then and now photographs of it. I thought is might be a novel way to show it off.
October 23, 2010 7:19 AM.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south and west of Vermilion in the Berlin / Berlin Heights area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
Excerpt from the Pioneer History of Clarksfield, by Weeks as transcribed by Lowell Dunlap - 2001.
ANNA JEAN: I believe I've used a smaller blip of this pic in a past edition of "VV". Since that time things have changed in cyberspace and thus I afford ye a larger version.
The photo was taken inside the Leidheiser grocery store on Liberty street. The shadows were likely captured in the late 1930's, or very early 1940's. The pretty lady on the right is Anna Jean (Leidheiser) Jeffery. I don't know the identity of the lady on the left, but I'm sure that some "Viewer" will.
Anna Jean married Vermilion's Sidney "Ding" Jeffery and the couple had three girls. For many years the family lived in a tidy little house on N. Washington street.
Anna Jean's mother, Billie, worked at Hart's Corner Drug Store for many years. Billie was raised by a lady who worked at the now infamous Hope and Light Orphanage (a.k.a. the "Gore Orphanage"). Billie, Anna Jean, and, in fact, the entire Jeffery family were, and remain, one of the very nicest families that ever lived in Vermilion.
NOW AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH? (Thanks Joe)
A group of 15 year old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Dairy Queennext to the Ocean View restaurant because they only had $6.00 between them and Jimmy Johnson, that cute boy in Social Studies, lives on that street and theymight see him and they can ride their bikes there. 10 years later, the group of 25 year old girlfriends discussed where theyshould meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet atthe Ocean View restaurant because the beer was cheap, they had free snacks,the band was good, there was no cover and there were lots of cute guys. 10 years later, at 35 years of age, the group once again discussed where theyshould meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet atthe Ocean View restaurant because the cosmos were good, it was right near thegym and if they go late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiny littlekids. 10 years later, at 45 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the martinis were big, and the waiters there had tight pants and nice buns. 10 years later, at 55 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was reasonable, the wine list was good, they had windows that open in case of a hot flash, and fish is good for your cholesterol. 10 years later, at 65 years of age, the group once again discussed where hey should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because lighting was good and they have an early bird special. 10 years later, at 75 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because food was not too spicy, the restaurant was handicapped accessible and they even had an elevator! 10 years later, at 85 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.
PODCAST #202:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #202 features a clip from a television program originating in Great Britain called "Things You Wouldn't Hear". This week the subject is "Things You Wouldn't Hear in a Movie Thriller". It's very funny stuff.
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends Dennis Lamont and Albert Doane. It'd make a nice gift.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a 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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.8, Issue 32, October 23, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant