Our Dog & Grandma's Car
SHOPTALK: On top of the museum desktop this week is the 4th glass plate negative that I’ve developed using my new developing process in my digital darkroom at the museum.
I do wonder about the car in the photograph. Roscoe didn’t normally photograph wrecked automobiles in a garage. And somewhere (in the back of my little mind) I recall my dad telling me that my grandmother was a terrible driver. I also know that my grandparent’s had an auto similar to the one in the pic. Given all that I am tempted to conclude that this was their car, and that Grandma bumped into something. (But I don’t know that with any certainty.)
I’m also “guessing” that the garage in which this pic was taken was in the Fischer building when Elton Fischer had his auto dealership there. It’s the only sizeable garage I can think of (at this time) in town. The Stone and Walker garages would have been a built a bit later than the one pictured.
I am currently waiting for a camera stand that will allow me to take better pix of the glass negatives. Holding the tablet / camera steady to take a pic is problematic.
On my home desk this weeks is a snapshot of the dog I grew up with when our family lived on Perry Street in the 1950s; Mister Chips. He was a truly a rascal. My mother hated him – or she seemed to anyway.
Tying tis dog up for any length of time was impossible. He would raise such a ruckus that rather than risk the ire of our neighbors we had to let him run. And run he did.
One time my mother thought she could keep him in the house if she set up one of those folding child fence gates across the doorway of our den. Mister Chips simply got on the arm of a couch, leaped over the fence and ran out the door. He was, in a word, incorrigible.
But be that as it was he was a very friendly dog – a great companion for me and my friends. Everywhere we went he went.
VISITORIUM: Brenda Baumhart Mezz and her son David paid a visit to the museum Tuesday. Brenda is the only child / daughter of the late Charles “Charlie” Wheeler Baumhart – the last Mayor of Vermilion Village.
I make no bones about it when I say that Charlie was one of the two most intelligent people I’ve ever had the privilege to know. (The other one’s still around and I don’t want to give them a “big head” so I won’t mention the name.)
Brenda’s son is an editor / writer with a magazine in North Carolina. It’s really an attractive publication. It’s called Garden and Gun.
Brenda gave me a plethora of Baumhart family pix to copy for the museum as well as several silver phosphate and sundae cups from her grandfather’s drugstore.
Below is a beautiful pic of the interior of the store. A.D. Sr. is on the left by the soda fountain. His second wife, Francis, is on the right. Looking closely at the photo I think (just think) that the fella in the middle with the hat is Phil Eldridge. Brenda thought it was Charlie. But I don’t think so. (Yet, I could be wrong.)
Below this part of “VV” is a wonderful pic of Charlie that really speaks for itself. What a great guy.
I really look forward to displaying some of the pix she has so graciously allowed me to copy. And I also look forward to sharing some of them with “VV” readers. I am contemplating doing a show using these Baumhart pix and other memorabilia at the museum. I believe it would be of great interest to more than a few Vermilionites. The Baumhart / Baumhardt and Hart Families are among the best known families in the area. They helped build the town.
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MUSUEM SCHEDULE: Beginning now the museum will be open six days a week from 11 AM to 3 PM. We will be closed on Sundays and Holidays. We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. The museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children accompanied with an adult will be admitted free. For Special Tours call: 440-967-4555.
We are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Private tours during those hours and during the evening can be arranged by calling the museum, or stopping in to see us.
FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations and memberships for the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011.
Memberships for the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are always 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 44089440.967.4555.
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 & HAPPY NEW YEAR,
CHARLIE: Along with a plethora of other things provided the museum this week was this wonderful pic of Charles Wheeler Baumhart. This is Charlie – “the ladies man”. What a beautiful portrait.
Charlie was the last Mayor of Vermilion Village. But years before that he was an officer in the Navy. This photo (I suspect) was taken around that time. This is one of my favorite pix.
