Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the desktops this week are companion pix taken of some swimmers at the Cask Villa tourist resort. These pix were likely taken in the early 1920s.
I have been aware of both these photographs for a number of years, but seldom paid much attention to them until just lately. That’s when I noticed they were companion pieces – taken at the same time.
I’m guessing (of course) but I’ll bet these pix were taken in the heat of summer – probably July – just as hot as it has been lately in Vermilion. It appears that they were having a good time.
I like their swim gear. But I’m glad it was out of used by the time I came around. We have a wool swim suit at the museum and I would have not liked having to wear it and trying to swim.
A LEARNING FOOL: I have no love for this virus (of course). But due to the relative isolation in which I have found myself, it has forced me to learn about some of the hardware and software available to me. I’d just been too busy to work with these things before this time. So…
I’m beginning to better learn and understand video and slide software and presentations: what I can do with them. I’ve also been learning how to integrate audio and video better than I ever have.
I really wish I was better at public speaking. I’ve never been much of a talker. I’m better at listening. But I’m still aiming at getting a little better at both.
A NEW V-BOOK: From Linda Schiensker comes this book about the Vermilion’s L.J. Kamps family. It’s available from Amazon. I have more on the family, but I’m not prepared to say much at this writing. What I can say is that I knew one of his children; Regina. She was married to Vermilionite Richard Whitt. Stay tuned for more.
Historically,
ALWAYS A PARADE: I like this pic of a parade moving down Vermilion’s Liberty Avenue to the west. But I have questions. I’m guessing that the pic is c. 1912. The street is not paved, but the interurban rails are down. I should be able to find some detail about this pic in the old files of the Vermilion News. And when I do I’ll enlighten all of us.
I think that the apparatus leading the procession with the team of horses is an old hand pumper for fires. Behind it there are two guys pulling another apparatus with hose on it. So my guess is what I’d call an educated one.
You many note the building with the big “RESTAURANT” sign on it. I believe that it is the eatery one owned and operated by Adam Trinter (1844-1893) and his wife Wilhelmena. Initially, it was a saloon. But after his death Mrs. Trinter remarried a fella named Henry Shoop (1851-1903)in 1897 and went into the restaurant business. She also owned the house next to the restaurant (now gone). The building has always housed a restaurant. It is probably the oldest and longest running restaurant building in Vermilion.
The building on the corner of Liberty and Main streets can just be seen above the trees on the upper left. And a bit of the roof of the Pelton-Mcgraw store on the corner of Liberty and Division streets can just be seen on the right.
I’m not sure just how the photographer took this photo. But I’m thinking he had climbed part way up on one of the electric / telephone poles along the street to get it. I think he’s the shadow lower right.
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 (or anytime) - it's a good place to visit.
E.P. BRADSTREET: MADE HIS OWN WAY IN THE WORLD: Part Two: Edward Payson Bradstreet was born at “Vermillion” in Ohio on the 5th of June in the year 1830. In his own words, which were later published in a Lorain, Ohio newspaper in 1930 Mr. Bradstreet said: “I was born on the farm of my mother's sister, Mrs. Horatio Perry, where my mother had gone to spend the summer. The farm was a fine place right on the lake, a little west of the Ruggles place. At that time the house stood about 400 yards from the bank of the lake, but it has long since washed away.” [Note: Horatio Perry - as related in the first part of this essay - was among the first half dozen settlers to arrive in the area.]
After Edward’s father died in 1837, he lived with relatives in Russia Township and in Milan in Erie County. Like his father he was interested in religious work and intended to follow in his footsteps. But due to an appreciable weakness of his throat he was compelled to alter his course. He attended high school in Elyria, and then studied at Western Reserve University in Cleveland (an institution, by the way, his father helped found) and Yale University, graduating from the latter with a B.A. in 1853, and an M.A. around 1856. After teaching in the public schools for a very short time and reading law for the firm of Ferguson & Long of Cincinnati, he was admitted to the bar in 1857, and soon joined the company as a partner.
Eventually Edward started a private practice specializing in the settlement and management of estates; becoming one of the foremost authorities on probate and bankruptcy law in the state and nation. It was, he later reflected, a long way from the carefree days of his childhood when he used to lie with a boyhood friend named Harris, and his dog Rover, in the front yard of his Uncle Perry’s home in ‘Vermillion’ watching the white-sailed. ships on the lake “that seemed to float in the air; and wonder what they were doing a way out there”.
