Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: Unlike past weeks my desktop pix are unrelated this week. The photo on my shoptop is that of an antique thread spool container / box. It was used by my grandfather, father and my brother Bill to store metal print plates. Some were used for advertising, and some were actual photographs used for the newspaper and several other publications. One of the photo plates is a nice pic of the Vermilion industrialist F.W. Wakefield. What you see here are just a very few of the printing plates at the museum. We have, probably, a thousand or more of these plates of all sizes. The two photo plates at the sides of the box are copper photo engravings and can produce great images if scanned and processed with a computer.
ON MY HOME DESK: The image on my home desk is simply one that I like placed in a tile format. I had used the single photo in a Facebook post several days before after processing it with a new software sharpening app. It just came out so nice I had to use it again (and again, and again…).
ITS BEEN ONE OF THOSE WEEKS: I really haven’t accomplished much this week – not that I do a whole lot any week. I intended to do a lot more than I have. But many of the tasks I did do didn’t work out the way I envisioned. And I hate when that happens.
My primary focus has been audio-video productions. I wish I were better at it. But I must acknowledge the fact that some things just can’t be improved / perfected no matter how skilled a person might be.
I’ve been trying to work on an audio file I made some years ago of Harold and Sarah Welker talking at a Vermilion Area Archival Society meeting.
Admittedly, the device I used to record them was not a quality instrument. And again, admittedly, I never really noticed before working with the file how slightly irritating their voices could be at times. But I thought (and still hang on the hope) that I can tone them down a bit – so it doesn’t sound like they’re screeching.
The information they provided is of historic value, and I supposed I could try to make a written transcript of their talk. I’ve done work like that before, but I have to say that it is a very time-consuming task. I’d rather try working with the sound some more. But it’s not fun.
Harold and Sarah were good people. I had Harold as a teacher from 7th to 12th grade. And Sarah taught me to type. (A skill that literally saved my life.) But Lord, o-Lord, the tone of their natural voices should have been lowered a few octaves.
Historically,
11 GIRLS & A WOMAN: I’ve had this pic for a long time, but only recognize one gal (the little girl wearing glasses seated bottom right) in the bunch. I believe they are Vermilion girls because of the one I recognize. Perhaps they were part of a Sunday School class. Anyway, I like the photo. So here it is.
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. I will be adding more this week. During this virus thing I've been learning a good deal about video productions.
I recently added a fairly long piece illustrating how I acquire and publish one of the things for each week's blog. It's just me working (ho-hum).
GENE BOYD AND HOW HIGH THE MOON: Eugene Francis Boyd was born in 1920 at Worland, Missouri. Worland is an unincorporated community in Bates County. It was platted back in 1888; named after a guy named Harry Worland, who ran the local pharmacy. The post office, also named Worland, was established in 1887, and remained in operation until 1952.
Gene grew up in a place called Knob Noster. Knob Noster is a city in Johnson County, Missouri. The population was 617 when he was born. By 2010 it had grown to just a little over 2000. If one knew Gene none of this should come as a big surprise. There was just something about him – perhaps his “laid back” demeanor that emanated such a humble beginning.
He graduated from Knob Noster high school in 1939. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army. During his early months in the service he met and married an attractive Vermilion gal named Yvonne Smith. Initially the couple lived in Seattle where he was stationed for a time. When WW2 broke out, he was assigned to and served with the 43rd Infantry Division and saw action in Campaigns in New Guinea, the Northern Solomons and Luzon.
Following the war and his discharge from the service the couple came to Vermilion and took up housekeeping in a house on Grand Street. For the next 15 years both worked at his mother-in-law’s (Ann Smith’s) restaurant, appropriately called “Ann’s Lunch”.
The restaurant was a 24-hour eatery located in one of the storefronts of the Fischer building facing Liberty Avenue. Gene always worked the night shift. That’s where I came to know him best. There were several small countertop juke boxes along the counter. And every time I hear the music of Les Paul and Mary Ford, I think of Gene in the open kitchen of Ann’s Lunch frying hamburgers while whistling happily along with the song “How High the Moon”. It, of course, was one of my favorite selections on the juke. Gene always seemed to be in good humor.
Gene and Yvonne were actively involved with various veteran and fraternal organizations. He was a member of the local American Legion, and was at one time Commander of Post. He was also an active member of the Masons; the Ely Masonic Lodge #424, Royal Arch Masons #233 in Vermilion, OH., and Royal and Select Masons Council #103 in Lorain, OH.
The Boyd’s were also very active in Republican politics in the nation, Ohio and in Erie County. In those years [Note: At my age it really doesn’t seem that long ago.] the franchises for things like the local liquor store and license bureau were politically appointed. As a consequence, it was no big surprise to anyone in town when the Boyds became the franchisees of the local BMV; or that the restaurant, while still financially solid, was summarily consigned to a yesteryear.
I don’t recall the precise date, but when the dominant governing parties in the state changed the franchise was awarded an active member of the Democratic party and Gene went to work at Bettcher Industries in Birmingham. About the same time, they sold their home on Grand Street and went to live with Yvonne’s aging mother at the family farm on Route #60 just north of Axtel, Ohio.
Shortly after Yvonne’s death in 1988 Gene returned to Missouri. He passed into the hands of God in a hospital in nearby Coffeyville, Montgomery County, Kansas (population 9000) in 2007 at the age of 87. But to this day every time I hear Les Paul and Mary Ford performing “How High the Moon”, I remember Gene happily whistling along as he worked in the kitchen of Ann’s Lunch. Both he and Yvonne now rest at Maple Grove Cemetery along Mason Road near good ol’ Vermilion (pop. 10,594) - only 238,900 miles beneath the moon.
- Sunday, August 16, 2020
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...
The June collection of taxes was a little over a quarter of a million dollars according to figures made public at the courthouse Tuesday.
The amount comes under what is known as the August distribution. The total sum, $250,446.90 is being apportioned among the various funds by County Auditor Deist.
George B. Krapp has been appointed receiver of the Maud–Elton Hotel, Vermilion.
Friday evening, two automobiles came in from Cleveland. One stopped at the corner of Division and Liberty Streets and one of the occupants asked way to Sandusky. The car was then started toward the west and a lively gate, followed by the other one. In a few minutes they returned at a still livelier pace and turned around at the street intersection on “two wheels.” The Marshal immediately stopped them and escorted them to the mayor’s office, where a fine of $10 and costs was assessed. The autoists had hardly gotten onto the street before they began to make very “uncomplimentary” remarks and were again taken before the Mayor Wakefield. This time one from each auto was in trouble. They showed themselves to be slightly under the influence of liquor and were locked up to sober up. Later they were allowed to depart with a fine of $1 and costs. Those who figured in the affair were both Cleveland doctors, one giving me his name as H. S. McNeeley any other Dr. Bard. They also apologized for their conduct and said that in the future they would behave themselves when in Vermilion.
Erie County has six more patients than its legal quota at the Toledo State Hospital according to word received at the courthouse.
The officials of the state institution for the insane work up to this fact the other day. There are at present 100 inmates from Erie County at the hospital, while according to the rule to its rules, the county is entitled to but 94.
[NOTE: You just have to wonder what anyone was supposed to do about this problem.]
An address on that subject of Women Suffrage will be given at the Opera House Saturday evening under the auspices of Vermilion Sorosis. Cordial invitation is extended to all. Next week arrangements have been made for an anti-suffrage address; thus, giving an opportunity of hearing both sides by those who have made the subject a study.
Tokio [sic] has more than 800 baths.
The horse has become a rarity in the streets of London.
Sunlight is the best germicide known to the medical fraternity.
A single New York hotel finds use for more than 2000 electric motors.
About 160 motor vans will be added to the Postal Service equipment of Paris.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Wells, son, Thursday, August 15.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hageman, a daughter, Saturday, August 17, 1912.
The sum of $449.75 paid in taxes by Erie County dealers for cigarette licenses for the current year according to figures compiled by Deputy County Auditor Koegle.
An Examination of the statistics shows that cigarettes are on sale in Sandusky, Huron, Milan, Vermilion, Berlin Heights and Kelly’s Island. The fee for each dealer is $15 a year.
Mrs. E. R. Randell is on the sick list.
The east side Mill Hollow hill has been improved by a coat of cinders.
Mr. Henry Leimbach, Sr., has had a fine new monument erected at the Eastside Cemetery.
Mr. Henry Leimbach Sr., who was taken sick at Vermilion a few weeks ago has returned to his home.
Mr. Raymond Bacon who spent part of the summer in Cleveland has returned to his home and has accepted a position as teacher at the Brownhelm Station school.
The barn on the farm of John Rommel, in Berlin Twp., about a mile east of Berlin Heights, was struck by lightning during the storm Monday morning fired and burned to the ground. The contents, including a quantity of grain that had just been harvested, was destroyed. The loss is estimated at about $8000, is fully covered by insurance.
Mrs. Catherine Anna Sprunk, aged 73 years, 7 months 29 days. Mrs. Sprunk whose maiden name was Catherine Anna Bollender, was born in Hersfeild, Germany, December 14, 1838.
In October 1856, she came to this country. Was married to Mr. John Sprunk, Dec. 29, 1856.
To this union were born six children, three sons and three daughters. All are living and were present at the funeral.
There were 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one sister and a host of neighbors and friends are left to mourn their loss.
She was a kind and loving mother and grandmother. The last few months were days of great suffering. She was tenderly cared for at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Florence Kuhlman, assisted by her children and grandchildren. She has been a member of the Advent Christian Church at Axtel for over 20 years. Her life was one of faithfulness and trust. We laid her to rest in a narrow bed beside her husband in the beautiful Maple Grove Cemetery, to await the trumpets call, when we hope to meet her again in the city of our God.
Funeral services were conducted by spy Mrs. Lizzie Fleming, assisted by Elder G. W. Moore Charleston, W. Va.
Mr. Arthur Clinger, editor of the Berlin Call spent Sunday with his parents at Green Springs and also attended the Chautauqua at that place.
[NOTE: Chautauqua: any of various traveling shows and local assemblies that flourished in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that provided popular education combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts, and plays, and that were modeled after activities at the Chautauqua Institution of western New York.]
The father of Albert and Verda Phillips died Saturday and was buried Wednesday afternoon. He lived near Berlinville.
Mrs. F Elizabeth Daniels died at the home of her son David Barnes east of town, Monday evening, August 19. Mrs. Daniels has been in ill health from more than two years. She was taken to the home of her son two weeks ago where she gradually grew worse until death came. The funeral was held Thursday at 2:30 at her son’s home, in charge of Rev. A. G. Rupert.
Norris Welch and Miss Ethel Bottomley visited Cedar Point Sunday.
[NOTE: Norris and Ethel eventually married. They were my great aunt and uncle.]
Capt. Hahn spent Tuesday with his family here, while his boat was in port.
Mayor F. W. Wakefield is spending a few days with relatives near Duluth. He will be accompanied home by his children.
Little Daisy Halloran was quite badly bitten by a dog Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Buell attended the wound.
Mrs. Coen’s broken limb is reported better.
BORN – to Mayor Mrs. F. W. Wakefield, a son, Friday, August 16, 1912.
[NOTE: This child was Vermilionite Theodore “Ted” Dunmore Wakefield.]
Attorney Geo. Ritter of Sandusky was the guest of his mother one-day last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Roscoe of Traverse City, Michigan, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Roscoe of Norwalk visited their brother Castleton and nephew and family one day last week.
Mrs. Myron B. Vorce of Cleveland will give an address on Women’s Suffrage at the Opera House Saturday evening, Aug. 24. She is a capable speaker and will present the subject in a most interesting manner. The addresses given under the auspices Sorosis and all are invited to attend. An Anti-suffrage address will be given on some evening next week and will be announced.
[NOTE: This (at least to me) is historically relevant. It demonstrates how important acquiring the right to vote for women was in 1912. It also shows that getting the vote, for women, was a long and hard road. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was not passed until eight years had passed - August 26, 1920.]
The tugs Rainbow, Fred Driscoll, and Mattison crews returned from Grand River this week.
Mrs. I. W. Nicholas is recovering as fast as can be expected from a recent operation. She is still at Memorial Hospital, Elyria.
Mrs. Chas. Heidloff was brought home from St. Joseph’s Hospital Tuesday evening. She is doing as well as can be expected.
A Mr. Morse, a printer, formerly a resident of Birmingham was in town Tuesday. He is now located in Detroit, Mich., as proofreader.
He has not visited Vermilion in twenty years. He said that the town has grown considerably since he saw it last. He is a relative of the Morse family here.
The reunion of the Roscoe family was held Wednesday at the home of Levi Roscoe, at Milan. Thirty-three members were present, the oldest 86 years, and the youngest five weeks. An organization was perfected, and the reunion will be held annually. The Editor (Pearl Roscoe) and family were in attendance.
(NOTE: The Roscoe reunion mentioned here has gone on ever since that time with rarely missing a year. But this year it was to be held in Vermilion and had to be cancelled due to of pandemic.)
Miss Ruth Bacon is been spending a few days as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Baumhart of Vermilion.
[NOTE: This was the first Mrs. Baumhart “Effie” who later died during the flu pandemic of 1919. She likely grew up and attended school with Miss Bacon in the Brownhelm area.]
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Homer Hageman of Amherst, Saturday, August 17, a baby girl. Mrs. Hageman was formally Miss Marie Peck of this place.
A number of young people at this place greatly enjoyed themselves at a picnic supper and marshmallow roast at a pleasant spot on the riverbank Saturday.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. George Baird of Lorain Thursday, Aug. 15, a baby girl. Mrs. Baird was formerly Miss Nellie Buckley of this place.
I'LL TAKE TWO:If you've ever wondered how much these things were in the yesteryear here's an answer. It seems for cheap by today's standards, but the cost was significant back then. I like the price of bicycles as well.
The Mozart Quartette Club was organized by Ph. Ruppert. The Great Western Band, organized by Charles Baetz many years ago, has, under his leadership, gained an almost national reputation. Bauman, Hauser, Bergmoser, Bock and others are experts on their separate instruments.
The last one, in a long list of musical societies in Sandusky, is the Philharmonic Orchestra, under the leadership of Professor F. Puehringer, a noted musician and composer. The members of this society are, with the exception of six, of German parentage. The first meeting was held at Fischer's Hall, March 12, 1888. The names of the members are given: C. Hauser, Geo. E. Anderson, F. A. Hubbard, C. Schnaitter, John Traub, John I. Esch, Al. J. Peters, George C. West, J. C. Leser, L. J. Taubert, A. Haecker, Willie Peters, Joseph Lebensburger, C. F. Schrenck, J. H. Dempsey, Lane Lockwood, Walter Scott, Louis Scherz, jr., John Bauer, Fred. Bauer, Al. Bauer, John Schaub, Ed. Rossfelder, George Knopf, John Trieschman, Eugene Baetz.
The first German Protestant church in Sandusky was organized in 1845; it was situated on the public grounds between Grace Church and the old courthouse and became the mother of six prosperous offsprings. The names of the charter members of the Emanuels Church are given: John Schuck, Paul Klauer, John Hauer, Jacob Hertel, Peter Gilcher, Fred Reinheimer, John Klauss, John Platz, Georg Magle, Fred Booss, and John Bauer. John Schuck is the only survivor.
The German Reformed Church was formed by seceders of the Emanuel's Church and organized into a body August 12, 1853, by the late Rev. Peter Briecker. The house of worship is situated on the corner of Hancock and Jefferson streets.
The Salems Church, “evangelical association," was built of stone in 1854. Size forty by sixty. The society was organized in 1840 by John Hull and M. Stroh, Charles Zollinger, Henry Kreiner, Jacob Brost and Leonhard Scheuerman were the first trustees.
The Lutheran Zion's Church on the southeast corner of the public grounds was organized in June 1852. The names of the first officers are John H. Buck, Wilhelm Schade, August Klotz, George Hartman, Henry Wenck and George Klein.
German Methodist Protestant Church organized about 1845. German Protestant. St. Stephen's Church, on the corner of Jefferson and Poplar streets, organized by old members of the Emanuel Church in January, 1882. The first officers were Heinrich Rudolph, president; Jacob Stein, secretary, Adam Oehm, treasurer; trustees, Charles Krueger, Jacob Dick, jr., Adam Nagel; elders, Jacob Dick, sr.; John Quehl, Jacob Hartman. Dr. von Schulenburg, pastor.
The German Catholics did not own a place of worship, for years attending Father Mastbeaf's church in Western Liberties. At this day they are in pos-…
VINTAGE CIGARETTE LIGHTER: There were likely a million cigarette lighters made during the 20th century – the “Hey-day of cigarette smoking”. The best I can do to say much about this one is that I think it’s from the 1940s. I was unable to find one exactly like it online. But I’m thinking (right now) that it might have been of Japanese origin. Perhaps one of my older brothers brought it back from Korea after their stint in that war.
The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion."
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 25 - August 22 2020
Archive Issue #910
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