"ALL SAINTS
IT TAKES A VILLAGE...: It was All Saints Day when I captured this pic of the neighborhood kids gathered around a table in our livingroom. Georgi (my wife) had put together a halloween craft project for the youngsters to work on and take home; and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Georgi likes to have the kids around. And they like to be around.
During the summer it's of some interest to know what this neighborhood bunch is about. By and large they play together nicely. But not and then there's a tear in the fabric of their relationships. There's anger; jealousies; and other things that - if you were as fortunate when their age - you can identify with. And so - some of the kids come to Geo with their grievances. And she listens. (You really don't have to do much more than that.)
Toward the end of summer they formed a club. Part of the function of the organization was to interview some of the neighbors. They interviewed Georgi. And they interviewed Ken - our neighbor from across the street. (They wouldn't interview me because I am notoriously aloof and a bit grumpy.) But, whatever the case, I find the youngsters terribly amusing.
There are some older kids too. Teenagers. These kids like to play in the street. The girls twirl batons and watch the boys on their skateboards. The boys have been trying to jump in the air; flip their boards; and land on them. They've been doing this for about two years and have yet to master the move. ( Never mind that I saw a girl their age in another neighborhood do tricks on her skateboard that would make them burn theirs if they were to see her work.)
In any case, whether directly or indirectly involved with the youngsters they're fun. I'm glad my wife - the consumate teacher and social-worker - takes the time to interact with them. I'm certain those interactions are something that they'll carry with them for the whole of their lives. It'll always be a part of their personal histories.
Historically,
"Construction on this project was started on July 15, 1949..."
PASTOR WINSTON BUILDS A CHURCH: When the church building in this photograph was taken by Vermilion photographer Richard Koontz. I was five years old. At that time one could count the number of village churches on one hand. There was St. Mary's Catholic Church, led by Father Paul Brissel, the Evangelical and Reformed Church (E&R), witli the Reverend Norman Greenawalt at the helm, the First Congregational Church piloted by the good Reverend Earl T. English, and a Gospel Church on State Street that was served by Pastor A.- Lee Winston. (Note: At this writing I am unsure if the reference I found to Winston's church refers to that of the present day Harbourtown Community Foursquare Church on State Street or one at another site.) In this photo Reverend Winston and his brother-in-law, Reverend Edward Englehardt of Pittsburgh, PA, have swapped their professional clothes for overalls, and their Bibles for hammers and trowels to construct the building that citizens may now recognize as the Vermilion Church of God on Decatur Street across from South Street School. Construction on this project was started on July 15, 1949, and with the exception of three weeks Rev. Winston spent at the annual Missionary Conference at Beulah Beach, work continued until it was finished early in 1950. With the help of Englehardt, all of the concrete and brick work on the 23 X 46 foot building was accomplished by Winston. The trusses for the roof were built with the assistance of the pastor's father, Lee Winston, - of Crothersville, Indiana. At the time Winston had served his local church for about 10 months and had been an ordained minister for 12 years. Mr. Winston, a native of st. Louis, Missouri, was no stranger to construction projects of this nature. After receiving his education at Ashbury College in Willmore, Kentucky, where hemet and married his wife Frances, he erected orphanage dormitories, and in Columbus, Ohio built a church parsonage. Prior to coming to Vermilion, in November of 1948, he had completed the construction of a church in Franklyn, Indiana. Another item of local interest concerns a lady' the Winston couple became acquainted with while attending college in Kentucky. Her name was Lenore Grant. She was the daughter of a Vermilion couple, Mr. & Mrs. William Grant. Lenore married a missionary, Rev. Pitman, and travelled to South America to carry on the work of the church. Sometime during the 1940's she died at a mission in Brazil. Koontz's photograph of the Reverends' building this church that for many years was affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, whose has a headquarters at Beulah Beach, is also interesting for the many things that do not appear in it. Today the church is surrounded by homes. In the original article that appeared with this identical picture in The Vermilion News on September 8, 1949 the building was said to have been set on a cement and block base exactly 22 feet from the street line "to line with other new construction on the street". It is more than likely that several homes were being built just to the north of the church. Many of the homes behind it on Jefferson Street were not built until the mid to late 1950s. I recall visiting one of the Jefferson Street houses with my school drafting class as it was being built - probably around 1959. However; that which the picture graphically illustrates is the true breadth of the little Village of Vermilion just a step over 50 years ago. While some homes did 'exist along Jefferson Street, at the very west end of South Street, and beyond the wood behind the church at the end of Thompson / Edson Street this was, for all intents and purposes, the very west end of town. And it was in this suburban wilderness that Reverend Winston raised his second church.
Ref: Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 9/02/2004; Written 8/28/2004.
THE WINNER.
GEORGE DIENER FISHING TOURNEY WINNER: Last Saturday the 8th Annual George Diener (Steelhead) Fishing Tournament was held at the Olympic Outing Club in Vermilion, O. George, my late father-in-law, was an avid fisherman. Ergo; the tourney is very appropriate.
This year the fishing was not all that good. It's been much better in years past. The fish were small and few. However; if there'd been a prize for the prettiest fish the one (above) caught by George's son, Terry, would've won that prize hands down. As it turned out this was the prize catch of the tournament.
I do have a pic of all the contestants in the tourney that I'll use at a later time (because there were many). But I thought this fish was so pretty that I had to use this photo this week.
As ye can plainly see it was also a pretty auntumn day. So whether the fish were biting or not it was nice to be out and about. [I should mention, however, that after the tournament Terry went back up the river and caught two more steelhead that were a good deal larger than the one pictured.]
PAINTING THE TOWN: As previously mentioned this is a preview piece for a new webpage that I am currently developing. Using a new software program in conjunction with Adobe's Photoshop CS4 & 5 I am able to take some already wonderful pix of Vermilion, O. and make them (at least in my view) more "wonderfuller"
PRE-OWNED HOME W/OUT WHEELS: A gentleman named Drew Penfield (I believe Drew lives in Texas) sent me this great pic of what I'm assuming once was Lake Shore Electric car #166. [She's a beaut!]
Until I saw this pic I'd completely forgotten about the car. Once upon a time it sat on the north side of Lake Road near (west of) a service station at Vermilion-On-The-Lake. The service station is currently an auto repair garage.
The photograph was taken a a fellow named Tom Bailey in 1965-66 as he was passing through Vermilion visiting various Lake Shore Electric sites. Mr. Bailey also lives in Texas.
Drew told me that he thinks that the car was destroyed by a fire about a year after the pic was taken. I honestly don't know what happened in Vermilion during those specific years because I was in Vietnam. [Perhaps someone who was in town can enlighten me.]
Anyway, I glad to have the pic, and to be reminded of things I have long forgot.
November 06, 2010 7:43 AM
Beautiful.
AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW THING: This will not take the place of the "Macabre" stuff all the time - but will supplement whilst I search for more macabre stories to tell.
So stay tuned...
March 6, 1902.
Council Meeting.
The Council met in regular session Monday evening. All members were present also the mayor, town clerk, treasurer and one of the cemetery trustees. The time was mostly taken up by the reports of the various committees and the treasurer and cemetery trustees. Beside the financial support the trustee stated that they had procured the services of P. J. Miller is Sexton for Maple Grove Cemetery at a salary of $420 and house rent. He is to devote all his time to the work and furnish a horse and wagon. His year is to commence April 1. The treasurer then handed over the corporation funds for the Council to count, as is required by law, after which it was returned to him. A communication from A. H. Leimbach and J. Brown was read asking for a franchise for a gas, electric light, and water plant. A committee was appointed to a enquire into the matter and report at the next meeting. During the passage of the bills a discussion arose over one of B. F. Horton's for $7.50 with interest for three years. Finally the interest was taken off and the bill was passed under protest of N. Fischer who claim the bill to be for earth taken from a street instead of from Horton's property. The Council was informed of the Geo. Fisher damage case and measures taken for defense. The council then adjourned.
--------------------
Obituary.
Lucretia T. Johnston was born in Frederickstown, Md., 1833. She lived in Tiffin, Ohio until she came to womanhood. She was married to John H. Johnston in North Amherst in 1857, and immediately afterward came to Vermilion, in which town she has resided ever since only when in the home of her daughter. She entered into rest March 2nd at 1:30 PM. Her husband John Johnston departed this life April 7, 1887. She leaves two children, Mrs. Burton Parsons and Mr. Charles Johnston, both of Toledo, one sister, Mrs. H. M. Edson and brother, Mr. Howard Thomas Riggs of Sandusky. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 5, at the Cong'l Church, Rev. Kaley officiating.
-------------------- Card of Thanks.
We wish to express our many friends and our gratitude for sympathy and kindness shown us in the loss of our dear mother and sister, and for their assistance in our return to her old home to lay her at rest in Maple Grove with those who have gone before. We especially desire to thank the friends who so kindly opened their homes to us for entertainment and material comforts. Mrs. B. Parsons, C. H. Johnson, Mrs. H. M. Edson.
-------------------- FARMERS, ATTENTION!
Anyone wishing the Universal fence should send in their orders before April 1st, as I am now prepaired to fill all orders promptly. John H. Miller, State St.
-------------------- Democratic Caucus.
The Democrats will meet in the Town Hall, March 15th at 2:30 o'clock standard time, to nominate candidates for Township officers, and also at 7:30 o'clock to nominate candidates for corporation offices. By Order of Com.
-------------------- Another Proposition.
The Council is again been asking for franchise for operating water-works, gas and electric lights in Vermilion. This is the second time within six months that franchises have been asked for. A committee has been appointed to look after the matter and their report will be awaited with interest. The subject will bear careful investigation and many points can be taken into consideration. There are many towns which are operating plants of their own and making money, while others are losing on the venture ready to sell at the first opportunity. Then there is the question as to whether a vote for waterworks and kindred improvements could be carried or not. All difficulties might possibly be avoided by letting a private corporation have the franchise. We need the improvements there is no question as to that, but how to get them without great cost is another matter. Vermilion is about the only port on the lake that has no modern improvements. Strangers are not very favorably impressed with our methods of street lighting and also think it is singular that with Lake Erie's blue waters so invitingly near, and nature's filters hard by, we must depend upon rainwater for a steady diet. A very discouraging outlook indeed. The gentlemen who made application for a franchise are very much in earnest and we hope some action may be taken in the matter the spring.
-------------------- Those Who Live On or Near Lake Erie,
Who desire to entertain summer boarders this coming season should be represented in the annual booklet called “Summer Outing” issued by the Nickel Plate Road. Twenty-five thousand of these booklets will be distributed over the country in a few months. Write at once giving post-office address, nearest station to the Nickel Plate Road; distance between your home and Lake Erie number of borders you can accommodate; rates per day and week and other information. Address. B. F. Warner General passenger agent, 40–39 T3. Cleveland, O.
-------------------- Shore Road.
The best place to buy furniture as Wickens & Ransome Lorain, O. Mrs. Helen Johnson returned home Friday after spending the week visiting friends in Lorain. Miss Mae Andrews has a class in music on the shore. L. A. Cuddeback attended the funeral of Jax. Tisdale last week. Will Young who is been making his home with J. Black, has returned to Berlin. Mrs. Ben Greenhoe was the guest of Elyria friends part of last week. Jas. Risden spent Sunday in Cleveland. Mrs. E. Sherod and Mrs. P. Hahn of Vermilion spent Thursday with Mrs. E. Kishman. Black & Young furnished music for the dance of Axtel Thursday night. There will be an entertainment held at the schoolhouse district number three next Friday evening. Proceeds will go toward buying in organ for the school. Black, Rumsey and Risden are building piers to protect their land from the lake wash. A. Rumsey has his about completed. James Cuddeback is doing the work. Mrs. Eldridge returned home Saturday after spending the week at Ceylon. Mesdames F. Pelton, Mary Childs and Miss Blanche Yates spent Saturday with Mrs. H. Johnson.
-------------------- Local Briefs.
You may want a new carpet for some furniture the spring.: Wickens and Ransom, Loraine, O. Ask your grocer for White Heather Flour. G. E. Whitmore was a Cleveland visitor Monday. O. K. Todd is spending the weekend in New London. Ms. Edith Hahn was a Lorain visitor Wednesday. The Schubert's are to be here Tuesday evening, March 11th. Capt. Hasebhlue [sic] is the guest of his father at Blissfield, Mich. The J. K. Secor is having a new smokestack put in place and is undergoing other repairs Mr. and Mrs. Rice spent the latter part of last week at Cleveland, Rocky River and Dover Bay. Ed Lamp's naptha arrived from Erie, Pa. this week via the Lake Shore Ryd., and will soon be placed in the water. Dance invitations and programs, wedding stationery, visiting cards, in fact, anything in the printing line can be had at the News office. I have added a line of Mattresses Springs and Cots to my undertaking business. Prices reasonable. C. H. Englebry. The tug Favorite is being thoroughly overhauled and will be in the first class condition. Engineer Grieves has charge of her machinery and I. D. Howard is Capt. The Lake Shore Ry. Co. is in hard luck again. Monday morning a freight wreck occurred near Amherst and in the afternoon another at Ceylon. Ms. F. E. Myers is attending the openings at Pittsburgh and Cleveland, and will return Friday, March 7th with a full line of spring and summer millinery. L. U. Todd was a Sandusky visitor Tuesday. To hear the Schubert's and reader will be a rare treat. H. Leiheiser spent the latter part of last week in Toledo. Miss Kate Leiheiser returned from Cleveland Sunday evening. Miss Laura Spenner of Florence spent last week with Axtel friends. V. Leinbach wishes to thank those who kindly assisted him in moving. Will Andrews will move into Postmaster Kane's house in the near future. Dogs are being killed in Lorain on account of showing signs of hydrophobia. Last season the Schubert's traveled in 28 states with many return dates. Mrs. Emma Nagele he has rented her place to William Staley of Avery who will move soon. New paragraph V. Leimbach and two sons left last week for Michigan where they will make their future home. Attention was attracted Saturday by a fish tugged out in the lake off this port. Destination unknown. The Deveney has broken the ice in the river and but for wind driving it back nets would probably have been set. The great beauty about Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin is in its certainty to cure constipation, indigestion, sick headache and stomach troubles. Sold by Nuhn & Trinter. The fish tug Active of Pt. Clinton has been undergoing repairs here this winter and is now nearly ready to be launched. It is been practically rebuilt. The boiler in the tug Markwell has been lowered and other tugs in the harbor have been undergoing repairs and are nearly ready for the spring fishing. Lost–A five dollar bill Wednesday afternoon, between residences O. F. Hatch and George Fey. Finder please return to Mrs. A. Jones and receive the reward. The Central Union Traffic Association has announced that bicycles and baby buggies will not be checked free hereafter. Regular express rates will be charged Henry Schmoll and his family entertained about 20 of their friends at supper Sunday evening in honor of Mr. Schmoll's 52nd birthday anniversary. He was presented a beautiful silk umbrella as a token of esteem. The lecture committee has yet heard nothing definite concerning Dr. Woods lecture. He is at present in a sanitarium. If his health will permit after his return, we have his assurance that he will be here. If it will be impossible to get Mr. Wood, the committee will make strenuous efforts to duplicate the lecture. Rather a queer accident occurred at the L. S. Ry. bridge at This place Saturday morning. While a freight train was crossing the bridge, acar loaded with coke jumped the track, broke loose from the train and fell to the ground beneath the bottom side up. It was completely smashed. And now comes the most singular part of the affair. The trainmen were not aware of the loss and supposed the train had broken in two. When they come to couple up again it was found that something was wrong. The car was then found. The accident was caused by a broken flange.
-------------------- A New Firm.
G. L. Sherod sold an interest in his meat market to George B. Krapp Monday. Mr. Krapp is well known in Vermilion an vicinity. We wish the new firm success.
At Last. Yesterday was payday on the Lake Shore Electric Ry. A crowd of men was on the street awaiting their turn. It is a relief to many who have been waiting so long for their hard earned cash.
-------------------- Obituary.
The funeral of David L. Washburn occurred at his residence at Birmingham, Wednesday, February 26, J. H. Elliott officiating. Mr. Washburn was born in Connecticut, January 12, 1813, and died in Birmingham, Ohio, February 22, 1902, at the age of 89 years. At the age of six years he came with his parents to Ohio. The family settled in Vermilion township, in which he continued to reside until the year 1884. He then moved to Birmingham it has since resided in that village till his death. The 11th day of January, 1834, he was married to Irene Beardsley with whom he lived a peaceful and pleasant life for 60 years. Mr. Washburn was a man of correct principles, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a kind, genial friend and neighbor, and it is believed that the persecution and ignomy so maliciously heaped upon a son, so shocked and pained his sensitive nature that death was more the result of the distressed mind than any physical ailment. He seemed resigned to his fate and expressed his belief that he would meet his dear ones in the future state; also was seen to reach forth his feeble hand to clasp another hand which he said seem to be extended to him from the other shore welcoming him to a happier home among the blessed. He gave due thought to both the financial and moral interests of his community, and as a result was active in the work about outloawing the saloons in his Township. Mr. Washburn was the second of a family of eight, all of whom are now dead except his brother Amason Washburn of Galena, Ohio. His children are: Mrs. Bradley of Brownhelm, Mrs. Shoff of Birmingham, Wheeler Washburn of Brownhelm township, Mrs. Brush of Berea, Watson Washburn (lately deceased) and Deeling of Medina. Besides these are 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of friends to mourn their loss.
Hmmmmmm....
RECALLING VERMILION’S PIPE ORGANS: It was not the first pipe organ in a Vermilion church. The first had been in the gallery of the old Congregational Church that had been built on Lot 130 in the Vermilion Village Public Square on Division Street (now Main) in 1843. That organ had replaced the lap organ/melodeon F.W. Morgan, his wife Emma, and later their son F.e. Morgan, had played during worship services from 1845 untilsometime in the 1870s. When a larger church was constructed on the same site in 1887-88 it found a home in the new church just north of the new (1883) Vermilion Township Hall. The instrument along with the bell from the old building - which had been purchased from the First Presbyterian Church on Cleveland's Public Square in the 1850s - joined some of the bricks and beams of the old structure to become a part of the new. It must have been a joyful reunion. In the Spring of 1896 one of the parishioners, Mr. J.C. Gilchrist, rose from his pew to impart to the congregation his desire to purchase a new pipe organ, and present it to the church in memory of his daughter, Daisy. It is said the congregation received this news with utmost joy and sang the Old 100th By January of 1897 the new organ had been installed at the grand cost of $1250.00, and a professor Andrew of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music honored folks with a recital. The photograph accompanying this column was taken on Children's Day not too long after tlie organ had been installed in the church. It was, perhaps, 1900. The photo is very clear, and' I hope that it shows as well in print. I am enamored by, not only the organ, but by the very ornate glass oil/kerosene chandelier, and sundry other lighting fixtures on th walls of the room. The beautiful paper on the walls, the plants, and the patriotic decor surprise me. The beautifully carved wood on the piano and the table to the lower left are quite stunning. As a lifelong member of this .particular church, I remember this organ, as well as the church building, very well. Those unfamiliar with the building will now know it as the Millett Auction House. As the years passed the chandelier and oil lamps were, of course, replaced by lighting of a more practical nature (i.e. electric lights). The windows at each side of the organ disappeared and, as the church grew in numbers, were replaced by meeting rooms. For a number of years my mother played this organ, as well as the organ at St. Mary's Church just across Victory Park. I, along with all my brothers and sisters -. not to mention probably 25% or more fellow Vermilionites sang in the choirs here. There was, believe it or not, plenty of space in the gallery in front of the organ for a choir of 20 to 30 people. My memories of this place and that organ are very, very palpable. Church attendance in those days was not a requisite thing, It was more than that. It was something people wanted to do. It was a place where people wanted to be. Today there is another new Congregational Church (1957) on State Street. Today there is another new organ (1957) in that church. In fact, it has just undergone a major overhaul. What a beautiful instrument. But oddly enough there is also a very old instrument in that church, It also, is very beautiful. Encased in glass, it is the very first organ / melodeon used by the congregation. It is that which still remains of a very precious time and place in yesteryear.
SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW: The idea for this piece began as an idea for a coffee-table book of historical photographs of Vermilion, Ohio and, hopefully, it will (someday) be realized.
Originally the concept - as previously stated - was just a picture book. But after mentioning such a project in an issue of my weekly web page - Vermilion Views - a reader by the name of Scott Dommin suggested that it might be interesting if it featured photographs of how people, places, and / or things in the City of Vermilion, Ohio appear today along with photos showing how they appeared in the past. Ergo; the title "Now & Then".
"What a great idea." I told both myself and Scott.
[NOTE: I've said that this is going to take some time; and so it is. While I can actually have such a book published at no cost to myself such a venture menas that I have very little control over the make-up of the a book. I don't like the trade-off. So - I'm currently toying with the idea of acquiring equipment and publishing my "stuff" (as well as others) myself. Nothings ever easy. Another publisher has contacted me about this project. And as soon as I am able I'll get back to them. I'm working on about probably ten projects at any one time. So...]
If you've read through the "Briefs" section of "VV" today you will note that in 1902 the Village of Vermilion, O. did not have (among other things) a waterworks. The talk at that time was of allowing private contractors a franchise for such an enterprise. [In retrospect it might not have been such a bad idea.] In any case the village eventually erected a water-tower in Hanover Square on the southwest corner of Ferry and Grand streets.
Then, during the mayor term of Leonard Osberg (1940-1946) the landmark tower with which numerous people are currently familiar was constructed on Water Street / West River Road just south of the Vermilion River auto bridge. Currently Rotary Park surrounds it.
A new tower was constructed east of town along High Bridge Road within the last decade. And for all practical purposes (except as a landmark) the riverside tower is not longer useful. But she's a beaut!
November 06, 2010 8:03 AM.
THE FIRE-LANDS: I found the following information re: the early inhabitants of our area to be extremely informative. Methinks you will also.
I am getting better at transcribing these passages so there are fewer mistakes. But I like to read as I go - and sometimes I fill in the blanks. So tread carefully this trail through yesteryear.
The following series will take thee to the south of Vermilion in the Clarksfield area. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.
...the fine brick church built l875 located Clarksfield. The second class of this denomination was formed at the "hollow" as early as 1825. The following are all that can now be remembered of the first class: Abram Gray and Anna, his wife; Andrew McMillan and Effie, his wife; Harvey Smith and Maria, his wife; and Nancy Nickerson. Meetings were first held at the residence of Abram Gray, and from there to the school house in the "hollow." In about 1835, the present church was built. This has been improved since. The Rev. Mr. Hazard is thought to have been the first resident minister. The present pastor is Rev. Hiram Royce. The present church officers are: Barney Cooper, Joseph Stiles and Samuel D. Gray, trustees; William E. Starr, superintendent of Sabbath school. The average attendance of children is fifty. Present church membership, seventy-five. The East Clarksfield Methodist Episcopal church was formed in 1837 or '38. The following are the constituent members: Alexander Twaddle (who was the first class leader), Sarah Twaddle, Henry S. Barnes, Lydia Barnes, Armon Rusco, Sarah Rusco. E. B. Nickerson, Nancy Nickerson, Elizabeth Twaddle, Charles and Jennie Blackman, Patience Gifford and Adam Shank. Meetings were first held in the houses of Alexander Twaddle and others, and afterward in a log school house standing on lot one in the second section, upon the same site the present church stands. This was dedicated in June, 1870. Its cost was two thousand dollars. The first minister was James Brewster. The present is Rev. Edward L. Warner. Church officers: Aaron Rowland, William Phillips, Thomas Burrows, Giles Scott, Jacob Meyers and Philander Barrett, trustees; H. S. Barnes, William Tewilliger and John Hand, class leaders. Average attendance at Sabbath school, seventy. Superintendent, Ashley Barnes. Membership of church, one hundred and twenty. There was at one time a large and prosperous Baptist church in the township. Many of the early settlers were members of it, but it passed out of existence many years since.
SCHOOLS.
Coming, as the first settlers did, from New England, they early appreciated the advantages of education, and two years after the beginning of the settlement, a log school house was erected. This stood, perhaps, sixty rods south of the "hollow," and in it Miss Abzina Barker taught a term of school. This was supported by the inhabitants, who paid according to the number of children sent to school. This "dome of learning" remained for a few years and was burned, it is believed by some of the enterprising (?) young men, then infesting the "hollow." A frame school house was soon after erected, and about the same time another was built on the west side of Vermillion river, in what was then called the "Stiles settlement," and others were built according to the wants of the settlement. In those early times, the scholars made but little progress, as the schools were not continued for more than three months in the year, so that what instruction they gained during the term was generally lost during the long vacation that followed.
SOCIETIES.
Clarksfield Grange, No. 1174, P. of H., was organized April 18, 1875, with the following charter members : C. C. Clark and wife, E. M. Day and wife, J. M. Rogers and wife, John J. Dunning and wife, D. K. Winans and wife, J. Knapp and wife, J. M. Tuttle and wife, L. Gibson and wife, M. Gregory, Mrs. Sarah Day, Miss Harriet Rogers, A. Collingwood, L. Johnson, F. Wildman and wife, Henry Hardy and daughter. The society has convened, from its organization, at the residence of J. M. Tuttle, once each month, on the Saturday evening preceding the full moon. The total membership is now (1878) sixteen. The officers for 1878 are ; C. C. Clark, master ; J. M. Tuttle, overseer ; D. K. Winans, lecturer; Mrs. C. A. Day, chaplain ; A. Collingwood, steward ; J. M. Rogers, assistant steward ; E. M. Day, secretary ; M. Gregory, treasurer ; L. Gibson, gatekeeper : Mrs. C. C. Clark, Pomona ; Mrs. Sarah Day, Flora ; Miss Hattie Rogers, Ceres; Mrs. Anna Collingwood, lady assistant steward. The temperance society, known as Good Templars, have twice organized in the township, and became flourishing and promising, but the interest would subside, and the operations of the order finally ceased.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The first of the manufacturing industries in Clarksfield township was a grist mill, built by Samuel Husted, in the year 1818. It was small, substantially built, and had one run of stone. Before this mill was built, the settlers had their grinding done at Merry's mill, in Milan, a distance of fourteen miles, and sometimes in Richland county, which was much farther. The present grist mill at the hollow, was built as early as early as 1838, by Messrs. Squires and Lawton. It was purchased by the present owners, Messrs. Hayes and Barnum, in 1877, they paying for the property (grist and saw mill) six thousand five hundred dollars. The grist mill has three run of stone, and is thoroughly equipped throughout. In 1831, Smith Starr erected the first saw mill in the township. It was propelled, as was the grist mill, by the water of the Vermillion river. A few years after the beginning of the settlement, a whisky still went into operation at the "hollow." A second distillery was established at " Hayesville," as early as 1827. Percy, Wheeler and Johnson were the projectors of it. and if was in operation but a few...
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
VERY RARE PHOTOGRAPHS: My grandfather, Pearl Roscoe, passed away in the early months of 1945. Just about that time he was becoming familiar with Kodak film and color slides. I am priviledged to have a good number of those slides. A cousin, Dave Lindsay, who currently lives in Texas, sent them to me several years ago and I'm just getting around to looking at them. [My equipment and knowledge of how to use that equipment has improved since then.]
Anyway, this pic of some Vermilion High School majorettes was among the slides I looked over this week. I've no idea as to who the girls might be. And I'm guessing (of course) but I'd say the pic is c.1944. It was taken in front of the Vermilion Township Hall and looks to the north and east.
The batons are something I've never seen before. They look wicked. I don't believe I'd have tried to cross one of these gals if they were hold something like that. It looks as though they could bonk ye on the head pretty good with one of those weapons.
It's a cool pic. Look forward to seeing more color "stuff" from that era.
Maybe this is why they don't teach music in high school any more. Following are actual answers from students on music tests... - The principal singer of nineteenth century opera was called pre-Madonna. - Gregorian chant has no music, just singers singing the same lines. - Sherbet composed the Unfinished Symphony. - All female parts were sung by castrati. We don't know exactly what they sounded like because there are no known descendants. - Young scholars have expressed their rapture for the Bronze Lullaby, the Taco Bell Cannon, Beethoven's Erotica, Tchaikovsky Cracknutter Suite, and Gershwin's Rap City in Blue. - Music sung by two people at the same time is called a duel; if they sing without music it is called Acapulco. - A virtuoso is a musician with real high morals. - Contralto is a low sort of music that only ladies sing. - Probably the most marvelous fugue was the one between the Hatfields and the McCoys. - I know what a sextet is but I'd rather not say. - Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a great many musical com-positions and had a large number of children. In between he practiced on an old spinster which he kept up in his attic. - Rock Monanoff was a famous post-romantic composer of piano concerti.
PODCAST #204:This week the Vermilion Views Podcast #204 I return to the thrilling days of the LakE Shore Electric. This clip was produced by the preeminent electric historian Dennis Lamont. Tis short and sweet...
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.
Also, please note that all the video (MP4) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4" format. If you don't have "Quicktime" it's easy to find and free to download.
NOTE NOTE:Past podcasts are not available in the on-line archive. They just take up too much disk space. But if one really, really, really wants to acquire a copy of a past cast it can be had by contacting me and I will place it on a disc and send it to ye for a minimal fee.
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'".
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
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol.8, Issue 34, November 6, 2010
© 2010 Rich Tarrant