Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: This week on both my desktops are Frank pix: two works by my friend Frank Homitz. I see Frank relatively frequently even during this pandemic. (Despite the face masks we still recognize one another.) He works in watercolor, pencil (color and gray scale) and some clay. Both seen here are copies of originals. Several are on display in the museum – and others I’ve kept for myself at home. I have one in my office at the museum of a Lake Shore Electric interurban car. I also have two unique clay pieces: One is a replica of the Kenton Stone behind the Ritter Library with my name on it; and the other is a head sculpture of me (baseball hat and all. Those are typewriter keys. So you can estimate the size of the piece. It's very small). But I also have other clay pieces.
The one on my home desk is Cowboy Frank - whimsical piece. And the one on the shop desk is (or should be) a very familiar scene of beautiful downtown Vermilion.
These are both fun and keeper pieces of Vermilion-cana.
RE-OPENINGI will attempt to re-open the museum (hopefully) on the 1st of October. The guidelines for doing so are (from my viewpoint) rather stringent. So – methinks appointment requests, restricted hours, and fewer days might initially be the best way to handle things.
So stay tuned.
Historically,
TOM BOTTOMLEY: A member of the first 4-year class to graduate from Vermilion High School. In 1911 he received his diploma from the Pharmaceutical Dept. of Ohio Northern University. In late June of the same years he went to work at The Gem drug store in Elyria owned by one H.M. White. In September he came back to Vermilion and went to work for local druggist Albert Hart. That is where (I believe) this photograph was taken. In those years the pharmacist also worked as a Soda Jerk.
Mr. Tom later went on to assist in the development a chain of drug stores (aka. Standard / Gray Drug et.al) in Cleveland. He was a very nice person. He was also my great-uncle
.
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 continue to add videos. So stay close.
THREE CHEERS FOR AUTOISTS OF A YESTERYEAR: I don’t know exactly when it happened. I’ve not got that far yet in my weekly enterprise of transcribing parts of past issues of The Vermilion News. At this time, I’m immersed in the September 1912 News, and there is no indication that my grandfather, the editor of the paper, owned an auto at that time. But I am very sure that soon thereafter he – like numerous others of his day – succumbed to the siren’s call of owning a horseless carriage. (Or it may have been my grandmother.) But as one can plainly see by the very fact that he posed for the accompanying photograph seated at the wheel of a 1924 Hudson Essex – 2-Door Coach; surrender he did (with neither a bang nor a whimper). These shadows were captured along Vermilion’s very “grand” Grand Street directly in front of his print shop (now the local history museum).
This is not the only photo I have of him seated in the driver’s seat of a car. There is another where he is similarly seated at the wheel of a Model T Ford. In that photo he was parked in front of what, at the time, was Rudy Moc’s Sunset photo studio also on Grand Street (VPJ 04/31/14). That was north and just across the tracks from the site of this photo. [Currently 2020, the approximate site of the Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast.] Methinks that when he [ although at first begrudgingly) answered the call of the Age of the Automobile he never looked back. He had metamorphosed from electric train commuter into a full-fledged autoist (note the chapeau). My mother, Ella, and her sister, my aunt Alice are in the backseat. They appear to be thrilled at the prospect of taking a day trip in their dad’s Hudson.
While I have no real evidence to support the thought, I suspect (as earlier indicated) that my grandmother, Bessie, may have been the one who had first heard the aforementioned siren’s call. Unlike the photographs of Gramps looking ready to race down the street I have none of my grandmother in, around or near an auto. However; I seem to recall a tale my mother told me some years ago about a day when Bessie was driving down Liberty near the corner of Vermilion’s “very grand’ Grand Street when she lost control of the vehicle. This was probably in the early 1930s after the Standard Oil Company had built a new service station on that corner (the station that eventually became Glenn Fulper’s Auto Parts store). Anyway – Grandma reportedly drove right into the building. She was not hurt, but her ego as an autoist was apparently irrevocably damaged. The incident, of course, never made the News. And I doubt that she drove again.
My mother, however, was a different story. She must have taken after her father when it came to her enthusiasm for driving. Our father seldom drove. He really had no need. We lived two blocks away from the print shop, and the local pub (currently Rudy’s) was located in between those locations, so he just walked. He only drove when it was absolutely necessary. But, mom? She just liked to drive.
To get the entire picture which, looking back, is quite amusing. Our mother was, at best, about five foot three or four in highheels. In 1956 she bought the only new car our family ever purchased. It was a two-tone green Pontiac Chieftain from Kyle Motors. (Vermilionite Bob Kyle likely remembers the car as well as do I.) It was a 4-door with a Hydra-Matic transmission. It didn’t have power-steering or power brakes. The top of mom’s head was about even with the top of the steering wheel when she was seated. To see the road, she looked through the rungs of the steering wheel. But boy, when ma kicked that baby into passing gear it would go (as some are wont to say) like a bat out of a place that ends with two Els. Mom was truly an autoist.
I learned to drive with that car. It took me two tries to get my license because I had such a hard time maneuvering that tank to parallel park. I was never as infatuated with driving a car as either my grandfather or my mother. My first car (as I have mentioned in the past) was a motorcycle. Nonetheless, I can readily understand their enthusiasm for the automobile. It beat riding in a crowded electric interurban car to get from one place to another. And it very certainly beat the travails of having to own and care for a horse and buggy. Or at least “I think it did”. So, three cheers for the Autoists of a yesteryear. They deserve them.
- Sunday, September 6, 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 Vermilion village Board of Education held its regular meeting Monday evening with all members present. The committee on grounds and buildings reported the fire escapes painted, trees removed all work done accepting a little painting.
The superintendent gave his report that he had secured the services of Miss Connors of Salem as a teacher instead of Miss Greenwald who failed to get the notice of her appointment until after she had taken another situation.
Miss Sherod was transferred from grade 3 to grade 1 and Miss Connors was given grade 3. He reported 31 reporting in the 1st grade as beginning in school. He asked the board what was to be done concerning the ruling that only those who became six years of age before January 1, 1913, could enter school and after some discussion it was decided to stand by this resolution.
The finance committee reported the fall tax money in.
After some talk concerning the welfare of the school and ordering the payment of bills the meeting adjourned.
Judge Stahl has succeeded in getting 120 cases off the docket and Common Pleas Court since April 1.
Geo. H. Blanchat of Crystal Beach, through his attorneys has filed an appeal in the Court of Common Pleas. It is claimed that he was refused jury trial and there were errors in the rulings in the Mayor’s.
Anna M. Pelton has brought suit for divorce and alimony against Capt. Edwin R. Pelton. The complainant is at present in Cleveland and the case was still filed in the insolvency court of Cuyahoga County. The petition was served Monday.
Appeals in the Common Pleas Court were taken Monday in the cases of the Lorain Laundry company, and Joseph Unser and M. L. Seeley, against D. C. Callahan, Marcia Callahan, and M. Abbey, two suits on account, involving respectively the sums of $35.13 and $93.26. Suits were tried originally in a court of Justice Williams, of Vermilion.
The sale of land in Vermilion Twp. to meet the claims of Elizabeth F. Dewey for alimony in the sum of $1720 alleged to be due from Seymour B. Dewey, is asked in a petition filed by the former in the Common Pleas Court.
The plaintiff obtained a divorce January 1, 1910, and at that time was awarded $3000 in alimony, at the rate of $250 every six months. Only the sum of $1280 of this amount has been paid, the plaintiff declares in her petition.
At the recent conference of the German M. E. Churches, Rev. Emil G. Boch, who has served the Vermilion church for the past two years was transferred to a church at Pittsburgh, PA., And Rev. John Vodmer of Akron will serve the local church.
Rev. Boch and his family have served their church faithfully and have endeared themselves not only to their parishioners but to the community and they have the best wishes of the village for success in the larger field.
Rev. Vodmer who succeeds Rev. Boch, is known to some of the older members having served this pastorate some 40 years ago when a very young man. At that time several churches were connected and one minister served all. Rev. Boch and family expect to leave next Thursday or Friday and Rev. Vodmer and family will arrive about the same time.
In an article describing the reunion of the 101st O. V. I. The Monroeville Spectator says:
Fifty years ago last Friday a regiment of brave young men, recruited from the northern part of Ohio, went out from Monroeville to fight for the preservation of the Union. They participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca, Atlantic campaign, Franklin, Nashville and other great battles of the war, and won the honor of being one of the best regiments from Ohio.
They were known as the 101st Ohio Volunteer Infantry and were in camp at this place for about three weeks before being ordered to the front. Many of them never returned and are buried under southern skies. Death has thinned the ranks of those who did return, and the remnants of that gallant regiment of 1080 young men, the flower of the state, gathered at Monroeville on Friday of last week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization. It was their 46th annual reunion.
With locks of white, stooped shoulders and faltering step they presented a striking contrast to the boys of 50 years ago, but the spirit of loyalty to the government is probably greater than at that time, and not one of them would refuse to take up arms again in defense of his country, if he were physically able.
Friday was a beautiful day and the attendance was larger than at any reunion in several years.
Of the 223 survivors, about 125 were present. There were also 65 wives and children. During the past year 23 have passed away. Members were present from as far west as California and as far east as the coast, South as far as the Gulf. We noticed a group of seven veterans representing as many states.
It was a joyous occasion for them all, the forenoon being spent in renewing acquaintances and talking over the days of 50 years ago. Many also visited the old camping ground, west of Ridge Street, and corporal. Greene of Kansas entertained a large crowd on the street with anecdotes of the war showing a number of old warrior war relics gathered during his term of service. He is a very interesting talker.
Among those present was Gen. I. M. Kirby, of upper Sandusky, a man much loved by the members of his regiment. A number of others besides the General gave interesting talks. A. A. Blair, of Vermilion was a member of this regiment and was in attendance and enjoyed the affair immensely as als were Emerson Andres of Berlin Heights and several from Collins and Oberlin.
Wore out machinery is now reclaimed by the process of electric welding.
Practically the entire tea crop of India is disposed of at auction in Calcutta.
Andrew Carnegie, in London, says millionaires in this country are not taxed enough.
A French bicycler has invented a practical tricycle street cleaner propelled by foot power.
The popularity of the automatic lighters has greatly affected the sale of matches in Europe.
The funeral of the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Digan was held from St. Joseph’s church on Sunday and interment made in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
The funeral of Mrs. Lucy Aiken, age 82 years, was held from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Madison, at Oberlin Saturday at 1 PM Rev. Dr. Rudd of Oberlin conducted the funeral services. Interment was made a Crown Hill Cemetery, in Amherst.
There are 60,500 licensed autos in Ohio.
A fine new piano has been purchased and placed in the Axtel M. E. Church. The instrument was brought from the Norwalk Piano Company and is fully guaranteed as are all the instruments sold by this well-known house.
Lewis and Noel and family expect to leave next week to spend the winter at Erie in Pittsburgh.
Dr. B.B. Buell is enjoying a week’s trip on the Lakes with Capt. Bailey.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis F. Body, Jr., son, at Cleveland, O., Friday, Sept. 6, 1912.
Charles Jefferson and E. T. Bottomley enjoyed a pleasant launch ride to Fries Landing on the Huron River Sunday, in the former’s launch.
Mrs. Kishman of Lorain was the guest of her sister, Mrs. Geo. Blattner Tuesday.
Amason Washburn aged 86, died Sunday night at the home of his nephew, L. J. Washburn, near Axtel, where he had made his home for the past two years. The remains were taken to his old home at Galena, Tuesday, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Washburn and son Ray, where the funeral was held and burial made beside his wife.
Elton Fisher is attending business college at Oberlin.
About noon, Wednesday, Albert Leidheiser who is employed by the Leidheiser Fish Co., attempted to shut off the motor, which is used in crushing ice, when his hand in some manner made a “circuit” and he received a full charge of c electricity of about 220 V. He was rendered unconscious by the shock and Dr. Heining was called. It was first though that he had been killed but the doctor brought him too [sic]. He was taken home and was soon feeling fairly well but for a slight stiffness in his left arm through which the current passed. He is lucky not to have been more seriously injured.
Mrs. John Naegele was the victim of an accident on Monday which will disfigure her for some time and probably leave an ugly scar. She was auto riding with her uncle Mr. Lappan of Republican and while crossing the L. S. & M. S. tracks on Washington St., the gate was dropped. It struck her in the face cutting a deep gash over one eye and across the nose. The windshield of the auto was broken also.
A silo is being put up on the O. B. Haise farm.
Did anyone say “our roads were being improved?”
The trees in our apple orchards are beginning to hang down with fruit. Soon will come the busy season of harvesting them.
The remains of Mr. Campbell of Norwalk were brought to Riverside Cemetery for burial Tuesday afternoon.
The peach crop around Berlin is very light but few growers having any at all. Prices range from 2 to 3 dollars per bushel.
The Fruit Box and Basket Factory has closed for a few days for some repairs. This industry is never closed more than a week or two in any one year.
The children of the Orphans home at Birmingham gave a very pleasing entertainment to a full house at the M. E. Church, Sunday evening.
UFO:It appears that even back in the 1930s people saw them...
…have become a prosperous and prominent citizen, had not the hand of a villain terminated his life in a most cruel and unprovoked way. After a short stay in Huron the family moved to Sandusky, where Ritter opened a general provision store on Columbus avenue. He was shot dead at his own door by a crippled tailor, called Evans, for which crime the latter was made the culprit of the last scene of execution witnessed in Erie county, in Huron Park in 1840.
Ritter died on May 5, 1840, in his forty-sixth year, leaving his widow and six children well provided for. His wife died in December 1880, in her eighty-third year. One of the daughters, Wilhelmina, a faithful and trusted servant in the United States mail service for many years, is well known by every man, woman and child in this city. The writer does most heartily wish that she may survive all changes of the national administration for many a year to come.
Conrad Wiegand was born in Hessen, and came to Sandusky in 1835, where he worked for years at his trade as shoemaker. His wife having died, he moved to Put-in-bay Island to spend his last days with his children, who took good care of him. He had become very infirm and crippled up with rheumatism. He died a year ago and was buried at the side of his wife in Oakland Cemetery, Sandusky. He was a highly respected citizen. His children are prospering.
Franz, Joseph Motri came here in 1834, An old marriage certificate, well preserved reads thus:
“Know all men by this presents that Joseph Motri, a taylor, and Elizabeth Ziegler, were lawfully joined together in holy matrimony on the 22d day of July, in the year of the Lord, 1834.
“St. Mathaus Church,
“N. Y. City."
Aside from its value as a family relic, this paper becomes more precious in having the signature of one of the most noted Germans of New York attached to it.(1) Motri was born on March 31, 1811, in Untergrombach, Baden. His…
(1)The name of the officiating clergyman calls for a more than passing notice. The First German Lutheran congregation was organized in New York in 1749, and the first substantial church edifice was erected in 1767, on the northwest corner of William and Frankfort streets. The building was standing as late as 1850, and was, in its dilapidated condition, finally used as a livery stable. Johann Christopher Kunz, son-in-law of old Muehlenberg, of Revolutionary fame, became the first pastor. F. W. Geissenhainer, sr., succeeded him. He preached exclusively in German. As in 1814 some of the members of old Mathaus Church made an effort to abolish the German language in song and speech in their devotional exercises, Geissenhainer rather gave up his pastorate, than enter into this bargain. F. C. Schaeffer. his successor agreed to preach mornings in the German, and evenings in the English language. Geissenhainer, who in the meantime had moved to Pennsylvania, where his beloved mother tongue was held in better reveration, was recalled seven years later. He gained his point; German was exclusively spoken from that day on in the old pioneer church. Geissenhainer, a typical German, died in 1838, in New York City, lamented by all who knew him.
A DUSTY ONE: This is a a thing called a contact printer. I came across it several years ago in the attic of the museum. You place a negative on the glass; a piece of treated photo paper on the back of the lid; close the lid; it automatically triggers the ligh(s) in the box beneath; and exposes the photo paper. It's a very cool
Two years ago a man had just won the lottery. He was at work so his wife accepted the check. She was very worried because the man had just recovered from a heart attack and she was worried what would happen if he found out about it too soon.
She called the pastor and asked if he could talk to the
man. He agreed and said he would be there as soon as possible.
When the man got home the pastor asked if they could go for a walk. While they were walking the pastor asked, "What would you do if you won the lottery?"
The man replied, "Why, I'd give it all to the church."
The pastor dropped dead on the spot.
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 28 - September 12, 2020
Archive Issue #913
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