DO YOU HAVE SUCH THINGS AS THESE: I met a young man named Joe (that's a good name) the other day. He lives in nearby Wakeman, 0., but his life is rooted deep in Vermilion. He told me that his g-grandmother lived most her life our town in a home on Exchange Street. Today she is 98 or so, and she still lives on the same street - albeit a few doors south - at Mill Manor. Joe told me how his g-grandmother would tell him stories of long ago; when the trains used to stop at the stations and some of the unpaid passengers would debark to spend a day or two near the village. They would appropriate a few vegetables from the townsfolk, and toss them together in a pot to make a fine stew. They were only allowed to spend a few days here before being kindly persuaded to move further along the rails to another town. In any case, her stories so fascinate Joe that he has begun to develop an interest in history. Perhaps that is some of what grandparents are for.
Though I'm just kidding it seems a coincidence that my wife, Georgi, and I had just a week earlier conducted an interview with another 98-year-old citizen. And also, just as coincidental, during the interview this lady made a special point out of telling us that persons who have grandparents are very fortunate people. That was not, however, because she happens to be the matriarch of five generations of her family. It is because, she sadly sighed, "I only got to know one of my grandparents."
Unlike Joe or our interviewee I never had the privilege of knowing any of my grandparents. (Darn!) On the other hand I have found myself in a position where I have been able to get to know my ancestors, many of their friends, and a good deal about the lives they led through an ocean of photographs, books, and other documents they generated throughout their lives.
In the photographs made by my maternal grandfather I am able to see through his eyes the world in which he lived, and some of the people he knew. Because of his newspaper writings I have come to know his politics - though I might have committed the sacrilege of having occasionally been at odds with him. Yet, due to other records - both public and private - I have come to know, understand, and agree with my grandparents in all matters theological.
My maternal grandmother was a teacher: one of the youngest in Erie County back in the very late 19th century. Letters from a Sandusky attorney who was apparently responsible for hiring her to teach in the rural Berlin-Milan schools express much surprise at her demonstrative qualifications for the job at only the age of 21 or 22. But I have things that go much further back than these.
In the letters and books written by and to my ancestors - some reaching back as far as 1545 I am able to trace the family back to France when as Huguenots they fled the country across the Channel to England. Coming to America on the ship Increase the family landed at Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in June of 1635.
During the American Revolution the family lived in a rural area of northwest Connecticut where the state borders Massachusetts and New York. It was called "The Oblong". The reason I mention this is because it would appear that they were Loyalists during the Rebellion. This factoid initially astounded me. But I reckon it shouldn't have. English law and taxes probably had little to no sway over the lives of many rural Americans in 1776. A rebellion would have likely seemed more of a nuisance than anything else. On the other hand, another one of my ancestors enlisted "in the service of his country" on July 5, 1775. So I guess it all balances out.
Well, I'm certainly happy that I have access to this ocean of information about my family. They seem like good honest folk: farmers, tailors, musicians, theologians, academics, surveyors, merchants, politicians, soldiers, musicians, carpenters, etc. But in the end I regret not ever having known any of them. And though it may be that the young man named Joe that I recently met, has none of these things from the yesteryear, he has the one thing that's really important - his g-grandmother.
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. X – NO.35 January 31,1907
The $10,000 damage suit of Frank Burns against the Baillie Stone co. was placed on trail in the court of common pleas on Monday afternoon before Judge Reed and a jury. The plaintiff suffered a serious injury to his leg while employed at the defendant company’s stone quarry at Berlin Heights in 1902. He claims that hi injuries necessitated no fewer than nine surgical operations and that he has been permanently crippled. The accident was caused by the slipping of some grappling hooks out of a large stone, the hooks, which were operated by a derrick, striking Burns and smashing his leg. The defense is that Burns was injured by reason of the risks and hazards of the business, which he assumed when he entered the company’s employ. The claim is also made that the plaintiff was himself guilty of negligence.
[VV. Ed. Note: This is an interesting suit. Today, in Ohio at least, there would be little question about the company’s culpability in the matter. OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) would, undoubtedly, take the side of the plaintiff – and it may very well be that the company was at fault. Accidents of this nature are the very reason OSHA was established to prevent.]
The trial in the case of H.N. Sturdevant vs. E.W. DeWitt, administrator of the estate of George Pawson, was concluded in the court of common pleas on Wednesday afternoon and the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $72.17. The amount claimed was $478 for services as nurse, said to have been rendered, to Pawson in his lifetime. The jury was instructed to make certain special finding and upon these the defendant later filed a motion of judgement, claiming that the general verdict was not sustained by the special findings.
