Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: Vermilion Junior League 1949: Founded in 1901 by a New York City social activist and Bernard College student named Mary Harriman-Rumsey (1881-1934), it was initially known as The Junior League for the Promotion of Settlement Movements. Now known simply as the Junior League it has evolved into one of the oldest, largest and most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, encompassing 160,000 women in 292 Leagues in four countries – the U.S, Canada, Mexico and the U.K. The accompanying Richard Koontz photo is that of the membership of Vermilion’s Women’s Junior League at their the “first banquet” held on June 28, 1949 in the dining room of the Okagi Restaurant.
I can name some, but not all, of the women pictured. I do have a list that was made by my brother Al who had originally acquired the photo. But I have some problems with his list. First of all, my good brother couldn’t spell as well as one might like. Second, sometimes he could misidentify faces. As a consequence I won’t use his list. But I will afford ye some names and let you match them to the faces.
Dorothy Litman, Ethel Swanbeck, Belva Jefferey, Bernice Fischer-Koachway, Dale Rodgers, Yvonne Boyd, Dorothy Koontz, Nadine Furgason, Mary Rapprich, Eleanor Orth and…
I believe I know some of the others, but I don’t want to guess. I’ll leave that to someone else. I also don’t know if the Women’s League in Vermilion still exists.
This snapshot was taken in July of 1945 in the backyard of what was then the A.D. Baumhart home on the northeast corner of Huron and Washington Streets. Neighborhood children had gathered there to celebrate the 6th birthday of their friend Brenda Baumhart.
Pictured are: (Back L-R) Tom Creech, Pat Keller, Brenda Baumhart with Althea Showalter, and Jeanie Lindsley. (Front L-R) Nancy Lee, Linda Bogart, Tim Trinter, Richard Copeland, John Trinter and Shirley Malone.
With the exception of Tom Creech and Pat Keller all the children in the snap still live in or visit Vermilion with some frequency. The birthday girl in the picture, Brenda Baumhart Mezz, is a retired teacher and lives in Eaton, Ohio. Brenda was the only child and daughter of former Vermilion mayor Charles Wheeler and Helyn Hecathorn Baumhart.
Althea Showalter – who is apparently one of the oldest youngsters pictured (perhaps a baby-sitter) – is married to Bob Shanks and currently lives in Bay Village, Ohio. She was the eldest child and daughter of William (a local plumber) and Hazel Showalter.
Many current residents should recognize the pretty dark-haired girl Nancy Lee. She is better known today as Nancy Fulper. She and her brother Bill are the children of late Vermilion residents Leroy and Norma Lee. Mr. Lee owned the boatyard where Vermilion Power Boats is now located. He was also the very ambitious and enthusiastic developer / promoter of the Shady Lake housing subdivision east of Sunnyside Road.
Linda Bogart is the oldest child and daughter of late Vermilionites Howard and Mary Bogart. Her father helped manage two of the town’s early dairies, was a long-time Vermilion Township clerk, and later worked as assistant manager of the local branch of Lorain National Bank. Her mother Mary and her sister Dorothy Hart (who was married to local pharmacist Jim Hart) were the adopted daughters of a very prominent local couple – Presdee and Nellie Klaar-Wood Morgan. Linda is a retired teacher and lives in Lorain, Ohio. Her younger brother, Howard, lives in California.
The Trinter brothers, John and his younger brother Tim both still live in Vermilion. They’re the oldest sons of late Vermilion historian Betty and John Trinter. One might chance upon Tim and his wife, Paula, as they take their rescue pooch for a walk about town. And persons who drive or walk along Liberty Avenue between Exchange Park and the Vermilion Lagoons in the mornings may often see brother John taking his daily constitutional. John and his spouse, Nancy, have a home in the Lagoons. Both men are retired now.
Rick Copeland isn’t too hard to find either. Also a retiree, one might run into him enjoying a cup of coffee at one of our local eateries or while shopping at the “Eagle”. And Jeanie Lindsley, until a short time ago, was always somewhere about town with her husband Richard Miller. But due to health concerns the couple recently relocated to Ashland, Ohio to be near to one of their children.
Again, it’s impossible to know just how many, or even if any, of the current digital portraits similar to this snapshot that were taken just yesterday and uploaded to social media will survive as long as it has. To be sure we must be preserving a forest or two by saving all these images electronically instead of on paper. But in the end it may very well be that we’ll be unable to see the proverbial tree of our memories of yesteryear because the darn forest is blocking our view.
