CRYSTAL & CROSSING
SHOPTALK: There are great pix on the desktops this week; my grandfather took both. The one on the museum desk is a nice pic of cars crossing the tracks at Division (now Main) Street. I’m guessing the photo was taken around 1937 – and I don’t know the reason there were so many vehicles. Perhaps it was an auto club activity. There’s a companion shot (of sorts) that shows the crossing from the other side of the tracks. In it there’s a cool roadster convertible.
I think the fella in white (just barely visible) appears to have been directing traffic. The gent walking across the tracks appears to be a workman headed home after a day’s work. Maybe he was a fisherman.
Those who believe that the environment back then was idyllic may want to think again. Note the discarded trash at the side of the crossing. Things like that have changed around town since then.
On my home computer this week is what I deem to be an extremely nice / historic pic of the old Crystal Beach casino / dancehall. I am not referring to Crystal Gardens that was built some years later. This hall was near the lakefront and was a two-story building.
The photo, taken between 1910-15 is a fine illustration of just how popular the park used to be in those days. I have no idea what is capturing the attention of the crowd, but I’d be willing to be that it was an orchestra.
I’ve had (of course) some time to look over this photograph, and one of the questions that crosses my mind is: How dirty did the women’s dresses get from walking around in the dirt and grass? They must have been filthy by the time they got home.
But anyway, it’s a great photograph. I’m happy I found it.
SOME OF THE THINGS: Among the many different things I’ve been doing this week is developing more glass negatives. Thus far, I’m really pleased with the process and the photographs I’ve come across. While I’ve seen some of them before (because my brother Al did a good deal of work with them) some - such as two desktop pix – are new to me.
I’m still investigating a way to tether a camera to one of my computers to make this developing process even easier. Thus far, neither one of my cameras can be tethered. I’m thinking that I can tether my Nikon D70 using Adobe Darkroom. I hope that works. It would made things easier.
VERY RECENT DEVELOPMENT: Early Friday afternoon (05/29/2015) Joi (Jeffery) and Kevin Murphy came by the museum with some stupendous items. I can’t describe them all, but they are (as an old hippie such as myself might legitimately put it) mind blowing.
The pic below is just one of those things. I can’t really tell you anything about it without great speculation – except that it is one of the glass negatives taken by late Vermilionite Jake Abell.
Mr. Abell was the town barber. He lived in the house where Joi’s family lived for quite some time on Washington Street. Harry and Ardith Enlow currently live in that home. I suspect that the pic is from that area. Abell’s daughter, Hattie, married the popular Vermilion grocer George Rathbun.
Anyway you cut it there’s a good deal of history among the Abell, Jeffery, Rathbun and Naegele families who all lived in that part of town.
If this had been the only item donated by the Murphy’s it would have been immensely appreciated. And while I would certainly like to showcase all of these things (and more) in VV it just isn’t possible: Ergo, the museum. You really need to stop into the museum [Open House is tomorrow 05/20/15] to see and appreciate our collections. We are growing.
In any case this is a wonderful photograph.
TODAY (SATURDAY:) Today (05/30/2015) the Vermilion News (History) Print Shop Museum will hold its 3rd Annual Open House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It’s a big to-do. Members of my family and other persons who once worked at the print shop will be in attendance. And aside from the old printing presses, posters and old photographs we’ve also got various other historical artifacts on display in the apartment. It’s quite interesting.
Plus there will be refreshments – cupcakes from Hamman’s Bakery, etc.
Please join us.
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MUSEUM 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.Cell:440.522.8397
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,
VERMILION GIRLS: I just came across this snapshot the other day. It was taken in Vermilion's Victory Park in the early 1960s. I know some (but not all) the girls pictured.
My sister Zella ("Butch" Tarrant) Bolyard is in the middle of the back row. (The only one wearing glasses.) I also see (I think it's) Judy Green, Carol (Peck) Idol, Susie Rathbun, Cheryl Fisher, Judy Shilling, Maryann Thompson, Sue Roth, and Mary Lee Russell in the group. I'm sorry that I don't know all their married names.
Although I remember them all I don't (at least at the moment) remember all their names.
I'm guessing that they were all contestants in a festival beauty contest. I don't believe that it was the Fish Festival at the time. But I could be wrong. (Once in a while that happens.)
VHS CLASS OF ’60 SEEKS “LOST” MEMBERS: The 1960 class of Vermilion High School is planning their 55th year reunion and there are several classmates whose addresses are unknown. The reunion is planned for Sunday, September 13, 2015, beginning at 2 P.M at the Vermilion Boat Club. There will also be other meet and greet opportunities in the two days before. We want to make every effort to contact all class members and we need the help of the public to make this possible. Please look at the following list of “lost” class members and, if you know their whereabouts, please contact SANDRA YEAMANS NEIDING AT 967-4190.
Missing are: Penny Clague, Judy Eagan, James Hill, Robert Holtcamp, Billy Kay, Mavis Keener, Judy Lowery, Ray Luna, Wayne Rohrbaugh and Marjorie Sipos. – Correspondent Sandy Neiding
THERE’LL BE A HOT TIME: July 1948 – “There’ll Be a Hot time in the Old Town Tonight” may have been written in 1896 but it was still a good song when the boys on the American Legion band wagon played it during the street dances in Vermilion Village over a half century later. The dances were the precursors of the Fish and Woolly Bear festivals and were fun, fun, fun for everyone.
They were usually held on Friday and Saturday evenings on Division / Main Street between Liberty and the railroad tracks. Strings of yellow light bulbs were strung along each side of the street. The band wagon (pictured) parked a few doors north of the railroad; a space for dancing was sectioned off in front of the truck; powdered with cornmeal / sawdust; and the hot time commenced.
Room was made just off the sidewalks on either side of the street (in the empty auto parking spaces) for various games. For the young people there was a thing called the “Penny Pitch”. It was a large board with numbered spaces on it. It sat low to the ground so smaller children could participate. A person would toss a penny on the board, and if it landed cleanly on a numbered space (i.e. without touching the lines) you could win whatever that number might have been. 25 cents would’ve been one of the larger prizes. For adults there were games like Roulette. Exactly how much money that involved is unknown (to me). It’s unlikely that any of these games would be legal today. It was all for charity. In any case, no fortunes were ever won or lost.
At the northern end of the street several women’s organizations sold sandwiches and soft drinks. Auxiliary police officers directed traffic on Liberty. This was not only necessary because of the pedestrian traffic, but because Liberty was the main traffic route through northern Ohio at the time, and Division / Main was an important highway juncture - where State Route #60 to the south begins. It was, and remains, a very busy street corner.
Most businesses, (such as the restaurant and drug store) along the street were closed despite the fact that they probably could have done a rather brisk business during the dances. Aside from keeping their regular hours they may have intentionally closed their doors to reinforce the charitable activities along the street. The only businesses that remained open were those that would have been open with or without the dance. Those were Furgie’s bowling alley, pool hall and beer parlor, and Lefty’s Tavern - both on the east side of the street. Those places most certainly did a brisk business. And so it was that more than a few local folks were less than charitable with their opinions of such briskness. But like it or not that was certainly part of these old street dances.
Some of the faces in the crowd that are recognizable (with a magnifying glass of course) are Jim Friday, one of the Maurer boys, Jimmy Kidd, Nancy Lee Fulper, Rollie Harris, one of the Greenawalt boys, one of the Beursken girls. Friday, along with several other adult males pictured, is wearing an apron, which means that he was probably running one of the games for the Vermilion Fire Department. The children are there because they’re children. And where there’s fun there are children.
So, “Come along get you ready, wear your bran, bran new gown, / For dere's gwine to be a meeting in that good, good old town,/ Where you knowed ev'ry body, and they all knowed you, / And you've got a rabbits foot to keep away the hoodoo...There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight.”
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...
