Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: As Rosanne Rosannadanna used to say, ”It just goes to show ya’. It’s always something.”
Every so often I find myself in a struggle with MS Word. I’ll go to open the app. and it crashes – repeatedly.
Twice this year I called Microsoft and their tech people helped me get it working. But the last few times I simply (or rather unsimply) have learned how to correct the problem myself – and do.
Nonetheless, the situation is rather disturbing because I’m usually trying to write something; and having to stop for 30 or 40 minutes to correct the problem puts my train of thought on another track. And it’s hard to get back.
Ergo, this missive.
DESKTOP PIX: The photographs on the desktops this week are ( or at least I find them) kind of interesting.
The one with the brightly colored tree on my home desk was taken only about a week ago. I used it in several places because it looks so nice.
The one on the shop desk was taken on Monday (11/02/20) this last week. As ye can plainly see things changed.
There was a big wind and rainstorm between pix that really changed things. Autumn is definitely upon us.
Historically,
THOSE VERMILION GIRLS: I am sorry to say that I know only two of the four girls pictured. Starting from the right there is Mary Louise “Tootie” Chandler-Reisinger – and next to her is Mary Jane “Bitsie” Fischer-Laucaitis.
The girls are seated on a concrete “something” wall that was just north of the Vermilion Water Treatment plant along the river. I didn’t notice until I enlarge the pic that there is also a fisherman to the right (behind them).
Tootie and Bitsie according to all the pix of them I have seem to have been pals. I’ll bet they spent a good deal of time at Crystal Beach during their younger years.
Toot now lives in Avon Lake – but I’ve not seen her for some time. When she does see me, she scolds me for not calling her. (We like each other.) The last time I saw Bitsie was in a small restaurant in Lorain where she was then living.
Anyway, these were “those Vermilion girls” all the boys followed around town in a yesteryear.
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 - and they keep on coming. Keep watching.
SNAPSHOT TREASURES: This group photo came to me from late Vermilionite Anita Ollis Mehnert along with several others almost 15 years ago. One of the great things about it is that all the names of the persons in it were inscribed on the back. However, one of the difficult things about it – and the main reason I’ve never used it before – is that the names (as one can see) are not very easy to decipher. But with a little help from my friends, an ability to enlarge the snap as well as the ability to surf through ancestry as well as old newspaper data, some of the names became clearer after all these years. I placed numbers on the persons pictured with their names as best I could identify them.
They are L-R: 1. Lawson Rumsey; 2. Carrie Naegele; 3. John Naegele; 4.Celia Mattison; 5. Winnie Mattison; 6. Pearl Mattison; 7. Mary Mattison; 8. Ruben Mattison and 9. “Old Man” William Wagner.
Now to further complicate things what follows are their relationships. Lawson Rumsey married Pearl Mattison; John Naegele was married to Carrie (Mattison); Celia Mattison was Carrie’s mother; Winnie (Wagner) Mattison was married to Charles Mattison; Pearl Mattison (again) married Lawson Rumsey; Mary Mattison and Ruben were married; and “Old Man” Wagner was Winnie’s father. And now that I have everyone thoroughly confused, just a little about John and Carrie Naegele:
John was born in Vermilion in 1878. Carrie Naegele was born here in 1884. When they were first married, they lived on E. Water Street in Vermilion. [Note: To help muddy the waters a bit more it may be of interest to know that Water Street once ran from the Nickel Plate railroad north to the lake. The name of the street morphed into; Part 1 - West River Road; Part 2 - Liberty Avenue and Part 3 – Main Street. But even as late as 1908 long-time residents of the village occasionally referred to the entire roadway as Water Street.] In any case John and Carrie later took up housekeeping in a house at 201 Huron Street.
John was a "Pilot" on a gill-netter called the "Rainbow owned by the Kishman Fish Company. The tug is pictured here near the Kishman docks in the summer of 1917. The steam-powered gill-netter was at the time very likely basking in the blush of commercial fishing’s Golden age. But that didn’t last long. During the late 1930’s the aged gill-netter lay abandoned on her side near a dock at the Vermilion Yacht Club. Local marine Capt. Clifford Parsons was hired to dispose of her – and did. He dried her out and towed her with his tug “Alma” out into a deep part of Lake Erie and sunk her. But no sooner had she gone beneath the surface than up she came again like a cork - much to the consternation of both Parsons and the Coast Guard. Bobbing around in the lake it would have become a very real navigational hazard. Capt. Parsons did however solve that problem. But as late Vermilion historian George Wakefield so poetically put it, “he finally put an end to the Rainbow.”
About the same time of this incident John and Carrie left town moving to Erie Pennsylvania where John worked for the Erie Sand and Gravel Company, and then the Talon Zipper Company. The reason for this sudden change in occupation is (and will always likely remain) unknown. But in 1958 the couple retired and moved back to Vermilion. And then, in the spring of 1962 Carrie, while working in the flower garden behind their home, was scratched by a plant. It was by and large an unspectacular laceration. But it became severely infected and very unexpectedly, not to mention shockingly, she died. In August of the same year John also sailed on after her into eternity.
When I was a very little guy, I used to go through old photo albums that I found in the family bookcase. I would look at the people – study their faces, their clothing – and wonder who they were and what they did in their lives; and what became of them. I suppose it is that same curiosity that motivates me to this day. The treasures that lie in just a very simple snapshot from yesteryears such as these never cease to amaze me.
- RNT Monday, November 2, 202
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...
George Frederick, 23 months old song of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Trinter of Hanover Square, died today shortly after noon from Infantile paralysis. The baby has been ill about two weeks, but not until Tuesday evening was the case diagnosed and pronounced Infantile paralysis. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family.
[This is the first time I’ve come across mention of Infantile Paralysis in Vermilion. We would later come to know it as Polio.]
Capt. Beeckel’s football team defeated Capt. Malcolmson’s team on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 18 to 9. Although the ball was slippery and that field wet Coach William said that the teams were improving. They are composed of high school and grammar grades.
[NOTE: The Coach Williams in this piece likely refers to Rev. Williams pastor of the Congregational Church (1912 - 1914). He was exceptionally interested in young people (both boys and girls). Among other things He organized Vermilion’s first boy scout troop. Mr. Beeckel was the town’s mortician.]
The best men of the high school are to be picked for a team to play Amherst High in the near future.
The village council held its regular meeting Monday evening, but besides reports on works in progress about town, sidewalk repair etc., little was done. A resolution from the Board of Health, was read asking for sanitary sewers. This was placed on file. The Nickel Plate was again asked to open Adams Street. After ordering for payment of bills meeting adjourned.
[NOTE: One has to wonder what might have happened if the Nickle Plate had opened a crossing at Adams Street. How would have the town developed if that had happened?]
A reward of five dollars to anyone giving information which will lead to the arrest and conviction of the persons who broke the windows in the shelter house stop 134 L. S. E.
On account of the case of infantile paralysis in town and as the schools will be closed Friday on account of the teachers attending an association meeting and visiting other schools the public schools have been closed for the remainder of the week. The building will be thoroughly fumigated.
[NOTE: I suppose we can relate to this given our Covid-19 environment. I am sincerely impressed with the quick reaction of our ancestors. We should have been so lucky.]
The funeral of Mrs. Albrecht, Amherst oldest woman, age 96, was held on Sunday. Rev. Lindenmeyer conducted the services.
The funeral of Miss Leonard was held from the home Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Black of Massillon, a former pastor and friend of the family officiated. The remains being interred in the Evergreen Cemetery.
The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Jno. C. Nickel met with a painful accident Sunday. An older son was sent upstairs after a bottle of wood alcohol and on the way down dropped the bottle the content splashing up into the baby’s face. The poison acted quickly and soon the eyes became badly swollen, and not getting relief the little one was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment.
[YIKES!]
Fred Wilford is very ill at this writing.
Mrs. V. Leimbach attended the funeral of Mrs. Pippert at Birmingham Wednesday.
Several from this place attended the funeral of Miss Mabel Leonard South Amherst Tuesday.
The English black and tan Trixie, one of the famous dogs of A. R. Rumsey’s, died soon after midnight November 2nd. He was buried at 10 o’clock Sunday morning, with all the pomp of a Caesar. His casket was upholstered inside and out with maroon satin, his favorite color. He wore his little red velvet blanket and ribbon that he wore in life. His sermon at the grave was read by one who loved him. It was the speech that Sen. Vest made before a jury on the dog. This dog while he only weighed but 12 pounds was born boss. He ruled everything around him, even controlled the pit dog who was born a fighter, one that could eat him up in a moment. He had the courage of a lion and exercised it at all times. His burial was second to none.
Miss Sophia Richardson Louisville Ky. last summer entrusted her two children to the care of her sister, Mrs. Ben Abell, who was supposed to be residing near Vermilion, is greatly worried because she has not heard from the latter for a month. In a letter to Sheriff Reuter, of Erie County, Friday, she asked that official to look into the matter.
The children are a boy of eight and a girl of twelve. Mrs. Richardson says that she has written to her sister addressing a half a dozen missives to Vermilion within the last month and has received no response.
Marshal Grose, of Vermilion, investigated the case Friday and learned that Mrs. Abell and the two children had moved to Lorain early this week. Prior to that they had resided near Vermilion and it is not known why letters were not delivered to her if they were properly addressed. Mrs. Abell’s husband is a fisherman, employed on the tug Sea Wing, now at Ashtabula. – Elyria telegram.
Mrs. R. L. Koran who underwent an operation several weeks ago at Lorraine, was brought home to her home, and is now able to be around.
Mrs. Jas. Cuddeback Mrs. A. Mattison who have been quite ill the past week are reported on the way to recovery.
Owing to the scarcity and high price of all grades of coal, it becomes necessary for me to insist on cash for coal. – C. F. Decker.
Quite a party of the foreigners who have been employed on the railroads here left Thursday evening for the homeland to enter the Army.
Rev. and Mrs. Moyer family were tendered a delightful reception Friday evening at the parsonage on State Street. A large crowd was present to greet the new pastor and his family and bid them welcome to our village. A musical program and short talks and various games were features of the evening. Mrs. John Goetz rendered two solos in pantomime which were heartily enjoyed. A delicious lunch was served.
Mr. Harry Wakefield wishes to say there is not any truth in any rumors going the rounds concerning his health. Owing to us the severe sickness I have had, it has left me very weak, and it will take months for me to regain my strength. Bodily I have no ailment I’m going South for the winter on the kind invitation of Mr. Nick Wegner. I’m getting along as well as I can expect going through what I have. Anyone wishing to know any of my affairs come to me, and things will sound a little different than what other people are saying.
[NOTE: I guess rumors of his death were greatly exaggerated.]
Mr. Carly of Florence was buried last Friday.
Edwin Crandall who is been ill for some time is able to be out again.
Miss Reita Funk was absent from her duties at the store on account of illness a couple of days last week.
A busier town is never been known, then Birmingham on election day.
The funeral of Mrs. Pippert of the Henrietta was held last Wednesday afternoon.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Koppenhafer Sunday, November 3rd, a son.
The sad tidings of Miss Estella Cooley’s death which occurred at the home of her father, Mr. Ransom Cooley of Toledo, Tuesday has reached her many friends of this place. Ms. Cooley’s girlhood days were spent in this place and last summer she spent several weeks here with friends and relatives. Funeral arrangements are not known at this time but is understood That interment will take place on Friday afternoon at the Brownhelm cemetery.
MRS. EDSON Some persons confuse the name Edson with Edison. F.Y.I. the name Edson (as may be obvious by this little obit) is an old one in Vermilion.
…The office as postmaster in Sandusky is held for the first time by a German, George Daniel, who came to America as a lad in the 40's. The German element is represented in the city council by thirteen, and in the school board by twelve members. Dr. Von Schulenburg was the chairman of the committee on German instruction for several years. The board of cemetery trustees is exclusively German, viz.: John G. Strobel, Jacob Witzel and Louis Duennisch.
German Physicians.—Drs. Von Sick, Silva, Philip Graefe, Lange and Enderle ('48- 50). Heiter, Leop. Pape, William and Chades Graefe, Szendery and Von Schulenburg. William Graefe is a conservative and skillful surgeon and has spent several years abroad attending lectures in the Universities of Berlin and Vienna. Dr. C. Heiter was educated ' and took his degree in a Russian college. Dr. Von Schulenburg was educated in Germany and has a large practice among the Germans.
The German language was taught as early as '52 in pay schools by Charles Plate, Hoffman, Keller and Lehrer, through the arduous work of Adam Bauer, the first German school director, who served his constituents faithfully for nearly twenty years. It was finally introduced in the public schools of Sandusky and became a part of the regular course of study. Nearly a thousand children are benefited by it at this day.
German Press.—The first German paper published in Erie county was the Intelligenz-Blatt, by Ruemmele and Ruess. The first number made its appearance in April 1851; it existed for nearly twenty years.
In 1856 the Baystadt Demokrat entered the field as a rival. Captain L. Traub was the first publisher. A few months later it was sold to Jacob Hertel, who was editor and proprietor till 1873, when it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, William Senn. It has greatly improved in size and appearance since then and has become the exponent of true Democratic principles under his regime. It is well conducted and prosperous.
By all their love for the new, the Germans never failed to take a proportionate interest in the welfare of the old fatherland, and many an imposing procession, that wends its way through the streets of the town testifies plainly of their ardent and true love for their former home. The capitulations at Sedan and following restoration of the old German Empire manifested itself by an outburst of joy and jubilee. At the bicentennial anniversary of German emigration in 1883, the strength of the German element was plainly seen. It was a multitude of thousands, that turned out on that bright Sunday afternoon to honor their pilgrims. A very accurate account of this celebration was published in the local columns of the Sandusky Demokrat, October 9, 1883, and we take the liberty to quote from it:
"A gala day. Two thousand in procession and six to eight thousand at the fair ground; the most imposing demonstration ever witnessed in Erie county. The procession started from the West Market at 2 P. M., under…
SOUTH SHORE: A jar of salad olives from Vermilion's old South Shore "pickle packing plant". I, somehow, have 2 cases of these. At one time the black print on the labels was printed at the old print shop.
I created this photo painting to be used in the window at the museum. I'm going to enlarge it along with an old bottle of Coca-Cola for that purpose. I thought both interesting artifacts. [Thinking it over now I might, however, use an old bottle of pop from Vermilion's old pop works.] We shall see.
Have you heard about the latest diet craze?
You're allowed to eat anything you like, but only in the presence of naked fat people!
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 36 - November 7, 2020
Archive Issue #921
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