Ref: Special thanks to: Brenda Baumhart Mezz; Written Sunday, November 1, 2015
ON A SEARCH: This week I’ve been on a frantic search for some of my old oral history interviews. I did find some of the earliest ones that Geo (my wife) and I did in Exchange Park. But they’re not the ones I’m searching for. I did find transcriptions I made of those histories – but I just know I have the videos somewhere. I just have to track them down. It’s a frustrating business.
On the other hand, I have rediscovered pix I took as far back as perhaps 2005 or 06 – and some maybe earlier. For instance, I have some great interior pix of the opera house with years of dust on the seats [see below]; pix of the construction and / or renovation of several buildings about Vermilion; as well as numerous pix of flooding along the Vermilion River (the Great 1969 flood as well as others). But, darn, if I’ve come across the mp4 interviews yet.
But I will prevail…
Historically,
A TALE OF TWO PORTRAITS: : I came across this old and rather mundane pic of the girl getting her portrait taken last week and noticed the larger portraits on the wall behind the girl. Wow!
They are the same portraits that hang in the living room of the Vermilion History Museum today. I found them several years ago when we were cleaning out the attic over the print shop. They were laying on the floor – the glass in their frames was broken. Anyway, believe it or not I recognized the folks in them.
The fella on the left is my g-grandfather Ernest Thomas “E.T.” Bottomley. And the lady on the right my g-grandmother Clarissa “Clara” Ellsworth-Bottomley.
I liked the portraits and frames, so I replaced the glass and repaired part of one of the frames. I don’t know the identity of the person responsible for the portraits, or where or how they were done. But, again, I like them.
My g-grandfather was born in Woodlesford, Yorkshire, England (b.1857) and migrated to America with his family when he was just a tad. His mother, Elizabeth Wheelwright, died during their passage. By the time he was 12 years old he was working in a paper mill in Lee, Berkshire, Massachusetts along with his father. His older sister, Mary, at the age of 15 took care of the household. So life must have been difficult.
In April (26th) of 1876 he married Clara in Westfield, Massachusetts. She was the youngest child born in 1858 at Chaska, Carver, Minnesota in 1858 to Ezekiel and Abigail Ellsworth. Her father was a carpenter. Both parents were born in Massachusetts. This may explain how Ernest and Clara met and were married in the East. Her parents likely had relatives there.
After their marriage they moved to Minnesota where he apparently farmed, ran an apothecary and was appointed in 1888 as Postmaster at Granite Lake, Wright, Minnesota.
In the years preceding the new century (the 20th) the couple and their children moved to Milan where Ernest and his brother William operated a general store on the square. While living in Milan their daughter (my grandmother Bessie) met her future husband (my grandfather Pearl Roscoe).
Several years later the Bottomleys moved to Vermilion where Pearl and Bessie owned and operated The Vermilion News print shop. During ensuing years E.T. joined his son-in-law selling newspaper advertising. He also became involved with some other business ventures including real estate.
He died at the age of 59 in 1916. Clara died in her early 80s in 1941.
SOME OF THE “BEST KIDS IN TOWN” SANS BUCK: Pictured are some of [as former Vermilion snack-shop owner Paul Metrakis used to say] “the best kids in town” back in the late 1940s. According to Vermilionite Dennis McKern, who supplied the snapshot, these were the original “Our Gang” kids: 1.) Kathleen Buell, 2.) Alice McKern, 3.) Donna Jean McKern, 4.) Rick Walker, 5.) Jonathan Smith, 6.) Doug Smith and 7.) Leon Buell. Missing from the regular gang are Bill Cassidy, Gary Flanders, and Dennis. [He who may have been taking the photo.]
These shadows were most likely captured on film in the long sloping backyard of the Buell Family home at the far west end of South Street. Notably missing from the snap, but not to be forgotten then, now or ever, is young Leon’s faithful dog Buck. He was, perhaps, taking a pee break neath the greenery just behind the youngsters. This is noteworthy because it was well known that Buck “went everywhere” with this gang – including to the movies “downtown” where he would wait “faithfully” to rejoin them when the movie was over. [Evidently, he was not a fan of the silver screen.]
As mentioned this snap was very likely taken in the Buell Family backyard at the west end of South Street. And while lacking any real visible evidence of that statement, it is made because more than a few youngsters from five to 18 years old who grew up in that part of Vermilion during the early 1940s through the early 1960s spent a good deal of time in or around the Alfred and Margaret Buell home on South Street. The Buells had five children. Each of them had at least five friends. And each of their five friends had at least five friends, ad infinitum. [You do the math.]
So, mix the bright adventurous Buell kids and their numerous friends together with a super-sized backyard that gently sloped down to the miracles always overflowing in the meanderings of Edson Creek below, just before it ran through what seemed to be the huge tunnel under the railroad tracks; and stir into that scenario a wonderful woodlands just to the west [now part of the Erie County Park system] and what one has is a young person’s notion of Paradise. [Tom Sawyer, eat your heart out.]
Doug and Jon Smith lived next door to the Buell family. The others lived nearby. Ergo, it is altogether appropriate to say that when this snap was snapped these kids were literally members of what one might call Vermilion’s original “Our Gang”. Of those pictured Doug Smith and Leon Buell are still familiar faces about town. But most of the rest of the mob has moved on – some to other stomping grounds and some, along with the ever-faithful pooch, Buck, have relocated to other pastures much loftier than those of today or the yesteryear. But there’s one thing for sure: When this photograph was taken all of them were some of “The Best Kids In Town”. [At least that’s the way Vermilion’s old hotdog purveyor Paul Metrakis would have said of it.]
Ref: Special Thanks to Denny McKern (& Buck); Sunday, February 17, 2019.
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...
George B. Krapp has disposed of his meat market to L. M. Seeley of Wakeman. Mr. Seeley will take charge Monday.
Mr. Seeley has been in the business for the past 10 years and conducting the business here will keep up the market’s reputation for first-class goods and consistent prices. Mr. Krapp will engage in the buying and selling of livestock. He is a hustler and this will undoubtedly be very successful.
Mr. Seeley sold his Wakeman market a few weeks ago to Adam Berk, who is a relative of H. H. Berk of the Vermilion Mills.
Guy S. Davis received a message from Cleveland this morning announcing the death of his mother, Mrs. Jesse Davis. Death must have come suddenly, as Mr. Davis had received no notice of her illness.
Many Vermilion people were acquainted with Mrs. Davis who lived here at one time and her many friends here will be greatly shocked at the news of her death.
Ernest and Fred Jekl, the Cleveland boys who were sentenced to a $200 fine and 30 days in the workhouse for stealing car Brasses from the Nickel Plate Ry. Co., at Vermilion, were taken to Toledo to begin their sentence Monday.
The estate of Mrs. Margaret P. Black late of Vermilion has been appraised at $10,000. C. H. McGraw, M. E. Lawless and H. M. White were the appraisers.
Vermilion is again having a famine, not in foodstuffs, but in houses. Nearly every day we have inquiries for houses. When a man purchases a home of his own if he is occupying a rented house, he, or the owner is besieged with people who are inquiring for a place. Rents are such now that we believe it would be a paying investment to build.
Mrs. Charles Gawn is reported on the sick list.
The condition of Benj. Redfern remains about the same.
The Macabee Hall is being remodeled this week.
Albert Sabiers is reported on the sick list.
A large number of books have been added to the public library this week.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Pancoft of Washington Avenue a son, Friday, February, 17, 1911.
Dana Smith who is been quite ill the past few months is reported on the gain.
Work will soon be started on a new sewer for the residents of South Amherst.
The Lake Shore railway is closing options and purchasing land on both sides of its rights-of-way for the two additional tracks through Amherst Township and village.
The funeral of Lewis Clark of Brownhelm was held from the home at 10 o’clock Sunday morning. The deceased leaves two sons and many friends to mourn their loss.
The funeral services of Mrs. Chas. Elizabeth Bonsor was held Monday afternoon from a home at 1:00 o’clock, Rev. W. L. Bretz officiated. Interment was made in Elmwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Katherine Hoeh, aged 81 years, died at the home of her son Daniel Hoeh, one and one-half miles north of Oberlin. The funeral was held Thursday from the residence. Interment was made in the Amherst Cemetery.
Seymour Leimbach has purchased a valuable trotting horse.
The Masquerade dance given at S. Amherst Friday night was well attended.
Mrs. Geo. Arnold is on the sick list at this writing.
Esther Leimbach is much better at this writing.
Lloyd and Raymond Bacon took in the dance at Vermilion Friday night.
Kate Berg is under a doctor’s care. She has an attack of the asthma.
Mr. C. Schisler is having a stairway put in the rear of his store.
Miss Rose Kline was on the sick list a few days last week.
W. P. Funk has put a new stairway in his store and will use the upper room for a sales room. It has greatly improved the store.
Mr. Frank Barnes of Joppa is busy cleaning stock cars.
Mr. Hurley Casebeer is living on his farm in Joppa.
The little girl of Charles Schuster was operated upon, at the home by Dr. Woosner and a doctor from Cleveland, Saturday.
The Bonnet Bros. have opened the grocery store in the building recently vacated by C. A. Henry.
Mr. Cissne applied but the bakery business to Frank acrylic took possession last week.
Fishermen are busy making preparations for the opening of the fish season.
A number of Huronites are making preparations to raise chickens this season.
Mr. Benj. Wilkerson an aged resident is reported very ill at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J Fisher.
A daughter came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sheppard of Milan last week. They are former Huronites.
Mrs. Waldo Foote of Amherst has made application for divorce on grounds of cruelty. The couple were married about six weeks ago.
Montgomery Ward & Co., Sears Roebuck & Co, two large Chicago mail order houses have been flooding the country with catalogs and advertising matter and gross sales made by the latter company during the first half of February have shown an increase of 15 per cent. No doubt any and every article sold by these houses could be duplicated by our home merchants and like prices, (quality considered), but many the home merchant doesn’t believe in telling the people what he has to offer and they can buy it as cheaply of him, (all things considered.) He goes on the theory that people know the store is here and let them come or stay away as they like. We believe if the merchants of Vermilion would make an effort, at least half of what goes to these two companies from the locality would go into the stores of this town. There is not a weekly paper in the state but good about fill its pages with the ads from these and other houses of their kind, yet most of them do not for they know that much of the stuff thus advertised is inferior and not a square deal to their readers.
[NOTE: My grandfather would not have liked businesses like Amazon at all. While I will admit that his motives were, in may respects, very selfish, they were also in the best interests of the people of the town: Shop Local – and keep the local economy going with jobs and taxes. It was a battle he never won.]
Lewis Clark loved and honored citizen of Brownhelm Station for the past 42 years died at his home there Friday, Feb. 17, 1911, at the age of 69. Mr. Clark was born at North Amherst, Ohio. For many years he was an employee of the Lake Shore Ry. Co. At the death of his father, Julius Clark, some 20 years ago, Mr. Clark took charge of the general store and coal office at the Station. The store has been under the management of the family for more than 60 years. Mr. Clark was an upright man, a teetotaler, generous to a fault, always ready to help any worthy cause. Two sons, Newton of Brownhelm and Mort of Pennsylvania two brothers, Fred of Brownhelm and Frank of Vermilion are left.
The funeral was held at the house Sunday, conducted by Rev. T. H. D. Harrold of the local M. E. Church and was attended by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends.
Newton Clark who is been associated with his father for a number of years will continue the business.
Mrs. Sarah Cooley is on the sick list.
Mrs. Ben Lindsley has had a bad attack of Quinsy.
Mr. Henry Brandau is confined to his home by a serious attack of La Grippe.
The schools here closed Wednesday in observation of Washington’s Birthday.
The home of Mr. Frank Peck is quarantined because of the illness of his children Harold and Marie with scarlet fever.
Mr. Lewis Clark, age 69 years, died Friday afternoon at his home at Brownhelm Station. Nearly all his life was passed at this place. He has been postmaster and storekeeper for many years. Funeral services were held Sunday morning.
Mrs. Dora Buckley, while visiting her brother, Mr. Elmer Minkler of Lorain was taken very ill last week. Her daughter, Miss Eleanor Buckley of Memorial Hospital, Elyria is caring for her.
BORN to Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Boylan, Furnace street, and eight and one-half pound boy. – Elyria Tel.
Mrs. Mary Quigley and son Dean spent Saturday at Cleveland.
Mr. and Mrs. John Delker visited their son Charles at Marine Hospital Sunday. He is reported very much improved and high hopes are now entertained for his complete recovery.
Mr. and Mrs. Geo. P. Sahl who have been making their home in Cleveland for the past several weeks will move to Vermilion in the near future. They will occupy the rooms over F. V. Pelton store on South Street. This will be good news to their many Vermilion friends.
Mr. W. E. Bailey who disposed of his plumbing business here recently has purchased a hardware store on 70th St. Cleveland took possession yesterday. His many Vermilion friends wish him unbounded success in this new enterprise. The family will remain here for the present.
Starr Gardner has bought the N. Fisher place and will occupy it soon.
Dr. W. E. Derr spent a few days last week with his wife at Marion. We are sorry to report that Mrs. Derr is not improving as rapidly as her friends could wish.
RUST – Sarah E. Wife of Lewis T. Rust, Birchfield, O., Wednesday, February 22, 5:15 p.m., age 72 years.
The above was among death notices in this morning’s Plain Dealer. Mrs. Rust is a sister-in-law of E. C. Rust of Vermilion.
Mrs. Sterling Hill who has been sick for some time is reported to be improving.
Mr. Harvey Hill who has been in the employ of the Brass Works at Vermilion for the past year has resigned, and has accepted a position with the Telephone Company of Lima O. where he had been employed as a book and timekeeper.
The Suwannee River Colored Male Quartette drew some of the largest crowds that have has been in attendance the past season. They gave excellent satisfaction. The T. T. C. under whose auspices the quartette came did well in their choosing. It is quite evident that the Library to which the benefits were to be applied will receive some results.
Carl Washburn is again able to be out after a short illness.
Miss Lulu Bogart is visiting her sister Mrs. H. R. Waldron of Berlin this week.
E. B. Welch recently shipped three thoroughbred calves Chicago Jct/ having received $70 $75 apiece for same.
Hmmmmmm....
…for in the fall of the year of its removal to that place the Advertiser became numbered among the evanescent journals of the county.
In the office of the paper while at Huron it seems that use was made of the material of the Milan Times, a paper published at Milan, but of the precise time of its birth or death, as a journal, no reliable information is obtainable. George M. Swan is said to have been at one time connected with the paper, and that he was, “perhaps," one of the original proprietors in connection with Mr. Gray.
In December, 1842, William S. Mills and Sylvester Ross purchased the material of the defunct Commercial Advertiser and issued the first number of the Democratic Mirror, a weekly paper of Sandusky. These proprietors continued its publication with varying success until the year 1847, when John Mackey, then recently admitted to the bar, but not yet in practice, became a part owner in the office, and the firm was changed to Mills, Ross & Mackey.
Under the management of these gentlemen a daily was started, and in connection with the weekly edition was continued for about two years, or until May, 1849, when Mr. Mackey retired from the firm to practice law, and J. W. Taylor, better known as “Signal Taylor," took his place in the firm. During the fall of this same year Mr. Ross was attacked with cholera and died Mills & Taylor continued the publication until 1852, when the latter retired, leaving Mr. Mills sole editor and proprietor.
In the fall of 1853 the paper was sold to Joseph and Fielding Cable, father and son, under whose control the name of both daily and weekly was changed to the Bay City Mirror. The Cables published the Mirror but a short time and then sold out to Asa Dimmock, and he soon afterwards to Ray Haddock. About this time the daily edition was discontinued.
Charles Orton, formerly connected with the Norwalk Experiment, became the owner and proprietor of the paper in May, 1856, but after two years experience in its publication disposed of it to his son, T. S. Orton, but one year later its publication was suspended.
In the year 1843, the Tribune as a newspaper of Erie county first saw the light of day. It was founded by Clark Waggoner, who brought to Milan for the purposes of the publication the materials formerly used by him in the publication of the Lower Sandusky Whig. After publishing the Tribune, a weekly paper, at Milan for something like eight years, Mr. Waggoner discontinued operations at that place and became interested in the Sandusky Clarion, and moved his stock to the building in which the Clarion was published in Sandusky. Thus ended the life of the Milan Tribune. Mr. Waggoner subsequently severed his connection with the Clarion to assume an editorial position…
VERMILION TRANSPORTATION: I believe this trucking company was located on the southwest side Douglas Street just across the Nickle Plate tracks. Methinks that Don Parsons may now own the property where it was located.
Paul got off the elevator on the 40th floor and nervously knocked on his blind date's door. She opened it and was as beautiful and charming as everyone had said.
"I'll be ready in a few minutes," she said. "Why don't you play with Rollo while you're waiting?" He does wonderful tricks. He rolls over, shakes hands, sits up and if you make a hoop with your arms, he'll jump through."
The dog followed Paul onto the balcony and started rolling over. Paul made a hoop with his arms and Rollo jumped through -- and over the balcony railing. Just then Paul's date walked out.
"Isn't Rollo the cutest, happiest dog you've ever seen?
"To tell the truth," he replied, "he seemed a little depressed to me."
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'".
Rich; it is our 60th reunion and will be very informal. It looks like this at the present time; Tuesday, JULY 9, 2019.
-4pm Boat ride Vermilion River and Lagoons (Parsons)
-5:30pm Drinks and music on the Patio-Vermilion Boat Club
-6:30pm Dinner - order off the menu Vermilion Boat Club
Replys can be sent to;
Roger Boughton
2205 1th Ave. SW
Ausitn, MN. 55912
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 51 - February 23, 2019
Archive Issue #832
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