[VV. Ed. Note: I know it’s unusual to begin with a note – but as I worked I noted that though this issue should be No. 5 the banner has it as No. 6. For the sake of authenticity I didn’t make it No. 5. But, in truth, it is.]
The Vermilion, Ohio Independents will stack up against the Cleveland “All Stars” on the coming Sunday afternoon at Crystal Beach, Vermilion, Ohio.
Pitcher “Charlie” Hayes of Ogontz, Ohio, and lately with the fast Berlin Heights team will make his debut against the fast Cleveland aggregation; Hayes is only seventeen years old and is considered a “wonder” in dishing up the elusive sphere and has all the earmarks of making his way to the top of baseball fame. His work against Vermilion Decoration Day plainly showed that he is a comer and Mgr. Heidloff of the Independents is under the impression that he has found a “find” in Hayes. A big delegation will be on hand from Ogontz and berlin Heights to encourage him on to a well earned victory. Frank Ritter will catch Hayes on the coming Sunday and Vermilion’s new battery is bound to get a rousing welcome from the “fans”.
The game will be called at 2:30 P.M. Standard time.
Umpire Simpson will handle the indicator.
The Lake Shore Electric will run special cars to the game from al the surrounding towns.
The Independents will line up as follows:
Meyers, rf, Miller, lf; Hoffman, 2b; Lehman, 3b; Sonnenecker, ss; Donaldson, 1b; Tischer of Leidheiser, cf; Ritter or Yung, c; Hayes, Reynols or Diebolt, p.
“All Stars” = Denk, rf; Cooley, lf; Baker, cf; Lefty, ss; Kovar, 2b; Nichols, 3b; Kocian, 1b; Hertzell, p; Buelow, c; Bartell, rf; Flynn, utility pitcher.
“Cy” Hertzell, the “All Stars” pitcher struck out 24 batters on the West Salem Ohio team on July 4th.
Frank Thompson, a well-known Vermilion boy, son of Vernon Thompson, has been employed in Lorain for some time past as fireman on the Brown Hoists. A portion of the time he has been on the day shift and part of the time on the night shift. This week he has been working nights.
At an early hour this morning Undertaker Wickens telephoned that Frank had been electrocuted. Very little is known how it happened. One story is that something went wrong about 3 o’clock and he stepped out to see what was the matter, and that was the last seen of him alive. Shortly afterward his body was found, his hands grasping a live wire. The only mark to tell the story was on his hands, which were burned where the electricity left the wires to do its deadly work. The remains were taken to the morgue and his parents notified. When the message arrived Mr. Thompson who is engineer on the Deveny had gone out into the lake and could not be reached.
Mrs. Thompson was in Cleveland where she had gone to consult a physician, and was sent for A brother, Paul, is on the lake, and only his sister, Miss Hattie, and Vernon, Jr., were at home.
The blow falls like a thunderbolt from a clear sky upon the family and they have the sympathy of the entire community.
The young man was about 22 years old.
It is said that Roy Knabenshue, the famous Toledo Aeronaut expects to make a trip in his new airship from Toledo to Cleveland a distance of 113 miles during the week. If he success it will demonstrate the usefulness of the airship for passenger transportation. He will probably pass over Vermilion.
[VV. Ed. Note: Wow! 108 years after the fact this seems so trite an accomplishment. We’ve certainly come a long way (at least technically) since then. Incredible!]
Louis Lake, 12 years old, son of the widow Lake who keeps house for William Blackman here, was drowned in the Vermilion river Sunday. The boy was swimming with several companions. They preceded him to the shore opposite the place where all left their clothing and young Louis started to follow. He was seized with a cramp, according to the doctor, and failed to reach the other side. He was drowned in about three feet of water.
Sarah Jane Brobeck was born in Shenandoah Co., Virginia March 30th, 1824. Married Benjamin Washburn January 28, 1849. Died June 30th, 1907, aged 83 years and 3 months. She was the mother of two sons and four daughters, five whom survive her.
By friends and neighbors she will be remembered as a genial warm-hearted associate, whose presence was ever an inspiration. But primarily was he long life devoted to home and family and about the sacred word “Mother” must ever cluster the tenderest memories and most priceless virtue…
The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. J.W.H. Brown at the home of the daughter, Mrs. Morse, Wednesday July 3d. Mrs. Geo. Shadduck sang and Mrs. Hanson played accompaniment.
Frankie Barnes is on the sick list.
Floyd Mason is quite ill at this writing.
Norris and Marion Baker have the whooping cough.
The Crum children have all had an attack of the Whopping cough.
[VV. Ed. Note: Just to elucidate: Whooping cough is A highly contagious respiratory tract infection that is easily preventable by vaccine. B. pertussis (Whopping cough) was discovered in 1906 by Jules Bordet and Otave Gengou, who also developed the first serology and vaccine. Efforts to develop an inactivated whole-cell vaccine began soon after B. pertussis was cultured that year. Obviously, in 1907 there was not a push to vaccinate young people for this contagion.]
B. pertussis (Whopping cough) was discovered in 1906 by Jules Bordet and Otave Gengou, who also developed the first serology and vaccine. Efforts to develop an inactivated whole-cell vaccine began soon after B. pertussis was cultured that year.
Obviously, in 1907 there was not a push to vaccinate young people for this contagion.]
S.E. Shoop entertained quite a number of his friends and neighbors Sunday evening by playing the Phonograph.
A number of ladies attended the funeral of Mrs. Sarah Washburn last Wednesday.
As so many went to Vermilion the Fourth, the ones who did not go had a very still and quiet day.
Mrs. Ann Harrison widow of Thomas Harrison an old settler of Florence died at the home of her son L. Harrison in Axtel last Saturday morning.
Little Louie Lakes came to his death by drowning in the river here Sunday afternoon. The Doctor with assistants worked over him to bring him to life but it was impossible. He was his mother’s only child and everyone’s heart is full of sympathy for her.
Another storm July 1st. Lightening struck the Telephone line east of here and demolished 6 telephone poles.
The thunderstorm of last Sunday was short and severe. A large black walnut tree, which stood near the sidewalk in Klein’s dooryard, was struck by lightning A good many Phones were put out of order.
The LYZ club met with Miss Ruby Dean on last Thursday afternoon.
Miss Kinnie Greenhoe has a position at the exchange.
Mrs. A.D. Baumhart spent one day of last week with her parents.
The farmers of this vicinity are busy hauling wheat to the car.
Harry Lax attended the circus held in A.W. Ladrach’s barn on Tuesday evening.
Harry Miller has returned to Cleveland after spending a few weeks with his parents here.
The funeral of Mrs. Allan was well attended. The flowers were many and very beautiful.
Mrs. Myron Frisby lead the C.E. [sic] Sunday evening, after a brief service she introduced Rev. E. Bauman of the German M.E. church who is going as a Missionary to S. America. Rev. Bauman gave us a very interesting talk on Missionary work. We all wish hi success in his good work.
The little folks created quite an excitement in our town Tuesday evening. The young talent gave a show in A.W. Ladrach’s barn. The show consisted of a circus performance and menagerie. All who attended reported a good time.
The funeral of Mrs. Harrison held in the M.E. church on Monday was well attended.
Ed Holstein is on the sick list.
Miss Minnie Bodman of Amherst spent thursdy with Miss Nellie Baumhart.
Mrs. Robert Dalzell and little granddaughter Myrtle spent Monday and Tuesday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Baumhardt.
Mrs. Geo. Hearn is still quite ill.
Geo. Brown of Toledo is ill at his home here.
Only two accidents occurred here the Fourth; a frightened horse injured one boy and another had his face slightly burned by firecrackers. The day passed pleasantly. A large crowd was present.
The funeral of E.C. Smith was held Friday from the home of Rev. Boyer and Fuessner officiating. Mr. Smith was 38 years old.
Mrs. John Beller is reported very ill.
A school for pupils who have to make up lessons last year was opened over the North Amherst bank Monday.
The work of tearing down and clearing up the debris of the old school building was begun this week under the direction of John Neising [sic]. $975 is the price paid.
BORN – To Mrs. and Mrs. John Neusing Tuesday July 9, a son.
Toasted corn flakes 3 for 25c at W.A. Christian’s.
Mrs. F.E. Englebry was taken to St. Alexis Hospital, Cleveland, where an operation will be performed.
Linwood Park will e honored this year – Saturday, August 34d, U.S. Senator J.B. Foraker and Congressman G.E. Mouser will be the speakers at the Farmer’s Picnic in above date.
The Glorious Fourth passed off without any serious accidents in Vermilion although quite a crowd gathered at the parks. It is reported that a Wohlaver boy lost several fingers by an explosion.
[VV. Ed. Note: Maybe I’m missing something, but losing several fingers seems like a serious accident to me. Perhaps this wasn’t written properly??]
The Uniform Rank Woodmen of the World will give a concert on the 20th of this month. The well-known Schwartz Sisters of Lorain will furnish the program.
At about 10:30 Friday night the fire department was called to the Schoonard residence in the southern part of town to put out ablaze which originated in an incubator which was located in a shed near the house. The shed was destroyed and the house damaged to some extent. About 150 chickens were burned. Only a small insurance was carried.
The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Fisher of Oberlin was bitten by a dog Tuesday.
Mrs. V. Thompson accompanied by a friend arrived home from Cleveland today called by the death of her son Frank.
D.B. Bartholomew lost a leather neck-strap somewhere between Howell’s Blacksmith shop and Axtel. Finder will confer a favor by returning same to owner.
Frank Hatch came home from Norwalk where he has been working on the 3d it being his birthday, suffering an attack of pneumonia. He is however on the road to recovery.
A fine baby boy arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Myers Saturday, June 29, ’07.
Mrs. Jane Simons of Wakeman was the guest of her son S.W. Simons and family Sunday.
Call at M. Wilbur’s Hardware and ask to see the latest labor saving clothes washer. It will pay you to do so.
The Lake View Hotel at Lorain has been purchased by Dr. Van Nuys and is now being converted into an up-to-date hospital.
Mrs. Martinek went to Sandusky today where she expects to meet here sister from Canada, who will be her guest for a few weeks.
Reports from St. Alexis Hospital, Cleveland, this morning states that Mrs. F.E. Englebry, who underwent an operation on Monday, is very weak but if she survives today there are hopes for recovery.
Hmmmmmm....
A SUMMER AFTERNOON IN TOWN: FDR is President of these United States of America. The nation is slowly beginning to cast off the dark curtains cast across the world by the stock market crash in Black October of 1929. At the Liberty Theater Ginger Rogers and fellow actor-singer-dancer Fred Astair are brightening the lives. of local audiences with a production called Flying Down To Rio. It is the first of 10 musicals they will co-star in the ensuing years. An unknown Norwegian figure skater, named Sonja Henie, has just won the second of 3 Olympic Gold Medals she will win within less than a decade - not to mention the hearts and minds of millions of admirers. A pretty girl named Amelia Earhart flashes a warm smile before a host of news cameras as she is celebrated as a national hero after becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. And businesses along Liberty Avenue from Grand Street east to the river bridge appeared to be doing well as local newspaper editor/publisher Pearl Roscoe pointed the lens of his Graflex camera to the east and froze these shadows of a pleasant summer afternoon in the Village of Vermilion, Ohio.
This photo is one of a series of pictures of approximately the same scene Roscoe took that day. My assumption is that he intended to use one as a postcard picture. In fact, there is a card with much the same scene on it that is in wide circulation although some may not recognize it. That card portrays a night scene and is obviously an artistically enhanced reproduction. His wife, Bessie, sold the cards in the News .Gift Shop she owned and operated. It was located where one can see the "Gift - Cards" sign on the right part of the photo.
She shared the building, sandwiched' between Butler's "Home Restaurant" and the Liberty Theater, with the local Western Union office. When village resident Ralph Bard first came to town he worked as a telegraph operator in that office. His future wife, Jayne Ries, worked in Mrs. Roscoe's shop.
Next to the Liberty Theater was the recently defunct Vermilion Banking Company that would soon be occupied' by the Williams Law Offices. And next to it was Berk's Grocery Store. When I was a youngster Harold Moats ran his meat market out of the same building before constructing his successful Sparkle Market at Vermilion-On-The-¬Lake.
East of Berk's store, in the spot where Admiral Debbie's is now located, a restaurant was apparently situated. But I can't decipher a name from any of the photo angles available to me. Adjacent to that place was once J.A. Klaar's Harness Shop that metamorphosed into Leidheiser's Grocery, and then into a Kroger Store.
Then came the very popular Okagi Restaurant. Coming to Vermilion in October of 1913, Japanese émigré Marmouru Okagi and his French spouse bought the business from Mr. and Mrs. John Carr. By 1919 they had purchased the building seen in this photo, renovated it, and could serve over 200 persons at a time. (Note the restaurant sign above the place that is painted on the wall of the Erie County Bank building.) By the spring of 1933 they had, at times, served up to 1500 people in a single day. Nearly all the employees were Vermilionites.
Across Division (now Main) Street to the east in the corner store of the Fischer Building was Vermilion's wonderful A&P Store. Like my recollections of George Rathbun's store (not pictured) it was the very pleasant aroma of fresh bread, fruit, and vegetables one encountered in the shop that I remember best.
Readers will note (with some amusement) that while there is a traffic signal on the Liberty Main/Division Street corner that it apparently has only two signals: ted and green. One might wonder how long it took for folks to see a practical reason to add a yellow caution element to those signals.
And finally, there is the nearly invisible wording on the sign over the walk on the left side of the photo. The sign appears to be attached to a building that has long since been replaced by what is now the home of Papa Joe's; It says that the building was then occupied by the Lake Erie Power and Light Company. I assume that it was the predecessor of Ohio Edison.
The second after Roscoe captured these shadows they began to change. They still are.
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.
…Andrew Clark and James Jemison settled in the south part of section four in 1824. Isaac Sampson, a revolutionary soldier, with his two sous, Isaac and John, settled on section three in the spring of 1825.
Norman Carter, from Warren, Connecticut, came to Ruggles in 1824, and bought lot twenty-six, of section four. In 1827, having in the meantime lived a part of the time in Ruggles, and the other part in Portage county, he returned to Connecticut, married Lovina Hopkins, and returned to Ohio. After a temporary residence in Portage county, he removed to Ruggles, and added to his former purchase the east half of lot seventeen. Their children were: Huldah Adelaide and Sarah Lovina. The former married Isaac Sturtevant, and the latter William Gault.
Aldrich Carver settled on lots ten and eighteen, in section four, in the year 1825. Mr. Carver first came to Huron county in 1818, and in the following year was one of the party who went to Maumee and captured the Indians who were afterward hung at Norwalk. Returning to Cayuga county, New York, he married Amy Kniffen, in 1821. He settled in Greenwich, Huron county, in 1822. They have four children: Jane, Fanny, Phoebe and John.
Harvey Sackett made settlement in Ruggles in 1825. He first settled in Tallmadge, with his father, in 1811, whence he returned to Connecticut, the place of his birth. In 1816, and married Thalia Eldred, April 2, 1817, and brought his bride to Tallmadge. In coming from this place to Ruggles, in 1825, he consumed eight days, the journey being made with ox teams. The following were the children of Mr. Sackett by his first wife: Dimmes M., Erastus T., Erasmus M. and Irene C. Mrs. Sackett died in 1843 and Mr. Sackett married Mrs. Mary Van Vranken, widow of Garrett Van Vranken, April 12, 1844. A son, Justus H. was born in 1848. Mr. Sackett resided for two years in Ashland, from 1861 to 1863; returning to Ruggles in the year last named.
Before 1830 the settlement had increased so that the township had a population of two hundred and seventy-one souls. Ten years later, the township had reached a population of one thousand two hundred and forty-four.
Hezekiah Barber was one of the early settlers. He was a Baptist minister, and came in from Townsend township, settling upon lot five, section three, where he built a log house, and set out a nice orchard. He remained only a few years, and then removed to New York State.
Ezekiel Samson located upon lot nine, section three, and after living there for several years, removed to Illinois, where he died. John Samson settled upon the west half of lot ten, section three, and Isaac Samson on the east half. Isaac Samson, Sr., settled with his son John. He was a revolutionary soldier and a brick mason by occupation. The Samsons all removed to the West.
Truman Bates came in from the adjoining township of New London, and took up lot twenty-three, section three. He joined the Mormons, as did several others from this township, but becoming dissatisfied with their principles and practices, left them, and returned to Ruggles.
Archibald Bates settled on lot number sixteen, section three, and for some time operated an ashery, and manufactured the first pearlash in the township.
Samuel Monroe came from Springfield, Portage county, in 1824, and settled upon lot nineteen, section —, though he soon after sold out, and removed to lot twenty-three, where he lived many years. He is now living in Iowa at an advanced age. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His children were: Sarah, Polly, Isabella, Hester, Martha, Annabelle, John and Samuel. They all removed to Iowa, except Sarah, wife of Philetus Ferris, and Martha, who is in Fulton county of this State.
Taylor Peck and his wife, Jerusha, came to Ruggles from Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1826, and located upon lot seventy-eight, section three. They had four children: Lydia, Lucy, Homer and Emily J., and a fifth son, Miles J., was born after their arrival in the township. Mrs. Peck died in 1835, and Mr. Peck took as his second wife, Francis Beach, of Medina county. Mr. Peck died in 1854.
Salmon Weston and his wife Mercy emigrated from Connecticut to Ruggles in 1828, and settled upon lot nineteen, section one, being the first settlers in the eastern part of the township. Salmon Weston died 1864. A son, Phineas, now resides in the township.
Isaac Hazen came from Warren county, Connecticut, in 1829, and located upon lot, section -. He died in 1832. A son, Amos, now lives in the township. Lewis Crow came in 1830.
In 1832 came Jacob Hirsching and Wm. Potter, both from Genesee county. New York. They located in the northeast part of the township, section two. During the same year came Ackley Knowlton and Benjamin Greene from Yates county. New York, Thomas Bowman and James Lindsley, from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and a number of others,
Eli Fost came in 1833 and located in section one. He died in 1875. He had twelve children, of whom five now live in the township. Bolser Mather, of Pennsylvania, who came in the same year, is noted as being the father of twenty-six children, nineteen of whom are living.
John Wist came in 1837: died in 1876. Theron Potter, in 1838. Orrin Cogshall, in 1835, from Litchfield, Connecticut, bringing his wife and two children, Mary J. and Josephine. Elias Culbertson, in----; James T. Carney, in 1835, and Mildad Crittenden in 1836.
The first log house at the Center was built by Enoch Taylor of Warren, Connecticut. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived until the year 1875.
Daniel Smith, who came to the township at an early day, was the first shoemaker.
ITEM OF GREAT INTEREST: To get a reasonably good picture of this item I had to shoot two halves of it (instead of the single object). It’s a plastic football with a smaller ball inside.
The ball is from a 1924 Vermilion High School Football Banquet. (I’ve yet to look over their record.) Anyway, that’s pretty cool – but that’s not all.
The team members sign the ball. Dr. Morey Jeffery also signed the ball (i.e. “Jeff”). Joi (Jeffery) and Kevin Murphy provided the VNPS Museum with this great artifact.
Having passed the enlistment physical, Jon was asked by the doctor, "Why do you want to join the Navy, son?"
"My father said it'd be a good idea, sir."
"Oh? And what does your father do?"
"He's in the Army, sir."
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.13, Issue 12 - May 30, 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant