<BG SOUND SRC="fair.mp3">

Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live

Current time in Vermilion -

January 5, 2013 - Bucolic Scene

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

DESKTALK: Using this bucolic scene for the desktop this week is to hopefully provide one (especially myself) with optimistic thoughts of the year ahead. I’ve no specific idea as to the locale where these shadows were captured – but I believe it was somewhere along the Huron River during the very early years of the 20th century. It’s really an unbelievable capture. When I first saw the negative I thought I was seeing a picture of a painting. But it’s real. Hopefully, the year in front of us will be just as real, and just as pleasant.

ADIOS AMIGO: Many “Viewers” may know already – but for those who do not I’m sorry to tell ye that Vermilionite Jimmy Fischer rode off into the sunset on the Saturday just before Christmas.

Jim was a talented thinker, writer, storyteller, leather craftsman, and forever a cowboy. And though he didn’t go with his boots on; in his dreams I’m sure that’s precisely how he went. So adios, Jim; till we meet again.

NEW YEAR OLD BOOK: I’m glad 2012 is over, and it’s time to move along. Over the next few months I’m going to redo and re-publish my old book “Yesteryear”. There are mistakes in that book I want to correct, and I intend to improve the graphics. It’s just a matter of taking the time to do it. Like the first edition this edition will be limited – 100 copies. And like my current tome they will only be made available at the News museum. Given my schedule (or lack of one) it’ll probably take six months to produce this rewrite.

SPEAKING OF BOOKS: I was looking at some Vermilion things in eBay the other day and found the Calvert / Ryan book about Vermilion’s Crystal Beach Amusement Park being sold for as much as $30 a piece. Just for the heck of it I looked for it on Amazon and found it being sold for about $10 new. A-mazing!

THE FLU: Last night (Friday) I came down with the flu. Consequently, this week’s edition of “VV” will be somewhat abbreviated.

Historically,

Vermilion students in Washington in 1965

HOW MANY DO YOU KNOW?

IN WASHINGTON: Pat Creel let me scan this pic some weeks ago. I do have most of the names of the folks in the pic. But as I don't feel at the top of my game today I'll let ye pick them out. I'm sure you will know most. This was in 1965 or '66. Later this week I'll ament this piece and add the names.

Fischer Building

"...across the alley, next door to Baumhart’s place, was Conner’s saloon [currently the Woodstock restaurant]"

ENLARGING UPON A YESTERYEAR: I’ve long admired the attending photograph (i.e. the top photograph) of the wonderful Fischer Building being built on the corner of Liberty and Division (now Main) Street. It was taken by Vermilion News editor / publisher Pearl Roscoe right around the year 1915. Roscoe’s intention was, no doubt, to make a pictorial record of the building of this building. And that it surely is. But thanks to the wonders of the digital age in which we currently live it is also possible to see just a bit further into that yesteryear (i.e. the bottom photo). So let’s take a peek:

The adjacent building, to the right / south, of the Fischer building has a brick façade, and clapboard siding. “Cigars – Tobacco and Cigarettes” are advertised on that siding, along with the name of the Proprietors. Unfortunately, other than the abbreviated word “Bros.”, their names are not visible. Though I would not suggest that anyone do it, I’d be willing to bet that if one were to remove the material now covering the interior wall on that part of the Fischer building they would still see that signage. Years later Mr. Furgason would operate a tobacco store-pool hall-bowling alley in that same spot.

Moving just a storefront to the right of the Tobacco store is Baumhart’s Drug Store. Thinking (figuratively, of course) out loud this revelation confused me at first because I had never thought of the store being located in that place. However, looking back at A.D. Baumhart’s autobiography I found that I had to rethink my understanding of Vermilion’s past. Mr. Baumhart wrote:

“On Dec 3, 1903 our store burned catching fire from other buildings in a frame row. The fire occurred about 4 o’clock so we had time to remove part of the drug stock. In less than an hour I had purchased the Harris drug store then located where Rathbun’s grocery now is [Note: He refers to the site that is currently occupied by the Knotty Pine restaurant] and by seven o’clock next morning was doing business in the new location.” He further recalled, “The following spring the Lake Shore Electric Line was opened and I was made Ticket Agent and Electric Package Agent. My stay here lasted two years and then the store was moved into a part of the room now occupied by Norman Ness. After another period of seven years, I found this room too small, so I built and moved into my present location, June 23 1916.”

Prior to looking closely at the Roscoe photo I was under the impression that the “room now occupied by Norman Ness” was on the west side of Division / Main Street. This photo plainly shows that Mr. Baumhart’s store was on the east side of that street. Assuming that Mr. Baumhart’s autobiographical years were fiscal as opposed to calendar years it all seems logical. Unable to refute the obvious, I readily admit my previous error. (Oops.)

Just across the alley, next door to Baumhart’s place, was Conner’s saloon [currently the Woodstock restaurant]. I am amused by the window displays of liquor bottles. It would be interesting to know the intent. Were they just advertising their wares or did they have carryout? There’s also a sign hanging on the place advertising the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

All these things are, of course, minor details. And I doubt that my grandfather, Roscoe, thought much about them as he captured these shadows 97 years ago. But I’m glad he did.

Ref: Special Thanks to A.C. Tarrant, Roscoe-Tarrant Family Photo Archive; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 01/05/12; Written 01/01/12 @ 12:23 PM.

The Pelton wheel=

Page 45 from Pelton Book

Clara Houseman

Clara Houseman

SHOPTALK:

As I write (on Thursday) there’s a bevy of individuals working upstairs at the shop – cleaning, sorting, etc. I doubt that there have been so many folks working at once here since the place closed in 1964. I’ve become so accustomed to being here alone that it’s a most unsettling feeling. Cool…

CLARA: On the desktop this week is little Clara Houseman. Clara was born in Milan, Ohio on 27 July 1900. She was my 2nd cousin – my mother’s cousin. Her mother and my grandmother were sisters.

When I was a lad (back in the 40s and 50s) I always called her “Aunt” Clara. I believe it was because she was so much older. (She never complained or corrected me.)

Her father, Worlie Houseman, ran grain mills in various places. In 1910 he ran a mill at Birmingham / Florence Township just south of Vermilion. In 1920 he was working as a carpenter in Cleveland. And in 1930 he was managing a grain mill in Colorado. Eventually the family came back to Cleveland. After Worlie and his wife Ella died (I do believe she was hit and killed by an automobile while crossing Lee Road in Cleveland) Clara came to Vermilion and lived in a cottage type home in Nokomis Park. It was quite a nice little house.

She never married. And when she passed on in August of 1976 she left all her worldly belongings to Vermilion’s Ritter Public Library. She was a cute little girl and a very nice adult.

PRINTING: Aside from all the structural projects ahead of us (and utility costs) we’re focusing on getting one of the printing presses in operational condition. That will likely be the Chandler-Price (c.1900) that is the oldest in the building. The estimated cost of reconditioning it at this time is around $500. It will not (at least the thinking is at this time) be powered by electricity. Originally depressing a treadle, like an old sewing machine, ran the press. It would be nice to put it back into the original condition.

PLAQUE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS SPONSORS: We’ll soon have a nice plaque in the museum honoring persons who have contributed funds for special museum projects. At the moment we only have one name. We expect to have many more.

SEARCHING: We currently interested in finding copies of The Erie County Reporter from 1880 to 1920 or '30. Nobody on earth seems to have them. If you have knowledge of any of them we'd appreciate hearing from you. There's a great deal of Vermilion information in them.

FIVE-OH-ONE-CEE-THREE: It’s now official. The museum is officially a 501(c)(3) organization. Consequently, all donations to the museum are tax deductible. This is retroactive to November of 2011. (Thank heaven. Now I can fret about something else for months on end.)

VISITING HOURS: The museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM. On Saturday the museum it is open from 11 AM to 2 PM. A small admission donation of $3 (for adults) is requested. Children under the age of 11 will be admitted for free. Phone For Special Tours: 440-967-4555

POST OFFICE BOX: Please note that the MUSEUM has a post office box now. Now we won’t have to use our home address, nor the one at the shop for mail.

MEMBERSHIPS: Memberships to the VERMILION NEWS PRINT SHOP MUSEUM are now available. Funds generated will go toward the aforementioned renovations and maintenance of the shop.

A single membership for an adult is $15 a year.
A couple membership is $25 a year.
A student membership is $5.
And a lifetime membership is $100.

