The Ice Man Cometh & Museum Activities
SHOPTALK: On the hometop this week is a poster I made to advertise activities at the museum. It was also an experiment to see if I could create and print posters. Below is a true copy of a poster originally printed by (and at) the print shop. It’s not totally accurate – but it’s pretty close. I feel rather confident about reproducing some of the old posters now.
On the shoptop this week is an image acquired this past week from a glass negative. I’ve seen this photo before – and written about it as well. But this is the first time I’ve been able to experience such a very clear look at the detail. (There a lot.)
The iceman is a gent named John Nicholas Englebry. He was born in Vermilion on September 10, 1866. He died in April of 1928.
In 1919 he left the ice business and went into the coal and builder supply business by buying the C.F. Decker Coal company. Sometime later Floyd Hull (perhaps a nephew) joined him and the company became known as Englebry and Hull. But when I became conscious of such things back in the early 1950s the company was just known as the Hull company.
Among the many details in this pic is a little sign on the building behind the wagon. I can just make out the word “Millinery”. I believe it was Hattie Whitmore’s store.
And on the other side (behind Mr. Englebry) there is Ritter’s Tailor shop and the Vermilion Post Office.
It’s really a wonderful photograph. There are actually two of the same scenes. But in one of them the horses had moved just a tad and their legs were blurred.
Originally I intended to put together a photographic darkroom similar to the one my late brother used to develop photographs from the glass. But when I began to look at what was required I was put off by the fact that I’d have to use various chemicals in the work – and I decided that I really didn’t want to get into that type of thing.
Anyway, I looked around and decided that it was actually feasible to put together a digital darkroom. After trying several methods using various digital instruments I came across a process that I have found to be extremely adequate.
Using a small Nikon camera with a camera stand, a wireless SD card, a laptop computer (with photo software) along with a color copier I can shoot, develop and make a copy of a glass negative (or any photo) efficiently, quickly and wirelessly.
I find the entire process to be amazing.
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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,
THE ABELL GIRLS: During the week Lorn Naegele and her sister-in-law visited the museum to get a better look at this photograph. They know more about it than do I.
They're thinking is that the two older girls are Hattie and Ollie Abell - and that they're standing by the old Abell homestead on Washington Street. That house, by the way, still exists. Vermilion's Enlow family now lives there (across fron / west of the Ritter Library.) It's the first house north of the library's parking lot.
We joked a bit about the lady (probably the girls' mother) sitting on the porch reading the paper. In today's world she would've been looking at her phone. The little girl sitting on the ground is yet to be identified.
From what was said I surmise that somewhere there may be a number of glass negatives and photographs captured by late Vermilionite Jacob Abell during his lifetime. His work predates my grandfather's Vermilion pix. Thus far, his photographs are the oldest I've ever seen of the town.
(Cool hats.)
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
MORE DIVISION STREET: The accompanying photo is a partial part of a larger photo that was probably taken by local photographer Paul Ludlow in the summer of 1956. Pictures are some of the stores on the northwest (of course) side of Division (now Main) Street between the railroad tracks and Liberty.
It’s only part of the photo because I wanted people to be able to get a better / closer look at some of the stores therein. (It’s pretty cool.) The clock in the window of the Lake Shore (dry) Cleaners tells us that it’s about 10:45 in the morning. I don’t know for certain but I think that Vermilionite Dick Gorbach ran that business at that time. And next door was Naegele’s wonderful meat market. I used to love going into that store just to look around. But I also remember buying some “store bought” cookies there. And the Naegele’s were always very friendly. I also remember their screen door at the entrance. It banged like a screen door should. There is a poster (probably printed by the Vermilion News Print Shop) for an upcoming activity – perhaps a street dance.
Next to Naegele’s was Ruth and Norm Duperow’s restaurant. In this pic we get to see the tables (replete with table cloths) waiting for customers. And in the reflection of their window I see a 1956 Chevrolet about to enter the street.
The doors between Naegele’s and the dry cleaner open to the stairs leading to the Masonic Temple about these stores. The Masons owned (and still own) the entire building. Also note the fire escape. I haven’t noticed lately – but I wonder if it’s still there? Their sign (just to the right of the fire escape remained until about 10 years ago when some vandals threw rocks at it and destroyed it.
This pic brings back many memories for me (and probably for many others) who were around on that nice summer day back in 1956. I really love Vermilion. What a wonderful place it was to grow up (and grow old) in…
-Thursday, June 4, 2015
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: Unlike the last issue this issue is correct – No. 6.]
Saturday before Judge Washburn, of the common pleas court, attorney for the Erie Terminal company and the Erie Ship Canal company withdrew their motion to have their suit thrown out and the preliminary is set for hearing July 22. The case is against the Lorain Sand and Gravel company and is o condemn land at Oak Point for terminal purposes.
The feature of the case was brought about by the attorneys for the defendants moving the court that the case be reinstated to compel the plaintiffs to pay the defendants’ expense bills. Rather than do that the plaintiffs will let the case be tried.
The fear recently expressed that the Oak Point proposition had fallen through because of the withdrawal of the suits against the Lorain Sand and Gravel company has no foundation in fact. When it is understood that the engineer-in-chief, who is a high-priced man, being a coast engineer, together with a high-priced assistant are constantly located on the ground doing nothing but drawing salary, it will be seen that no one would permit such expense had the proposition fallen through. Besides these high salaried employers, there are several well-paid assistants including a good cook, the expenses for all of which are borne by the syndicated which is to make Lorain famous. – Lorain Times.
[VV. Ed. Note: Some things never change.]
Canoe Capsized and He and a Companion Struggle for Life.
We hardly thought that when we chronicled he sudden death of Frank Thompson by electrocution, to announce the death of another young man in so short a time.
Martin Willoughby, of Watford, Canada, who has been I the employ of W.E. Bailey for the past 18 months with a companion, Alfred Buell hired a canoe and went to Crystal Beach Park Sunday. While on their return and at a point just off the Linwood Park Bath house about 400 feet from shore the frail craft capsized throwing the occupants into the water.
Both young men were good swimmers and it was supposed they were all right but Willoughby for some reason or other sank before assistance could reach him. His companion escaped.
The accident occurred between one and two o’clock in the afternoon.
A number of boats and launches with drag-hooks and nets were soon on the scene but all attempts to find the body so far have failed, although parties have kept up the search almost continually since, even resorting to dynamite.
Mr. Willoughby’s parents were notified and the father came to Vermilion as soon as he could and will probably stay a few days or until the body is recovered.
He was an expert swimmer and canoeist and it is not known why he succumbed although it may have been a cramp or he became so entangled in his clothing as to render it impossible for him to keep up.
Martin Willoughby was 27 years old and a member of the Masonic lodge, the I.O.O.F. and the Canadian Order of Foresters.
He boarded at S.C. Myers’ on Ohio street. He was a young man of good qualities a good workman and possessed that pleasant and unassuming manner which made him man friends during his short stay among us.
One of the saddest features of this terrible affair is his coming marriage to Miss Bessie Ingram, who resides a short distance west of town.
He leaves a father, mother, three brothers and three sisters in Canada to mourn his untimely death.
The body of Michael Gibbons, Marine Fireman was found with his head across a rail of the Wheeling tracks in Huron Wednesday morning. The coroner was called an evidence of murder found. The man had been struck back of the ear with some instrument. The coroner will hold an inquest Friday.
Two men, John McLaughlin and Frank Chambers have been detained as witnesses. When found the body bore evidence of having been dragged quite a distance and was placed beneath a car in such a position as to cover all traces of murder if the train was moved.
It is claimed by some that the dead man had $118 on his person Tuesday.
A body was found at he mouth of the creek at Oak Point at 3 o’clock Wednesday afternoon and later identified as that of Martin Willoughby. The remains being found in Lorain county it fell to the duty of the coroner of that county to view the body. Wickens and Ransom took charge of the body and took it to Lorain. It will probably be shipped to his former home in Canada from there.
“Hold my job for me, I will be home on Tuesday.” Read a message received from Dr. J.S. McCelland last Saturday from Seattle, Wash. Who at the time of his disappearance on May 24, was coroner of Erie county. The county commissioners declared the office vacant today after McClelland failed to put in appearance. The message was received by Mrs. McClelland this morning but she failed to act upon it.
Dr. P.F. Southwick of Sandusky, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
[VV. Ed. Note: I believe Dr. McClelland left town quite quickly when some discovered the pocket money of several of his clients missing. Let us wait (with bated breath) to see if the good doctor ever returns home.]
Frank R. Thompson, whose sad sudden death at the Brown Hoist works at Lorain, the NEWS of last week reported, was buried in Maple Grove cemetery Saturday afternoon last. He was born at Vermilion, Nov. 18, 1885, and died July 11, 1907, lacking 4 months and 7 days of being 22 years old. Vermilion has always been his home and never for any considerable time has he been away. Frank was a fine young man and held the esteem of all knowing him. Those for whom he has worked at various times speak warmly of his faithfulness and integrity. The father, mother, sister and two brothers so bereaved in losing the earthly companionship of this promising eldest child and brother, have the deep sympathy of the community. Frank was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and also of Local No. 106, Hoisters and Engineers of Lorain. The funeral was largely attended, the following young men acted as pall-bearers: Frank Gegenheimer, Frank McConnelly, Earl Childs, Howard Thompson, Lee Tischer, Hazen Thompson, the floral offerings were profuse and beautiful. Rev Geo. E. Merrill conducted the services.
The following beautiful lines were received by the family:
I cannot say – I will not say That he is dead. He is just away!
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand.He has wandered into an unknown land.
And left us dreaming how very fairIt needs must be, since he lingers there.
Then think of him still the same,I say, He is not dead – He is just away.
The receipts of ore at Huron during the month of June were 153,785 tons. It is expected that the ore receipts for July will be the largest ever handled there for a period of thirty days, the figures being placed at over 2000,000 tons, based upon the receipts thus far this month.
Mr. John Moes is moving on his farm recently purchased of Chas Nuhn. We are very glad to have Mr. Moes in our neighborhood.
The Englebry Bros. are putting the plaster on Frank Moes new house which is nearing completion. Mr. Moes will have a very nice house when finished.
Little Fred Oatzel [sic], the 3-year-old son of Justice Oatzel, a farmer living near Florence, was run over by a big wagon Monday and seriously injured. The little fellow was walking by the side of the wagon and in some manner go under one of the rear wheels, which passed over his body, breaking three ribs and his collarbone At first the lad was thought to be fatally injured but he showed sings of improvement late in the day and the attending physician said he would pull through. The accident occurred on the Oatzel farm. Mr. Oatzel and family recently moved there from Milan.
[VV. Ed. Note: I believe the last name is actually spelled Oetzel.]
Lawson Shoop is still quite sick with the whooping cough.
M.D. Slocum has been picking raspberries.
Miss Alice Hearn, who underwent an operation at the Lorain Hospital about three weeks ago has been brought home but it will be some time before she fully recovers.
Workmen began demolishing the old school building Thursday. The good material will be saved and the rubbish carted away to the rear of the yard filling it up to the street level.
There was a strike at the Ohio Quarries Thursday on account of the changing from a change in pay of the curbing pointers from day to piece work. The helpers however took the strikers’ places.
V.G. McGee, proprietor of the Manhatten [sic] restaurant had the misfortune to run a rusty nail into his foot. He has been confined to his bed and is threatened with blood poisoning. Dr. Wiseman has charge of the case.
Mrs. W.R. Coppage whose husband had charge of the King Bridge Company’s work here some time ago and who lived in the Braun house died suddenly at the home of her parents at Hampton Roads, Va. last week Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Coppage made many friends while here.
The home of Charles Shultz near East quarry was entered by burglars recently and a sum of money was taken.
Adam franks was stricken with paralysis one day this week.
Andrew Doyle, a farmhand about 60 years old was found dead, hanging from a rafter in the barn of a Mr. Rooney, a farmer, his employer, Monday at noon at Gibson, a small town in Lorain county. He had committed suicide.
Poor health is given as the cause brought on by other troubles. Doyle had been working on and off for Mr. Rooney and for other farmers around this section. He had no family living.
Concert at Town Hall Saturday night. Go!
BORN – To Mr. and Mrs. Martin Shuster Tuesday July 17 ’07 a twelve-pound daughter.
[VV. Ed. Note: WOW!!!]
Mrs. Patterson and daughter who have been spending the past few weeks here called by the death of Mr. Wakefield left Tuesday for a two weeks visit at Cleveland after which they expect to return to their home in Atlanta Ga.
Mr. and Mrs. Everad Thompson and Mrs. Mann of Chicago Jct., E.H. Wendt, Miss Winnie Allen, Mrs. David Mallo, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sturdvant and Frank Gegenheimer of Cleveland and Mrs. G.E. Skinner of Talmadge were here to attend the funeral of Frank Thompson.
Mrs. Geo Rathbun returned last evening from a few days visit with friends at Sandusky.
Miss Carrie Perrin has been home nursing a stubborn case of the mumps the past week. Miss Perrin has the sympathy of a wide circle of friends – Milan News items.
The first car over the Sandusky …mont branch of the L.S.E. road was run on Tuesday.
Burglars visited the Lake Shore Electric Depot at Berlin Heights at an early hour Wednesday morning but got nothing.
Lightning struck and fired one of the large storage tanks of the Standard Oil Co. at Lima Tuesday. A quarter of million barrels of crude oil was ignited. Other tanks were saved by hard work.
Mrs. Fred Goodell of Buffalo is spending osme time in town.
Vermilion is largely represented at Sandusky today. The attraction being buffalo Bill and his Wild West.
The body of Martin Willoughby was brought to Vermilion this morning and shipped to his home in Canada. Mr. Willoughby, Sr. and Miss Bessie Ingram accompanied the remains on the 1:50 L.S. train.
HELP WANTED – Young men and boys to work in wood working factory. Steady work with chance for advancement. –Lake Shore Wood-Working Co. – Vermilion, O.
The tug Driscoll and crew went to Fairport Sunday from which port they will fish.
John Naegele leaves today for Fairport where he will be employed on the Driscoll.
Mrs. E.H. and son Alva left Tuesday morning for Toledo where they met Capt. Hill and joined him in a trip up the lakes.
Itching piles provoke profanity, but profanity won’t cure them. Doan’s Ointment cures itching, bleeding or protruding piles after year of suffering. At any drug store.
[VV. Ed. Note: Good not know…] Cloudy Noel, the ferryboat house furnished boats free to all persons wishing to gapple for the body of Martin Willoughby. A division of the Lima Y.M.C.A. have arrived at Linwood to spend their 3d outing. This [was the] company that was in the terrible wreck on the electric last year. Paul Thompson was called home from the lakes Saturday by the death of his brother Frank. BIRMINGHAM A small band of Gypsies passed through here going west Sunday. The funeral of Lewis Legg the boy who was drowned in the river last Sunday took place form Mr. Blockman’s home last Tuesday morning. World’s Record Established at Crystal Beach …Sporting papers throughout the country are publishing large articles regarding the two triple plays which were pulled off in Sundays game [between the Vermilion Independents and Veaha’s All-Stars of Cleveland]; never before in the history of the game has this feat been accomplished and barely does it occur to have on triple play in a game. [VV. Ed. Note: To clarify: Both teams had a triple.]
[VV. Ed. Note: Good not know…]
Cloudy Noel, the ferryboat house furnished boats free to all persons wishing to gapple for the body of Martin Willoughby.
A division of the Lima Y.M.C.A. have arrived at Linwood to spend their 3d outing. This [was the] company that was in the terrible wreck on the electric last year.
Paul Thompson was called home from the lakes Saturday by the death of his brother Frank.
A small band of Gypsies passed through here going west Sunday.
The funeral of Lewis Legg the boy who was drowned in the river last Sunday took place form Mr. Blockman’s home last Tuesday morning.
…Sporting papers throughout the country are publishing large articles regarding the two triple plays which were pulled off in Sundays game [between the Vermilion Independents and Veaha’s All-Stars of Cleveland]; never before in the history of the game has this feat been accomplished and barely does it occur to have on triple play in a game.
[VV. Ed. Note: To clarify: Both teams had a triple.]
Hmmmmmm....
MOREY, MORE AND MORE MOREY: I found the accompanying (c.1943) portrait of Morey Byham Jeffery in a stack of photographs that my late brother, Al, had apparently made a special effort of setting aside for reasons unknown (to me). It was a publicity photo taken by the U.S. Army during WW2 celebrating Mr. Jeffery’s graduation from flight school, and was very likely used as a one or two column picture on the front page of Vermilion’s newspaper during the war. I recognized the face simply because I’d have a real hard time mistaking a Jeffery face anywhere on the planet.
I never had the privilege of meeting the man. But my mother and father always spoke highly of him. Around Vermilion folks knew him as “Bud”. His father, Morey Potts Jeffery, was an extremely popular area physician. Tragically, the good doctor was on his way to make a house call when he was hit and killed on the Adams Street railroad crossing. That was in 1929. [Note: I now can’t help but wonder if Edson Street had existed back then if that accident might not have happened.] In any case, the accident did happen and Bud’s mom, Edna, was faced with the task of raising Bud and his two younger brothers, Keith and Sidney (who were better know by their nicknames “Doc” and “Ding” respectively) alone. She was 30 years old. Eventually she married an affable Vermilionite named Lawrence “Sonny” Naegele. Consequently, Bud and his brothers came of age in what can only be described as an admirable family environment. In time the boys welcomed a little sister, Barbara (Winterstein) to the family. While, as indicated, I never knew Bud, I knew everyone else in the family and must say that I have seldom met a better natured bunch of folks in my life.
Mr. Naegele “Sonny” ran a meat-market and grocery store on Division / Main Street. The south room of the Lee’s Landing store currently (2015) occupies that same space. Part of the reason I mention the store is that prior to Bud’s entry into the service in 1941 he worked there with his brothers and step-father.
During WW2 Bud distinguished himself as a B-12 bomber pilot. Following the war he left the service, came back to Vermilion and joined his brothers in a grocery / meat market business they named the “Park Market”. It was located in one of the Fischer building storefronts on Liberty Avenue. But whether he just didn’t like the work or missed the action, he soon reenlisted opting for a career in the military as a pilot. After retiring he lived in the West and died in Nevada in 1988.
I met Bud’s son, Morey Lawrence (aka “Larry”), some time back when he purchased a home in Vermilion. It was just a few years after he had retired from the service. Like his father he had also been a career military pilot. But instead of bombers he flew helicopters in Vietnam and elsewhere. Currently he lives with is wife, Luann, in the South and works for the C.I.A. As such he works all over the planet. Every now and then I receive emails from the most exotic places (I’ve never heard of) from him. I don’t view him as a double-o-seven type of guy. On the other hand, I’ve never asked what he does do. And I really don’t need to know. But more importantly, it doesn’t really matter. Like the two Morey’s before him he’s a Vermilion guy, and always will be. That’s what really matters.
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.
…Benjamin D. Green, now living in Iowa, was the first blacksmith. He located at Ruggles' Corners. He gave up blacksmithing for the carpenters trade. He was a prominent man in the community; held several important offices, and was a major in the militia.
The first birth was that of Wakeman J. Beach, the son of Daniel Beach, born January 11, 1835. Mr. Beach grew to manhood in- Ruggles, and has spent most of his life in Ruggles, though he has travelled quite extensively. He married Phoebe Ann Washburn (daughter of James Washburn), of New London, December 24, 1853, and now resides on the old homestead.
The first marriage did not take place until the year 1832, when, on the I8th day of June, Mr. James Poag, widower, was united in marriage to Miss Laura C. Smith. The ceremony was performed by Daniel Beach, Esq.
The first death occurred in 1826, in which year Mr. Cyrus Sanders, a single man, and a nephew of Mr. B. Sturtevant, died of bilious fever.
The first saw mill was built by Daniel Beach in 1824, on the Vermillion river, one hundred rods north of Ruggles Corners. This mill was of great benefit to the early settlers. Mr. Beach built a gristmill also, near the site of the sawmill, in 1831 or ‘32, to which steam was subsequently attached. The first store in Ruggles was opened by Josiah Botsford at Ruggles Corners, one and one-half miles west of the Center, in about the year 1831. The first post office was established one-half mile south of the Corners in, Mr. G. W. Curtiss being postmaster.
Prior to 1826, Ruggles was attached to New London for civil purposes, but at the date named it was detached and organized, the first election occurring January 2d of that year. There were just a dozen residents who participated in this first election, as follows: Perry Durfee, Harvey Sackett, Norman Carter, Truman Bates, Reuben Fox, B. Sturtevant, Jacob Roorback, Abraham Ferris, Justice Barnes, Daniel Beach, Ezra D. Smith, and Aldrich Carver. Mr. E. D. Smith was chosen clerk; H. Sackett, treasurer; J. Roorback, D. Beach, and A. Carver, trustees; B. Sturtevant and H. Sackett, overseers of the poor; J. Barnes and A. Ferris, fence viewers; Reuben Fox and Perry Durfee, appraisers of property; N. Carter, constable, and T. Bates, supervisor, —thirteen offices filled with twelve individuals. Mr. Sackett had the honor of filling two positions. Another election was held April 3d, when Mr. Ferris was made treasurer, Mr. Bates constable, and Messrs. Fox and Sturtevant supervisors, and Harvey Sackett justice of the peace. The other offices remained filled as above.
The first religious services were held at Harvey Sackett's house soon after the settlement of the township by Lodovicus Robbins. Not long after a Methodist class was formed, of which there remains no record, and in regard to which no authentic information can be obtained.
The first church organization in the township was that of the Congregational in 1827. Upon the 11th of January of that year, eleven persons, all of whom had letters from other churches, associated themselves under the name of the Congregational church of Ruggles. They were Harvey Sackett, Ezra D. Smith, Norman Carter, Reuben Fox, Rachel Curtis, Lorinda Beach, Jerusha Peck, Thalia Sackett, Mina Fox, Cynthia Smith, and Sarah Sturtevant. The meeting was held at Mr. Sackett's house, and the ministers were the Revs. Ephraim T. Woodruff and Lodovicus Robbins. The church was organized on "the plan of union," a system in vogue among the Presbyterian and Congregational churches in the early settlement of the Western Reserve, and was at first connected with the presbytery of Huron, under the jurisdiction of which it remained until 1867, when it united with the Central North Congregational conference of Ohio. For many years the people of this church assembled for worship in the houses of members or in the log schoolhouses, but in 1855 a church was erected (the present town hall), which was for the time an amply commodious structure.
There was for a number of years no minister of the gospel resident in Ruggles, but the Congregational pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Robbins and others. Rev. E. P. Salmon came as stated supply in 1830, and remained three years. The pastors and supply preachers of the church since the close of his ministry have been as follows: Revs. S. Dunton, William L. Buffett, Benjamin B. Judson, W. T. Chamberlain, 0. W. Mather, E. P. Sperry, William F. Millikin, G. C. Judson, L. G. Clark, James Wilson, John McCutchan, H. L. Howard. Rev. George G. Fry is at present the minister in charge of the church. The deacons are: W. C. Sturtevant, Phineas Weston, Homer Peck, and W. C. Gault; Justice H. Sackett, Phineas Weston, John Carver, trustees; R. Godfrey, clerk; C. W. Sturtevant, treasurer.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a Protestant Methodist Church, with the following members: Henry H. Daniels and wife, Ira Paine, wife and daughter, Orrin Stillson and wife, Orrin Cogshall and wife. Electa Weston, Samuel Gault. After about one year's existence as a Protestant Methodist Church, the organization became Methodist Episcopal and was taken into the Olivesburgh circuit. Services were held in the town hall until 1871, when the present church edifice was built at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The first pastor was Rev. James Kellam. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Roseberry. The pastors since then have…
THE GLASS: I guess I'd call this a photographic artifact. The print is well known by Vermilion collectors because it was used for a postcard picture – some colored some not.
Anyway this is the glass negative from which all the prints were made. The pic was probably taken between 1910 and 15 (before Mr. Fischer built the Fischer building that now occupied most of the block).
The Maud has been one my favorite Vermilion buildings and I’m so sorry it’s been (by and large) ruined. But I suppose it’s a miracle that it even exists at all.
Originally the front of the building was the right side. And it appears that that side still provided visitors a welcome entrance after it was moved down the hill to the site where it sits today (2015).
By the way the lady walking up the street (lower right) appears it must have been a rather windy day in that yesteryear.
Being retired, I have a lot of time to do some deep thinking and after I mowed the lawn today, I sat down and had a cold beer.
The day was really quite beautiful, and the drink facilitated some deep thinking. My wife walked by and asked me what I was doing and I said ‘nothing’. The reason I said that instead of saying ‘just thinking’ is because she would have said ‘about what.’ At that point I would have to explain that men are deep thinkers about various topics which would lead to other questions.
Finally she got distracted and walked away, leaving me to ponder other questions. Finally I thought about an age old question: Is giving birth more painful than getting kicked in the nuts? Women always maintain that giving birth is way more painful than a guy getting kicked in the nuts.
Well, after another beer, and some heavy deductive thinking, I have come up with the answer to that question. Getting kicked in the nuts is more painful than having a baby; and here is the reason for my conclusion:
A year or so after giving birth, a woman will often say, “It might be nice to have another child.” On the other hand, you never hear a guy say, “You know, I think I would like another kick in the nuts.” I rest my case. Time for another beer.
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 13 - June 6, 2015
© 2013 Rich Tarrant