Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: This week Vermilion’s bridges are featured on our desks.
TIME: On my home desk is the old wagon bridge. It looks sturdy. But I supposed with the changing times – with addition of the automobiles – a bigger and better bridge was in order. And suddenly the building on the left side of the bridge became the building on the right.
The tracks running in front of the span belong to the Lake Shore Electric interurban line that passed over the river near the old bridge.
F.Y.I. the abutment of the old river bridge on the east side of the stream is still there. So to is the abutment for the old L.S.E. Bridge on the west side. There is an Ohio State plaque in Rotary Park just above the west abutment marking the spot.
The bridge was replaced in 1929. While it was made of steel the deck was made of wooden blocks, which rattled when traffic passed over it.
AND TIME MOVED ON: On the shop desk this week is the new – the existing – bridge shortly after it was constructed in 1929.
Among the details I never noticed in this pic before are the cool streetlamps under the bridge. I don’t know is they were on both sides. I believe a lamp similar to the one prominent in the foreground in this photo still exists. During the last few years lamps similar to this have been placed all over the business section of town.
There is still a boat livery on this side of the river. But currently they’re in the business of renting kayaks. Kayaks have become the rage lately. I think they’re somewhat safer than canoes.
FANS (THE COOLING KIND): This week new electric outlets and three fans were added to the print shop part of the museum. This is a result of one Board Member, Margaret Wakefield Worcester, applying for a grant from the Erie County Community Foundation and receiving the funds to pay for them and their installation.
They really do make a difference. They also appear to have been an existing part of the machinery of the shop.
Very cool. (In more ways than one.)
Historically,
VHS GLEE CLUB: I didn't pay too much attention to specific the year this pic was gotten. But it's a beaut. Look closely and you will see some rather well-know Vermilion faces.
This was taken at South Street school. Given some of guys in it I say it is likely a mid 1950s photograph.
Fun.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: The documents pictured with this essay were among my g-grandfather’s 19th century diaries, letters and tintype photographs. It is, however, unlikely that every item found with them were his. They may have just happened to be stored with his papers for safekeeping. As these things go these items are not nearly as old or as important as the Dead Sea Scrolls of course. But I’m still amazed at both their age and condition. The larger document was made just five years after the place called “Vermillion” in Ohio was incorporated. The inset document is not nearly as old as that – only 156 years – but it could’ve been made yesterday. While neither of these documents is related each are, to say the very least, well storied.
The larger document is a property sales agreement – or actually a “copy” of such an agreement. It appears to have been made between one Sylvester A. Pelton (VPJ 02/09/2006), his wife Eunice and a man named Tench C. (Coxe) Stiles dated 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Pelton, as many local people will know, were members of two of Vermilion’s earliest pioneer families.
Mr. Pelton was born in Connecticut around 1806 and came with his family to Vermilion in 1818. Eunice, whose maiden name was Sturgis, came to Vermilion as a babe in her mother Charlotte’s arms on horseback around 1811. Their roots run deep beneath the foundations of the town. But back to the document:
As near as I am able to determine the sales agreement was made for the property on the southeast corner of Decatur and Huron streets in Vermilion. It is the property where [at least when I was a youngster]] the Tom Williams Sr. family lived. Persons familiar with the Williams family will easily know the property to which I refer.
I don’t know how long Stiles owned the property – or even if he actually completed the purchase “for one dollar and some other considerations” as stated. As previously said, this document appears to be only a “copy” of a contract. Available records seem to show that, whatever the case, Stiles didn’t stay in Vermilion very long. Historic archives show that he was born in New Hampshire on 21 January 1801. These records also show that he was twice married, and that he and his first wife had a child that was born here in 1810. It was a boy they named James Dwight. The boy, unfortunately, died in 1811. He is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery.
But moving along, I was able to trace Stiles from Vermilion to Cleveland where it appears that he and his second wife did quite well financially. When Tench passed away in 1887 he left quite a large estate to his wife, children and grandchildren. There is no mention of the Vermilion property in his will.
The second document (middle inset) as already indicated is unrelated to the first. But it, too, tells an interesting story: It is a Teacher’s Certificate from Erie County, Ohio for one Helen K. Forster plainly dated March 9, 1862. It’s really in pristine condition. One would never guess that it’s 156 years old. It’s could’ve been made and signed yesterday.
The teacher to whom it belonged was my g-grandmother. Prior to seeing this document I was unaware of the fact that she had been a teacher. She taught school only for a short time – until her marriage. In the yesteryear there was a thing called a “marriage bar”. It was created as a “disincentive” for women not to marry until they were ready to give up work. She married my g-grandfather on 16 December 1868, but she certainly didn’t give up working. Afterward she labored as a farmwife, a mother and a seamstress in N. Milan Ohio.
These documents are, of course, hardly earth shattering. But they do tell a story or two – or more. What they may do the best, however, is to shine some light on our heritage (both assets and deficits) as Americans. As the Pelton document says at the very beginning, “Know all men by these presents”. You bet!
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...
John Henry Goetz of Vermilion has brought suit for divorce from Sarah Anne Goetz.
Barns Meeker, who recently returned from Alaska, is the plaintiff in a suit to recover what he says is his share in the estate left by his father. Martha Breckenridge, a sister, sold the property coming into her hands for between $7,000 and $8000.
The village council held an informal meeting with the Lake Shore Railway representatives after a lengthy discussion came a little closer upon the franchise question. The width of the under grade crossing on the W. River Rd. is still unsettled and one or two minor details. The Council will probably have a special meeting next week and it is expected that some agreement will be arrived at.
Word was received here latter part of the week that our present postmaster, E. M. Kane, who has served the village in that capacity for about 22 years without a break excepting during Cleveland's administrations, has been reappointed for a term of four years.
Although this appointment has been a long time coming it is not a disappointment to the many friends who could not understand why the government should make a change of policy and refused to appoint one who was served so faithfully and is also a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. Kane is to be congratulated.
In response to invitations issued by W. H. Eastwood, a number of the members of the H. G. Delker post G. A. R. gathered at his pleasant home on South Street last Friday evening to meet Conrad Vining of the 24th Ohio of Oak Harbor. The "boys" spent a most enjoyable evening talking over old times. A fine supper was served and after a good smoke and several war stories the visitors departed.
Real estate sale pair Henry black property located front on Washington Street opposite the new residence of Mr. James F Nolan is now offered for sale. – E. L.:, Agent.
The village tax levy has been placed at 9.5 mills.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Miller a daughter June 22.
Charles Baumhart has started a milk route here. Milk delivered twice a day.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Henes at their home near the East quarry a daughter Sunday.
Quite a number from here took advantage of the excursion on the L. S. & M. S. A\and spent Sunday at Crystal Beach.
The Amherst churches began the open-air services Sunday evening. Rev. English was the speaker Prof. Case of Oberlin conducted the music.
The badly mutilated body of J. S. Foley was found along the L. S. & M. S. Thursday. It seems he was beating his way from San Antonio Texas to visit his mother at Akron, O. He was probably about 23 or 24 years of age. $19 was found on his person.
Twin sons came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Sheid one day last week.
Frank Miller is moving his barn.
Mrs. Aaron Kelly is on the sick list.
Ed Huessner is painting his house.
Mr. Peasley is staying with his son Will this summer.
Mrs. Burt Bacon has summer borders at this writing.
Ezra Betz is making quite extensive improvements on his place.
Mr. Charlie Baldwin has a fine lot of cherries of all kinds this year.
Will Newberry is driving a fine new horse, which he recently purchased.
Mrs. Sherwood has a snake cactus that has 50 flowers on at present. It is very pretty.
Mr. Joel Normando is improving his place by building on an addition to his house. It will be a very pretty place now. Mr. Normando knows just what he wants all right.
A large number of our residents attended picnic at Vermilion Monday.
The Lake Shore Electric is extending the abutments of their bridge at Sugarcreek.
There is a big demand for good help on the farm in this vicinity. Help is scarce.
A serious accident happened last Sunday at the bridge west of Rumsey Park. The auto skidded went into the ditch on the north side of the road. The occupants consisted of Mr. Sprecht and wife and a friend all of Cleveland. Mrs. Sprecht had her collarbone broken. She was taken to the residence of A. R. Rumsey. Two doctors arrived on the scene shortly after the accident and together with the willing help Mrs. Brooks and Myrtle Smythe got her so she could return to her home in Cleveland. It was a White steamer formerly property of J. D. Rockefeller the oilman.
[NOTE: This auto was likely made in Cleveland.]
There is nothing more as yet on the meter question of the charge for the use of waterpower machines. It might well be for the trustees to bear in mind the fact that the users of these machines have a right to know upon what basis this rate is up made. Reports are still coming in from different towns where meters are used and in all cases so far are bought and installed at the expense of the waterworks department. It is no more than justice that meters be installed in Vermilion when asked for and this done at the expense of the B. Of P. A. Nominal rental fee could be charged say of $1.50 per quarter where the water rent would not exceed that amount.
A meeting of the Subscribers Library Association will be held on Tuesday evening at the home of Mrs. George Naegele, and the purpose will be to see what can be done with the library which as at present at Guy S. Davis’s store.
Pending this meeting the library will be closed Friday.
It seems a shame that after existing as long as it has through the efforts of a few, interest cannot be developed to keep the institution running. The Library is behind in rent and the members have no money in the treasury. If some society could be induced to take hold of the enterprise it might be possible to keep it going. Instead of attempting to have a school library and a subscriber’s library, why wouldn't it be better to have one library have it so arranged that the pupils of the school could have access during school sessions. Interested parties should attend this meeting and help the few who are trying to keep the library up.
[NOTE: It’s important to understand just how difficult (financially at least) it was to have a library in Vermilion in the early part of the 20th century.\
Henry Slilker died very suddenly at his home in Huron Monday evening at 9 o'clock. Paralysis was the cause. A wife and two grown children survive.
Charles A. Burrill 40 Norwalk bartender shot his wife and then himself Wednesday night. The bodies were found Thursday morning 7 miles east of Norwalk on the Townsend Road. Mrs. Burrill had left her husband and was working. He hired a livery rig and took her for a ride and try to persuade her to return to him she refused.
Floyd, the four-year-old child of Gus Mallet of Cleveland was torn from his father's grasp, – run over by an auto Sunday. Mrs. C. A. Spear was driving the car.
The big livery barn belonging to W. H. Basore located on Erie Avenue just west of the electric station Lorain was destroyed by fire Thursday night. 38 horses perished. Loss was estimated at $50,000.
WANTED – 2000 chickens per week at the Krapp market.
[NOTE: 2000 chickens sure seems to be a good many chickens. If that wasn’t a misprint I hope Krapp didn’t get that many. I doubt if they had enough room for that many.\
Ms. Clara Houseman of Birmingham is the guest of her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Bottomley.
At a meeting of the Huron council, County Commissioners and Receiver Worthington of the W. & L. R. Railway Monday an agreement was reached whereby the Railway Co. will make the fill for the proposed bridge over Huron River.
Will Ries has left the employ of Trinter and Unser.
How will you some celebrate the Glorious Fourth?
The band will give a concert next Monday evening July 4 commencing at 7 o'clock.
The Vermilion Bottling Works has commenced operations and now we can have "soft drinks" made in Vermilion.
[NOTE: This is the first mention I’ve come across about the “pop works”. When I was a boy in the 1950s I really thought this place was wonderful.]
Tom Comstock fell from one of the maple trees in the yard Tuesday while playing with a number of companions – and broke his wrist.
The appearance of the Reformed Church and Parsonage have been greatly improved the past week by being repainted.
The oil for the streets has arrived and Street Commissioner Schmoll is busy putting it on. It is hoped to do away with the dust, which has become almost unbearable in spite of the generous supply of water used every day.
E. C. Rust who it was compelled to move from his shop just south of the Lake Shore tracks by the sale of the property to said company is building a shop at his residence and will soon be in better position to do repair work etc. than ever before.
Judge Reed has granted Mrs. Lena Liphart who, last Friday, instituted a suit against her husband, Fred Liphart, alimony in the sum of $4 a week. Mrs. Liphart left Monday for Vermilion to make her home with her parents. – Reg.
Mrs. French, mother of Mrs. F. L. Akers passed away Tuesday p.m. about 1 o'clock.
Mr. Harry Ennes of Milan spent Monday with his mother, Miss Mrs. Eva Ennes.
Mr. and Mrs. William Funk and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Funk spent Sunday in Elyria. The trip was made in Henry's new touring car.
Miss Valaria Farrell who suffered a sudden attack of sickness last week is much better.
Miss Ethel Troxel is visiting friends in Elyria this week.
Hmmmmmm....
…Philip Livensparger, killed May 2, 1863, in battle of Chancellorsville, Va.
Peter H. Livengood, discharged October 20, 1862, at Cumberland, Md., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Edwin S. Morse, appointed corporal October 3, 1863; wounded May 2, 1863, in battle of Chancellorsville, Va. ; returned to ranks March 1, 1863 ; mustered out July 19, 1864,at Camp Cleveland, by order of war department.
John McConahy, wounded July 20, 1864,in battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga.; mustered out with company July 11,1865; veteran.
John B. Martin drafted; mustered out with company July 11, 1865.
Lewis Mesnard, wounded August 9,1862, at Freeman's Ford, Va.; mustered out June 22, 1865, by order of war department .
John W. Miller, wounded March 19,1865,in battle of Bentonville, N.C.; mustered out June 16,1865,byorderofwar department.
John McLaughlin, captured July 2, 1863, at battle of Gettysburg, Pa.; mustered out October 23, 1864, on expiration of term of service.
Oliver Melroy, captured September 15, 1863, at Bristow, Va.; mustered out October 23, 1864, on expiration of term of service.
Jackson V. Perdew, mustered out with company July l1, 1865.
VanBuren Palmer, captured July 17,1863,at Aldie, Va., mustered out October 23, 1864, on expiration of term of service.
Benjamin F. Perkey, discharged January 26,1863,at New York, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
John Plotts, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps March 1, 1864; mustered out January 26, 1866, at Columbus, to date August 21, 1864.
George W. Price, died December 18, 1862, at Baltimore, Md.
Isaac Reed, wounded July 20, 1864, in battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga. Mustered out with company July l1, 1865; veteran.
Frank Ray, wounded July 20, 1864, in battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga.; discharged March 16,1865, at Fort Schuyler, N. C.
Alfred G. Rumur, died May 18, 1863,at Brooks's Station, Va., of wounds received May 8, 1863, in battle of Chancellorsville, Va.
Abner Royce discharged October 7, 1862, at Columbus, O., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Robert P. Ralston, died July 1l, 1862, at Sperryville, Va.
Lawrence Rumbacher, drafted; mustered out June 9, 1865, at Washington, D.C., by order of war department.
Corwin K. Sites, mustered out with company July 11, 1865; veteran.
Samuel Stone, wounded and captured May 2, 1863, at battle of Chancellorsville, Va.; mustered out with company July 11, 1865; veteran.
Michael Schiffler, mustered out with company July 11,1865; veteran.
Reed A. Stacks, wounded July 12, 1864, in action at Chattahoochee River, Ga.; mustered out with company July 11, 1865.
CAMERA DISPLAY: These cameras provide a minor timeline for their evolution in the U.S. There is no brand name on the oldest piece on the right. The lens is of German manufacture, but that’s about all I can tell of it. It was likely my grandfather’s first camera. His tripod is in the corner of the room (out of sight here).
The box camera may have been my mother’s when she was as young as I was when I had the Brownie next to it. We have two of each of these on display at the museum.
I’ve always felt that the old Brownies were very capable instruments. Two of my sisters (Butch & Ellie) and I took some very nice photos with one of these babies. Unfortunately most of those photographs are lost. I can actually remember the subject matter of several. (e.g. when the pop factory was burned we took a bunch of the event; and there was one of my sister Butch standing aside a movie poster at the Liberty Theatre, etc…)
We have a dozen or so cameras on display. Someday my Nikons will be among them.
Our priest suddenly became ill and asked his twin brother, also a priest, to fill in for him and conduct a funeral Mass scheduled for that day. His brother, of course, agreed. It was not until the brother was accompanying the casket down the aisle, however, that he realized that he had neglected to ask the sex of the deceased. This was information that he would need for his remarks during the service.
As he approached the first pew where the deceased's relatives were seated he nodded toward the casket and whispered to one woman, "Brother or sister?"
"Cousin," she replied.
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. 16. Issue 17 - June 30, 2018
Archive Issue #798
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