Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: I liked viewing the desktop pix this week all week. Both are postcard pix of Vermilion’s east and west breakwalls. I’m guessing that both images were made from the old lighthouse that once stood at the entrance to the harbor at the end of the western wall. Unfortunately you are unable to see the detail I can (up close) on my computer. There’s a lot there.
ALWAYS FINDING THINGS: On Wednesday I came across a bunch of b & w negatives and developed some of them. Among them was this pic of a Regatta along the Vermilion River in the late 1930s.
This really isn’t a color pic. But when looking for some software magic to make a better pic the color just happened. I don’t think it’s too far from the reality.
There’s a good deal to see here, but I’d direct your attention to the wooden catwalk type arrangement over the river. Perhaps they had docks in the area back then and that’s the reason for them. But they are unusual.
This photo was taken from a site along the river just south of the water treatment plant. These were really exciting events for (us) kids. I was in later years, fortunate enough to attend at least one or two of them. That was back in the early 1950s.
This, thus far, it is the only pic of a regatta that I’ve found in the bunch. There are others of a tornado and a number of houses around Vermilion. I recognize the homes but don’t know the reason for the photographs.
There is also one of a babe in a casket with a drawing of Jesus Christ over the child on the wall. The babe is surrounded by flower arrangements. I don’t know why people take pix at funerals. They give me the creeps.
When I bite the big one everyone can take a picture of me anytime because I’ll be part of the Vermilion River and Lake Erie. It’s less creepy.
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS: We now have 4 new windows installed at the museum. This certainly make a big difference. Several of the old ones were broken or were on the verge of being broken (just because the frames had rotted). And the aluminum storms on the old windows were / are inefficient. Over the years several allowed birds inside to build nests; the nests and weather helped the sills decay; and they were not keeping the weather out. While our low-pressure boiler heating system is relatively new the old windows didn’t help with heating costs.
Now we only have 13 or 14 more to go and we’ll be all set. But those will come in time. I am inclined to be very optimistic. This is wonderful museum that will only get better in time (with a little help from our friends).
Historically,
FINDING HOME: I don’t know about everyone else, but I cherish any pix I find of the home where I was born and lived for 19 or 20 years – and entered the U.S. Army. Some were taken sometime after I came home from the war, but I love them anyway.
The first shows my dad, my sister Nance Alice and another lady I don’t know. It was taken in the side yard of our home where Pa had a wonderful garden of flowers and vegetables. It was a hobby for him after he retired. I always wished I could make a garden as great as those he had.
Dad was born in 1898 so I’d guess that these photos were taken when he was 70 or more. I am older now than you see him in this pic and, of course, I look the same way I did when I was 18. [It’s a joke kids.]
There is a companion pic with this one that included my brother Albert Caselton and our nieces Jerri Leigh and Nicki Emery.
The area where the pic was taken has changed a good deal since this pic was taken. Our home is gone and so is the big barn-like building in the background. Currently my nephew, Mark Slocum, owns the property.
The other pic (not shown) is a Christmas photo of the Christmas tree in the living room of the house on Perry Street. It was as I remember it.
Sigh…
NOW SHOWING: At the VHM Theatre this week held over (by lack of demand and laziness) is a video production of a power point presentation I did for the Vermilion Area Archival Society at the Ritter Public Library on Monday last. It’s not as comprehensive as I’d like – but it’s okay. I think you might enjoy it.
Here’s a direct link to the video:
And, of course, all the video and audio files can be found at:
ORGANIZING MY DESK: Organizing some items near (in, on, around and under) my desk I became reacquainted with some photographs, books and miscellaneous writings I’d almost forgotten – or more to the truth – “buried” until now.
One of those things unearthed is a booklet entitled “The Absolute Truth” containing around thirty black and white photographs of badly wounded and dead soldiers that were apparently taken by the U.S. Signal Corps during WWI. The pages aren’t numbered, and the name of the publisher does not appear anywhere in the publication. It is obviously an early 20th century anti-war publication. Even by today’s standards none of the photographs would be suitable for publication by the electronic media or in any newspaper or magazine available to the public at-large. They are, even to put it mildly, extremely graphic. While it is part of the Vermilion museum’s wartime collection, it is not openly displayed – nor will it ever be.