Alta Sarr has applied for divorce from Elmer Sarr on the charge of extreme cruelty and failure to provide. The parties were married in 1902 and have two children. They are residents of Berlin Heights.
George S. Rathbun, 25, Vermilion, mate on steamer, and Miss Hattie Delight Abell, 24, Vermilion, school teacher, Rev. Kaley.
[VV. Ed. Note: George and Hattie are the grandparents of Vermilionites Dave Rathbun and his sister Diane. The museum has Hattie’s diary that mentions her beau, George, when they first courted. She began by referring to him as “Mister Rathbun”. As their relationship continued he became “George”. Some older Vermilionites (like myself) will remember George and his grocery store quite vividly. Hattie passed on in December of 1945 at the “relatively” young age of 62. George followed in 1968. He was 86. They were one of the town’s most highly respected couples.]
John Nieding was born the 13th day of Jan 1827, in Almershausen, Kreis Hershfeld Kurhessen, Germany, and died Jan 30, 1907, aged 80 yrs., 17da.
At the age of 22 he came to America. Was married Sept 12, 1850 to Magdelina Hoelcher. Eleven children were born to them. Six of them survive him, namely Henry Al, Sam J., John F., and Mrs. Will of Vermilion, and Adam H., and Mrs. Patterson of Cleveland. He also leaves fourteen grandchildren.
Mr. Neiding [sic] settled in Vermilion in 1850. He helped organized the Reformed church in Vermilion of which he continued a lifelong member. For over 40 years he was Supt. Of the Sunday School in which he was active until his last illness. He seat was never vacant.
He will be missed from his accustomed places.
[VV. Ed. Note: The spelling of “Nieding / Neiding” is forever a matter who’s doing the spelling. Family members use both spellings. In this case Ancestry.com spells it both ways, as does THE NEWS. But in this case I believe the correct spelling is “i before e”. That is the way the E&R Church Centennial book spells it.]
Mrs. Ermina Ann Sherod Boss was born June 16th 1842. The second child of Jacob and Elizabeth Sherod. Died Feb. 3, 07. She spent her childhood days at the old homestead on the Lake Shore one mile west of Vermilion and with the exception of eight years in Illinois she has lived in this vicinity all her life. She attended the country district and later Oberlin College where she prepared for school teaching and where she met John Henry Boss whom she later married. He enlisted in the army and she taught school during the war.
In 1861 Mr. Boss obtained a furlough and came north from near Chattanooga and they were married. He returned to service in the army and marched with Sherman to the sea.
At the close of the war they settled in Illinois near Altamont Effingham county and lived there eight years until 1872 when Mr. Boss died of typhoid Fever after a short illness.
Two children, Carrie aged 5 and Winfred nearly 2 years, were left in the young mother’s care. Mrs. boss moved back to Vermilion and engaged in school teaching as a livelihood. This she did nearly continuously from 1873 until 1892. The last 12 years of this time she taught in the Vermilion schools and has resided in her late residence since 1882.
Thus she cared for her children and always strove most faithful to give them the best chance for an education.
She joined the Vermilion Cong’l Church on March 29th 1873 has been connected with the same church ever since and a faithful member. When but 16 years old she played the church organ and took music lessons in special preparation for this playing. She sang in the church choir for years both in the old brick church and the present structure, taught Sunday School classes at various times, and was church treasurer several years. She was an attendant at prayer meetings until her health would not permit and a most faithful attendant at Sabbath services She was a great reader of literature in general and of her bible. This last book shows thought and study from the many underscored passages. She had the custom of marking passages, which appealed to her, or those from which sections she much liked, were taken.
Hundreds of people in this vicinity remember her best as a schoolteacher where she was always thorough and painstaking, having the best interest of the individual scholar at heart.
For several years past she has been member of the Beneficiary Order Knights and Ladies of Security and has held different offices therein. Two yrs. ago today her mother Mrs. Elizabeth Sherod died.
On Sunday Jan. 6-07, after attending church, and taking communion in the morning, writing her son and a friend a letter, also visiting with friends in the afternoon and evening, apparently in better health than in many days, she was in the evening suddenly stricken with a paralysis, after lying 4 weeks. Utterly helpless and speechless the visiting angel relieved her of her suffering and called her to her heavenly home.
She leaves a daughter, son, five brothers and two sisters to mourn her loss.
She is best remembered in the vicinity as a thorough schoolteacher, an honest citizen, a faithful church and Sunday School worker. To those who knew her better as a loving friend, last and at all times most prominently as a most faithful mother.
Funeral services were held at the late residence of the deceased Wednesday at 12 o’clock, Rev. Geo. E. Merrill of the Congregations Church officiating.
[VV. Ed. Note: My basic understanding of her survivors is that her son, Dr. J.W. Boss, who is best know by his practice in Birmingham, was born after the death of her husband. When Mrs. Boss moved back to town from Illinois I assume she was with child – the Dr. However, a bio I found on-line for the doctor indicates that he was born in Illinois. Perhaps this was an oversight of the obituary writer. Nonetheless, I think it’s important, historically, to know that Dr. Boss’s ancestors were early Vermilion pioneers – the Sherod’s.
The advertisment (below) shows us the machine that powered the presses at THE NEWS in the early years of the 20th century.
A.J. Hamel is building an ice house in the rear of his building.
H.A. Decker had undertaken the task to fill the icehouse at Oak Point for F.S. Knox.
The grocery store of Stone Bros have moved their outfit to Wyatt’s corners.
E.H. Nicholl has put in 200 tons of crystal ice 8 inches thick in his icehouse in the rear of his drug store, for his own use.
The Amherst Home Telephone company are making preparations for extending their line to South Amherst and vicinity which it is hoped as stated by the officials will be commenced about the latter part of April.
Will Emery employed at No 6 fell off a 20 ft. ladder Thursday and received a sprained wrist.
Ansel Jeune age 82 who is sick is not expected to recover on account of his age.
Henry Frederick left Wednesday for New York City, where he intends to buy an automobile for his many sweethearts.
J.K. Brown has the contract for erecting a temporary bridge on North Main St. recently damaged by the flood.
Albert Quesnefsky is a great trapper and challenges all comers of Amherst; he now has 23 muskrat skins, 11 skunk and 1 mink. He is now in the employ of John Appleman.
Through the remembrance of an old friend of Boston, L.S. Hanchett Tuesday became the possessor of a find imported thoroughbred terrier. The dog is four months old and is “dandy”.
Amherst is to have a shirtwaist and wrapper factory. A Cleveland firm was in town the other day and entered the old Kendeigh building on Church St. The building will be remodeled and repaired at once.
The firm will make shirtwaists and wrappers and will employ 60 boys and girls, mostly girls, to start with.
This firm will be ready for business about the first of May.
Mrs. Frank Timk is on the sick list.
Harry Standen is seriously ill with Quinsy.
The large window at the telephone exchange was broken Saturday night.
“Butch” Albright has hired Susie for a new cook and who is spoken highly of being the best in town.
The family of Frank Gibson, whose death was caused by the caving in of the sewer in which he was working Tuesday, have the sincere sympathy of all. An enormous crowd witnessed the accident Mr. Gibson was 36 years of age. His father is a resident of this place where the funeral will take place Friday. He leaves many friends and relatives to morn their loss.
Mr. Roy Brucker has won all honors in shoeing horses. Monday he is proud to say that he beat all previous records and now holds the honor of having more horse feet than any other man in Lorain County. His record was 34 shoes for the afternoon and 20 in the morning.
BORN – A bright little girl made its appearance at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clem Miller. Both the mother and child are doing more than expected. Mr. Miller is the well-known baseball player and this is what he highly praises. It should encourage him with might and main for the coming season Boys! Did you get your treat?
News of the death of Carl Heusner of S. Amherst was received here late Wednesday He was a cousin of Frank Heusner. He was 26 years of age and died of tuberculosis. Funeral Saturday.
DIED – Mrs. Thomas Shields, formerly Miss Sadie Jackson, daughter of James Jackson, Jr. of Amherst at her home in Cleveland Monday. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, interment was at Crown Hill cemetery. Mrs. Shield was well know here and loved by all who knew her, the many relatives and friends sadly mourn her death.
DIED – Miss Bertha Whyte passed away Sunday morning at 2 a.m. The cause of her death was Tuberculosis. She was well known and was highly spoken of by every citizen. She was 23 years of age and was born in Dundee, Scotland, moving here with her parents at the age of eight years. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the home of her parents by Rev. Wheley interment at Crown Hill cemetery.
Zero weather.
Street Commissioner Schmoll has two very sick horses on his hands at the present writing.
Herbert Leon Cope, Humorist at the Opera House, Saturday night.
BORN – Sunday Feb 3-07 to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kishman a daughter.
Capt. Geo. Cuddeback and wife of Lorain were guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Morgan one day last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Otto have moved in their new home at Ceylon Junction.
MARRIED – Saturday evening, Feb 2d, 07 at the parsonage North Ridgeville, Mr. Geo. S. Rathburn [sic], and Miss Hattie D. Abell, both of this place. Rev. J.A. Kaley officiating.
[VV. Ed. Note: I’m making special note of this event for the sake of Vermilion history – i.e. the marriage of George Rathbun and Hattie Abell…]
Mrs. Wm. Thornburgh is quite ill at her home on Liberty St.
S.J. Nieding came very nearly having a fire in his market the other evening. The ceiling was set on fire by the heat from the lamps but very little damage resulted.
G.E. Wittmer is suffering from the effects of a badly smashed toe. The accident happened while he was working with the N.P. Bridge gang in Cleveland.
Ground Hog must surely have seen his shadow and winter has come to stay.
Elon Hales is quite sick with a cold.
Dr. Boss has the sympathy of his many friends here in Birmingham in the loss of his mother.
L. French of Norwalk has bought considerable timber in this locality.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Dangle a son Jan (?2)-07.
Henry Emmerich who left last week for California had a narrow escape in a railroad wreck on his way. He escaped unhurt without serious injuries but lost his suitcase, which was stolen.
Mr. E.B. Welch, who has been ill with gripp is able to be around again.
Mrs. E.B. Welch is on the sick list.
Ira Denman is busy putting gas in his house for light and fuel.
Mrs. Fred Gegenheimer is sick with the measles.
G. I Leslie is on the sick list.
Mrs. Samuel Butman, who has been on the sick list for the past several weeks is convalescing.
John Ludwig who had his arm cut off at the Ohio Quarries 3 years ago has sued the company for $12,000.
Edward Peach, a workman of the Malone Stone co., received a terrible blow in the nose while working on one of the water pumps from Euclid Quarry which was sent to the machine shop for repairs. He was holding a piece of wood while another workman was striking with sledgehammer. The striker struck below the center and the stick flew up and hit him on the nose.
Fred Williams’ little daughter, aged about 18 months, ran a knife into her eye while playing, on Friday, Feb. 1. She was running across the floor with the knife in her hand point upwards, when she stumbled and fell, the knife, striking the eyeball and glancing upwards inflicting a serious wound. The eye was so swollen that the doctor could not tell whether it can be saved or not.
Hmmmmmm....
HAROLD NIEDING’S LAKE ERIE DRIVE-IN: I don't recall the precise year the place opened. It was probably sometime in the very late 1950s or very early 1960s. But almost immediately it became a very popular place for many people to gather and eat before, after, and, sometimes, during sundry social and sporting events. In any case, Harold Neiding's Lake Erie Drive-In restaurant was, as has been said, a very successful enterprise. And it was so from the firs day he turned on the lights and opened the door.
Unlike the Goody-Goody Soda Bar [VPJ 06/06/13] the primary ¬clientele was a bit older. They drove cars: albeit often in various stages of repair and disrepair, but they were still recognizable as automobiles. At least most were.
The accompanying photograph of the front of the building (i.e. the north side), however poor in quality, may very well be one of the first taken of the drive-in. The autos pictured date from 1957 and '58. And lest one get the wrong idea the restaurant was not just a "hangout" for teenagers. It was a good restaurant that served a variety of people of various ages extremely good food - especially fish.
In his younger days Mr. Neiding had worked on the fish tugs. He was familiar with the restaurant business because his father, Edward, apparently after leaving the employ of the railroad, ran Vermilion's [Exchange] Park Restaurant. Later Harold operated his own fish house (i.e. Lake Erie Fish at the site of the current Vermilion Boat Club) that, obviously, metamorphosed into the Lake Erie Drive-¬in. The progression was not only natural it was timely.
Drive-in restaurants were at the peak of their popularity during those years. Instead of taking up space for hours inside the restaurant to eat and (as the dire expression goes) "shoot-the-bull" young patrons took up space in the parking lot their autos serving as status symbols in a ritualistic display of human courtship that years from now may provide a doctorate for many a budding anthropologist. In short, it was a fun time.
Mr. Neiding sold the place in 1967. I don't know when it stopped being a drive-in where one ordered food from pretty carhops and ate in the car. And it really doesn't matter. Since then the restaurant has experienced three ownership changes - all good, but the last being the most remarkable. The appearance of the building has been substantially altered both inside and outside. And though the carhops are gone, replaced by politically correct "Servers" they are still pretty. And the food is still as terrific as it was in the yesteryear.
Finally, an aside about the spelling of the name Neiding: After spelling Harold's family name incorrectly with a "Nie" instead of "Nei" I was corrected by Sandy Neiding (Harold's niece, and Conrad's Neiding's daughter-in-law) who told me: "It's true that the original spelling of the name was NIE ... but there was a mistake on Conrad's [and Harold's} dad's birth certificate that changed our whole branch of the family to NEI. Since Ed was the 13th child, I jokingly say that the family was warding off bad luck. The 14th child in the family had the name spelled correctly again. We'll never know, I guess, why the mistake was made." I suppose Sandy's right about that. Now if I can just remember how to spell the name right.
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.
…range seven, of Nathan Smith, a Methodist preacher. He returned to Tioga, Pennsylvania, for his family, and the next year came and made a permanent settlement. He was of Connecticut birth, as was his wife, Sukey Butler. They have had eleven children: Horace L., Edwin I., Elihu P., Benjamin L., Mary Ann, Rachel, Henrietta, Hester C, George S., Noah, Sarah C. and Sterling U. It can be said that this widely connected family, by their sturdy New England ways, industrious habits and liberal ideas, have made a deep impress on the character of the township. Noah died early, and Sterling was killed at the age of twelve years by the falling of the old Parmenter Bridge. Edwin and Horace are farmers, and Elihu has retired from his farm and is living at his ease. He served one term as State senator, in 1852-3. Benjamin was an eminent physician, a professor in the Cincinnati Eclectic College, and author of standard works on surgery. He was State representative for one term, and died in California, where he had gone for his health. George is a successful physician. Noah Hill, for many years, was justice, and was well known for his integrity of character. Before coming here, he worked at shipbuilding, and helped build the brig "Commerce," which the famous Captain Riley lost on the coast of Africa. He early saw the evils of intemperance, and for the last thirty years never tasted a drop of any alcoholic drink, not even indulging in lemonade, which, he used to say, he refused out of spite. When the old Congregational church was sold, he purchased it by subscription, and refitted it, making of it a "Free Discussion Hall," and by that noble act making the future character of the towns-people. This hall was destroyed by fire, but not before the people saw the necessity of a free place of meeting, and the town hall, in 1867, took its place. He died in 1804, at the age of eighty years. His wife still survives, at the age of ninety-five.
Timothy Tennant came from Auburn, New York, in 1818, and settled on lot three; range seven, where his son-in-law had began improvements the year previous. His wife was Temperance Pomeroy, of Connecticut, and he was born in Lyme, in the same State. They have had twelve children: Sophia (Mrs. Soper), Charles P., Daniel, Sterling, Henry, Lucy Ann (first wife of Edwin I. Hill), Fanny J. (wife of H. L. Hill), Caroline (wife of R. M. Ransom), Clarissa (Mrs. Glenn), and Eliza.
Daniel Tennant came into Berlin, in 1816, when fifteen years of age. He carried the mail, soon after, from Berlin to Fremont, weekly, - Wolverton, the contractor, bringing it from Cleveland. He married, in 1833, Caroline Bennett, by whom he had two children. Charles, the only one living, resides on the old homestead, which is one of the premium farms. His wife dying, he married, in 1858, Mary Ann Blain, of New York, and in 1873 retired from the farm to the Heights. Mr. Tennant was a blacksmith, and brought his anvil with him. His rule of business was never to disappoint a customer. He died in 1845, at the age of seventy-five, and Mrs. Tennant, who survived him eight years, died while on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. Glenn, in Tiffin.
Thomas Stephens settled, in 1818, on lot eight, range four, where he resided until his death, in 1835. He was the second justice of the peace, and a good teacher. He taught in the old log schoolhouse at the Heights. He left a wife and two children: Lucinda (Mrs. Steen), and Polly, the first wife of William Poyer. Out of school he was the premium swearer of the town, but in school, nothing would bring swifter or severer punishment than an oath.
[VV. Ed. Note: Ah, a man after my own heart. I can truly identify with the s.o.b.]
Nathaniel Thorp came from Hebron, Connecticut, in 1818, with Moses R. Burnham, and in 1822, purchased lot eight and nine, range one. He has been twice married; by his first wife having four children, only Jeremiah is now living, residing on the old homestead. Mr. Thorp had the reputation of being the hardest working man in the township. He died in 1854, aged sixty-two years. Moses and Elsworth Burnham purchased lot three, range six.
John Wetherlow and George Whitney came, in 1 819, from Seneca county. New York, and purchased lot ten, range seven. This was the lot on which, the first improvement in the township was made, by John Dunbar. Mr. Weatherlow died in 1837, leaving a wife and five children: Lucy (Mrs. A. Halbite), Caroline (first wife of Captain L. Case), Samuel, William and John.
Jonathan Cobb came in 1819, from Tolland, Connecticut, and bought of S. Reed, lot seven, range two, where he resided until his death, in 1837, at the age of thirty-six years. He made, for the time he lived, great improvements; built the first framed house—yet standing,—a mill, and was an energetic businessman. He left a wife and three children: Ahira, Ralph L., and Sally (Mrs. Elihu P. Hill).
Oliver Pearl came from Connecticut in 1819, and settled on lot two, range two, and resided there until his death in 1835, where his widow, now in her eighty-sixth year, still resides with their son Addison. They have had ten children, five of whom are now living: Oliver, Ancil H., William, Emeline, Albert, Marilla, Addison, Harriet, and Jerome.
Thomas and Titus Daniels came from Chenango county in 1819, the former settling on lot three, range two, and the latter on lot three, range three, on which they remained.
Cyrus Call came in 1819 as a pioneer Baptist missionary, and contracting to settle as resident pastor, retained that position for ten years. In 1820, he moved his family from Lake county, and purchased lot seven, range five, where he resided until his death in his eighty-eighth year. His wife was Sally Cross, whom he married in New York State. They had nine children: Polly (Mrs. Middleton), Essex, Sally (Mrs. Hanes), Jo, Carlo, Harriet, and Dana C.
David Butler came to Delaware county from Lennox, Massachusetts, in 1805, and in 1820 to Berlin. His wife was Abigail Barr, of Massachusetts. He…
BAUMHART CUPS: Among the many photographs and other documents provided the museum this week by Brenda Baumhart Mezz are these soda fountain cups (pictured).
[VV. Ed. Note: Actually there is another one (not pictured) that I took home to show my wife and forgot to return before I decided to take this pic.]
These are actually “cup holders” that were apparently used to hold paper inserts that would be filled with ice cream for sundaes, sodas, and phosphates. While they were common articles at soda fountains across our country way back when very few had the same shape as these beautiful pieces.
The Vermilion museum is very fortunate to have them and to be able to show these items to the public.
In a cafeteria: "Shoes are required to eat in the cafeteria."
Hand-written underneath: "Boots can eat anywhere they want."
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.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON’S LATEST BOOK “The Private War of William Styron” is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
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.12, Issue 42 - December 27, 2014
© 2013 Rich Tarrant