Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK:On the shop desks this week are items relative to the American Civil War (i.e. the American Rebellion). On the shop desk is a pic of the boys of Co. K. 67th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry when they gathered together in Toledo for a reunion in the early years of the 20th century. My g-grandfather Caselton Roscoe is the second guy starting from the left side of the middle row. He was very active in many of Ohio’s G.A.R. gatherings, but I don’t’ know if he was in any G.A.R. band. He was born in 1836 so by the time the band was formed he was likely in his 70s – and he suffered with Asthma. He was also a very active member of the Masons in Milan, Norwalk and Vermilion.
During the “rebellion” he served as a musician in the Union Army. Generally, one might think that might have been a gravy job. But it wasn’t. When the musicians weren’t playing for a march, a funeral, or some other military occasion they were working the field hospitals or out on the battlefield bringing in the dead and wounded. We have all his diaries from the war. Pictured are items written September 19 through the 22nd, in his 1864 war diary. It was a horrific conflict. General Wm. T. Sherman may have said the “War is hell”, but the soldiers in the field either lived it or died.
When Civil War veteran Albert Woolson of Duluth, Minnesota died at 106 years of age in 1956 the G.A.R. died with him. But the scars of that conflict on the psyche of the American public remain.
SLOW NEWS ERA: I’ve been noticing lately that the news in the NEWS for the latter part of August well into September has been might slim. I don’t know whether that was good or bad or what. But there simply doesn’t seem to have been a whole bunch of stuff of any significance to report during that time span. I’m sure things will pick up going into October.
Historically,
A HISTORIC PUZZLE: When I first had the pleasure of seeing my grandfather’s (Pearl Roscoe’s) rare color slides of the Vermilion area I happened across a few that I found rather puzzling. They depicted what obviously looked like terrific storm damage in a cemetery. Because the slides were not marked, I had no idea as to their specific location other than what I have just written. And then I came across an 8”x10” black and white glossy Rudy Moc photograph that made my grandfather’s slides identifiable. The cemetery (as pictured) was our Maple Grove Cemetery on the morning of August 14, 1943.
The night before a tornado had come out of the southwest. It cut across the Risdon Farm on Risden Road [please note that the names are correct although spelled differently] , headed northeast toward the lake where it destroyed the Sherod home just east of Coen Road, and then bounced across West Lake Road to the home of Charlie and Katie Krapp at Stop 130. It levelled their home, their barn along with 200 chickens, and caused the tragic death of Mrs. Krapp’s cousin, Josephine Lowe, who was there on a visit from her home in Cleveland. Mrs. Krapp, who was trapped in the wreckage of the home for 45 minutes, suffered only minor injuries. All that remained at Stop 130 when the storm passed was the garage. It is still standing.
The home of Fred Krapp (Charlie’s brother) just to the east was untouched. The floor of Charlie’s barn rested against the house. The storm had lifted it, transported it 1000 feet, and softly set it down by the kitchen door without disturbing shingle nor nail of his house or outbuildings.
Turning southeast the storm jumped the NYC railroad tracks and tapped the Backus home on Adams Street. Mrs. Lydia Backus was critically injured when a wall collapsed on her. Her husband somehow escaped without harm.
At least five additional homesteads were swatted by the mid-August storm. On State Street the H. Rossman home was twisted off its foundation. On Douglas Street the Cecil Rossman and Edward Troxel homes were also damaged. And on Mason Road the Krebs home was grazed, and Carl Washburn’s barn doors, part of a haystack, as well as an entire apple orchard were swept away in the whirling summer winds.
In 1866 the Village of Vermilion had purchased 3 acres of land along Mason Road from one Amason Washburn to use as a permanent cemetery. The property adjoined a one-half acre plot of land that pioneer settler, John Beardsley, had earlier in the century deeded to School District No. 6 and their successors to be used as a burial ground. The additional land was then cleared, graded, and a good number of young maple trees were planted. Thus was it named “Maple Grove” (cemetery).
During ensuing years more acreage was added. By August of 1943 the memorial park was comprised of more than 7 acres of land, and the young maples that had been planted nearly a century earlier now towered over the grounds and monuments.
And as these terrible storms have no respect for life - human or otherwise - they also have no mercy for the dead. On August 13, 1943 the same storm that had stolen the life of Josephine Lowe arbitrarily dismantled many of the monuments in Maple Grove, as well as uprooting and splintering almost all the old maples that once stood guard over them.
The accompanying Rudy Moc photograph shows the damage done to the cemetery on that day. The other shows the area as it looks today. Were it not for my discovery of the Moc photo I would not have known any of this ever happened, and I would have been puzzling over my grandfather’s color slides for the remainder of my life.
ESTEEMED TOKENS: In a world where quarter-million-dollar homes, forty-thousand-dollar pickup trucks and $700 cell phones are the norm these coins (pictured) from a yesteryear in Vermilion, Ohio, are, in that scheme of things, only worth their weight in feathers. And while they may not buy a cup of coffee at the local coffeehouse, they most certainly would inspire a very generous amount of conversation among those frequenting such places.
Of these tokens the “L.C. Blattner” one is perhaps the most baffling. It is only stamped on one side, and the meaning of “17” and “Dancing” on it is unknown. Blattner was Lewis Charles Blattner (aka. Charley Lewis Blattner. He was born in Vermilion on 9 September 1885 and died here in on 7 March 1940. His uncle was George Blattner a well-known and respected hardware store owner in Vermilion. George was, incidentally, the g-great-grandfather of Vermilionites Rich, Don and their little sister Patty Parsons. Lewis worked at his uncle’s store that located on the site currently occupied by Papa Joe’s Pizza. He was also a plumber, a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, served as Vermilion Village Clerk and Treasurer for a number of years, and was an honorary member of the Olympic Outing Club. But again, I have as yet no clue as to the reason this token was made.
Another “baffler” is the one that indicates it was “Good For 5¢ At The Bar”. Apparently, the hole in it was to allow it to be used on a necklace or keychain. But the identity and location of the saloon (aside from the cryptic initials of “E.C.B.” or is it “B.C.B.”) where it could have been redeemed is also unknown. Interesting enough this token as well as the “Cloudy’s Ferry” piece were found on the beach near the lake by Vermilion beachcomber John Moc. The “Cloudy” token is unique, but several others similar to it have been found by collectors of local artifacts.
“Louis “Cloudy” Noel was French Canadian. Born in St. Ephrem, Quebec, Canada in 1872 he migrated to Nahua, New Hampshire, and was naturalized there in 1900. As is obvious, by the first decade of the 20th century he found his way to Vermilion, eventually acquiring the ferry franchise and boat livery along the river. He regularly transported Linwood denizens from his place (at about the site of Vermilion Yacht Club) to a dock on the west side of the river that was situated between the water treatment plant and the sail-loft (currently the Chez Francois restaurant). The business, later falling victim to the Age of the Auto, he went to work as a member of a crew on one of Vermilion’s commercial fishing vessels. He died in Vermilion in 1954 well into his eighties.
The Furgason and Mehnert coins – or at least the names – will be familiar to many long-time residents of Vermilion. Earl Carter “E.C.” Furgason operated a pool hall and bowling alley on the east side of Division / Main Street in the rooms of a store at the back of the Fischer building. Locals referred to the place as “Furgie’s”. Furgason was born in 1884 in Jackson, Michigan. He came to Vermilion sometime around 1921 and opened his business four years later. He Retired in 1953 and died in January of 1959.
The last token pictured advertised 5¢ in trade for ice cream or tobacco at Mehnert’s News Stand. Mr. Mehnert ran the “Mehnert News Agency” – a newsstand (currently the site of the Olive Scene) on Liberty Avenue for 30 years. Leon Oscar Mehnert was born in Vermilion in 1896 He opened his store around 1913, sold it in 1943 and went to work for the Post Office. For reasons unknown (at least to me) some folks around town affectionally knew him as “Sporty” Mehnert. His only son, Warren, still lives in the Vermilion area. Coincidentally, in December of 1953: two very popular Vermilion businessmen bit the dust. One of them was a local grocery store owner named Steve Martin. The other was Leon Oscar “Sporty” Mehnert. Mehnert was only 58.
And one final comment about the “Good For…” coins. I suspect they were slot machine tokens. For many years – at least during the first half of the 20th century – it was not unusual for numerous businesses to have slot machines on their premises. But in time the machines were deemed unacceptable and were eliminated from places of business. And thus, do these esteemed tokens remind us of those days and those who therein thrived.
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...
Through the kindness of Mrs. A. H. Leimbach, O. F. Hatch was honored with a call from Mrs. Sterling Stevenson, Saturday evening. As Mr. Hatch at one time during the unpleasantness which existed between certain of the states in ’60 [aka. The American Civil War] was a life member of what was known as “Stonewall Jackson’s foot cavalry,” and as Mrs. Stevenson is a niece of the late Gen. Jackson, the meeting was more than pleasant. Mrs. Stevenson is a typical southern lady, which reminded Mr. Hatch former days when he was young.
Charles E. Fitzsimmons, 31, died of typhoid fever about 8 o’clock Friday evening, at his home, 1005 Middle Ave., after an illness of six weeks duration. He was born in Elyria in 1880 and would have been 31 years of age had he lived until October 20. The city has always been his home. The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Charles Myers, and a stepsister, Mrs. George Parsons of Vermilion.
The funeral services occurred at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Tuesday morning at 8:30 o’clock. – EL Y. TEL.
There has been more or less trouble brewing in the north end of town between neighbors, Jos. Unser and S. J. Rathbun, for some time. This culminated this week by the arrest of Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Rathbun on a warrant issued for Mayor Lehrer’s court of Sandusky by Joseph Unser of this place, Wednesday. The charges are trespassing and stealing 2 bushels of peaches valued at $5.00. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun entered pleas of not guilty to both charges. They were released upon their own recognizance. The affidavits were made out from Mayor Lehrer’s court on account of a daughter of the accused being wife of Mayor Williams. The case is being heard today.
The outcome of this affair is being watched with great interest by the neighbors among whom Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun have always borne an excellent reputation.
[NOTE: Boy, this ain’t good.]
Mrs. Smith, mother of Mr. Chas. Smith and Mrs. Louise Cook, died Monday at her home west of town. The funeral was held from the late home this morning.
The boats fishing from this port are bringing in fair catches of fish mostly perch. The catch is very from 500 lbs. to 3000 lbs.
George J. Fey was in Cleveland Monday on business connected with the opening of a new city transfer and baggage line in Vermilion. Mr. Fey is well known, having been an employee of the Lake Shore [railroad] for a number of years, and is well acquainted with that part of the business and will undoubtedly be successful in this new venture.
[NOTE: Sounds more like a car or a monkey wrench.]
Fred powers has returned from a two months cruise on the steamer Michigan.
Miss Helen Kollmann has secured a position at the ten-cent store in Elyria.
Sergeant Leo Stone of the Army barracks of Columbus, his home on a month’s furlough.
Mrs. Grove Ormsby has entered St. Vincent’s Hospital at Cleveland. A complication of diseases is her trouble she has been in poor health for some time.
Mr. H. T. Smith, the oldest resident of this place suffered a slight stroke of paralysis last Tuesday. At this writing he is very low.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Morri [sic], a daughter, Sunday, Sept. 10.
Mrs. Beeckel is very ill at this writing.
Marie Hohmann is helping Mr. Shoop cut his grapes
A Squad of Indians volunteers out scouting came across the female in a log cabin in the mountains. After the usual salutation, one of them asked her: “Well, old lady, are you a secessionist?” “No,” was her answer. “Are you a Unionist?” “No,” was her answer. “What are you then?” “A Baptist, and always have been.”
The Monte Carlo girls (burlesque) at the opera house Tuesday evening, Sept. 26, 1911. Admission 50c.
Mrs. Emma Naegele had her face quite severely burned Saturday while at work over a gasoline stove.
Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. James Corbin and Capt. Pelton enjoyed a fishing expedition at Put-in-Bay the first of the week.
Mr. Mrs. P. Roscoe and daughter spent Monday at Cleveland.
[NOTE: I’m just keeping track of my family members. Mom would have been 5 at this time.]
The light keepers house is being improved by having addition put on the porch also concrete steps in the front door.
The many friends of A. McGregor will be sorry to learn that he is again very ill. Miss Hattie Crosier is the nurse in charge.
P. B. Morgan left last week for Columbus where he enters the second year in the Agricultural College of the Ohio State University.
Theodore Penning was enjoying a few days vacation from duties at L. S. E. Station. He and Mrs. Penning are spending the time among Cleveland relatives and friends.
C. Roscoe was in Steubenville, O. Wednesday a guest at the wedding of his nephew, Percy E. Roscoe of Norwalk and Miss Lillian Swan of Steubenville.
[NOTE: This is my g-grandfather and a great uncle.]
Brig. Gen. E. Gwinners [sic] Monument was unveiled last Sunday at Toledo. The 35th and 95th Regiment of the W. O. W. Were ordered out for the occasion. Company D. Of Vermilion is part of the 35th Regiment and responded to the call.
Mr. M. E. Edson so far recovered as to be able to ride out.
Capt. Peter Full is home from the lakes for short time.
Mr. Elmer Tranter and Mr. Lloyd Bacon attended the dance at Century Park, Thursday. They report reported a pleasant walk through the rain.
A party of nurses from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lorain will spend the afternoon and evening today at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Cuddeback, west of town.
Two of our local ballplayers are doing good work with the Amherst team, Frank Tischer put up a star game in the outfield while Rol Faulhaber did excellent work in the infield.
Fanny L Baatz, was born in Florence, Erie County, Ohio, May 21, 1864, and died at her home near Florence on Saturday, September 16, ‘11, age 47 years, three months and 26 days. She was the eldest daughter of the late W. C. Squire nearly all her life was spent in this vicinity and she was well known to nearly everyone in this community, and of her it can be truly and said that, “to know her was to love her.” She was ever ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
On October 7, 1884, she was united in marriage to George Baatz, and to them were born four children Walter G. Of North Ridgefield, Henry W. Of Florence, Mrs. R. Tisdale of Elyria and Mrs. R. Derby, Florence, all of whom survive her.
Thoroughly devoted to her home and family; no task was too hard, no sacrifice too great for her to make for the comfort of her husband and children.
Mrs. Baatz had been in poor health for some years but was able to be about her household duties up to within a few hours of her death, when she was stricken with paralysis and soon lapsed into unconsciousness, from which she never rallied.
When but a young girl she united with the Methodist Church at Florence and has been a faithful member and sincere follower of the master, always ready to do her share in the work of the Lord. She was also member of the W. C. T. U. An earnest worker the Temperance cause.
Besides her grief-stricken husband and children, she needs four grandchildren, a foster mother, four brothers, three sisters, many other relatives and a host of friends to mourn her loss. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they shall rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”
The funeral service was held from the Cong’l church in Florence on Tuesday afternoon conducted by her pastor, Rev. A. G. Rupert. The church was filled with relatives and friends would had gathered to honor the dead. Burial at Birmingham Cemetery.
The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stevenson of Berlinville died last Thursday and was buried from the home on Saturday afternoon. Rev. Rupert officiating. The child was nearly 3 mos. old.
Ruth Iris Jenkins, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Jenkins of Shinrock, was born, January 18, 1911 [and died] at the age of 7 mos. 22 days. The funeral was held from the home Tuesday, September 12. Services will be conducted by Rev. A. G. Rupert Berlin Heights.
B. L. Fowler left for New Mexico Monday in search of health. If conditions are favorable, he will remain in the Southwest.
Mr. and Mrs. Lon Ennis who have spent the summer at Linwood Park in the interest of photography, returned to their home in this village last week.
Mrs. A. C. Thompson and daughter Ethel left Monday morning for California, and Oregon. They will be gone several months visiting relatives. Mrs. Thompson has gone with with a view of recovering her health.
The large barn and silo with contents at north end of town, on the Lowry place was destroyed by fire Monday morning. The fire being seen first at about 4 o’clock. The barn was well filled with hay and grain together with one calf, was burned. The loss will estimate $5000 with a partial insurance.
We are glad to hear that H. C. Porter is on the gain.
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Pelton contemplate going to Norwalk to the Street Fair next week.
Mr. Horace Olds of the Soldiers Home in Sandusky is spending the week with W. P. Funk family.
Mrs. George Baatz died Saturday evening of a stroke of paralysis being attacked at about noon, which until up to that time she felt comparatively well.
The State Orchard inspectors were here a short time ago expecting various peach orchards in this vicinity. All trees found having “yellows” or little peach were marked. The owners received [notice] later to remove such trees before Oct. 15th.
…bard, Rush R. Sloane, Lester Hubbard, C. C. Bittner, S. Kellogg, Herman Ohly, now in an insane asylum; and possibly a few others whose names can not now be recalled.
INTRODUCTORY observations [From selected sketches. "Qui facit per alium, facit per se." – Meaning "He who acts through another does the act himself."]"When we consider the importance and elevated character of the science of medicine—its object, the preservation of the health and lives, and the healing of diseases, and the amelioration of the physical and mental sufferings of our fellow human beings—its extent embracing a knowledge of all science—it is evident that medical education should engage the earnest attention of the entire medical profession. The advances made in all the branches of knowledge, and especially in the science of medicine during the past century, have exceeded in extent and value those of all past ages; and it is no longer possible to compress its vast domain within the narrow limits of ‘seven Professorships.’ The present age owes its wonderful progress to experimental and scientific research.
“Evolution and development are the talismanic watchwords of the nineteenth century, and the doctrine is being accepted that things in the world do grow, and are not made; it is no longer generally accepted as a matter of religious faith that the universe was created by supernatural power, for many of our deepest thinkers, men of the most profound understanding, believe that it has been gradually unfolded by the action of natural causes. But, not wishing to be accused of heresy, it may be stated that, whether the theory be according to Darwin or Hackel or Spencer, or some other philosopher, the law will be the same in any case, and away back, behind ‘protoplasm,' ‘germinal matter,' and ‘cellular germ' there exists abundant proof of a ‘First Great Cause,' of an ‘Infinite wisdom,' for the depth of which, language has no expression. A great flood of light on this subject is now pouring forth on the world, but its acceptation as a convincing truth rests in a great measure wholly with the individual."
"The world," says Goethe," is not so framed that it can keep quiet." All the natural energies are brought into full force by the spirit of enterprise, by the spirit of progress. The telegraph wires wipe out all territorial boundaries, and railways penetrate the utmost confines of the earth, and by them States and territories are bound fast together in one web.
LOST ON MOST: Many visitors to the Vermilion History Museum miss these because they don’t really jump out and grab one’s attentions. Most local persons will readily recognize the (1) painting of the Kishman Fish Co. house that once sat along the river below Exchange / Rubberneck Park. It’s a nice piece painted on a piece of wood. What many miss, however, is the actual piece of siding (2) from the building below. These are unique pieces of the past found at the local institution.
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The other day I was waiting for a friend getting ready to go to a meeting. She sat there and put on eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, eyeliner, eyelashes, mascara, toner, blush and lipstick and all kinds of stuff I don't even know the names of, then turned to me and said, "Does this look natural?"
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 “Tripping: A Writer’s Journeys.” Signed copies of her new book can be purchased for $15.00 at the Southside Sentinel office or by mail by writing Rappahannock Press, Box 546, Urbanna, VA and adding $6.00 to cover mailing costs and tax. Contact:glongest@ssentinel.com.
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. 17. Issue 29 - September 21, 2019
Archive Issue #862
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant