Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the shop desk this week is a drawing of my great-grandfather’s (Caselton Roscoe) violin / fiddle. My cousin, David Roscoe Lindsay, sent it to me from his home in Texas several years ago. I believe his mother, Alice, had kept it over the years. Although he lived in Milan, Ohio for most his life he died in Vermilion, while living with his son Pearl in 1918.
Though a carpenter and millwright and farmer by trade he was also a musician. During the American Civil War he served as a fifer in the Union Army. At home following the war he played the fiddle for local dances – sometimes they’d last all night.
The fife that he played during the war is on display at the museum along with a drum his father, Levi, made during that same time period. It’s all very amazing “stuff”.
On my home desk this week is a tiny calendar from the old Erie County Bank shortly after the new bank building was built on the southwest corner of Liberty and Division streets.
I think - but don’t specifically recall - that this artifact was contributed by late Vermilionite Jimmy Fischer a number of years ago.
When Jim was a youngster his father, Hank, used to clean the bank when after it closed for the day. I always thought that must have been an interesting experience.
I liked to go into the bank and remember well the old tellers windows and the big safe on the west wall. I believe the city, that now uses the offices there still makes use of the vault.
A. WOOSON: Pictured is a newly developed museum exhibit pertaining to Alvin Woolson and Lion Coffee. Pictured is a shipping box for Lion Coffee c.1900 from the Woolson Spice Co. of Toledo. Woolson is pictured as he appeared when he served in the American Civil War. He was from the Berlin Heights area. He married a girl from Florence Township and went off to build his fortune. By the turn of the 20th century he was actually a multi-millionaire. In today’s money that would likely be a billion. His story is framed atop the coffee crate. My grandfather (Caselton Roscoe) made it into a little clothing footlocker. Inside are still some old house dresses from that period.
Historically,
WHERE’S RICH(?): This pic was taken around 1953-54 at Vermilion’s South Street School. All these guys were crossing guards – mostly fulfilling their duties along South Street right in front of the school. They may have been at some of the other corners. But as a former member of this esteemed fraternity I only worked in front of the school.
As a civilian pedestrian I never cared for crossing guards. But my attitude changed when I got my badge. It’s funny what a little authority will do to one’s personality. You’d have thought I’d become the Director of the F.B.I.
I knew everyone in this group. Some are gone now, but I remember them still. And always will.
YESTERDAY’S NEWS IS HISTORY: Coming from a newspaper family when I was growing up a good deal of the conversation about the dinner table was, of course, the news of the day. Those conversations were also sprinkled with a good variety of events of the yesteryear. Among those topics at one time or another was a string of events that were purely coincidental but were, and remain, nonetheless unusual.
During the span of about only 20 years - 1910 to 1929 – three very prominent Vermilion doctors lost their lives at railroad crossings in our community. To better understand at least part of the reason for this it’s important to understand that during the years of those tragedies physicians traditionally made home calls as a regular part of their practice. That’s due to the fact that he public at-large did not have immediate access to the emergency, personal and/or pubic means of transportation that we now take for granted. Ergo, office visitations were more the exception than the rule in days gone by. And thus did it happen that Vermilion lost three very good doctors in a relatively short amount of time.
This all began on a snowy Friday night with Vermilion physician Frank E. Englebry. Dr. Englebry was a Vermilion guy through and through. He was born in 1864, the oldest child of local undertaker John Englebry and his wife Mary. In 1888 he married a Vermilion girl named Barbara Nieding and after acquiring his medical degree in 1893 he set up practice in his hometown. His practice covered a good deal of territory, and quickly became a familiar and welcome face to folks in three counties: Erie, Huron and Lorain. Though his wife died in 1904 he kept busy with his practice and enjoyed the camaraderie of the memberships of every organization / lodge in village; including the Masons, Maccabees, two lodges of Woodmen, Knights and Ladies of Security as well as the Eastern Star. Actually he was enjoying an evening with some of those folks when he was summoned to a medical emergency at the home of one James Hollis of Axtel. He never made it.
Rushing to Decker’s Livery barns (now the site of the Ritter Public Library) and procuring a horse and closed buggy, the doctor sped up Grand Street to the rail crossing. It was between 1:30 and 2:30 in the morning in a blinding snowstorm. He reached the crossing at the same time an eastbound express train reached it and…
Some time later when the express train reached Cleveland maintenance workers found parts of a buggy on the cowcatcher. It was then that the engineer put two and two together recalling hitting what he thought was a huge snowdrift while passing through Vermilion. He immediately sent news back to Vermilion and Liveryman Decker began searching along the rails. The doctor was found 150 feet north and east of the crossing; the horse on the south side; and the wreckage was strewn along the rails to the river bridge. There were no survivors.
Eleven years later – on a late Monday afternoon in March another Vermilion doctor, Bernard Blaine Buell, was enroute home following a call in the Brownhelm area when his auto apparently stalled on the tracks (probably at the Sunnyside Road crossing). At the same time a westbound passenger train heading for Sandusky neared the crossing. Later reports indicated that the engineer repeatedly sounded a warning but the train did not slow, and Buell stayed with the car.
Whether Buell miscalculated the speed and distance of the train, did not hear the warning signals or was dazed due to another problem will never be known. It was noted that just six weeks earlier Dr. Buell had arrived home from a call, parked his car and then collapsed. He was unconscious for nearly 24 hours. When he regained his senses he was unable to explain what had happened. Some thought he might have fallen somewhere and hit his head. Others thought he might have been knocked-out and robbed (some of his money was missing). Five doctors attended him during this spell. But no reason for his losing consciousness was ever discovered. Nor would it ever be discovered. Dr. Buell had, of course, been killed.
And then there was Dr. Morey P. Jeffery. Dr. Jeffery was likely one of the most popular doctors that had ever served the town. He was young, only 33 years old, had three boys who would themselves become very prominent and popular Vermilionites. He was a very active supporter of local athletes. But sometimes being a young and very popular doctor can prove to be physically demanding. The New Year (1929) had just begun and he’d hardly had a “real meal” or a reasonable night sleep during the previous two weeks. The flu season was raging and there were hardly enough doctors to keep up with it.
It was only 10:30 in the morning and he was on his way to another call to a home on the southwest side of the village. As he crossed from the north side of the New York Central Railroad crossing at Adams Street he drove directly into the path of a westbound passenger train and was instantly killed. The town gasped for a third time in only two decades.
These events were eventually lost and have been largely forgotten by most townsfolk. But when you’re the son of newspaper people, and you’re gathered around the dinner table with your family discussing the current state of the world you come to understand that yesterday’s news is history.
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...
It is expected that the Driscoll Fish Co.’s. tug "Comet" which has been rebuilt at Lorain this winter, will be launched today or tomorrow or as soon as the weather permits. The tug is practically new and will be a great addition to the already fine fleet owned at Vermilion. We expect to give our readers a picture of the boat and a full description as soon as practicable.
Ida Pearl Donaldson, by her attorney, filed a reply in Common Pleas Court, Saturday to the answer of her husband, Demar Donaldson, whom she is suing for divorce. In her reply, Mrs. Donaldson says she admits that there was certain occasions when she did not prepare his meals but she claims that was owing to a sickness, which same sickness was brought on by his ill-treatment of her. She denies every other allegation not consistent with her petition. Donaldson filed his answer to his wife's petition some time ago and in this answer he charged her with being too friendly with a man whom she met at Crystal Beach Park last fall and claims she was in the habit of going out at night and leaving him at home to take care of the baby.
The jury in the case of Neil Grenzebach, charged in an indictment with the intent to kill Carl Nau, at Birmingham, on the 21st of August 1909, returned a verdict of "guilty" Monday evening. A motion for a new trial was made. Carl Nau is a brother-in-law of Grenzebach and his wife was one of the principal witnesses. The case grew out of an attempt to arrest Grenzebach for alleged drunkenness and disorder, Nau being a marshal.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. William Schmitkons, a son, Saturday, Feb. 19, 1910.
The remains of Frank Witter residing near Elyria were brought here Wednesday for burial at Cleveland street cemetery.
Harry Brooker was operated upon for appendicitis at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Lorain, Sunday. He is reported as getting along nicely.
The third track being constructed by the L. S. & M. S. Between Elyria and Vermilion has been put in operation, notwithstanding that the bridges are yet to be built. The trains now switch over at Elyria and at Amherst, and although necessary land has been purchased the bridges will not be completed until next fall. The cost will be on two about $800,000 which is about $200,000 more than that which was at first appropriated.
The company wishes to secure the 10 foot strip of property adjoining the right-of-way, but is not willing to pay him more than $400 for the land which he values at $2000.
[NOTE: I’ve no idea who ”him” is.]
Harold Leimbach has been absent from school on account of sickness.
V. Leimbach attended that sale at Brownhelm and purchased a flock of sheep.
Monday the prisoners of the city were consummated – for freedom but were foiled by guards.
J. H. Sherman hour of Sandusky a plaster was adjudged insane and taken to the state hospital at Toledo Friday.
Thirteen deeds of the right-of-way secured by the Lake Shore railroad company for four track purposes in the vicinity of Vermilion, has been filed in the office of recorder Hartmann.
Dr. E. J. Heinig and wife have moved into the Fey house, corner of Division and Ohio streets.
