Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On my home desk this week are die quarto amigos of yesteryear: George Spreng, Larry E. Howell, Rich Tarrant (me) and Joseph “Jack” Johnson. I took this “selfie” with one of my Nikons several years ago. It was a nice summer day and we were sitting in the picnic pavilion behind the Congregational church on State Street. We are / were the vestiges of the church Men’s Group. Friend George bit the dust just a few years ago. On the last Tuesday of every month we went – and continue to go – out to dinner together.
TWO ROTARIANS:On the shop desk this week is an old snap of Vermilionites Mamoru Okagi and Chester “Chet” Hodgson.
Chester (b. 1902 – d. 1951)) was a salesman – as his very dapper apparel may tell you. And Okagi (b. 1880 – d. 1956) as most persons know owned and operated a rather Vermilion famous restaurant. I’m guessing that the men are in Okagi’s restaurant in this pic.
Hodgson lived in Hanover Square with his family: his wife, Marie, their four children and Marie’s mother. I didn’t know him. But I did know one of his sons, Ned, who ran a shoe store in part of the old George Fischer Lumber office building on Liberty Avenue. Ned married a Vermilion gal named Marjorie Barnes and they had a daughter, Susie.
Okagi’s first wife, Marie, was a native of France. She worked as a nurse at the Elyria hospital when the couple married. She helped her husband with the restaurant while raising two foster children. Their daughter’s name was Mary Kenik. Mary later married a fella name Russ Vasbinder. Mrs. Okagi, Marie, took her own life in 1942. I have been told that she was suffering terribly from cancer.
Sometime after Marie’s death Okagi packed up and went to Los Angeles to live. Vasbinder and his brother-in-law then assumed ownership of the restaurant. In 1948 married a Hawaiian-born girl named Hisano “Dolly” Narikawa. He died in December of 1956.
I’ve always found it interesting that Mr. Okagi belonged to so many organizations, like Rotary and the Masons, but was not a naturalized citizen of the U.S. until 1954 two years before his death. Methinks there is a good deal more to his story.
Whatever the case these are two Vermilion Rotarians in the late 1940s.
Historically,
BEACH DETAIL: In this Richard Koontz photograph during the spring (c.1950) these fellas descended upon Main Street Beach to clean the debris that had collected there during autumn storms and winter winds.
Standing L-R: Duperow, F.E. Baker, H. Moats, Dave Nieding, Al Figdor, Bachman, Fred Fischer, H. Burk, Lloyd Kyle, Doc White and Mel Thayer.
Sitting or Squatting L-R: P. Naegele, R. Miller, L. Naegele, R. Menapace, B. Hollosy, H. Krapp and K. Kuhl.
Laying L-R: “Ding” Jeffery and E. Brushaber
IT HAPPENED ABOUT THIS SAME TIME OF YEAR: It happened about this same time of year - late May in 1903. Linwood Park was about to open for the summer. Trot-line fishermen had been bringing in some good catches. Work on the construction of the new stove factory on the west side of town was moving along. The Twentieth Century Limited made a record run between Cleveland and Toledo passing through town in a blur. A.D. Baumhart was busy moving his drug store / insurance office on Division [now Main] street four doors north of Englebry’s Dry Goods Store [now Brummer’s Candy store]. The first picnic of the season was about to be held at Shadduck’s Grove [later Crystal Beach amusement park] the coming Saturday. Local farmers had received just enough rain for their crops during the week. The Vermilion High School commencement was set for June 5th at the Township Hall Opera House. So, all in all, it looked like it was going to be another pleasant and busy summer season in the little village of Vermilion, O. when young Orville Brooks came home feeling a bit under the weather. The poor boy was running a fever; had a slight rash; and less than 24 hours later the whole town was on the brink of panic. Orville was found to have smallpox.
To digress momentarily, it might be helpful to understand that smallpox is a potentially fatal contagion that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Human beings are its only known natural hosts. It is generally spread by direct, prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected individual and / or direct contact with infected bodily fluids or objects contaminated by sufferers. The name is derived from the Latin word for “spotted” referring to the raised bumps that eventually appear on the face and body of the infected person. Thank heaven, and modern medicine, it has now been eradicated from our planet. The last known case is said to have been in Somalia in 1977.
But back to Vermilion in May and June of 1903. The residences of Brooks’ parents and grandparents were immediately quarantined and guarded. School was dismissed and the building was fumigated. By June 4th Commencement proceedings, church services, and all public gatherings were cancelled until further notice. As more persons came down with the disease a “Pest House”, a clinic for treating persons with contagious diseases, was set up somewhere along West River road. [Note: I first heard about the Pest House in a recording made by late Vermilionite Betty Reffner of another late Vermilionite, Harvey Krapp, talking about his earliest memories of Vermilion. In that recording Mr. Krapp indicated that the clinic was located near the site of that which eventually became the F.W. Wakefield Brass Company.]
In ensuing days every house in the village was fumigated and formaldehyde was being freely used. Inoculations for the virus were started immediately; and by June 5th Mayor Williams reported that there were not five persons left in the town who had not been vaccinated. Here it is interesting to observe that Vermilion’s good Dr. Bond refused a vaccination because he didn’t believe in them. He, consequently, did suffer with a mild attack of the disease, but did recover.
By mid-July the siege of smallpox was at an end. City leaders, responding to the immediate needs of residents, had had to borrow $1500 (which was a significant amount of money in those times) to address those needs. There had been four casualties: Orville Brooks; his sister Mabel; their uncle William; and a three year old boy named Myron Krapp. But five others; Ada and Ethel Brooks (Orville’s sisters), Mrs. Guy Davis, Ozzie Shaffer, and Henry Ries survived the ordeal. So whatever the cost had been to stem the spread of the virus, it had been well worth it.
On August 1st a celebration was held at Shadduck’s Grove and Linwood Park. Everything was free. Two bands, one from North Amherst, and one from Norwalk, entertained town folks. And, in the true spirit of America, a baseball game was played. Who won that game in that yesteryear didn’t matter. What really mattered was that “the end of the scourge” in Vermilion had come, and the people were happy once again.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
Albert Hart who is attending school at Ada was home several days this week. He was one of 29 who were successful in securing registered pharmacist papers at the last state examination. There were some 68 applicants. Mr. Hart's many friends extend congratulations.
An effort was made to reorganize the Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday evening, but owing to legal technicalities in regard to the old Chamber of Commerce holding a meeting without a legal quorum present it was decided to hold a meeting tonight and make an attempt to have more of the old members out. The rules require 15 members to constitute a quorum and only nine or 10 were present. A number were present who will join the organization as soon as this little difficulty is overcome.
If you were a member of the old organization come tonight, if not come anyway especially if you have the good of the town at heart.
There will be a good picture at Crystal Theatre next Saturday night. The management is trying to please the patrons by securing the best films possible. Come and see them.
Georgia Ries for some time wholesale salesman for the Lorain Cigar Company has resigned his position and will enter the wholesale distributing business for himself. His liners for the trade will be the Lorain and La Sarimita cigars. Ries is exceedingly popular with the cigar trade and doubtless will be successful in his new venture. – Lorain News.
Messrs Trinter and Unser have formed a partnership with Mr. C. W. Pomeroy of Sandusky, Ohio, who will take charge of the real estate branch of their business, under the name of Trinter & Unser & Pomeroy.
Mr. Pomeroy is an experienced real estate man and the new company is now thoroughly prepared to handle all kinds of real and personal property to the best possible advantage of its patrons.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Kreger a baby girl.
Walter Jaeger who is been laid up for some time with a sprained ankle is able to be out again.
Dr. G. R. Wise man attended the funeral of Dr. Englebry at Vermilion Thursday.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Lau, January 26, 1910, a daughter.
Jake Miller's condition is reported to be no better.
The Chamber of Commerce held an important meeting on Monday evening and a great deal of important business was transacted.
The funeral service of Peter Chritsman was held on Wednesday afternoon at St. John's Church. Rev. Lindenmeyer officiated. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.
The funeral services of Michael O'Malley were held Tuesday at the St. Joseph's Church. Interment was made in the Calvary Cemetery. The deceased leaves a wife and three daughters and one grandson besides a host of friends to mourn their loss.
V. Leimbach has purchased a new cutter.
V. Leimbach will grind for anyone, Monday and Friday.
Mr. V. Leimbach and son Earl were busy hauling corn stalks to S. Amherst Monday.
The baby son of Mr. and Mrs. J Fisher died Saturday night.
At the request of representatives of Oglebay, Norton & Co. of Cleveland, the approaches to the new bridge at this place have been ordered raised six feet by the county commissioners. This will bring them up to the level of the tracks of the Lake Shore railroad. Oglebay, Norton & Co. own a large track of land along the river and it is thought this land will be used [for] commercial purposes.
C. Young is on the sick list.
Dr. Barnes is moving his barn recently purchased of Ed Johnson, on his place.
A resolution adopted by the County commissioners provide for funds in case a suit arises between the village of Huron and the W. & L. E. Ry. Co. over the approaches to the new bridge at Huron
Eustace Steffen, of Berlin Heights a promising young pitcher, has been signed by Derby O'Brien for his Duluth club. – EX.
In an explosion in a mine at Primer, Col., over 100 men were killed Monday.
President Taft is one of the best in honestest [sic] men in the country. He is too honest and too unsophisticated to deal with the shrewd politicians and the desperate speculators with which he is thrown.
John R. Walsh is another rich manipulator of finances who must wind up his career in prison. Did the fun he had compensate for the finish?
Mrs. N. Fischer is very ill at the home of her daughter in Cleveland. Her children have been called to her bedside.
Mrs. Christopher F. Decker, Sr., is reported quite ill at her home on Exchange St.
On Sunday morning Mrs. Anson Pease fell and hurt herself quite badly while visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pease at Axtel and at present is feeling some better. Mrs. Joseph Whitt came up and is taking care of her.
Dr. B. B. Buell has decided to locate in Vermilion and was in town Tuesday making the necessary arrangements. He has rented part of the Coen block opposite the P.O. And will fit up offices on the ground floor, he also leased a part of the Nieding flat on South St., and will move his family into the same early next week. Dr. Buell comes very highly recommended and has been connected with St. Clair Hospital for the past two years.
[NOTE: Vermilion trivia people. Put this in your notebooks.]
Mrs. Fred Lawless who has been very ill was reported somewhat better.
Sorosis meets with Mrs. Franc Parsons Friday evening.
The groundhog certainly sees his shadow Wednesday.
There was quite a crowd at the dance Friday night.
We have news here that the Gristmill at North Ridgeville was burned last night. It is thought to have been caused by a gas explosion. The mill had an engine which was furnished with gas from a well on the premises. Mr. Butcher a former townsman of this place was using the mill to grind feed.
Mr. Lee Levengood is engaged in breaking colts for Mrs. J Croll.
Mrs. Charles Bristol has been suffering from an attack of Grippe the past two weeks.
Mrs. Anna Pease while walking to the door of her son's home had the misfortune to slip on the snow and hurt her risk quite badly.
Hmmmmmm....
MAY 6, 1880:Two of the juvenile portion of our community had a little set-to near Body's hardware store, last Thursday afternoon, which, on account of the age of the participants, excites a good many jokes and comments, it is the general belief that neither of them will ever see sixty again.
The Congregational Sunday-school have just got a large map of Palestine, which was used for the first time last Sunday. Rightly used it will be a great benefit, to the school. Rev. Q. C. Clark, the efficient superintendent, is doing all he can to make the school what a Sunday- school ought to be.
A new millinery store baa, been opened by Miss Jennie Green in Edson's block, over E. Kane's store. She has a large stock of as neat and tasty goods as we hare seen in this market, and intends to compete for a fair share of the patronage of the public, if taste and skill in work, and prices and quality of goods will do it,
…William Titswood, discharged July 20, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Benjamin F Taylor, discharged October 24, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Frederick Tester, discharged September 8, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Richard B. Tullis, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps January 16, 1864, by order of war Department.
William Voit, mustered out with company June 22, 1864.
George Vining, mustered out with company June 22, 1864.
John Q. Vanderslice, discharged August 19, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
George Waters, mustered out with company June 22, 1864.
Jacob Warner, mustered out with company June 22, 1864.
John Weyle, died April 1, 1862, in hospital at Nashville, Tenn.
Charles Wilson, transferred to company V. Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 1864; veteran.
Joseph M. Waldorf, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, September 1, 1863, by order of war department
Thomas Weston, transferred to company F, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 1864.
To the numerical strength of this regiment Erie county contributed as largely as to any represented by the county in the three years service. Companies A, C, D and I were recruited in this and Huron counties, while the field and staff of the regiment were also in part composed of men from the sections named.
The regiment was raised during the months of September, October and November 1861, and rendezvoused at Norwalk, the county seat of Huron county. It was not until the latter part of January 1862, that the Fifty-fifth broke camp at Norwalk, and proceeded to Grafton, W. Va., where it remained for a short time, and thence went to New Creek. Here the men experienced some severe marching service and engaged in a brisk skirmish at Moorefield, but in February the regiment returned to Grafton.
Like all commands of northern troops, unused to the climate of the South, the men of the Fifty-fifth suffered severely from contagious and infectious diseases; many died and others were rendered wholly unfit for active service.
During the latter part of April the regiment, except companies D, E and G, moved with Schenck's brigade, to which it was attached, to McDowell, in the battle at which place they were engaged, acting in support of a battery, and not under heavy fire. At Cross Keys the regiment was on the field but not engaged. After this they moved to Middletown, near Winchester, where the regiment was brigaded with the Twenty-fifth, Seventy-third and Seventy-fifth Ohio regiments and was attached to General Schenck's division.
25 YEARS: This jewel (however ragged) is the front and back portion of the Olympic Club 25th Anniversary program at the Sachsenheim Hall on Dennison Ave in west Cleveland.
Ethnic German immigrants from present-day Romania built the Sachsenheim in 1910, and it quickly became a social hall for West-Side Clevelanders such as the men of the Olympic Outing Club. The club was originally a men’s club.
This program belongs to my brother-in-law Terry Diener whose grandfather, Joe, was one of the original club members.
It will be of interest to some to learn that the name of the club was not chosen because the men in the club were particularly athletic. The name came from a tavern on the West-Side where many of the men frequented.
You will also note that singing seemed to have been a big part of club fellowship (i.e. “Hail! Hail! The Gang’s All Here). Well, that was apparently true – and it still is.
A couple’s happy married life almost went on the rocks because of the presence in the household of old Aunt Emma. For seventeen long years she lived with them, always crotchety, always demanding. Finally the old girl died.
On the way back from the cemetery, the husband confessed to his wife, "Darling, if I didn't love you so much, I don't think I would have put up with having your Aunt Emma in the house all those years."
His wife looked at him aghast. "My Aunt Emma!" she cried. "I thought she was YOUR Aunt Emma!"
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, "Grandma's 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
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
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Vol. 15. Issue 48- February 3, 2018
Archive Issue #777
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant