Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: While the Covid has certainly served to disrupt my daily routine, it has also provided me with time to look closer at some of the digital tools available to me – and there are many.
The photographs on both desktops this week are a product of an app called “Theta V” that I generally use for 360° photographs. I never thought about using them for anything else until I accidentally created the one on my home desk.
It is a circular pic of the John Ries obituary. It took me by surprise. But I like the way it appeared, so I kept it, and used it for the desktop pic this week.
And having seen what I might do the same with a still 360° photo that I took of the office at the museum. I find both interesting.
However, I doubt that I’ll do it much with other items.
SOUND AND VIDEO: I’ve also been doing a good deal of experimenting with video and sound. Using “Capto”, screen capture and video editing software I’ve tried my hand at putting together some “How-I-Do-Things type videos.
These are, as said “experiments” and I use them mostly on Facebook pages (I have several). But the problem I was having was the quality of the sound produced by using the computer as a mic and several other mics I have. It made it sound like I was talking into a tin can.
Looking around I discovered that I have probably one of the best podcast type mics in the business; a Blue Yeti. I set it up, tested it – and the quality of sound is much better. Now, if I could do something with my voice…
But I will continue.
The video, I have found works best on the net if I perfect it using Vimeo software as a resource. If I simply record video it often appears blurry. So I send it to Vimeo, edit it with their resources and send it back to myself to be used elsewhere.
I do have a direct connection from my computer to Vimeo so it helps.
Historically,
MIRANDA: I've always like this photograph. It's among the first digital pix that I ever took. I also remember the day I took it. This is little Miranda Lee Smith "Mandawee" taken in 2003. She was standing in the office of the UCC Congregational church where her mother, Jenny, was then working as secretary. It's so hard for me to imagine that today she's now in her 20s. She had such a wonderful smile. And though all these years have passed I'll bet that smile - and twinkle in her eyes - remains.
AT THE THEATRE: There are over 30 videos / audios available at the theatre. I'm adding to the collection as the months pass. During the Covid - it's a good place to visit.
E.P.BRADSTREET ET.AL.:I ntroduction: My initial intent upon doing this piece was to most simply address the life of a gentleman named Edward Payson Bradstreet who was born at Vermilion, Ohio in the year 1830. I was prompted to do this after receiving a communiqué from his great-grandson, Tom Wilson of Plymouth, Michigan, some time ago. Though I knew something of Bradstreet - it wasn’t much. So - out of pure curiosity, I began searching for additional information. What I found was that it would be nearly impossible to adequately tell Edward’s story without including that of his family. For not only is it a very compelling local history; it is also an honest-to-goodness piece of American history.
Part One: Edward Payson Bradstreet’s father, Stephen Ingalls Bradstreet, was born at Greenfield, New Hampshire in 1794. Well educated - he graduated from Dartmouth College (1819) and studied theology at Andover Seminary. His ambition was to become a foreign missionary. But due to what some have termed to be his “delicate” constitution that objective was made impossible - and he busied himself instead with “destitute” home missions.
Stephen was a lineal descendant of Simon Bradstreet (1603-1697), Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Simon’s spouse, Anne Dudley (1612-1672), was the famed colonial poet whose grandfather, John Winthrop (1588-1649), was also a distinguished Bay colony governor. After seminary Stephen married a lady named Anna Dana Smith from Amherst, New Hampshire. The Dana family was well known throughout New England.
After serving missions in Lynchburg and Staunton, Virginia Stephen, convinced that the experiences had been too easy, undertook a westward preaching itineracy. Upon reaching Cleveland, Ohio - population 500 - near the year 1822 he connected with an old Dartmouth college chum - a lawyer named John W. Wiley - who was later (1836) elected to be Cleveland’s first mayor. In 1823 he was hired “for one year at half time” as minister of the Old Stone church on Cleveland’s Public Square. He served there for the next six years. For his “part-time” services with the church he received one hundred dollars a year. [Incidentally, the church was constructed at the site of the gallows where the Indian known as John O’Mic (VPJ 9/02/10 & 10/06/10) had purportedly been hanged in 1812.]
Money, however necessary, was not the primary motivator for Rev. Bradstreet and he constantly worked - spreading the word of God - in adjoining towns during his Cleveland tenure. When he left the Cleveland ministry in 1830 to move further west the population had swelled to one thousand and seventy-five souls.
Coming to the wilderness that was then Vermillion, Ohio in the early months of 1830 he assumed the ministry of Vermillion’s Presbyterian (later the First Congregational / now the UCC Congregational) church. Apparently, the family was invited to live in a large brick home owned by an early settler named Horatio Perry a few miles west of what would later become Vermilion Village. And it was there that - the primary subject of this history - Edward Payson Bradstreet would be born.
In 1833 Stephen departed Vermillion - leaving his family in the care of Mr. Perry - and headed further west preaching the Gospel. He founded the first church at Perrysburg, near Toledo, Ohio. True to both his nature and his word he refused any wage except that which would provide for his family. There, in 1837 at the tender age of only forty-three years, he was called home by the Master he had so faithfully served his entire life. Stephen’s son, Edward, did not - for reasons of his own - follow in his father’s footsteps of a yesteryear. He didn’t have to. He was capable of making his own. [Next Time: “The Rest of the Story”.]
Ref: The Old Stone Church - 1820-1920, Premier Press, Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati - The Queen City - 1788-1912, Volume IV, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago - Cincinnati, 1912: Special Thanks to: Tom Wilson, Plymouth, Michigan; VPJ 11/21/10; Revised 07/19/20.
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...
President John N. Willys of the Willys – Overland Company, makers of Overland motorcars, has such confidence in his 1913 Overland models and thoroughly believes that they are so much better than any other car within $300 of their listed price he says he is willing to stake his business reputation and integrity asking all prospective motorcar owners to wait for the Overland announcement on August 17tj before contracting for other makes.
“I honestly believe that we have in the 1913 Overland cars the very best motorcar bargain ever offered,” says the energetic Overland president. “With all due modesty I make the assertion that I know what motorcar value is. For five years we have worked unceasingly to produce the very best car possible at the lowest cost to the owner. Each year we have come nearer to our goal, until today we are about to announce a car and equipment at such a phenomenal price and that it will create the greatest dealers’ battle ever waged for a motorcar agency. I verily believe we have at last reached the top rung in offering high quality at minimal cost. If this were not true, I would endeavor to give a better car at the same price consistent fair profit, but abetter car cannot be made at our price.”
George H. Blanchat, Manager of Crystal Beach summer resort was brought before the Mayor Friday evening, under a warrant charging him with being the unlawful keeper of a place where liquor was sold in ”Violation of the act of the Gen. Assembly of the State of Ohio, with reference to the sale of intoxicating liquors in the state of Ohio, to the common nuisance of citizens and people said state of Ohio, contrary to section 13195 of the General Code and to the peace and dignity of the State of Ohio.” The time the alleged offense was committed is given as Sunday, the 9th day of June 1912.
He plead not guilty and was released on bail and Friday at 9 A.M. set for the trial. Later a postponement was made until Tuesday morning next.
[NOTE: I’m not surprised with this bit of news. Time were changing. Mayor Wakefield had just been elected Mayor and he had done so as a “law and order” candidate.]
Dave Stevens went to Put-in-Bay last week with a party on a gas boat. While on the boat in some manner he slipped one of his feet into the unprotected gear on the engine. His heel was badly torn by the gear necessitating a number of stitches. He was brought back on one of the tugs and is getting along nicely.
The jury in the appropriation case of the Lake Shore Ry. against Joseph R. Miller brought in a verdict late Thursday for $6149.93 as compensation for a strip of land 50 feet wide on the north side of the track the strip 25 feet wide on the south side. The sum of $961 was awarded for the land to be taken and $5188.33 is damage to the property.
The Miller homestead is located close to the present right-of-way on the north side and with the taking of the additional 15 feet will bring the tracks within a few feet of the home. Mr. Miller has been in litigation with the company for several years, one case going to the Supreme Court. Thousands of dollars have already been spent in attorney fees and court costs.
Thursday’s verdict is regarded as a victory for the railway people as the amount awarded was close to that offered for the trial
Mr. Miller regards the amount on entirely inadequate to compensate him and gave notice of an appeal at once. – Lorain News.
[NOTE: I can’t say that I blame Miller. But I doubt that he ever got what he wanted.]
Just about 10 per cent of the world’s inhabitants speak the English language.
First railway in Europe ran its first train on May 5, 1833. It went from Brussels to Mechlen.
An electric elevator in New York office building that travels to a height of 585 feet on each trip is believed to hold the world’s record.
Fish tugs, Comet, Frank S., Ames and crews left Monday for Fairport to fish.
C. A. Trinter, Chas. Nuhn, Bert McQueen and Capt. Edward Pelton left for Detroit Sunday company with T. J. Ball, in his motorboat Iona. They expect to be gone about a week.
Saturday afternoon a westbound freight met with an accident at the “Highbridge” in Brownhelm. The pulling out of a drawbar caused two cars to leave the track and threw them across all three tracks. The entire system was tied up until the track could be cleared.
Ross Galloway, 43, brother of Mrs. J. G. Risden, of this place, was killed by lightning Thursday, at his home at Castelia. He was just about to enter the barn. A wife and nine children survive.
Raymond Watkins, South Lorain was drowned while bathing at Linwood Park, Thursday evening between five and 6 o’clock. The lake was very rough and a strong undertow drew him in. The body was washed ashore and taken to Lorain for interment. Two companions had narrow escapes.
James George, two-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Clark of Lorain choked to death while with his mother en route to Elyria on a Green Line car. The car was within a few blocks of the Elyria waiting room when the accident occurred. The child may have had have strangled on a peanut shell. Mr. Clark is son of Geo. Clark, a Lorain jewler.
Mr. Carey returned to Chicago last evening.
This Mayme Dunn is reported recovering slowly at her home in Douglas St.
Reports of the condition of Mrs. E. L. Coen, who recently underwent an operation at Lakeside Hospital are very favorable.
Dr. J. W. Boss, Birmingham, expects to go to New York postgraduate medical course, starting about August 1. His place will be occupied meanwhile by Dr. R. G. Pierce Cleveland, an instructor in Western Reserve Union Medical College.
Mrs. Henry Schmoll suffered a severe shock and a broken leg Thursday at her home on Sandusky Street, result of a fall. She cannot tell what caused the fall. She was on her way from the garden into the house.
Lightning has been playing number of curious pranks and doing considerable damage along the…
[NOTE: The remainder of the article just wasn’t there.]
The plant of the Reporter Printing Co., was moved Tuesday to a building owned by John Zimmerman on Wells Street
Funeral services Mrs. Murray were held on Saturday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, Rev. Lindenmeyer officiated. The remains were interred at Cleveland St., Cemetery.
Henry Kothe, Amherst Farmer, Friday thrashed 374 bushels of wheat from 24 acres of land, an average of over 15.5 bushels per acre. Mr. Whiteman who did the threshing claims that this was the biggest job he will have this year. The average of 15.5 is about twice that predicted for Ohio this year and greater than some of the western wheat states.
Lee Levengood of Axtel is breaking colts for John whole.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. H. Arndt Monday, July 8, son.
777.
Chas. Koppenhafer of Brownhelm , the well-known fruit man left a box of fine red raspberries at the News Office. He says he has had good market for his produce at prices ranging from 17c to 30c per quart. Scientific farming and fruit and produce raising brings its reward.
Chas. Tessmer, 29, Sandusky John Troike, 25, were killed by lightning while fishing from a boat near Martin’s Pt. during the storm yesterday afternoon. Troike’s nephew, Henry Titz [sic], 11, had dropped from the boat a moment before and was swimming. The deadly bolt is believed to have been attracted by steel pole carried by Tessmer.
William Rice was born in Vermont, March 22, 1830, and died July 20, 1912 at the age of 82 years, 4 months and 28 days.
In 1835 he came to Ohio with his parents. In middle life he became a member of United Brethren Church. He is married to Katherine Keen. Nine children were born to this union, one of whom died in infancy.
He leaves a wife, eight children, 22 grandchildren 23 great-grandchildren, two sisters and one brother, besides a host of friends to mourn their loss.
The funeral was held Monday afternoon Church of Christ, Rev. Ryan officiating.
A.D. JR.:I found this clip while making a n experimental demo video for Facebook. It was from a newspaper in Kentucky. I guess Dave was a national figure doing his patriotic duty.
boom. After many a fierce battle laws were passed by a Democratic body to enable a settler to pay for his land almost with the yield of the first year's harvest. These liberal concessions were opposed by Clay, as leader of the Whig party.
If we furthermore consider, that at that time the amalgamation of the National Republican and the Whig party took effect, and that in the new-born party the first nativistic doctrines came to the surface, it is not surprising at all that the German element en masse cast their lot with the Democratic party. To bring about a more effective and uniform action, German societies of various natures were organized in every town in Ohio, wherever they had any representation to speak of. The German element became a potent factor in political life, but it would have been impossible to perpetuate and preserve for any length of time harmonious action, had not circumstances of a specific nature come to its relief. The Germans were at all times considered unruly by the leaders of political parties as a nation not easily harnessed or controlled by an autocratic wish or will. Even the far-seeing Franklin laments that the Germans will outnumber the inborn element in a little while, and that the political power will pass into their hands. In this respect though Franklin's fears were ungrounded, the inborn jealousy of the different German nationalities, not to speak of the difference of opinion in religious matters, excluded such presumptions plainly. It cannot be denied that the Germans tipped the scales more than once in national elections. At the least provocation, if ever they mistrusted that customs and ways of their own were endangered, they made a solid front; in all other respects they were reliable, consistent and loyal. They never were wax in the hands of party rulers, and the most eloquent appeals of politicians would never have persuaded them to follow blindly their dictations had personal or principal interest combined not made a stronger appeal. The nativistic movement of 1836 and 1838 strengthened the knees of those that had become stragglers and drove them into the flock for mutual safety and protection. The power and strength of the German element was well known even in those days to the inborn American. An editorial extract from the American, published in New Orleans in 1838, may find a place here:
“Ohio is ruled by ignorant Germans who have inundated sections of this glorious State. The votes are cast, and the results are known as endangering our government and the welfare of all concerned; . . . This trouble will not end unless the privilege of voting is restricted."
As far as the ignorance of the Germans——God bless them — and the endangering of the government and general welfare are concerned, the editor was a poor prophet, but he came nearer to the mark in predicting laws aimed against the Germans to make use of the royal privilege as voters. The ghost of nativism was banished for another decade, the liberal party gained a victory in 1844 and the German element was instrumental in bringing it about.
A CHAIR: But not just any chair. This is from the old Maud-Elton Hotel. It was donated to the museum by my sister, Ginny, and her husband Dave Wilkes.
It is (to the best of my limited knowledge) a Windsor Fanback type chair with a saddle (beveled) seat. It’s in wonderful condition.
I don’t know where, in the hotel, it was used. Perhaps in the parlor – perhaps the dining room.
This is a nice addition to the museum. We also have a chair from the old Wagner Hotel. It’s a padded chair, but so low that I almost fell on the floor when I first sat in it.
These are very nice artifacts from Vermilion’s yesteryear.
You will not see this chair in the museum’s virtual tour yet, because it’s a very recent addition.
Stay tuned.
Emma and her grandson Eddy were digging for fishing bait her my garden. Uncovering a many-legged creature, Eddy proudly dangled it before his grandma.
"No, honey, he won't do for bait," his grandma said. "He's not an earthworm."
"He's not?" Eddy asked, his eyes wide. "What planet is he from?"
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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol. 18. Issue 21 - July 25 2020
Archive Issue #906
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant