Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the shoptop this week is a pic that was temporarily loaned to the museum by Vermilionites John and Karen Reising.
There is some writing on the back of the photo that they hoped I might be able to make legible. But so far I’ve not had much luck (see below). You can make out a few words, but not enough to make any sense out of whatever was said about the photo.
At first I thought these were marines. But now I’ve changed my mind. I do think these are U.S. Army soldiers at a fort (note the background) right around the time of the First Great War.
This is a rather large photo so while you see most of it in the reproduction you can’t see the right and left ends of the group. At each end are several fellas who may have been Army cooks. They’re wearing light colored uniforms.
Perhaps someone recognizes the group or the site pictured. I don’t know where the Reisings acquired the photo.
On my home desk this week a close-up of some of the guys who built the Fischer block (the building on the SE corner of Liberty and Main streets back in 1915.
The larger portion of this pic appears in other places in my on-line pages. But looking closer at this photo on-line I was infatuated with their appearance.
Pix like this always make me fantasize about what these guys said to the photographer and what they did right after their photo was taken.
Above them (you can’t see in this pic) one of their fellow workers is leaning out a window of the building looking down. Perhaps these were the persons responsible for the flooring on the 2nd story of the building. At one time was used as a roller skating arena. Maybe those planks on the trailer of the truck were the flooring.
Historically,
AROUND ’46 OR ’47: During the week I came across the negative from which this pic was made. It wasn’t what I was hoping for – but sometimes it’s better.
This snapshot was taken from the porch of our (the Tarrant) family home at 510 Perry Street around 1946 or ’47. The auto is a 1939 Pontiac. It belonged to my grandparents. When they died (both) in 1946 my parent’s evidently inherited the car. They didn’t have an auto prior to that time. (Can you believe that?)
The snap was taken before Alva Boone built his house right across the street from our home. The house to the right belonged to Alva’s parents.
Initially Alva and his family lived with their grandmother in that house, but during the 1950s he built (he actually did the work himself) a house just to the north of the older home. That home would later be just on the other side of the street from our home.
I remember that the tree just to the left on the other side of the road was a pear tree. I was born in 1944 and that tree still stood on that lot well into the 1960s bearing fruit. It was in a railroad lot so I imagine that the railroad took it down some years later.
The broken walk in front of our home somehow remained that way for at leas the next two decades. And the little tree to the right – in front of the car – is now a big tree.
I have good memories of standing on this porch when I was growing up. So I’m really happy to have accidentally discovered the negative for this photo.
FEEDING TIME IN EMOIRINE’S BARNYARD: “Setting all the noise of the world aside”. The photo of the gentleman farmer accompanying this essay was doing just that. Although this is hardly what one would call a picturesque picture it is a very entertaining one. The portrait was captured on glass by my grandfather, Pearl Roscoe, just a year before he purchased The Vermilion News newspaper and print shop. Back then he was a printing foreman at the old Lorain Times-Herald and he was likely out and about experimenting with his camera. But this is neither a Lorain or Vermilion Ohio photograph. It was taken in Thomas Edison’s birthplace Milan Ohio in 1900. If you look closely at the bottom right side of the photo his initials - “PR” and the year – are just visible.
In 1900 my grandfather was 30 years old and soon to be married. He’d been born and raised on a farm in North Milan, and his mother and father, along with numerous aunts and uncles, still lived in the area. In addition to that – and likely more important than any of that – so too did his soon-to-be wife, Bessie Bottomley. Her father, E.T. Bottomley operated a general store on the Square, and she was a teacher in a rural one-room schoolhouse. So while on a courting visit to his hometown what young journalist always carrying a camera, just in case could or would resist pausing their buggy at an old neighbor’s farm when she or he came upon a scene such as this? Roscoe didn’t.
The first time I saw this photograph the print I had was rather smoggy. All I could make out was a bedraggled-looking guy with a bunch of chickens standing by a set of stairs – so I just passed it by without much thought. But some years later, when I developed the glass negative for myself acquiring more detail, I was both pleased and amused by it.
The name attached to the negative is “Emorine”. I’ve no certain idea as to what that means; whether it is the man’s first name, last name or something else altogether. Nor do I know who attached the name (or something to that effect) to the negative. But it really doesn’t matter. It’s plain that Emorine, or whomever this fella really is, is a true animal lover. He’s got a cat on his shoulder and one on the porch exchanging glances with a pup. There’s a pan on the porch – and the way the cats and the dog are looking - it is very likely that there is something in the pan for them. Exactly how or why the feline is on this gent’s shoulder is a mystery. But it does not appear that he is not annoyed by it. Actually, it is probably the reason Roscoe took the photograph. Otherwise it would not be a portrait of much interest. These were the days before photojournalism (no pun intended), but this would’ve been a good one. Ironically 118 years after the fact that’s exactly how it’s being used.
Looking closer at the photograph it’s obvious that it’s feeding time in Emorine’s (or whatever his name really was) barnyard. On the right side behind the feeding poultry is a “Champion” chain water pump with a tin cup sitting on top of it. A chain pump is type of water pump where several circular discs are positioned on an endless chain. One part of the chain dips into the water, and the chain runs through a tube, slightly bigger than the diameter of the discs. As the chain is drawn up the tube by turning a crank on the side of the apparatus, water becomes trapped between the discs and is lifted to and discharged at the top. These pumps were used for centuries in the Middle East, Europe, and China as well as the U.S.
When these shadows were captured an Ohioan named William McKinley from Niles was President of our nation. He was, incidentally, the last American President to have served in the Army during the American Civil War. This photo was taken in the spring of 1900. On September 6th of that same year McKinley was shot at while attending the Pan-American Exposition Buffalo New York. He died eight days later. But back to the photograph:
On this particular day it was feeding time in Emorine’s barnyard and all of that was yet to happen. So for that moment in the yesteryear – as Roscoe flicked the shutter on his camera the only noise in the world were clucking chickens, mewing cats, and a growling puppy. Nothing else mattered.
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...
The Linwood Park Company is preparing to lay water mains in the Park. A 6-in pipe will be laid from the hotel to the gate where it will connect with the one which is laid by the village. Other pipes will connect with the pipe main then giving the park fire protection as well as first-class filtered drinking water.
Glenn Faulhaber has brought suit against the L. S. & M. S. Railway Company for $35,000 damages. He was severely injured last August in the Sandusky yards and has been in the hospital for months.
On Saturday evening, April 23rd Berlin Heights and Vermilion young people will contest for a silver medal. Dramatic and other readings will be given, instrumental and vocal music, pantomimes and tableaus will complete the evening's entertainment. Mrs. A. M. Bevis, of Oberlin is training the young people for the contest. Those from Berlin Heights who will take part are Henry Thayer, Bessie Harpel, Marguerite O’mara, and Lucy Ferber; those from Vermilion; Matilda Krapp, Lee Sherod, Lottie Troxel, and Henry Bauman. Mrs. Bevis has had charge of an entertainment at Oberlin, Berlin Heights and Birmingham quite recently and is now arranging for one at Huron the 22nd and one at Lorain the 29th.
The regular monthly meeting of the village Board of Education was held Monday with Messrs Coen, Leimbach, Beeckel and Wakefield present, E. W. Kishman, absent.
After the reading of the minutes to several committees were called out for reports. There being only work of minor importance being done there was very little to report and nothing of consequence.
Considerable walk has been re-laid and some new walk put in, the grading of the schoolyard will be done as soon as convenient.
Action was taken to call the attention of the contractor to a few things that have not been completed such as the painting of the fire escapes, etc.
The commencement was discussed to some length; the date is June 10.
After ordering the payment of bills the meeting adjourned.
The sailor's farewell dance given Wednesday evening proved a very enjoyable affair. The attendance was good for this season of the year and considering that a number of sailors have already left for their boats.
Vernon Leidheiser won the gentlemen's prize and a Miss Counts of Norwalk the ladies’ prize.
It is reported that at least 10 cottages will be built at Linwood to replace those 20 destroyed by fire.
Miss Birdie Foster has accepted a position in the Washington Ave school at Lorain and enters upon her duties at once.
Fred Westbecker has accepted a position with the U. S. Automatic plan.
There was quite an exciting time in Rugby last Friday evening at the home of Jed Brown, he having a young man working for him by the name of Fred Hendricks, who has neither friends or home or even good health. For some unknown cause, Mr. Brown struck him three times with a pitchfork breaking and cutting his arm very badly. Mr. Hendricks had to get one of the neighbors to take him to the Birmingham. Dr. Boss set and dressed the arm. Mr. Brown was arrested and taken to Elyria Sunday morning.
Clyde Heussner assisted Earl Leimbach and putting in oats Monday.
Edward Hill returned home from the Lakeside hospital last week.
Married – at the home of the bride's sister Mrs. Minnie Williams Saturday afternoon, Mr. Watson Hamer and Miss Elizabeth Blake. Rev. Burnett officiating.
Mrs. Ed Cobb was called to St. Louis Missouri last week by the illness of her mother. She arrived a few hours before mother's death. Mr. Cobb left Saturday to join his wife and attend the funeral.
Miss Annie Chapin has sold her interest in the store of E.A. Page & Co. to Alva Lippus. Mr. Lippus has clerked here for some time and his many friends predict success for him.
Mr. A. M. Baillie has resigned the position of president and director of the Citizens Banking Co. Mr. W. F. Lowery was elected to succeed.
Carrie D. C. Hillman Hildebrandt was born Feb 16, 1851 in Schmolsein Providence of Pommer, Germany. At the age of 21 years in the year 1872 she came to this country alone, locating Indianapolis Ind. She was united in marriage in June of the same year to Mr. John Brownschig. To this union one daughter Lizzie was born. Mr. Brownschig died after 18 months of married life. On the 16th day of August 1877 she was again united in married life. They moved to Allistown Ohio at which place they resided until 1890 when they moved to Ceylon, O. On April 1, 1900, they came to Berlin Heights where they have resided ever since. To this union eight children were born, three boys and five girls, one girl, Minnie, having died at the early age of 15 months leaving three sons and four daughters. She also leaves one daughter, Mrs. Hale of this place and one son of Elyria by a former marriage of Mr. Hildebrandt. Two sisters in Ottawa County Ohio, one brother west of Toledo, besides her loving and devoted husband survive her. She was baptized, confirmed and united with the German Lutheran Church in her early childhood and remained a devout and faithful member of the same until her death. Her life was given up chiefly in devotion to her home and loved ones. Her Christian attitude was not ostentatious but patient and quiet, yet remarkably impressive. The spirit of it was such as to leave its touch of influence upon other lives. She was a kind and loving mother and an affectionate wife, the loss of whom will be deeply mourned in the home and felt intensely in the community. The funeral was held from her late home, Rev. Rupert of the M. E. Church officiating. Burial in Riverside Thames Cemetery.
Miss Vera Gunzenhauser is taking treatment a Cleveland hospital.
Mrs. Karl Ketchum and family have returned from a week's visit at Lorain.
Edward Payson Weston, the 72-year-old pedestrian who is making the trip across the continent, passed through Birmingham Tuesday. He is now 15 days ahead of time and he receives $500 for every day meets his old record.
Nearly every day some of ours leave for their boats and soon all will be again on the lakes. As usual a number of boys start out for the first trip and some conclude to either stay ashore or fish. The prospects are good for one of the best years known.
An entertainment of dramatic and other readings, music, pantomimes and tableaus will be given at the Opera House, Saturday evening April 23, beginning at 8 o'clock. A silver medal will be awarded to the speaker receiving the highest marks. Admission is 10c.
Chas Andrews is making improvements in his residence by tearing down the rear portion and adding a dining room and kitchen.
Mrs. George Fisher's visited Huron friends yesterday.
The tug Stricker and crew left for Fairport this week to fish.
A party of fishermen, including Charles P. Salen, are spending the day on the Vermilion River.
Capt. Fred Bailey and Rolland Faulhaber left for South Chicago Wednesday night where Capt. Bailey's boat is being fitted out for the season. Rolland will be missed by those who have been accustomed to seeing him as clerk at Trinter’s and Unser’s.
BORN – to Mr. Mrs. August Schuster Tuesday morning, April 12, 1910, a son.
Charles Corbin and – Mason left Saturday to begin their season's work on the lakes.
BORN – to Mr. Mrs. F. W. Wakefield, a son, Sunday evening April 10, 1910.
Sorosis will meet Monday evening at the home of Mrs. F. V. Pelton. Mrs. Charles Trinter and Mrs. Mary Childs, hostesses.
Warren Baldwin left for South Chicago last Thursday. He is the guest of relatives, but expects to sail with Capt. Bailey.
Chas Barber bought the Lumley house of J. N. Englebry and will move it on to a lot in the new allotment.
A bright little son came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Lee in Chicago last week. Mr. Lee was formerly a resident of Ashmont.
Both Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Washburn lie very ill at their home on Liberty Street. Two nurses are in attendance.
Adam Stoll, county-treasurer elect, two years ago who was sent to the O. P. to serve one year for padding the payroll was released today. He gained nearly 2 months by good behavior.
Bertha Bartholomew attended the funeral of Mrs. Van Sickle of Sandusky, Sunday.
Emil Roth has been secured as helper at the Axtel Cheese Factory.
13 girls escape from the Industrial School at Delaware Monday night. They were captured at Columbus Tuesday.
Norwalk's oldest citizen, George M. Darling, formerly of Florence, Erie County, is in serious condition his many friends are much concerned about him. He has been confined to his house for several days without badly inflamed toe the result of the ingrown nail. It is fear that gangrene may set in and if so, his chance for recovery is very slight. Mr. Darling has many friends throughout the county. He is one of the oldest Masons in the state, having joined something over 50 years ago in Erie County. – Register.
After April motorman and conductors who have been in the Lake Shore Electric will receive an increase of 2c per hour on the interurban lines and 1c per hour on city lines.
Hmmmmmm....
…Jerome Welch, died July 10, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn., of wounds received June 21, 1864, in battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga.
Luther A. Welch, discharged April 16, 1863, at Brooks's Station, Va., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Jonathan Welch, sr., discharged------, 1862, at Norwalk, O., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Francis A. Williams, discharged October 5, 1862, at Columbus, O., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
George W. Wright, discharged September 9, 1862, at Columbus, O., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Elihu Westfall, discharged September 16, 1863, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
John White, discharged January 29, 1863, at Washington, D. C., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
John M. Young, substitute, died April 16, 1865, at New Berne, N. C, of wounds received March 19, 1865, in battle of Bentonville, N. C.
Recruited largely in Berlin, Vermillion and Florence townships, and partly in Huron county:
Edwin H. Powers, captain; appointed December 20, 1861; wounded May 2, 1863, in battle of Chancellorsville; transferred to company K March 3, 1864.
Francis H. Morse, captain; promoted to first lieutenant from second lieutenant December 23, 1862; wounded May 2, 1863, at Chancellorsville; promoted to captain March 19, 1864; resigned April 22, 1864.
Henry H. Moore, captain; promoted from first lieutenant, company D June 27, 1864; resigned January 15, 1865.
James H. Gallop, captain; promoted from first lieutenant and adjutant April 24, 1865; mustered out with company July 11, 1865.
Albert E. Peck, first lieutenant; appointed second lieutenant October 24, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant November 21, 1861; captain company H March 6, 1863.
Thomas W. Miller, first lieutenant; transferred from company F March 31, 1864; appointed adjutant April i, 1864.
John H. Boss, first lieutenant; appointed first sergeant from sergeant January 1, 1864; promoted to quartermaster-sergeant April 16, 1864; first lieutenant August 19, 1864; regimental quartermaster January 1, 1865; veteran.
Hiram K. Preston, first sergeant; died June 18,1862, at New Creek, Va.
John Cowpe, sergeant; mustered as private; wounded August 30, 1862, in battle of Bull Run, Va.; appointed first sergeant May 1, 1864; killed July 20, 1864, in battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga.; veteran.
MISS HELEN K. FORSTER: This is but one of the items contained in the cache of stuff my sister brought to the museum a week or so ago.
As you can see it is a Teacher’s Certificate from Erie County, Ohio dated March 9, 1862. It’s really in pristine condition. You’d never guess that it’s 156 years old. It’s like it was made just yesterday.
The teacher to whom it belonged was my great-grandmother [Rachel] Helen Forster. Prior to seeing this document I was unaware of the fact that she was a teacher. (Surprise, surprise.) She married my g-grandfather on 16 December 1868. My grandfather (Pearl) was born 7 November 1869.
To my knowledge I only have but one photograph of her and it was probably taken near the time of her death in 1909.
I believe she taught school only before her marriage. Afterward she labored as a farmwife in N. Milan Ohio and worked at home as a seamstress.
Her father, A.B. Forster (b.1804 – 1890) was a well-known personality in the Norwalk-Monroeville communities. In his younger days he had worked as a surveyor in Erie County, Ohio.
A mother was teaching her three-year-old The Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, the child repeated it after the mother. Then one night the child was ready to solo.
The mother listened with pride to the carefully enunciated words, right up to the end. "And lead us not into templates, but deliver us some e-mail. "
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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol. 16. Issue 6 - April 14 2018
Archive Issue #787
| advanced |
© 2017 Rich Tarrant