Another item that I had long forgotten about is a draft of a book “A Historical Sketch of the Henrietta United Church of Christ” by Kathy Krebs Bruns (Angola, Ind. 2013). Knowing that I am familiar and interested in the histories of our local houses of worship Kathy was kind enough to mail it to me prior to look over. It is a detailed history with numerous corresponding photos.
The Florence church was at one time affiliated with Vermilion’s Evangelical and Reformed church and years ago shared several ministers. The sharing of ministers (at least in the vicinity of Vermilion, Ohio) was not uncommon among churches of the same denomination even as late as the 1950s. I can, for instance, recall Reverend Earl T. English from Vermilion’s First Congregational Church also tending to the spiritual needs of parishioners of the Congregational Church in Berlin Heights.
I’m not precisely sure where this history will be placed in the museum at the moment – but it is available for viewing upon request by persons interested in this particular history. I also don’t know if it was ever formally published so I can’t say where one might find another copy. But, whatever the case, the book is very well written and quite informative.
In an old dusty scrapbook, I came across some snapshots of my paternal grandparents – Eleanor / Ellen Lynch and Frederick Tarrant who made their home in Portland Maine in the early to mid-years of the 20th century. These pictures are (for me) very rare; it was actually the first time I’d ever seen the image of my paternal grandmother. Both my paternal grandparents died before I was born. To my knowledge my father never kept any photographs of either anywhere. These snaps were several my mother apparently stowed away in the scrapbook for safekeeping, and, much like discovering gold, I appreciate discovering them.
Also buried beneath the pile of treasures near my desk was a genealogy of my maternal great-grandmother’s family – the Forsters. It is the work of one Dana Forster Williams of Portland Maine. About ten years ago Dana contacted me on the telephone and told me about this work. A few days later it arrived at our home in the mail. It’s a very detailed compilation. And though it’s probably of little interest to most persons it is still worthy of some mention for a number of reasons.
It starts in 1797 with an early American descendent of ours named Thomas Forster and his wife Virginia. A note on this part of the work reads, “She [Virginia] was a cousin of John Randolph – ½ Indian and descendant of Pocahontas”. While it is apparently a fact that Randolph was a descendant of the Indian princess, I still find the claim in context with my family somewhat amusing. Methinks Pocahontas had a big family because a plethora of people in the United States seem to lay claim to her as a relative. But even if it is true, and Pocahontas is a very distant cousin, it doesn’t dramatically transform or shape my life. But far more importantly, it doesn’t’ help me organize things near (in, on, around and under) my desk either.
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...
As early as 1790 there were ice boats; one was built by Oliver Booth, it was little more than a square box with three runner skates, one on each side of the box, and the rudder – one set in oak post with them oar-tiller. It was sailed with a small flat headed sprit sail. In 1856 a novel ship appeared; a triangular frame mounted on runners, from this the Hudson River boats were gradually developed. The mast was stepped at the junction of the cross piece with the keel. They had low sails with large jibs short non-peaked gafts. This type reached its limit in the “Icicle” 1869.
Improvements have continued steadily, but mainly in construction. The last innovation was the rocker runner by H. Percy Ashley, a year around promoter of of national racing.
In 1909 in Vermilion there was the “Tornado”, in 1910 ”Susie B., Annie R.,” and Tornado, and last year the Tornado, Rabbit, Annie R., Ice Queen, Archie B., GoSum I., Tornado II, Cyclone, Gertrude, and a few others. In local ice boating this year (for what we call it such, because the term is more applicable than ice yachting to the rare sport we pursue) we find a fleet of 15 boats, namely:
*Both – Skipper – Length
GoSum II – “Chuck” Church – 18 feet. Wild Goose – Lewis Faulhaber – 18 feet Daredevil – “Watty” Stone – 15 feet Zip – “Buzzipp” Quigley – 11 feet new Zero – Jack Leidheiser – 11 feet Bingo – “Mike” Kishman – 14 feet Defiance – Ray Crozier – 6 feet Rabbit – “Battling Nelson” Beeckel – 11 feet Blue Streak – “Punk” Haber – 15 feet Ice Queen – “Al” Wakefield – 22 feet Annie R. – “Red” Tischer – 14 feet Tweedledung II. – Bob Lohr – 16 feet – “Putch” Wagner – 12 feet Red Devil - “Needles” Leidheiser – 13 feet
Local iceboating should be encouraged among our boys not altogether on account of the delight in exhilarating of the sport, but in another way it is an influence for good. The building of one taxes our “gray matter” in trying to overcome the many perplexing difficulties and is manual training. By depriving us of our idle moments, removes the opportunity for committing (you know the result), minor evils mischievous deeds.
[NOTE: This is interesting. I have some pix of these ice race contests and boats. But I never had names until now. I will do a bit more on the subject soon.]
Whether Stuart F. Rathbun or Joseph F. Unser is the owner of parts of two Vermilion lots had not been decided when an adjournment for three weeks was taken in the common Pleas court, Saturday noon.
The plaintiff, in his testimony claimed the land because he had occupied it for 21 years. The defendant’s assertion was that the property was included in the purchase he made four years ago.
The appropriation by Rathbun of a quantity of peaches last summer, located on the premises in dispute, led to the filing of the present suit. Judge E. B. King represented the plaintiff, and attorney George W. Ritter, the defendant. – Saturday Star-Journal
Nova Scotia coal mines employ 13,000 persons.
In London and its suburbs there are 12,000 dairies.
The ocean liner, the Olympic, has 29 steam boilers.
The world’s biggest apple orchard is in Kansas. It contains 54,000 trees.
A method of planning eyelashes and eyebrows has been developed by a French surgeon.
10 sailing vessels, each of century or more old, still are in service and Denmark’s merchant Marine.
Zürich has a midnight curfew for automobiles.
Special to the Star–Journal from Columbus, Saturday, brought news of the death in that city, Friday, of William I. Findley, formerly of Sandusky and Vermilion. Death was due to pneumonia, following several years of ill health he was 40 years of age and is survived by his wife and five children.
“Billy” Findley, as he was popularly known here, began business in Sandusky as a member of the firm of Finley & Griesheimer, conducting a café on the Market Street. Later he became proprietor of the Terminal Inn. He then opened the West House Annex. A few years ago he went to Vermilion, opening the saloon in which he was successful at the start. One day in lifting a heavy box, he injured his back in some manner, partial paralysis resulting. For months he was an invalid and finally gave up the business, going with his family to Columbus. He attempted to engage in business there but failed and was more recently employed in the café near the statehouse. He never fully recovered his health. –Star-Journal.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Standen, a son, Friday, Feb. 16, 1912.
E. H. Nicholl of Cleveland, is taking charge of the Nicholl Drugstore here, Willie B. A. Kuss, prop. is in attendance at the Rexall meeting at Columbus.
H. W. Belden’s home was slightly damaged by fire Sunday morning. The fire was caused by the furnace chimney burning out and setting fire to the room. The loss is estimated at about $100.
The two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Newton mc had a stick in her mouth and was running, and stumbled and fell running the stick into the root roof of her mouth.
The funeral services of John Schroeder aged resident of Amherst were held from the St. Peter’s Evangelical church on Saturday afternoon at 2 P. M. Rev. Lindenmeyer officiating. Remains were interred in a Cleveland St., Cemetery.
Rodney J. Dingle, former Sergeant-at-arms of the Ohio Senate, must serve three years in the State Penitentiary. So says the Supreme Court.
The weather continues to be something very freakish. Wednesday afternoon a thunderstorm and rain followed by a blizzard which raged all night. The morning papers report fires, railroad wrecks and disasters of all kinds all over the country, east of the Rocky Mountains. The barometer record at Cleveland was broken, 28.88 being the lowest ever recorded there. At the News office the barometer corrected for lake level reached 28.2.
The R. F. D. Service is greatly impaired and it is doubtful whether some of the carriers will be able to make the trip Friday.
John Adam Holl, was born January 17, 1824, Rockenseuss, Hessen Kassel, Germany. Came to this country with his parents in 1836, and settled in Black River, Tp. At the age of 18 he became a sailor and followed that vocation for eight summers.
He was united in marriage to Anna Maria Nuhn, the 25th day of Dec. 1850. After this they moved to Brownhelm Tp. and lived happily together until the death of his beloved companion, which took place, July 14 1893.
After this his daughter Anna made her home with him until her marriage in 1903, after which father Holl made his home with her at Vermilion, Ohio.
He departed this life Feb. 16, ‘12, at age of 88 years and 1 mo. In early youth he came under the influence of the Evangelical Association and gave his heart to God and joined the church, in which he remained a member until his death. He served as class leader and the various offices of the church faithfully.
He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Catherine Kurtz of Milan, two sons John and Henry, three daughters Mrs. Emma Naegele, Mrs. Mary Sperry, Mrs. Anna Mapes, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held in M. E. Church, at Vermilion, O. Monday, Feb. 19, 1912, conducted by Rev. T. H. D. Harrold, M. E. Pastor, who used for his text, Heb. 11th chapter and 16th verse. He was assisted by Rev. A. H. Wendt, pastor of St. Johnson Evangelical Church of Huron O. There was present a large congregation of old friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Krapp sang two appropriate songs and Mrs. Chas. Hahn was pianist. Burial was made at a Maple Grove Cemetery.
One of the most terrific storms of the season swept over this section Tuesday night and Wednesday. Heavy northeast wind and snow may travel very disagreeable.
Word was received here this week by friends of the Roush family, who formerly lived on the farm now occupied by J. G. Humphrey on the River Road, that they had lost their home and contents by fire one day last week. The family moved to Detroit, Mich., some nine years ago.
The friends, and enemies, of ex-Mayor Williams have been wondering where he has been the past three or four days. The News begs leave to inform them that is now reported recovering from that great enemy to mankind – the Gripp, and he will be downtown again soon.
[NOTE: I find this an odd piece. I believe it was poking some fun at persons who, for some reason, didn’t like the Squire as Mayor. But it really doesn’t matter. A few years later he would be reelected. I like him and I never met him.]
The masquerade ball this evening fireman tall, is the chief topic of conversation among the young people.
Mr. George Fisher attended the auto show at Cleveland yesterday.
Cirrhosis meets tomorrow (Friday) evening at the home of Mrs. Pearl Roscoe.
H. H. Patton, the local auto dealer, visited the auto show in Cleveland Tuesday.
Mrs. O. A. Priest of Cleveland spending a few days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Fisher.
A. G. Risk of had the misfortune of having his dog killed by the streetcars Monday.
The lake shore electric men are now leveling the huge embankment of snow witchery was removed from their tracks.
Dear economy children’s home has 15 girls from 3 to 14 years old, Poneman management desire to place in good homes. In a letter addressed to Rev. T. H. D. Harold, H. O. Hahn, the superintendent says there may be families in your parish who would gladly indenture a girl.
Next Monday evening, Matsuda, the Japanese wonder, of Toledo, and Ray Vincent of this place will wrestle for the welterweight championship of Ohio, at the Opera House. There will also be some good preliminaries. Lake Shore cars both ways after the the match. Admission 50c. Ladies and children 25c.
Mr. Ed Moulder has moved to sawmill to Elie Beecker’s where he will saw lumber for Mr. Beecker’s barn.
The little son of Mr. Peter House died suddenly Tuesday morning, being sick about three days, not knowing what the cause was.
AXTEL
Mr. and Mrs. John Neiding purchased a Hamlen player piano Norwalk Piano Co.