But there was very little time for daydreaming during the early years of his practice. And as the years turned - as Edward busied himself establishing that practice - it is likely that his good dog Rover died of old age. The fate of his childhood friend Harris was not, however, so ambiguous. He lost his life defending his country at Vicksburg in 1863.
In 1883 Bradstreet married a gal named Harriet B. Herrick. Miss Herrick was the daughter of the Rev. William D. Herrick of Amherst, Massachusetts. The couple had three children: Marjorie, Edward P. Jr., and Annabel. As his law practice and family grew Edward, true to his father’s memory, was extremely active in church matters. He served as a “vestryman” (i.e. a member of a church administrative committee) for several churches in the Cincinnati area. And for over twenty years he served as a Sunday School superintendent as well as a convention delegate for his church.
Aside from his church activities and legal practice he helped found the Cincinnati Vigilance Society for abolishing white slave traffic; was vice president of the Cincinnati Bible Society; life director of the American Bible Society of New York; a member of the Literary Club; and The Queen City Club. He was a cofounder of the Yale Club; a long-time president of the Cincinnati Gymnasium - for three decades served as a member of its board of directors; was also active with the Masonic order, R.A.M. of Cincinnati; and, shortly after the Civil War, had helped found the Ohio Humane Society. He was, to say the very least, a very busy person during his lifetime.
That lifetime, as fate would have it, lasted for over 100 years. And Edward Payson Bradstreet remained reasonably active until it ended on February 14, 1931. His last public appearance as a trial lawyer had been at the age of 96, when he defended a one-armed man who had been charged with assault and battery. Newspapers reported that “The courtroom was crowded with attorneys when the word went around that ‘Old E.P. Bradstreet was trying a case’”. It is said that scenes of the trial were preserved in news reels. [Note: I have yet to find any of them.]
The summer before he died Bradstreet was invited aboard the steamer “Tom Greene” to witness “a race for supremacy of the Ohio River” between it and another steamer called the “Betsy Ann”. I found no record of the winner of that race. And it really doesn’t matter. But I can’t help but wonder, when upon the river that day, if Edward didn’t look back and recall the yesteryear when he lay in the long grass at his Uncle’s home in Vermillion - his dog Rover and his friend Harris at his side - watching the white-sailed ships on the lake that seemed to float in the air; if he, finally, knew what they were doing - a way out there.
- Ref: The Star Journal, Sandusky 2-14-31; The Vermilion News 8-27-37; Vermilion Photojournal 9-19-02; Cincinnati - The Queen City - 1788-1912, Volume IV, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago - Cincinnati, 1912; Special Thanks to: Tom Wilson, Plymouth, Michigan. Vermilion resident Rich Tarrant has agreed to share many of the photos and stories he has acquired from the former Vermilion News and other local sources with the readers of the Photojournal. Rich is the youngest son and a grandson of the late proprietors of The Vermilion News (1897-1964). Readers may email him at: richtarrant@vermilionohio.org; VPJ 11/28/10; 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...
Between the hours of 2 and 3 Friday morning, Guy S. Davis heard a noise and looking out of his window saw lights flash on the corner near the M. E. Church. Thinking something was wrong he went below into his store and called central to notify the Marshal. It took some time to arouse the operator and then things began to happen. In the meantime, Marshal M. Gross who had been at the electric depot came up the hill when he reached the corner opposite Unser and Seeley’s, he heard a whistle over near Deckers Coal Office and also on the Unser and Seely corner, he flashed his light was answered by shots from a revolver to which he replied by emptying his gun. He then ran back to the electric station and telephoned for help. Soon a number of men were out, but the robbers had fled. It developed that the Post Office had been ransacked and a quantity of stamps taken, the value of which at the time was estimated at probably $100. Louis Englebry’s clothing store had been entered and the strongbox of the safe taken out. This was found later at the Methodist Church it is supposed that the robber had started to run with it and not seeing the railing there had fallen over it scattering its contents, consisting of papers, over the ground. At Unser & Seeley’s it was found that the yeggs were operating upon the safe and had knocked off the combination and one handle and were preparing to blow it, when discovered. It required the services of experts from Cleveland and one of the doors will have to be replaced. No other damage was done by the robbers. It was found that of the shots fired by the Marshal, had gone through the south plate glass window of the Unser Seeley’s store and one had entered a side window of Hart’s Drug Store, another had struck under the door.
No trace of the miscreants has been found. It is reported that a handcar was ready at the Nickel Plate where the Yeggs had secured their tools.
Nothing developed during the day accepting the arrest on suspicion of a sailor claiming Gibsonburg his home and claiming his name was Merle Felker he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
Friday at his trial he raised objections to the charge as his revolver was wrapped in a newspaper and tied with a string but as the law does not specify, his objection was overruled plead guilty as charged. He gave the names of several Gibsonburg people and he claimed to have left their about 8 a.m. Friday morning to take his boat, The Mitchell. The hearing was then postponed until 8 o’clock. Several people in this hometown were called up, but those found knew little concerning him, so the mayor gave him a light sentence. This will hold him long enough to investigative his story.
The case of the state of Ohio vs. Geo H. Blanchet, charged with selling liquor in violation of certain laws of the state came up before Mayor Wakefield Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. H. R. Williams and Judge Beis of Sandusky represented the defense Chas. M. Earhart of Cleveland, state.
After the preliminaries in which the defense made all the usual motions in regard to the case such as prosecution, giving security for costs, withdrawal of plea of not guilty and motion for the release of defendant the case was adjourned until 1 o’clock. The court was called at that time, Judge Beis for the defense, moved for a continuance of the case give him time for preparation not having sufficient time to prepare his case, having been away from home and did not know his was to be in the case until Sunday.
By agreement the case will come up again next Monday at 9 A. M. Unless one of these attorneys should be compelled to attend to other duties in which case Tuesday will be the day.
For some time past the gates on several crossings of L. S. & M. S. Ry. west of and including Grand street, have not been arranged properly for the operation satisfactory manner. After being brought before the Council and some work with the railroad officials, said officials finally became convinced that a change was needed, do gave the necessary orders. The work is being done this week. The Grand Street gates will be operated by one man and the Washington and Perry Streets together by one man. This will make it much better. As it was before the Grand Street gateman could not see what he was doing when he was lowering the Washington St. gates. [NOTE: I’m sure that made sense to someone. But not to me.]
Complaints are being made in regard to the old abutments in the river beneath the road bridge. The subject of their removal has been up time and time again every official from street commissioner to Government engineer had something to do with it. Obstructions in question has caused several launchers to lose their wheels. Something should be done regarding the matter. There is also a rock at the entrance of the harbor which is a menace to tugs that should be removed.
Over 100,000 pedestrians 20,000 vehicles pass over the London Bridge in one day.
Fitting his machine with a 6 hp motor and an aeroplane propeller, a French motorcyclist is made speeds up to 50 miles an hour.
Geo. Brown is recovering nicely from his recent operation.
Henry Wesbecher has purchased of the Nicholas estate, the corner lot at Main and Tenney Sts.
BORN – Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schreiner, a daughter, Thursday, July 25, 1912.
George E. Crisp of Elyria was in Amherst on business Friday and while in the Lake Shore freight house was stricken with paralysis. He was taken to the Jackson Hotel where he died Saturday morning.
777.
L. Kelly is drilling for gas and it is expected will be a good well.
Mrs. V. Leimbach family are enjoying many nice trips in their new auto.
777.
In connection with the prosecution of George H. Blanchet, and apparently in answer to those who have been asking why those who dealt in liquid refreshments in the village proper were not looked after. Warrants were served and the following taken before Mayor Wakefield this morning: J. G. Miller, charged with and offence against the Sunday liquor law, July 7, plead not guilty. Hearing set for August 7, at 1 PM.
J. W. Leidheiser, charged that offense was committed July 7, plea not guilty. Hearing set for August 7 10 A. M.
H. Leidheiser and H. J. Leidheiser, offence charge, July 7, plea not guilty. Hearing 1 PM August 6.
Callahan & Abbey, offense June 9 plea, not guilty. Hearing, August 6, 9 A. M.
These arrests come as a surprise as apparently no one in town excepting the parties directly interested in securing evidence, knew what was going on and often the remark was heard that despite the change in administration there was little change in most things for which the change in administration was made. Judge Beis in his arguments for the defense Tuesday in which he accused the anti–saloon league as being the interested party. His accusation brought forth no reply.
777.
Two boys, aged 11, were arrested at Lorain for opening a safe. They said they only wanted to get enough money to go to a picture show.
777.
Charlie Kishman is busy hauling ties.
Farmers in this part of the country are all busy cutting their oats.
777.
Mrs. Wm. Miller and Irene were in Norwalk visitors Tuesday.
[NOTE: I can’t help but say, here, that I knew little Irene when she was Irene Severance in her 90s and lived in the big Todd house on Mason Road. She had, of course, been married to a Todd. When he died she married Severance. She was a delightful person.]
Mrs. E. B. Welch and daughter Velma spent the last past week site.
[NOTE: I also remember Velma. She was Velma Sandak when I knew her.]
777.
Mrs. Elizabeth Daniels became of ill health was taken to the home of her son east of town last week.
The Berlin Heights Band will go to Florence Saturday evening August 10th to play in a garden social for the benefit of the new M. E. Church. Ice cream cake, popcorn etc. It will be held on the lawn H. M. Carley.
777.
Alonzo S. Ennes was born in Birmingham, O., December 25, 1852, and died in his home July 19, 1912 his age was 59 years 6 mos. and 24 and for the past two weeks has been confined to his bed. He was a kind father a loving husband and is respected by all who knew him. He lived his entire life in Birmingham and vicinity. He leaves to mourn his demise his wife one son, Clinton two daughters, Mrs. Nellie Broughton of Birmingham and Mrs. Maude E. Miller of California. Besides many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held from the home Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. A. G. Rupert and was well attended. Miss Jennie Carter and E. J. Darby furnished the music.
777.
Mrs. Harry Trinter went to Cleveland today to enter Lakeside Hospital for an operation. Her many friends anxiously await results.
Although still confined to his bed, Mr. Harry Wakefield is getting along as well as can be expected considering how ill he has been.
Mrs. P. Roscoe and Miss Jessie Delker spent Friday in the Forest City.
[NOTE: Jessie lived with her mother and father just a few doors away from the New Office and worked as a printer therein. She would have been near Mrs. Roscoe’s age.]
Dr. Paul Leimbach St. Joseph’s Hospital visited his parents you Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton Parsons family of Pittsburgh are enjoying a few weeks outing at Linwood Park.
Miss Nellie Klaar who has been teaching in a business college at Kenosha, Wis., the past year arrived home Saturday evening spent her vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Klaar, of State St.
[NOTE: Nellie eventually married a fella named LaVerne Wood. They had 3 children: Paul, Mary and Dorothy. I don’t know what happened, but later Nellie married a Vermilionite named Presdee Morgan. I knew all three of Nellie’s children. Mary married Vermilionite Howard Bogart and Dorothy married Albert “Jim” Hart.]
Bath Mitts 10c per pr. at Hart’s Drug Store.
Mr. George Sahl purchased the lot next to the News Office on Grand St. of Rev. Merrill and work on a new home has begun.
[NOTE: I’m glad this little note appeared here. The home in the note likely refers to the house next and south of what is currently the Vermilion History Museum. It’s nice to know when it was built. It is, then, approximately 107 years old. As it turns out Sahl died in 1915 at age 29-30 – so I don’t know how long he might have lived in the home or even if he did.]
Mr. Ed Erbscorn has improved his home on Exchange Street raising it ana building a foundation. A basement is to be placed in it also.
The fish tugs belonging to both the Driscoll company in the Kishman Co., were sent to Fairport the first of the week to fish.
Capt. Mrs. F. A. Goodell, of Chicago, formerly of Cleveland, announce the engagement of their daughter, Patty Bell, Mr. Arthur Lionel Seawell, of Buffalo. The Wedding Will Take Pl. in December. – Cleveland Leader. The Goodell family are well known in Vermilion, having formally resided here.
Rev. H. L. Steve’s died July 30th in Benton Ill. He preached here several years ago. He has been an invalid for many years. The funeral will be held at Lagrange O., Saturday morning 10:30, Dr. C. Gilmore, Dist. Supt. Cleveland, O., will conduct funeral services. He was a brother-in-law of Rev. Dr. G. A. Reeder, Pres. Baldwin University Berea, O.
777.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bogart family of Amherst called on Mr. and Mrs. S. Bacon family Sunday.
[NOTE: I believe Wm Bogart is the same person who eventually moved his family to Vermilion and started a dairy farm where Vermilionite Zack Dolyk’s law office on SR #60 is currently.]
Ruth Hall of the Lorain County Orphan Home has come to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Koppenhafer.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Bechtel family attended the Bechtel family reunion at Century Park in Lorain Saturday. There were about 40 present and an enjoyable time is reported.
The Brandau family held their fifth annual reunion Thursday, July 25 at Linwood Park, Vermilion, O.
Thirty-two of the members assembled at a pleasant place in the park and a couple of hours were spent in greetings social intercourse. Then all helped prepare a typical picnic dinner to which later all did justice. A short time later a photographer arrived and all were told to “look pleasant,” after which some pleasantly spent time in social chat, while others enjoy a launch ride played quoits [NOTE: a game similar to horseshoes.], baseball, etc.
Late in the afternoon, ice cream and cake was served, after which the meeting was called to order…
[NOTE: I don’t think the entire article will help much in the understanding of the piece. But I do offer the pic that appeared with it.]
777.
Archie town very sick poison ivy.
Mrs. Cora Chandler of Vermilion sewing for Mrs. Louisa Schoff days last week.)
777.
GET'M WHILE THEY'RE HOT:I thought this was interesting. I found it in an old Mansfield, Ohio newspaper.
…By this time the Germans had outgrown their baby shoes; no political party in Ohio would take their chances without previously consulting their wishes. They demanded in 1838 that public documents should be published in their mother tongue, and their wish was granted. The representation of this element in the State House of Columbus was about twenty-five per cent. Since the adoption of the new State laws in 1851. Erie county is, at this writing, represented in the Legislature by Fred. Ohlemacher, of Sandusky; in the Senate by Joseph Zimmerman, of Fremont, and in the congressional district by Jacob Romeiss, of Toledo. All three were rocked to sleep in the old country and came to America's shores as poor and impecunious lads.
This solid German representation may count for nothing than a mere coincidence, and yet it demonstrates clearly that the Germans had learned, in years of bondage and humiliation, to use their irresistible strength for something better than quarrels. Not more than thirty years ago the Germans had very little if any standing, politically and socially, in Erie county. An editorial in the Baystadt Democrat, June 26,1857, reads as follows:
“The true Americans, and better to call them by their right names, the Knownothings, are becoming rather arrogant in their deportment. To them the foreigners are simply tools, to be used at will, and as long as they can be utilized. After that their thanks are a ‘pereat.' In our city, laws have been passed of late, directly aimed against the Germans. They cannot acquaint themselves with the provisions of law as very few understand the English language. Thousands of dollars are annually expended for school purposes, where not a cent is granted for the preservation of their mother tongue. A general meeting of the German element of this county has been called to consider our duties and rights as citizens of a free country."
The meeting was held in the Volks Theater Hall on June 20, 1857 and was largely attended. Conrad Ernst was the presiding officer, and W. F. Meyers acted as secretary. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted (abridged):
1. All ordinances to be published in the German language.
2. Wholesome drinking water to be supplied liberally, free of cost, in all the wards of the city.
3. To introduce German, tuition in the public schools, and to cut down the salary of the superintendent of instruction, to confront the everyday cry for want of means.
4. To pay all city employees in cash.
5. To denounce immorality and drunkenness, but protect respectable citizens engaged in the liquor traffic.
6. To abolish license laws.
7. To repeal the market ordinance.
8. To invest any surplus in our treasury in factories and institutions employing skilled labor, instead of donating it to railroads and wildcat schemes.
A BEAUTY ON THE RIVER: I have a new lens for my Nikon that allows me to get closer pix of the river from our porch that is about 75 / 100 yards away. Testing it out I captured this nice pic of a really beautiful wood boat cruising down the river. I think the fella at the helm is proud (and should be) of his craft. Some people have great hobbies.
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.
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 22 - August 1 2020
Archive Issue #907
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant