TUNNEL VISION
SHOPTALK: The desktop pic this week is a shot taken in the middle of South Street looking east from the stop sign at Decatur street. The view appeals to me because it looks as though one is heading into a tunnel of trees. I believe it says a lot for the town. Who could ask for a better place to live?
THE MUSIC THIS WEEK: Recorded by The Champs - an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental “Tequila”. Formed by studio executives at Gene Autry’s Challenge Records to record a B-Side for the Dave Burgess (aka Dave Dupree) single, the intended throwaway track became more famous than its A-side, "Train to Nowhere". "Tequila" went to No. 1 in just three weeks and the band became the first group to go to the top spot with an instrumental that was their first release. The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in 1958, and in 1959 won the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.
THIS WEEK:Bill and Nancy (Edmondson) Hlavin visited the shop briefly on Wednesday. They donated a nicely framed photograph of State Street School that belonged to Nancy’s mom who recently passed away.
I’m not entirely certain as to how the school was being used when these shadows were captured in the late 1920s – early 1930s. It may be a photograph of the school shortly after Basic Foods began using the building. However, I don’t know (at the moment) exactly when Basic Foods purchased the place.
It’s a real interesting / rare photograph. It’s not the oldest but it’s the most unique pic of it that I’ve ever seen.
In this pic we get a real good view of the building behind the school that served as the gymnasium.
This is a very nice addition to the Print Shop Museum’s photo collection.
GEO. WASHINGTON: I received a call from the library on Wednesday asking if I knew who did the pic of George Washington that is painted above the stage at the old Opera House / Township Hall.
My answer to that question is: I don’t know. If there is someone who does know let the library folks know in case someone else asks.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: It’s now official. The museum is officially a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations to the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011. (Thank heaven. Now I can fret about something else for months on end.)
VISITING HOURS: We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM. On Saturday the museum it is open from 11 AM to 2 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children under the age of 11 will be admitted for free. Phone For Special Tours: 440-967-4555
We are not open on major holidays.
MEMBERSHIPS: Memberships to the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are now available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.
If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:
Vermilion Print Shop Museum727 Grand Street Vermilion, Ohio 44089
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
Historically,
Smile, Smile, Smile...
THE LUNCH LADIES: Along with the custodians these folks were the most important persons in the Vermilion School System back in 1958. You just had to love ‘em all.
Lunch was a quarter – and it was good. [I still like to make peanut butter sandwiches on buttered bread – and eat it with spaghetti.] I don’t believe I ever had a bad lunch during my school years. But more than that, these ladies had heart. What you see in this pic is what you got. There were no contrived smiles in the bunch.
MILES: A chapter in local history got a bit thinner in January when local resident William "Billy" Henry Thompson died. Billy was just a bit older than me. When we were very young we used to play together in front of The Vermilion News office on Grand Street. Billy, his sister Maryann (now Corcino), his brother Chuck, and his mother, Vera, and father, Hazen, lived in the apartment above the print shop. I never realized the impact his family had had upon local and national history until many years later.
Back in the dawn of American life there were three brothers; Justus, Charles, and Henry Thompson. Charles was a clerk in the Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Confederation as a Connecticut representative. His brother Henry was a delegate to that body, and the third, Justus, was a Revolutionary War soldier.
The influence on local history began sometime in 1808 when Justus, along with his wife and four sons migrated to the area from Connecticut settling along the Edison Highway just 2 miles west of Florence (southwest of town) at a place called "Tater's Corners".
Horace, one of the four sons, married a gal named Mary Nicholas whose family also came to the area during the early 19th century. They first settled along the lake shore on a portion of land that would later become Shattuck's/Shadduck's Grove, then Crystal Beach Park, now occupied by the Crystal Shore Apartment buildings. They would later buy another piece of land and build a home on the spot where, later, F.W. Wakefield constructed his Harborview mansion early in the 20th century; now the home of the Great Lakes Historical Society's museum. Two of Horace and Mary's sons, Miles and Henry, were very active in the civic affairs of the fledgling village of Vermilion. Miles (seen in photograph) became town marshal and curator of the town lock-up, and Henry became Vermilion Township and Corporation Clerk.
Miles had five children. One of his boys, Album was the father of two boys, Howard and Hazen, and one girl Helen. One son, Howard, had a son, also named Miles, and a daughter. Those who attended Vermilion's elementary school during the 1940's and 50's will remember this lady. Her name was Margaret and she married a Great Lakes sailor named J. Vincent Francis. They lived for a long time in the big house on the corner of Decatur and the new abandoned section of Liberty Avenue across the street from the Vermilion Municipal Court building. Their son, Doug, was well known about Vermilion and Berlin Heights died late last year.
Hazen was Billy's father. He died in 1953. During the First War he had been a "mule-skinner". He was a tough old cuss. He and my father used to teach us ditties from that war with the condition that we never, ever get caught singing them in public.
Billy's brother, Chuck, served in some of the toughest campaigns of WWII and was, for a time, a POW. One sister, Alice, was stricken (I believe) with encephalitis at a relatively young age and was severely handicapped for the remainder of her life. Another brother, Tom, married and now calls the Columbus area home. Sister, Maryann, still lives in Vermilion, but is now quite ill.
The-Thompson Family Tree is a great deal more prolific then the one I've painted here, but I believe that this is obvious. I think it important that family histories, such as this, never get lost in the proverbial shuffle of time and circumstance. For these are the people who were born here, lived here, and died here. They are those who built the town we have come to know and love call Vermilion, Ohio.
And just one footnote – neither Billy nor myself were ever "caught" singing those old WWI ditties in public. We could run very fast.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW (NOW OLD) THING: Initially I said that "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." But methinks that it's carved out a niche for itself and the "Macabre stuff" with have to find another.
So stay tuned...
Vol. IX - NO.21 – Nov 2, 1905.
The jury in the case of Gustavus Dildine against the Lake Shore Electric returned a verdict Monday, in favor of the plaintiff in the sum of one dollar. It is claimed that a large majority of the jury favored giving the plaintiff a verdict for about $200 but eh remaining two or three were determined that the railway company should not be held liable and a compromise was effected.
[VV. Ed. Note: I don’t know the specific details of this case, but it seems rather odd. If I didn’t know better I’d be inclined to think that “something is rotten in Denmark” with this case. But I could, of course, be wrong.]
Adolph Nasel, a Russian, Carl Miller, a German took out final naturalization papers Tuesday and became citizens of the U.S. Both are employed at Huron.
The will of Mary E. battles of Wellington was filed at probate Tuesday morning last. She stipulates that her husband could have use and possession of her estate under the provision that her daughter Hattie Liggett or any of her family shall not be allowed to live in the house. The property will got to the brother and sister of the deceased upon the death of the husband.
Jacob Englebry was born in the city of Niedenstein, Hesse, German, Aug. 11, 1841. He came to America in 1856 and made Vermilion his home. When only twenty he engaged in a general merchandise business here and continued in it, either with a partner or alone till his death last Friday morning, Oct. 27,1905, at the age of 64 years, 2 months and 16 days. He leaves in bereavement of his immediate family, wife three sons, a daughter, one brother, and a niece that for years has occupied the position of a daughter in his home.
For years Mr. Englebry served as town and township treasurer, has been on the council and solicited not a few times to stand for county office.
Mr. Merrill in his address said: “I could fill several pages in writing down the good things I have heard of this man who has occupied a prominent place in the town’s life for nearly half a century. Undoubtedly he has had many of what we call life’s pleasures, but life’s shadows have also been his to a remarkable degree. It is needless to state facts known to so many. They test to approximately the breaking point many strong souls. They change life’s currents in all souls. To some they mean a shrivelment [sic] – a narrowing of life’s outlook until the stream of life flows itself away into a pool of stagnation. To others they usher in an enlargement – the leaving of the small placid stream and going out into a Gulf of Mexico or even the turbulent Atlantic and a mightier held on the great enduring things of life.
Honorable dealings, kindly actions, the thousand and one thoughtful ministries belong to this great life. Dishonorable dealings, unkind actions, the thousand and one thoughtless sins of commission and omission are of the pool – the stagnation existence, whether the work of prominent or obscure personality.
Let every deal of honor, every act of kindness every thoughtful attention to the welfare of another on Mr. Englebry’s part during his long Vermilion residence, known to any one, be cherished with enduring memory.”
Funeral services Monday one o’clock.
Erie Commandery [sic], No. 23, K.T. of Sandusky, sent a delegation of 30 in a special car.
Ely lodge, No. 424, R.&A.M. also attended in a body.
After brief services at the house the remains were taken to the Congregational church. The choir sang “Nearer My God to Thee,” and “Lead, Kindly Light,” Rev. Bockstahler offered prayer and Rev. Merrill made an address, after which the beautiful and impressive Knight Templer [sic] served was held.
After acting as escort to near the town limits the Knights returned to Sandusky in their special car. The body of Ely lodge members accompanied the remains to Brownhelm cemetery and preformed [sic] the Blue Lodge committal rites.
The business places were close during the funeral.
Seymour Leimbach and Clyde Hisner are engaged in breaking colts.
Miss Anna turner died at her home here Sunday morning, aged sixty-five. She had been il for several weeks. The funeral was held from the Presbyterian church Tuesday.
Geo. E. Bonn, aged thirty-three died at his hme on South street last Thursday from hemorrhage of the lungs. He leaves a wife, a father and mother and one brother.
Halloween passed off as usual in Vermilion. A ghost parade and large number of portable articles such as boxes, wagons, porch furniture and steps, were found distributed promiscuously through the town anywhere but in the right place.
Com. Wakefield’s gas boat the Lotus was brought to Vermilion last week and put into winter quarters.
Messrs. E.W. Wakefield, E. McVeen, Arthur Copeland and Albert Copeland were Vermilion visitors Sunday.
For the firs time we are now offering your choice of a Hotel or Lumber Yard. Will ease either for a term of years. If the lumber business is desired, will sell stock on hand at market value on easy terms.
For particulars Call at our office. – Geo. Fischer Lumber co.
Milk sickness is epidemic near Bloomington, Ill. four deaths have already occurred.
The girls holding positions in the depots along the L.S.E. Ry. are being replaced by men.
Six Elyria boys broke into the Coonville school house Sunday and did considerable damage. They were arrested and fined $5 and costs.
The Elyria Candy Company has gone into bankruptcy after an existence of 50 years in that city. It is expected that the claims will be paid in full leaving very little balance. The business has been conducted by John Peter Eidt for the past two years.
The office of I.W. Hoovers Potato digger works at Avery, was burglarized at an early hour Monday morning. It is believed that about $10 in money and $10 in stamps were taken. A check for &600 is reported missing also. The queerest part of the burglary was that the safe was not locked and a card was hung on the combination stating the fact.
The Modern Woodmen of America by their national officers have just made a contract with the National Surety company to bond over 22,000 officers of the fraternal order in the United States. This is said to be the largest bond ever executed in the world and is a bulky document weighing about 50 pounds.
Weather prophets are forecasting a severe winter. An unusually large number of migratory birds are flying southward and it is said that squirrels are also seeking the warmer climate of the southern states. It is reported that they are crossing the Ohio river in great numbers by means of pieces of wood which they carry to the river’s edge and launch upon the water, trusting with unerring instinct for the wind or current to carry them to the Kentucky shore.
[VV Ed. Note: I can’t help it. After reading this article all I can say is, “Nuts.”]
Halloween is all the talk among the young people now-a-days.
Mr. Carl Oehling had quite a smashup last evening. He came to town to do a little business and hitched his rig near Mr. Truscott’s. A rig came along and ran into his rig and damaged both. Soon another rig finished all three.
Mr. Hales has been drilling for gas, has some that will be piped into the house soon.
Miss Anna Grinzenbach is slowly recovering from a serious illness.
Hmmmmmm....
F.C. MORGAN: At 10 o'clock in the morning on July the 4th, 1929, Frederick Chapman Morgan died 'at his home on Ohio Street. He was eighty-one years, one month, and nine days old. Just down the street and around the corner. next to the Vermilion Township' Hall on Division Street was the First Congregational Church. Mr. Morgan had played the organ in that church, and the old church building, which stood on the same lot before it, for over 60 years. Before him his mother, Emma, and his father, F.W. Morgan had played a lap organ - the first church organ - in this place – she balancing both melodeon and babe on her lap while holding a hymnal in one and playing the soprano chords with the other. Mr. Morgan had an easier task. He played the bass chords while simultaneously pumping air into the instrument. It was a team effort.
According to church records music in the church, which was officially organized on Major Eli Barnum's farm in Florence Township in 1818, had been strictly vocal until sometime in the early 1840's when Jacob Sherod, who played bass viol, William Martin, violin, and George Sherod on the clarinet brought their musical talents to the small, but growing, congregation. In 1845 Emma and F.W. Morgan arrived with their melodeon, which they played until 1858 when a new pipe organ was installed, accompanied by the rich voices of a full choir.
F.C.'s mother and father were among Vermilion's early pioneers. They, along with many other early Vermilionites, had migrated to the west from Connecticut to settle in the Fire-Lands (see P.J. article February 13, 2003). He was the only son and was born in their first Vermilion Township home on May 24,1848. When he was seven years old he moved with his parents to a farm on Risden Road. A year later a daughter, Lucy, was born to the couple.
F.C. MORGAN: In 1860, at the ripe old age of 12, young Frederick began to play the church's new pipe organ on a regular basis. As remarkable as this is it is also a fact that he continued to play nearly every Sunday for the next 60 years with very few exceptions. Only the time he spent away at school (where he played organ elsewhere) or during times of sickness in the family was he prevented from pursuing his passion, playing organ for his church. Through rain, sleet, and snow he traversed the three miles from the Risden Road farm to play at the church, And I would add that none of this was with compensation. Until accident (for he was a farmer by profession) and severe rheumatism made it impossible for him to play any longer, he clung to the keys of his instrument.
About the same time F.C. began playing organ in the church, he also became a member of the Vermilion G.A.R. band. In a May, 28 1922 (Elyria) Chronicle Telegram article he told a reporter, "At present I am playing the baritone, or, as some folks call it, the bass horn, in the (G.A.R.) band. But I haven't always played it. Truth is, I've played every instrument we've got with the exception of the bass drum. I guess I could play that too, if I had to."
At the time of the Chronicle interview a national magazine had published a sizable article about a gentle man in Walpole, Massachusetts who played organ for The First Congregational Church there for 55 years claiming it to be a national record. A local farmer, L.E. Hahn, saw the article and disputed the claim. F.C. had, by that time, been playing for Vermilion's " church 62 years.
On Friday, July 5, 1929 at 1:30 in the afternoon private funeral services were held at Morgan's home on Ohio Street where he had lived for only three years of his long life. At 2:00 p.m. public services were held at his church with his wife, Mary A. (nee Burrow), his only child, son Presdee B., and sister Lucy near him. Be assured that the sweet sounds of his beloved pipe organ were sounded with all the passion and clarity he had once so freely afford his church and his community.
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 townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
John H., son of the above, is entitled to more than a passing notice. He was born at Halifax, Vermont, June 25, 1809. He began life as an operative in a chair factory. Coming to Ohio as before stated, he devoted a portion of his time to school teaching. In 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Marian P. Nichols by whom eleven children were born; eight are still living: Sanford P., Ellen D., Lucretia M., John M., Henry H., Clark E., Charles F., and Philura R. Malcom, another son, was in the Union army during the rebellion, and died at Kuoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Niles was the historian of the Fireland's Historical Society, and in that capacity did much to preserve the relics of by-gone days. He wrote the sketch of Norwich, from which we have drawn quite extensively facts and data not obtainable elsewhere. He was repeatedly in office—having been for twelve years justice of the peace and half that number of years county commissioner. He died February 14, 1878. He was a member of the Masonic order, having become such many years since. He was a charter member of Attica Lodge, in fact, it was largely due to his efforts that this lodge was formed. His funeral obsequies were conducted under the auspices of the fraternity and was numerously attended.
Benjamin Briggs and family were the first settlers on the fourth section. They were from Barnard, Windsor county, Vermont. His family consisted of a wife and six children, four of whom came with him. The date of his settlement in Norwich was 1836. His oldest son Elijah settled in Peru in 1833. Benjamin Briggs died of a cancer in 1812. His wife died January 10, 1875, aged eighty-six years. The children were: Aliphal, she married in Vermont, and still resides there. Benjamin Jr., who married Clarissa Brown, and lives in Kansas. Alexander, who married Rosella Doton; she died, and he married his present wife, Phebe Ann Curtis, of Ithica, New York, and now lives on the old homestead, lot thirty-two. They have one child, Jessie C. Susan married William E. Dean; she died and he married the youngest daughter, Eliza J. They now live in Iowa. Alexander Briggs still drives the first covered buggy ever in Norwich township. It is not handsome, but is apparently as enduring as the deacon's memorable "one horse shay."
John Hall, from Sussex county, New Jersey, married, on July 12, 1829, Miss Phebe Purdy, of Pennsylvania, and settled some three years later on the farm now occupied by George Bowen, Norwich township. In 1838 he purchased lands in lot eleven, section third, and upon these remained until his death, which occurred October 28, 1874. He was aged seventy-four. His widow and heirs still reside there. The children were eleven in number, but two of whom are now living: Mary and Sarah Ellen, who live at home. The others were: Richard. Daniel, Marilla, Jane, Ebenezer, Julia. Anna, Elizabeth. John, James, and Phebe Anna.
John S. Hester was born in Columbiana county, Ohio. He married Lucinda M. Hildreth, of Fairfield, this county, but a native of New York State. They settled in Norwich in 1812, immediately after marriage. The location was on ninety acres of land in lot thirty-seven, where he yet lives. The children are five in number. The eldest, Charles T., died at Fairfax hospital. He was a member of Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guards. The remainder of the family are: Eliza…
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
PAUL’S: Vermilionite Bob Shanks (currently living in Bay Village, Ohio) mailed this little jewel to me about a week (or so) ago. He apologized for its “punctured condition”. It was kept on his bulletin board for years before being removed, and stored elsewhere, for more years.
In truth, it’s in very good condition (as one can see). I have written of Paul and his wife Amelia several times. [For anyone unfamiliar with “Paul’s” they can check the “VV” archives or look in the “Bio” section and find more information.]
I think I got the quote “Seats 8000 – 8 at a Time” wrong in the stories. But the sentiment was the same.
Because I intuitively recognize the typefaces I know the card was printed by the presses at The Vermilion News. And the phrase, “BEST COFFEE IN TOWN” certainly rings true to any soul who paid a visit to “Paul’s”.
The personnel office received an email requesting a listing of the department staff broken down by age and sex. The personnel office sent this reply: "Attached is a list of our staff. We currently have no one broken down by age or sex. However, we have a few alcoholics."
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'".
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.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandmas’ Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from Margaret Sanders Buell" by Amy O’Neal, Elizabeth Thompson and Meg Walter (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
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.
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Vol.11, Issue 31 October 12, 2013
© 2013 Rich Tarrant