If you would like to become a member the VNPSM you can send a check or money order to:

Vermilion Print Shop Museum
P.O. Box 792
Vermilion, Ohio 44089

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:Take the time to visit us on Facebook. Click on the badge below and stop in. We'll keep adding pix as we go along. If you're in the area come on in. I try to be there in the a.m. most everyday. If you see a Chevy Silverado out front with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.

Vermilion News Print Shop Museum

Promote Your Page Too

AGAIN - ANOTHER NEW (NOW OLD) THING: Initially I said that "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." But methinks that it's carved out a niche for itself and the "Macabre stuff" with have to find another.

So stay tuned...

Vol. VIII,NO.33– January 26, 1905.

COURT NOTES

The question whether an officer of the law can detain or arrest a person on suspicion without being liable to damages was decided in the common pleas court late Thursday afternoon.

The jury with a few minutes deliberation decided in the affirmative.

The case in question was that of Elmer c. Hageman vs. Patrolman John A. Hennessey of Sandusky for 41,000 damages for alleged false imprisonment. According to the evidence plaintiff is a resident of Lorain county and in August last year went to Sandusky in the interest of a book concern. Patrolman Hennessey found Hageman on Hancock street and believing he was violating the city ordinance covering that matter placed Hageman under arrest. Hageman, who was later discharged, sued Hennessey for damages.

Judge King in presenting Hageman’s case said the city ordinance did not cover this case.

Judge Reed, however, instructed the jury that if they found that the defendant acted without malice damages could not be recovered.

The case was given to the jury at 4 o’clock and in less than 15 minutes returned a verdict for the defendant.

Had the plaintiff secured damages it would have established a dangerous precedent, as a member of the police force would be placing himself liable to damages in every case where a suspicious party was picked up unless the said officer had al of the law books, papers, etc., on his person at the time.

In the case of Lizzie Worden vs. the Modern Woodmen of America for damages the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the full amount with interest, amounting to $1,080.

In the divorce petition of Maud Kean vs. Louis M. Kean defendant files answer and claims he is not a drunkard, that his wife did not leave him because of ill treatment and that he did not know a petition was to be filed.

A piece of land supposed to be located in Florence township is proving quite a puzzle. It has been sold for taxes to J.K. Riblet and he was in Sandusky Thursday looking into the mystery. The property is claimed to exist but a solution is offered by the fact that a river within that vicinity is known to have changed its course.

The case of John R. Hough vs. the Lake Shore Electric Ry. has been settled.

The will of Nicholas Fischer was admitted to probate last week.

LORAIN COUNTY

There are only two cells in the female department of the Lorain county jail, and three prisoners. The commissioners will have this remedied as soon as possible.

Mrs. Beese whose husband was killed on the L.S. & M.S. ray. While in discharge of his duty as brakesman, has sued the company for $10,000.

An Icy Bath

Mr. Leslie Rice met with an accident Wednesday morning, which although resulting in no serious injury, would have been considerably more pleasant six months hence. He had been at work putting up ice and was walking on the river near the water works pumping stations on his way home when he suddenly found himself wholly immersed in the icy water. He had unconsciously walked into a hole caused by the exhaust from the pumps of the station and in the storm did not notice.it until too late. Fortunately John Counter and another man were near by and pulled him out, otherwise he would have gone under the ice to his death. He immediately went home and was cared for, but the shock from the icy bath caused considerable suffering.

Masonic Installation

The Masons and their families had a very pleasant gathering at their hall last evening the occasion being the installation of the following officers.

W.M. – Andrew McGregor.
Sr. W. – G.P. Wahl.
Jr. W. – Harry Stears.
Secy – Chas. Trinter
Treas – Chas. Decker.
Sr. D. – E.C. Rust.
Jr. D. – Wm. Boland
Tyler – John N. Englebry.
Stewards – Capt. Stone and Frank Jones.

After the ceremonies a fine lunch was served and cards and flinch furnished amusement until a late hour. Mrs. Chas. Hahn received the ladies’ prize, a silver clock, and Mr. John Carr, the gentleman’s prize, a deck of cards. Mrs. Moody was consoled with a pickle and toothpick tied with a blue ribbon. Several were obliged to remain at home on account of the inclement weather.

A Former Vermilion Boy Married.

Saturday evening, Dec. 31, 1904, Miss Margaret McKinnon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lachlan McKinnon of East Washing street, and J. Bennett Fox were married. Rev. Herbert Weaver of the First English Lutheran Church officiating.

The couple stood beneath a bower of smilax in whose soft greenery were set the delicate beauty of many Duchesse roses. The bride wore a handsome tailor-made suit of blue broadcloth with hat to match. She carried white flowers. Miss Georgia Basserman acted as maid of honor, and was becomingly gowned in white crepe de chine. The brother of the bride, Aston McKinnon stood with the groom. After the wedding an elaborate supper was served in the dining room, gaily decked with red ribbons and greens. The table was lighted with re-shaded candles and scarlet carnations were in the table center.

Mr. and Mrs. Fox have gone on short wedding tour to San Diego and upon their return will be at home to their friends in their own pretty home, No. 1125 East Eighteenth street. Bothe young people are well known in social circles, the bride being a charming brunette; with bright coloring and the groom a successful young businessman of this city. – Los Angeles, Sunday Times.

Mr. Fox is the son of Mrs. Helen Kelsey Fox and brother of Mrs. Chas. H. Englebry of this place. He grew to manhood near here but went to seek his fortune in the west several years ago. The News joins his many Vermilion friends in wishing the couple a very happy and prosperous married life.

[VV Ed. Note: The grooms mother, Helen Kelsey Fox, was a poet whose poems occasionally appeared in The News during the early years of the 20th century.]

The ladies of Vermilion who sent the Christmas box out to the Light & Hope Orphanage have received a letter from Mrs. Sprunger expressing thanks for the presents and telling of the delight of the children on receiving them.

The dance given by the Vermilion Gil-Net Fishermen’s Union Tuesday evening was a very successful affair throughout. A large number were in attendance.

Ed Law and Capt. Hageman represented the Vermilion Licensed Tugmen in the meeting held at Detroit last week.

Mrs. Jannette Call, who lived with her daughter east of Florence Corners, died on Monday afternoon Had she lived until next Sunday she would have been 93 years old. Funeral services today at noon. Obituary next week.

The ice harvesters will soon have the ice house at this place well filled The ice is of good quality and about 9 inches thick.

Among the announcements of Captains for the United States Transportation Co. is that of Capt. Wm. Blattner who will command the Stmr. A.G. Brower. Success captain.

Mrs. Geo. Pawson was reported quite sick the first of the week.

Talking Water Works.

The people of North Amherst are determined to be right in it with their neighbors. They already have affine electric lighting plant and a Carnegie Library is to be built. Now some of the citizens of that place are talking water works. Some are questioning the advisability of buying water from the Elyria plant or building a system of their own.

Born - Jan. 8th to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Nieding a daughter.

Geo. Baumhart is serving on the jury at the county sent this week.

Lost – Unbrella, Horn handle, gold tip, band with initials, A.J. Finder notify A.J. Giddings, Vermilion, O.

Born – To Mr. and Mrs. Flint Nichols Sunday, Jan.22, a daughter.

After this week the “News” will appear as an all-home print. Those who do not read the “inside” will mist much of interest. We hope the change will be of mutual benefit.

The moving picture entertainment at the Town Hall Friday evening for the benefit of the fireman was fairly well attended. The pictures were good especially those illustrating the life of an American fireman. The entertainment was under the management of Mr. Bushnell of Clyde.

E.T. Bottomley of Toledo is spending the week here.

HEIMGEGANGEN.

VV. Ed. Note: The word “Heimgegangen” translated from German means “home-gone”. Here it is intended to be translated as “Gone Home”.

Mr. Jacob Krapp peacefully fell asleep without a struggle last Friday morning between five and six o’clock. This was a fitting end to months of pain and suffering, through which he had passed.

Mr. Krapp has for years been a successful farmer, living just West of the corporation line. By diligence and thrift he had come with his family into comfortable circumstances, and they lived together in such mutual love and affection, which are not as common these days as they should be. But as a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, came the intelligence that the father of the family was attacked by appendicitis. There were days of dark foreboding and fear, for the outcome of this disease is always doubtful. He was taken to the hospital and an operation was performed which seemed to be entirely successful. He was full of cheer and hopeful and the sun was shining again for the entire family.

The patient, however, soon had to take to his bed again, and the suffering he had to go through cannot be described. He suffered almost everything. Still he uttered no work of complaint. He carried his cross in patience, and it was indeed true in his case: The greater cross the nearer the heaven.

His now relieved from all pain and suffering, and has gone to his eternal home. A few days before his death, he said to his pastor: “I put my entire trust in my Savior. He will not ask what is not right.

Hold though thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

The funeral services were held last Monday. After a short service at the house, the mourning relatives and friends proceeded to the church. The large number that gathered here to pay their last respects spoke loudly of the general love and esteem in which, the departed had been held by all. His pastors, the rev. Wm. G. Klein spoke feelingly of our exceeding great loss, and at his greater gain. The text was: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed unto us.”

…Following is a short sketch of the life of the departed:

Mr. Jacob Krapp was born Sept. 26th, 1852 at Iba, Kurhessen, Germany. He came to America with his parents in 1854. They settled in Vermilion where the family has made its home ever since. At the age of 14, the boy Jacob was confirmed, thereby uniting with the reformed church of which he has remained a true and faithful member all these years. For a long time he served here as a trusted officer, being a deacon and serving as treasurer. In such capacity he fully did his duty and obtained the esteem and love of all. In the year 1873 he united in holy wedlock with Eliza Reifert. This unions was blessed with five children, of which one has preceeded him. He leaves an aged father, a widow, two sons, two daughters, one grandson, three brothers, besides many other relative and friends to sincerely mourn their loss…

Post-Office Discontinued.

The post office at Axtel will be discontinued by order of the department Feb. 15. L.S. Harrison who was postmaster has resigned and there is not enough in it to induce anyone to take the office. Postmaster Kane will take charge of the government property. The patrons of the office will have the star route to look to for their mail or the Vermilion office if they are not on the R.F.D.

Hmmmmmm....

John Englebry's ice wagon

"... Englebry was born in Vermilion, O. September 10, 1866,
and died in Vermilion on the 31st day of March 1928..."

JOHN NICHOLAS ENGLEBRY: The Question: Who was the first person in Vermilion to draw water from the village’s new water system through a faucet in their home? The Answer: It was Mr. John Englebry in early October 1904 shortly after Vermilion’s new water plant had gone into operation. And now that everyone knows something that along with a nickel (or more realistically – 99 cents) won’t get you a cup of coffee, “Here”, as the late radio personality Paul Harvey used to say, “is the rest of the story”.

John Nicholas Englebry was born in Vermilion, O. September 10, 1866, and died in Vermilion on the 31st day of March 1928 at the ripe young age of sixty-one years, 6 months, and twenty-one days. Mr. Englebry’s middle name, Nicholas, is important because he could be easily confused well-known Vermilion undertaker with a very similar moniker – John A. Englebry / Inglebray. The men were probably related, but exactly how is currently unknown (by this writer). Undertaker Englebry was also a good deal older (b. 1838), and had been born in Germany.

The notice of his death published on the front page of The Vermilion News in early April of 1928 makes mention of his education in a curiously worded passage. It says, “Mr. Englebry attended the public schools in Vermilion and when quite young became indentified [sic] with the business interests of the town and continued his business associations until the time of his death.” One might interpret those words several ways, but it certainly leans toward saying, without saying, that the young man who was John N. Englebry was extremely ambitious, but saw little need for a great deal of formal “educating”.

In 1891 he married Amelia Baker, daughter of Dr. B.W. Baker, and the couple took up housekeeping in a house recently vacated by her father on the northeast corner of Ohio and Decatur streets. John’s father, Henry, had worked as a house painter. Thus, it’s not surprising to learn that he had also taken up that occupation. But by 1910 John, his entrepreneurial spirit growing, partnered with local Lake Shore Electric agent Theo. D. Penning (his brother-in-law), and was selling and delivering ice to area businesses and families. He also had a real estate business. He was, in very few words, doing quite well.

In February of 1919 The Sandusky Register reported that Mr. Penning had resigned his position with the electric railroad and had purchased the C.F. Decker Coal and builder’s supply business with Mr. John N. Englebry. [Note: Mr. Decker had started the business with his brother in July of 1886.] When Mr. Penning left the company a nephew, Floyd Englebry Hull, joined the business. And when Mr. Englebry died in 1928 Hull took over full management of the business. Mr. Hull, incidentally, died unexpectedly, a victim of Polio, in December 1951.

The accompanying photo generating this essay is that of John N. Englebry taken as he posed with his ice wagon in the middle of Grand Street in the early years of the 20th century. In the background the two-story building is the old Wells building wherein The Vermilion News was born in 1897. It was also one of Vermilion’s first school buildings – “the Seminary” – moved to the site from Hanover Square to make way for a new water-tower from whence Mr. Englebry acquired the first glass of filtered water in town. The boy on the wagon was probably one of the two foster boys, S. Harris and Floyd Englebry, raised by John and Amelia. A sign over the walk in the background tells us where George (the man who gave Vermilion a fine public library building) Ritter’s father kept his tailor shop. And another sign shows us where Vermilion’s post office was once located. The inset photo is the fleet of Englebry-Hull delivery trucks lined up aside their weighing station just east of Division / Main street c. 1940. The talent and ambition of John Nicholas Englebry as a rare today as they were in a yesteryear.

Ref: Sandusky Register; 1/07/1891; 2/01/1919; 4/03/1928; The Star Register; 12/21/1951; 12/31/1951; The Vermilion News 4/05/26; Special Thanks to A.C. Tarrant – Roscoe-Tarrant Photo Archive; Published in the Vermilion Photojournal 09/06/12; Written 09/02/12 @ 12:10 PM.

ERNEST H. VOLWILER

Ernest H. Volwiler invented Pentothal, an anesthetic used in surgery.

Volwiler was born on August 22, 1893, in Hamilton, Ohio. He graduated from Miami University with a bachelor's degree. Volwiler then earned a Masters degree and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Illinois. Upon graduating with his doctoral degree, Volwiler accepted a position with Abbott Laboratories, near Chicago, Illinois.

At Abbott Laboratories, Volwiler first served as a chemist. By the time that Volwiler retired from this company, he had become its chief executive. His greatest contribution to medicine was the development of Pentothal. Pentothal is also sometimes used in interrogations, because, when applied to a person, it tends to make the subject more truthful. Because of this discovery, Volwiler was eventually inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio.

Volwiler remained at Abbott Laboratories for his entire career. He died on October 3, 1992.

"The township was named after the principle river
emptying into the lake through its territory..."

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 townships south of Vermilion. Methinks you'll find this history quite fascinating.

THE PIONEERS.

BELLEVUE.

…through here from the four points of the compass — north, south, east, and west. New impetus to the life of the village was given by this event, and the town rapidly increased in population. The country had also been rapidly settled, and Bellevue, situated in the midst of a fine wheat growing country, came to be an important market for the shipment of grain. The Higbee flouring mill was erected in 1850, and other manufacturing enterprises were soon established. The Mad River road was lost to the place in 1855, but the detriment to business on this account was not serious. The town continued to enlarge and populate, while the surrounding country in every direction became thickly settled with an industrious farming population.

INCORPORATION.

The town was incorporated by act of legislature January 35, 1851, its charter limits embracing an area of about one mile from east to west, by about one half mile from north to south, the center of the area being the central point of intersection of Main street with the county line. In the month of February 24, 1851, the following were chosen the village officers: Abraham Leiter, mayor; S. L. Culver, recorder; Thomas G. Amsden, Eliphalet Follett, Benjamin F. McKim, David Armstrong and Joseph M. Lawrence, trustees. The corporate limits were enlarged in 1869, so as to be about one mile and a half from east to west and from north to south. The present village officers are: Peter Brady, mayor; H. F. Baker, clerk; J. A. Higbee, John Scullen, William West, Joseph Egle, C. D. Stoner and E. H. Smith, councilmen: William Mayne, marshal.

DISTINCT CLASSES OF POPULATION.

The village has a population, today, of about three thousand and inhabitants. This population embraces not less than four distinct classes of people, each of which is represented by about the same number of individuals. First three are those of American birth, whose parents came to this region at an early day, from New England or New York State, and who were the real pioneers. Representative families of this class are the Chapmans, the Woodwards, the Harknesses, the Woods (the Bourdett branch), the Sheffields, the Greenes, the Bakers, etc. Second, there are the Pennsylvania people, many of whom came, likewise, at an early day — a thrifty, sober and industrious class. They are represented by, the Moores, the Hillbishes, the Sherchs, the Leiters, the Boyers, the Kerns, etc. Third, came the English, England born, of whom may be mentioned the Greenslades, the Wills, the Heals, the Fords, the Maynes, the Joints, the Radfords, etc.; and the Germans, who, perhaps, outnumber any other one class; of these may be mentioned the Egles, Ruffings, the Bebriechers, the Liebers, the Webers, the Ailers, the Setzlers, etc. The Yankees were the first to arrive, then the Pennsylvania Dutch people, then the Germans, and lastly the English. We append here brief sketches of one or two Germans, and of one or two Englishmen.

J. H. Weber was born in Germany, in 1842, and came to this country, when a lad, in 1853. He first located in Tiffin, and that town and Fremont were the places of his residence for the next six years. His occupation was type setting. He followed this trade until his removal to Bellevue, in the winter of 1859-60. Arriving here, he began immediately in the business, which he has ever since followed—that of groceries and general merchandise. He clerked two years for J. Murschel, and then went into partnership with that gentleman, in which relation he remained one year, when Mr. Murschel went out of the firm, and Mr. Weber took a junior partner to assist him in conducting the business. In 1876, he I began entirely alone, and has, since then, built up a large and lucrative business in groceries, crockery, etc. He has also conducted a branch store at Winamac, Indiana, and has been engaged in an enterprise at La Rue, Ohio, where he and two other gentlemen have had a large saw mill in operation, working into lumber the timber from a tract of land, including seven hundred acres bought by the firm.

Mr. Weber's career has not been one of uninterrupted success, but, on the contrary, he has met with several adverse circumstances. By the fire in 1875, he lost his store, and it was this misfortune of his, which led to an improvement in the business portion of Bellevue, which may justly be regarded as one of the most important made. He built up in connection with Wise & Gross, the Union block, upon Main street, of which he owns the four westerly stores, one of which is occupied by himself at present. He possesses, in a large measure, the confidence of his fellow German citizens who are in the habit of consulting him on matters of importance to them.

Joseph Egle, one of the most prominent and influential German citizens, was born in Baden, Germany, April 28, 1828. When he was twenty-four years of age, he came to America and located in Norwalk, Ohio. In 1854, be removed to Bellevue and began business for himself in the grocery line. This department of mercantile business he pursued diligently and successfully for about ten years, when he went into the hardware business, which at present engages his attention, and which he has followed continuously from the time he entered it. He has shown rare business ability, and, by the exercise of this quality, has accumulated a large property.

Roger Greenslade was born in Devonshire, England, in 1829, and emigrated to America in 1854, arriving in Bellevue in June of that year. He came here poor, but he possessed the elements of success: industry, sobriety, economy. His first engagement was with Eddison Brown, working on the bench at cobbling and making boots and shoes. He afterwards worked for Patrick Hearl, and Abram Leiter until about the year 1864, when he established himself in business, and has been in the boot and shoe business on his own…

Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 -
Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio

Vermilion Bank bag

VERMILION ARTIFACT #81

JUST A BAG: I'm not sure where exactly that I found this bag. But it's in very good condition. I don't believe it was from the Erie County Bank - but the other bank that was just down the street from the Erie Bank - where the Williams Law Office was later located.

Again, not being at the top of my game today I don't have much more to say about it at the moment.

ODD (IF NOT JUST CRAZY THINGS) TO DO IN THE MALL

• Walk in a single-file line, in step with the person in front of you.

• When you come to the benches in the middle of the mall, walk on top of them instead of going around them.

• Ask the salespeople in the stores where the uniforms they wear are sold in the store (for example, in Bath and Body Works ask where you can buy their vests)

• Ride a hobby-horse around the mall, holding the reins and yelling, "Whoa Betsy!"

• Talk in third person at all times.

• Carry a Pez dispenser and offer strangers a Pez.

• Wear camouflage and sneak around like you think no one can see you. • When asked if you need help continue yelling out "WHAT?!?!"

• Wear a fake sheriff badge and carry around a stack of post-it notes writing up tickets and warnings to people walking down the mall.

• Randomly throw temper tantrums.

• Walk 5 ft. behind someone at all times. When he/she enters a store wait at the entrance of the store until he/she comes back out.

• When walking, walk in a perfectly straight line, only turning at 90 degree angles.

• Add "ong" to the end of every word you use when you speak to the salespeople.

• In every store you enter that is not a department store, ask where the lingerie department is.

• Be a still model in a store that doesn't sell clothes. • Accuse someone of stealing your bag.

• Skip or gallop wherever you go.

• Say punctuation out loud. For example, say, "Ma'am comma would you please help me find a pink comma red comma and blue shirt question mark?"

• At all times pretend to have an imaginary friend. When asked if you need help begin by gesturing to the air next to you and saying, "Well, my friend here..."

• Go in a store with a friend who pretends to be deaf. Ask the salesperson if he/she will help your deaf friend find the right clothes while you go to the bathroom.

• When in the bathroom stall suddenly exclaim, "Corn! When did I eat corn?"

• Wear a motorcycle helmet and have a bike lock. Pretend to park your motorcycle when you enter a store.

• Carry a tablecloth and picnic basket. Order take-out at the Food Court and spread out you tablecloth in the middle of the mall and enjoy your meal.

• When asked "May I help you?" bow or curtsey.

• Walk up to someone you don't know and pretend to know them. Continue for as long as you can.

• Take a tootsie pop and hold it like a microphone in a person's face. Ask him/her how many licks it takes him/her to get to the center of a tootsie pop.

• Ask a passerby to scratch your back for you. If they do, make obscene noises when they do so.

• Try to get everybody in line for Chick-fil-a to do the Chicken Dance. • Go with a friend. Join yourselves together with one of those things parents attach to their children's wrists. • If you're a female, drag your purse behind you. Pull on it and pat your leg, saying "Hurry up old boy!"

• Ask the cashier if you could ring your purchase up.

• Ask if they accept credit cards and then pay cash.

• Bargain

• Barter

• Carry a rubber duckey with you. Pet him, talk in a baby voice to him, and set him down gently on the counter when you pay.

• In the food court ask if this seat is taken and then walk away.

• Carry around a can of EasyCheese. Randomly ask people, "Would you like cheese with that?"

• When walking down the center of the mall point at nothing and start laughing hysterically.

• Put down every store loudly as you exit by saying, "THIS PLACE SUCKS!"

• Take a baby doll with you and ask bystanders to baby-sit while you try on clothes.

• Constantly move your mouth as if you were talking.

• Sing opera-style everything you would normally say.

• Ask the Dollar Store if they have a lay-away plan.

• Buy one jelly bean at the candy store and have them weigh it.

• Take a Big Wheels and wear leather. • Be very hostile when someone asks to help you.

• Walk in a weave (crossing each others path), this keeps strangers away, the more the better! Also, yell at those things that people put money in, and take the money out.

• Go in a store and ask a lot of questions about one product. In the middle of the explination, walk out.

Subscribe to the Views mailing list

* indicates required
Email Format

NADA: I may begin doing the podcasts again; but I'm thinking of just doing audio readings. The videos on-line are just becoming too redundant unless they really show something special. The short videos that appear on the VNPSM Facebook page are more purposeful. You might want to check them out.

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, "Grandmas’ 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.

Also, please note that all the video (MP4 and MOV) podcasts (when used) are done in the "Quicktime MP4 / MOV" formats. If you don't have a "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'".

Pay particular note to the "Hope Homes" page during the next few months / years. They are constantly improving the lives of their youngsters and those around them. This is an exciting project accomplished by exciting people. In fact, Larry and Yvette just returned with new pix.

Although this years Vermilion High School Class of 1959 reunion is over classmates may want to stay connected with each other through organizer Roger Boughton. Ye can connect by mailing him @ 2205 SW 10th Ave. Austin, MN. 55912 or you can just emailRoger.

Alice W. is back - and guess where she is now (?): Ali's Blog.


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

Links to additional Vermilion Ohio pages:

For Persons who would like to donate to the cause (to keep these "Views" on-line you can send whatever you would like to me at the following address. And THANKS to everybody who has already donated to the cause. I doth certainly appreciate it):
Rich Tarrant
1041 Oakwood Drive
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-670-2822

or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)

"I don't mind what Congress does, as long as they don't do it in the streets and frighten the horses."
-Victor Hugo

Vol.10, Issue 43 - January 5, 2013


Archive Issue #512

Vermilion Views Search Engine

advanced

The International Webmasters Association

Latest Vermilion, Ohio, weather

© 2012 Rich Tarrant