Mr. F. C. Ball gave the pupils of Crane school a delightful sleigh ride last Wednesday evening. The children were treated to candy and in every way their ride was thoroughly enjoyed.
….If we, to come to a close, correctly understand the mission of the German element in this country, we must come to the conclusion that its future prosperity is not to be found in a strict exclusiveness and in fantastic dreams of a Utopia. Our final mission is to become more closely amalgamated, and to unite with the inborn element, and to preserve at the same time the many laudable traits of the Teutonic race. Let us preserve our love for the home circle, domestic felicity, our love for everything sublime in arts, our classical music, our gold mine of poetry, our mother tongue, and song and speech, and feel contented that our influence in political, social and every day affairs will become greater in the proportion we make ourselves better understood. There will be nothing regretted then, if we lose our name as a distinct nation. It is useless to simulate; whoever emigrates gives up his fatherland, and cannot claim it with any more right than he could claim two fathers. The name German-American becomes less and less distinct from year to year, and will, by gradual transmutation, become as defunct in the course of time as the aborigines of the wilderness and the buffaloes of the plains. More has been said in the foregoing lines than was originally intended, but as the incorporated sentiments are the key to understand properly the mission of the German element, it will be duly appreciated.
The time that has passed since the pioneer first walked in the wilderness by the side of the river and creeks, is almost fourscore years. Strange and startling scenes, in life dramas, have been enacted before and since then. The Indian, glorying in his wild freedom, and holding undisputed possession of the forest, has here lain in wait for the deer to come and drink. Human blood has flowed by the side of the streams. The white man came, and with hard labor rolled together the logs for a humble home. The prattle and the laughter of little children mingled with the songs of birds. The sound of the ax was heard along the shore, and the crushing of falling timber shook the earth. The forest melted away before the march of the army of peace. The country was dotted with human habitations; a village grew up and became a busy mart. The church and school-house appeared. Where once were no sounds but those of nature, there had come the hum of industry, the bustle of trade, a hurrying to and fro, the greetings of man with man, the activity impelled by varied human interests. There were births, marriages, deaths, the ever occurring joys and griefs of humanity; the change and mutation of life and time. The old log-houses well-nigh faded from existence; the houses and landmarks of old Portland rolled away. Men who were babies when the country was new, grew old and went down to their graves. It is the fulfillment of a hard task that the writer came in possession of such facts, that are little, if any, known, excepting to a few more closely interested. It is a great pleasure to him to…
NICE FIND Like many items I find while working at the museum this one was yet another accidental surprise. We are in the initial stages of recovering identifying and sorting several thousand printing plates that have been stowed away in the backroom of the museum for more than a half century.
While pulling some drawers in a small cabinet a top drawer stuck. Thinking it through I thought that perhaps the top of the cabinet might be removable – and thus the drawer beneath could be unstuck and opened.
I picked up the top and found that it was attached to something. And it was. It was the top of a smaller case that I removed from the top of the larger cabinet below.
Pictured is the case I removed. When I opened it I was pleased to find inside some old and rather rare pieces. One must have been used to advertise the town (Vermilion) on a poster.
Another (I believe) is a photo plate of Herman Ely jr. for whom Vermilion’s Masonic Order is named. He was an active member of the F & A Masons since 1852; from 1858 to 1871 he was worshipful master of the King Solomon's Lodge No. 36 of Elyria, received the orders of knighthood in Oriental Commandery of Knight's Templar No. 12 of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1857, in which he was eminent Commander from December 1861, to December 1865, and from 1864 to 1871 he was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knight's Templar of Ohio. He was an active member of the Supreme Council of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic jurisdiction of the United States of America and was treasurer of the same from May, 1867, to September 1891.
And so it goes…
The detective was leafing through the suspect's crime history folder.
"Hmmm, quite a record." he said. "Shoplifting, hit-and- run, disorderly conduct, armed robbery, sexual assault, sexual assault, rape, manslaughter..."
"Yeah, I know." said the prisoner. "It took me quite a while to figure out what I was good at
."
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 51 - February 22, 2020
Archive Issue #884
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