Railroads are making big preparations for an expected coal strike. The Nickel Plate is not resting easy but is working day and night to secure a coal supply that will be sufficient to tide them over in case of a famine. Bellevue is the place where the road is making one of its greatest storing efforts. The Conneaut unloading crane was taken to Bellevue a few days ago and cars of coal are being unloaded at that place incessantly. From 25 to 30 cars are being unloaded there a day.
The following are the names of the property owners who have sold land to the railroad companies: Flynt Nichols, lots, $1000; Martin Scribner, lots $1500; Charles Lumley, lots $1500; Charles A. Lang et.al., lots $2800; Mary E. Pelton, $1000; Charles H. Walper, lot, $1500; George B. McConnelly, lots, $4350; M. Miles A. Edson, 86 – 100 of an acre, $100; Carolyn Black, lot $400.
Mrs. Alvira Bradley is quite ill at her home on Ohio Street.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Sarr son Feb. 23, 1910
The Linwood Park Co., has commenced action to have the park property unplatted. The park is practically a village or a portion of this town, having been laid out in lots with streets, etc. Just what is intended cannot at this time be ascertained, as the petition in the case has not been examined. It is contested by some that the plat of the park was at one time dedicated to the town. If this is true this action may be to nullify that dedication, so the company would have to a legal right to close the park as private grounds. The action is up for hearing, March 19.
The fire department was called to extinguish the blaze at the Quigley house south of the Nickel Plate track, Wednesday. The damage was slight.
A special meeting of the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce was held at the Town Hall, Wednesday evening for the purpose of discussing the questions as to what would be desirable of the Lake Shore railroad in regard to the tracks. The board on a whole was in favor of abolishing grade crossings through the town if practicable. A committee was appointed to confer with the Council on the matter. The meeting was particularly well attended and great interest manifest.
The condition of Mr. Mrs. Fischer who is ill at the home of her daughter in Cleveland was about the same at last report.
We are glad to report that Mrs. C. F. Decker much better. She has been very ill for several weeks.
Mr. F. A. Ketchum has been confined to his home in W. Vermilion by illness the past week hence the absence of news from that locality this week.
Mr. and Mrs. George Fischer were in Cleveland Saturday and made mother Fischer a short visit. They were met by their daughter Mrs. Priest, of Canton, who accompanied them home for a few days visit. She returned to Canton today.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. George Bartlett, Jr. a son, Saturday, Feb. 20.
One thing needed to make the Village of Birmingham and ideal place for residents and also to be a great aid to the people in general would be an electric railway through to the lake with Vermilion as a terminal. This road might pass through Oberlin or as begin "Green Line" passes through there, the line might pass south to New London taking a route where the most traffic could be secured. People from the South have no way of reaching the peak popular Lake Resorts excepting by very circuitous roots. The "Green line" schedule is such that it is difficult to make proper connections reach the lake in time for a day's outing. The mail service also is not what it should be. It has been reported that the "Green Line" between Oberlin and Norwalk is not a paying proposition. We believe had that line been built from Birmingham to Vermilion, the summer service would have brought in such an income as would more than make up for possible winner losses. A north and south line is what we need.
[NOTE: I certainly agree with this proposition. It certainly would’ve changed the way things are configured in the area. But apparently persons with the wherewithal to accomplish such things disagreed. Wish in one hand...]
The trial of Neil Grezenbach was continued into this week and a number were up to Sandusky yesterday.
Mrs. Pearl Roscoe and daughter of Vermilion visited her sister, Mrs. W. B. Housman Saturday and Sunday and called on Mrs. C. H. Henry.
[NOTE: This refers to my grandmother and mother. I use it here for personal history reasons.]
The funeral of Mrs. Helman, who was brought here from Missouri by her husband, took place in the German church south of this place Monday. The lady's name was Smith.
Henry Funk was born May 16, 1829 in the district Rothenberg, Hessen, Germany. At the age of 21 years he enlisted in the Standing Army serving three years, as Cavalryman. After his honorable discharge he served his country as postman for a number of years. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Kurth, Oct. 29, 1857.
Soon after their marriage they sailed for America landing in New York in the fall of 1857. They traveled as far westward as Pottsville Pa., where they resided for four years. In 1861 they came to Lorain County Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
The deceased was not only a pioneer citizen, but a pioneer churchmen, being one of the charter members that gave birth to the Birmingham Reformed Church of which he was a deacon and elder for a number of years. He was baptized and confirmed in the faith of the Reformed Church before coming to this country. His married life was blessed with eight children three of whom preceded him to the future world in their infancy. Three years ago advancing age compelled him to give up the farm at which time he moved to Birmingham. Four weeks ago, because of his increasing feebleness, both parents came to live with their son Wm., where father Funk passed away.
A wife, four sons, one daughter, besides many other relatives and friends mourn his departure. The funeral was held Tuesday morning, Feb. 22 from the M. E. Church in Birmingham. The service in German was conducted by Rev. Hilgeman of Ceylon and in English by Rev. Rupert of Berlin Hts.
Last Friday evening to sleigh loads of jolly young people of the Lake Shore together with the young people of the neighborhood gathered at the home of Miss Pauline Leadrach. The evening was spent in various games and music. At delicious lunch was served and at a late hour they departed all declaring Miss Pauline a most delightful hostess.
Burk’s store at Bellevue was entered by burglars on Wednesday night last week and goods and money to the amount of $30 taken.
Miss Hazel Driver was stricken speechless and helpless while instructing a class in her school at Pages Corners, Friday. Some of the older pupils called the doctor and her mother from Milan when they arrived Miss Driver was unconscious. Her ailment is known general congestion. She is recovering.
Hmmmmmm....
John C. Lee, colonel; promoted from major November 20, 1861; resigned May 8, 1863.
Charles B. Gambee, colonel; promoted to major from captain company A, October 2, 1862; to lieutenant-colonel March 4, 1863; to colonel May 8, 1863; killed May 16, 1864, in battle of Resaca, Ga.
George H. Safford, lieutenant-colonel; resigned March 4, 1863.
James M. Stevens, lieutenant-colonel; promoted to major from captain company H, March 4, 1863; wounded May 2, 1863, in battle of Chancellorsville, Va.; arm amputated; promoted to lieutenant-colonel May 8, 1863 ; resigned May 25, 1864.
Edwin H. Powers, lieutenant-colonel; promoted from captain company K, June 27, 1864; mustered out with regiment July 11, 1865.
Daniel F. De Wolf, major; promoted from adjutant November 25, 1861; resigned October 2, 1862.
Rudolphus Robbins, major; promoted from captain company K, May 8, 1863; killed May 16, 1864, in battle of Resaca, Ga.
Charles P. Wickham, major; promoted from captain company I, June 27, 1864; brevet lieutenant-colonel March 13, 1865; mustered out with regiment July 11, 1865.
Horatio N. Shipman, captain; appointed captain October 16, 1861; resigned March 10, 1863.
Henry Miller, captain; promoted from first lieutenant company K, February 12, 1863; resigned September 28, 1864.
Benjamin F Evans, captain; promoted from first lieutenant company B, April 24. 1865; mustered out with company July 11, 1865.
Henry W. Persing, first lieutenant; appointed first lieutenant October 16, 1861; promoted to captain and assistant quartermaster July 18, 1863.
Thomas O'Leary, first lieutenant; appointed first sergeant from sergeant April 4, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant July 17, 1862; first lieutenant March 6, 1863; resigned December 28, 1863.
John R. Lowe; first lieutenant; appointed sergeant from corporal April 4, 1862 ; first sergeant July 17, 1862 ; promoted to sergeant-major February 11, 1863; promoted from second lieutenant company-B, March 9, 1864, to captain company H, June 27, 1864.
Thomas W. Miller, first lieutenant; transferred from adjutant September 2, 1864; mustered out January 4, 1865, on expiration of term of enlistment.
John Bellman, first lieutenant; promoted from first sergeant company E, April 24, 1865 ; mustered out with company July 11, 1865.
Arthur Cranston, second lieutenant; appointed second lieutenant October 16, 1861; resigned March 15, 1862
SOUTH SHORE PACKING: It was at one time the largest pickle packing plant in the U.S. More than a few Vermilion women found employment therein. The plant was located on the southwest corner of South Stree and West River Road. Currently the building is being use as a HQ for a local marina plus storage. Originally the Dall brother used the building to manufacture auto parts.
For a time the News printed labels for the plant. Later the owner acquired his own press and printed them on site.
Years ago, if the wind was just right, one could catch the vinegary odor from the big olive barrels that were in the yard of the plant. It was odd, but hardly annoying.
This pic is of a bottle cap from a jar of those olives.
1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time. I know where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?
2. People who are willing to hunt all over the house to search for the T.V. remote because they refuse to walk to the T.V. and change the channel manually.
3. When people say, "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". Damn right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?
4. When people say "It's always the last place you look". Of course it is. Why would you keep looking after you've found it?
5. When people ask while watching a movie "Did you see that? No Loser, I paid $12 to come to the cinema and stare at the floor.
6. People who ask, "Can I ask you a question?" Didn't really give me a choice there, did ya sunshine? I tell them "NO! I am allergic to questions."
7. When someone says something is 'new and improved.' Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.
8. When people say. "Life is short". What the hell?? Life is the longest thing anyone ever does! What can you do that's longer?
9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks, "Has the bus come yet?” Think about it...If the bus came would I be standing there?
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 51- February 24, 2018
Archive Issue #780
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant