Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: Pshew! This week I have two unrelated pix on my desktops. As I prepared to write about them I began having some serious problems with Microsoft Word. I worked all Wednesday afternoon trying to solve the problem – to no avail. Finally I looked at all my apps and found an older piece of software and – it worked. I still want to get the other programs to work. But until then…
24 HOURS LATER: Finally on Thursday afternoon I somehow fixed the problem. Suddenly everything works. I’m happy. But I’m also puzzled. I really don’t understand the reason for the problem in the first place. Perhaps I’m just stupid. Duh is me.
NOW THE DESKTOP PIX: The one on the shoptop of the White Inn on Liberty here in Vermilion c.1945 has been used in previous issues of Views. I like it because it is one of my grandfather’s rare color pix. He died early in 1946 and was just getting into Kodak color slides. I don’t have a whole bunch of his color work, but I’m happy to have what I have.
The pic on my home desk is one adapted from an article about (as is obvious) Rev. W.K. Williams who was pastor of what was then Vermilion’s First Congregational Church (1912-1914). Though as you can see he wasn’t here very long his record here is impressive. For one thing, he was responsible for organizing Vermilion’s first Scout troop (which still exists). He was an interesting person.
KEEPING UP: Although I struggled with the aforementioned software problem during this last week I did get some things done at the museum.
The big thing was moving a gigantic microfilm reader from the front office to a place in the shop where I can hopefully make better use of it.
I like the machine because it has a motorized carrier. The problem I had with it in the front office was that due to the amount of light coming into the room it was difficult to see what is one the microfilm. It’s darker in the new area so I will, hopefully, be able to make better use of it.
My other film readers are usually adequate for what I do on a regular basis. But they have manual carriers and you can’t see the entire page at a single glance. You have to move the carrier around to find things on each page.
The larger motorized reader is useful when a person is searching for specific information quickly. (When I go slower I am inclined to get lost in other things.)
I did, briefly, have a reader that could be used with a computer. But often ran way too fast through the film and it required additional software (and all that entails). I couldn’t see the benefit of it. So I sold it on eBay.
We also received some more donations of items from my sister (Ginny Wilkes and her husband Dave). I will used some of these items (later) in the artifacts part of the page. All of these items are wonderful additions to the museum and, therefore, the history of our community.
STILL CAUGHT UP IN TECH STUFF: I note that there are some persons terribly anxious to get back to work virus or no virus. I guess I am one of the fortunate beings because I’ve never had a problem finding something to do – before or during the virus. If anything, I’m concerned that I will never have enough time to finish all the tasks before me. But then again, I’m not a very social person. So having the museum closed to the public for a short time works much to my favor.
As I work and work, and work with a 360° camera and put together a VR (Virtual Tour) of the Vermilion History Museum I am often confounded by my stupid errors. But I stay with it, and I am beginning to feel good about the results. It takes mistakes to get it right - I suppose.
I am now adding some audio (with the still close-up shots of artifacts) and some video as well. The video (at least initially) shows the apartment as we worked to make it presentable back in 2012-13. This is truly interesting technology.
I will continue trying to improve this particular experience.
DEDICATION Luther (pictured) entered the U.S. Navy toward the end of the WW2. Although he never saw action he remained dedicated to the memory of those who did and died for our nation. I took this pic during a Memorial Day ceremony at Exchange Park some years ago. Once a soldier, always a soldier.
NOW SHOWING: This week I added another one of my old VV Podcasts. This one showcases a portion of the video recordings of the Lake Shore Electric interurban railway from Vermilion westward. I acquired the video from interurban history Dennis Lamont several years ago.
I must emphasize the fact that Dennis is more than just an interurban historian. His historical knowledge of the region – and much of the stuff in it – is extensive.
Got a question about something from the past? Ask Dennis.
Anyway, have a look.
THE BRIDGE STATION: In 1934 – the year the photographs accompanying this week’s essay were captured – America was struggling to emerge from the economic rift now commonly referred to as “The Great Depression”. The average cost of a new house was about $6000; bread was 8 cents a loaf; hamburger 12 cents a pound; a shiny new Studebaker truck ran around $625; and a gallon of gas was 10 cents; and the average yearly wage was $1600. But no matter; life in America was bound to move briskly along, and Ernie Hayes was ready, willing, and able to move right along with it.
Though born in Jewell County, Kansas in July of 1881, Ernest Joel Hayes came of age on a farm in Wakeman, Huron County, Ohio. By 1910 Ernest and another Wakeman fella named Ralph French were lodging in a home owned by one Andrew Ross in St. Paul Minnesota and busy making candy in a candy factory. A decade later found him in Owosso, Michigan working in a sugar factory. By that time he had married a Michigan gal named Ella, and they were parents of three children – Ross, A. Maxine, and Harry. Ten years later (1930) there was another addition to their family. She was named Evelyn. However, her big brother Harry thought her so precious he nicknamed her “Nuggie” (like the gold nugget). It was a name that never left her. Meanwhile Ernest had left the sugar business and was working as an automobile mechanic in Owosso. 1930, of course, marked the beginning of the depression years. And though small business opportunities during those years were likely as risky as they were rare, by the mid 30s the Hayes family had returned to Ohio and Mr. Hayes had founded “The Bridge Station / The City Ice and Fuel Co.” selling Sunoco gas in Vermilion.
The station, as the name implies, was located just west of the Vermilion River bridge on a triangular bit of land between Liberty and Water / West River streets (circled in lower photo). Very few persons about town today (2014) are aware of the fact that it was originally a Sunoco station. Most remember it as having been a Sohio station. Neither are many folks familiar with the station as it appeared in 1934. At some point in time a new garage was erected on the site. That garage building currently survives under the rather attractive guise of the Allen-Thorley-De Lloyd Insurance offices.
Mr. Hayes worked very hard and had a reputation of being honest, friendly and kind. He was not unknown to allow credit to persons who had none. And most returned the kindness. When Ernest passed away in November of 1960 his son, Harry, took over the operation of the garage / service station extending the same courtesies to his patrons as did his father.
A good deal of water (and ice) has passed under both the proverbial and real bridge since the namesake filling station disappeared from the local landscape. One might say that the world is worse because of these passings, but that is somewhat short of the truth. For it is certain that the past is the foundation of today whereupon the cornerstone of the future is being set. So it’s hard not to admire Mr. Hayes and folks like him who forged ahead during that yesteryear. To reincarnate a long-lost Standard Oil Company salutation, “Sohio Everyone.”
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...
Franklin McNarry will bring the Willard Queen company, to the Opera House for five nights next week, Monday night a lady free with every 20c ticket. Admission 10c and 20c. No seats reserved. Public school commencement, Thursday night.
The village Board of Education held a short session Monday evening. Besides the payment of the bills, little of importance was done. The tax levy was made and as one of the bonds will be due for payment by this levy, it became necessary to add the necessary $1000, the balance of the funds will be the same as last year.
The committee on teachers reported that they were not quite ready to report, but will probably be ready to do so by the next or special meeting.
The clerk reported that the janitor had handed in his resignation. Although the board has taken no action as yet, it will take effect at the close of the school year. After discussing matters pertaining to the school, the meeting was adjourned.
Owing to the fact that our new city management has stopped the livelihood of a crippled man by passing an ordinance, prohibiting the renting of canoes on the Vermilion River and not having the money to go into legal tanglements, to secure my rights in the matter, I am offering my entire line of canoes for sale cheap. You can buy one and use it, but I must not rent one to secure a living for myself and family.
M. A. Foster
[NOTE: I was wondering when this was going to happen. I noticed the notice or the ordinance banning the rentals in several past NEWS publications and I wondered how that was going to affect Mr. Foster. Now I know. Somehow, I don’t think this matter is finished.]
Nora M. Poyer, as administratrix of the estate of J. B. Poyer, deceased, filed a partial account in the Probate court Friday.
Attorney George W. Ritter’s claim for defending Rocco Klawetch, convicted Kelly’s island murderer, was cut to $300 by the commissioners Monday. Judge Stahl cut it to $600 from $1247.99.
Eight cases growing out of the wreck on the Lake Shore Electric Ry., near Vermilion, a year ago this month may be settled out of court, the company having requested the amounts each of the injured persons would accept.
Wednesday morning the suits and instead instituted by Matthew R. Hansen and Ernest B. Chamberlain, Oberlin students were called for trial, but after a jury was secured, settlement negotiations were entered into between the attorneys.
The damages the various plaintiffs seek to secure from the company, amount to about $100,000, but it expected that in case a settlement is affected the amount paid will be less than $20,000.
Several students, from Oberlin were present in the courtroom Thursday morning and appeared to quite an interest in the manner in which the court was conducted.
Mrs. David Beach, New York to Chicago pedestrienne [sic], arrived at Maud-Elton, Vermilion, Tuesday at 11:20 a. m., where she stopped for breakfast and to await her auto. For breakfast she had orange juice, pineapple juice, apple soufflé and a sort of cake, made from fruit and grain. Several ladies walked east a couple of miles to meet Mrs. Beach, and walked in with her. The streets all along the way were lined with villagers waiting to greet the plucky walker and several snapshots were taken. At the hotel while waiting for the auto an informal reception was held. Mrs. Beach gave a short talk on the object of her trip and the value of a bit of a vegetable diet.
At 11 o’clock Mrs. Beach started on her journey to Sandusky. She arrived at Huron at 4:35 and Sandusky at 7:55. She was given an ovation all along the way.
The worst strip of road Mrs. Beach has encountered on her long trip was between Lorain and Vermilion.
Underwear of silk, soft pliable corsets, gray silk stockings, a light brilliantine gray skirt, white woolen sweater jacket and light strong black shoes, broad toed with an inch heel.
For rainy days she has a big yellow sou’wester, with hat to match, and rubber boots. On sunny days she wears an immense sun bonnet of straw.
[NOTE: Glad to know that Mrs. Beach is wearing silk underpants. It must have been a slow news day.]
She is been walking 31 days.
She expects to reach Chicago May 28.
The trip was from the offices of the New York Globe to the offices of the Chicago Daily News.
She finished 744 miles Tuesday night.
The walk is taken to demonstrate her theories concerning the nourishing qualities of uncooked foods.
She has lost but 5 pounds since beginning the walk.
She drinks fruit juice almost entirely.
She is an author, an accomplished musician, among other things.
She generally walks from 6:30 a. M. to 7 or 8 o’clock at night.
She is even with her schedule at the present time.
O. B. Tarno, an officer of the U.S. Navy is the guest of his brother August Tarno.
Miss Loretta Brown who has been suffering the past several weeks from typhoid fever, is recovering nicely.
The 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Whyte underwent a successful operation at St. Joseph’s Hospital at Lorain Friday morning.
The funeral services of Mrs. Catherine Ray were held on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the German Evangelical Association church, Rev. Zigler, officiating. The deceased was a 92 year years of age and has been a resident in this vicinity for about 77 years.
Saturday was one of the one of mourning, among Amherst citizens when the remains of John E. Plato, one of the most prominent businessmen and leading citizens…[paper torn so it is unreadable. Below is his obit.]
JOHN E. PLATO, a prominent citizen of Amherst, born in Hanover Germany, November 11, 1848, (d.12 May 1912 in Amherst, Ohio) a son of John and Wilhelmina (Bodmann) Plato both natives of Germany. The father was a professional musician in Germany; he came with his family to the United States in 1857, and spent a short time in New York, after which they located in Vermilion, Ohio. A few months later they removed to Amherst and settled on a farm. Three years later they moved to the village of Amherst, where the father died in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years; his widow died in 1907, aged eighty-two years. They had four children, mentioned in connection with the article on Henry A. Plato, found elsewhere in this work.
John E. Plato lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, and then went into the grocery business with his brother Henry in Amherst, and later they also had an interest in a hardware business. In 1897 the brothers dissolved partnership and John Plato continued in the hardware business five years longer, and then sold out to his brother-in-law. He then started into clothing and gents' furnishing business, and March, 1909, took his son, John A., into partnership with him. Mr. Plato has for years been one of the leading business men of the town, and he is one of the organizers of the Amherst Banking Company, of which he has always been a director, and of which he was elected president in 1905, having since served in that capacity. Mr. Plato is a man of good education and when a young boy attended Catholic parochial schools in New York City. He is a Democrat, and has served many years as a member of the Amherst council. He belongs to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and to the Knights of Columbus of Elyria, Ohio.
On November 27, 1877, Mr. Plato married Elizabeth N. daughter of Peter and Matilda (Holderid) Menz, born in Wisconsin. They became the parents of five children, namely: Lenora, wife of Albert C. Walsh, of Amherst; Agnes M., wife of William Baker, Jr., of Amherst; John A. and Henry L. of Amherst and Ruth, also at home.
Source: History of The Western Reserve - Vol. III by Harriet Taylor Upton - Published 1910, page 1274
Mae Woodroff [sic] was absent from school for a few days last week on account of the measles.
Mildred Reynolds was absent from school for a couple of days. She had the Dutch Measles.
Fred Bacon who has been sick for two weeks was taken to the Lorain Hospital, where he underwent an operation for appendicitis Thursday. He was accompanied to the hospital by his father. Friday it was thought he would not recover. But at this writing is doing well as can be expected. His mother visited him Thursday and remained a few days. We are all in hopes of a speedy recovery. The family have our deepest sympathy.
Apple trees in full bloom give promise of a fair crop.
Ed Nuhn is busy hauling sand at Huron.
Mr. L Peabody is still very sick.
Mrs. V Leimbach is at Wakeman nursing.
Mr. Fred Zurcher is able to be out again.
The Henrietta Hill school close Thursday and hold their picnic Friday.
There is nothing equal to a healthy flock of chickens for causing neighborhood quarrels especially if the garden and flower beds have been planted. A good pen or chicken coop is the remedy and is easily applied – try it.
[NOTE: Vermilion must have very interesting when neighbors had chickens. I believe some are still allowed, but not flocks. At the Olympic Club today we have big gatherings Canadian Geese and Turkey Vultures.]
The L. S. & M. S. Railway, company is making the fills on the streets crossing their tracks, according to the franchise. On some streets the fill makes it very bad for the residence property and an effort is being made to have the grades modified.
Mrs. Elizabeth Daniels has been ill during the past week.
Several of our citizens went to Norwalk Wednesday morning to hear Colonel Roosevelt.
Gertrude Elizabeth Abell, was born in Vermilion, Jan. 28, 1891. She was the daughter of Conrad and Adelia Abell and spent all but the last year and a half of her life in the community in which she was born. She was well known and dearly loved by all who knew her.
On March 17, 1911, she was united in marriage to George H. Knittle, a former Axtel boy, but then of Berlin Heights. Mrs. Abell had gone to her parents on Saturday for a visit of a few days, when on Saturday evening, she was taken seriously ill and continued to grow worse until Sunday afternoon - the death messenger relieved her of her intense suffering.
She was a beautiful young wife, ever kind and loving daughter and sister. Hers was a beautiful life encircled by a noble character and kindly disposition ever to be so remembered as one loved and honored and lost only two soon.
She leaves a husband, father and mother, three brothers, one sister, besides a host of friends to mourn her departure.
The funeral was held from the Axtel church Tuesday afternoon where very large company of relatives and friends gathered to pay a last tribute of esteem to their departed. Rev. Rupert Berlin Heights, who fourteen months ago performed the marriage ceremony, conducted the funeral services.
Spraying Demonstration
C. H. Hauff, of Ogontz, will have his Apple Orchard sprayed for coddling moths, and a demonstration given by the officials of the State Board of Agriculture. The demonstration will be given Monday, May 20, commencing at 1 p.m. All in interested parties are invited to come.
Misses Ethel and Ada Brooks of Elyria were over Sunday guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Brooks.
Mrs. Fred J. Englebry was operated upon at a Columbus hospital Tuesday for tumor. Last reports were favorable.
The local post G. A. R. and auxiliary W. R. C. Are going forward with preparations to remember their loved comrades on May 30. Memorial services will be held at St. Mary’s church, Sunday, May 26, Rev. Fr. Horst, in charge.
The fish tugs Comet, Ames, Fred Driscoll and Sloate and crews arrived home from Grand River this week. Poor fishing at that port is reported. Catches here have been fair the past few days.
Mr. H. H. Patton has leased a part of his lot near the river bridge to Ed Lamp [sic] for a period four years. Mr. Lamp will erect a fish house on the property in the near future.
[NOTE: I have long wondered about the business relationship between Lampe and Patton. Patton, for a long time, was Vermilion’s “ice man”. And Lampe was a fisherman / sailor. Both men were entrepreneurs.]
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. David Nieding, a daughter, Tuesday, May 4, 1912.
The many friends of Miss Alice Kane will be pained to learn that she has again been forced to undergo an operation. A doctor from Charity Hospital Cleveland was here Tuesday had charge of the work. Miss Kane is reported getting on as well as can be expected.
ADVENTURE (A NOVEL) BY JACK LONDON: This novel by London was published in 1911 and appeared as a series in The Vermilion News in 1912. Things were certainly a good deal different in the yesteryear. Until I saw this in my ventures into the old issues of The News, I would not have guessed that a Jack London novel had been published in the old weekly. All I can say is, “Cool.”
…estant Church in Sandusky. He was born February 15, 1811, in Horschbach, Rheinpfalz and was married in 1840. His first wife died in 1849 of cholera. Elizabeth Gartner became his second wife. She is living on Meigs street in a little house of her own. Seventeen children were born in the two marriages. Mr. Rheinheimer died March 13, 1882.
John Jacob Klooss (Close) and his wife, Magdalene Walter, had their former home in the Grand Duchy of Baden, in Weingarten and Groetzingen, respectively. They joined hands in 1829 and it was God's will that they should mutually share for fifty years the joy and sorrow of a married life. Two children, John Henry and John Jacob were born in the old county. In the spring of 1834, they emigrated to America, arriving at Sandusky in May. In this city they lived and worked for half a century, with the exception of six years (37-43) when Massillon, O., became their temporary home. Nine children were born to them, including the two born in the old country. At their festive day of golden wedding, in the fall of 1879, they could count the Closes by the score, nine children, forty grandcnildren and two great grandchildren. Klooss was a day laborer, but managed to acquire a home of his own in a short time. He was a respected and well-loved citizen. He was one of the founders of the first German Protestant Church. He died July 22, and his wife in February, 1880.
A practical joke, played on him only a few years after his coming to Sandusky, may find a place here, it will bring a smile even to the lips of a misanthrope. Close was very found [sic] of poultry and fancied his ducks especially. One night they failed to reach their home and nothing was heard or seen of them for several days; all hopes of their recovery had long been given up, when in the morning a solitary duck entered the gate with the following original poem well secured on her neck:
Hier bin ich, arm und Blooss,
Doch meine arme Camerathen
Sind alle Gebrathen!"
The perpetrator has not been found to this day.
Henry Sprau came to this place in 1839. Two old, time worn papers are before me, the one a citizen paper dated September 26, 1844, and signed by Rice Harper, clerk of Erie county, and the other a Dienstbuch, from which I copy the following entry:
Mackt is gut, welches
Ich bescheinige."
27th December, 1836.
“JOHANNES ROSS,
As an explanation I will say, that servants were under strict police control fifty years ago in the old country and that by a heavy penalty, their conduct had…
GILBERT “INDRA” MANTEL CLOCK: This beautiful mantel clock once sat above and behind the desk in the front office at the Vermilion News print shop. It was removed for preservation reasons some years ago, but has now returned. [Ain’t it a beauty?]
The William L. Gilbert Clock Company was formed at Winsted, Connecticut on July 5, 1871 to take over the Gilbert Manufacturing Company (1866-1871), which had been dissolved after a fire destroyed the factory. They grew from the clock-making operations of William L. Gilbert (1806-1890) who, since 1828, had been involved in various clock-making partnerships in Bristol, Farmington and Winsted, Connecticut.
I don’t have a date of manufacture for this timepiece. I would venture to guess it is an early 20th century clock. Although it is certainly an antique it is not an extremely rare artifact. I have seen at least one other in an internet search
.
"I had the strangest dream last night," Morris was telling his psychiatrist. "I saw my mother, but when she turned around to look at me, I noticed that she had your face. As you can imagine, I found this very disturbing. In fact I woke up immediately, and couldn't get back to sleep. I just lay there in bed waiting for morning to come, and then I got up, drank a Coke, and came right over here for my appointment. I thought you could help me explain the meaning of this strange dream."
The psychiatrist was silent for a full minute before responding:
"A Coke? That's a breakfast?"
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. 18. Issue 11 - May 16, 2020
Archive Issue #896
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