"ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON"
SHOPTALK: As I mentioned at the top of the desk last week the museum was awarded a grant from the Sandusky / Erie County Community Foundation for the purchase of a camcorder. It arrived Tuesday. It’s a nice piece of equipment. Below is a pic I took yesteryear of it mounted on a tripod, with an external mic attached. It’s very impressive. I shot a very short segment with it just to see how it operates. That part seems easy enough. Now bring on the interviews…
DOWN IN THE VALLEY: I do really like the desktop pic this week. Taken from the vantage point of (now) Vermilion Road (back then it was East River) it overlooks the Vermilion River Valley to the north and west.
I am temporarily unable to remember the club in the scene – but I believe it still exists. A similar (if not part of the same) building still occupies the site. I don’t know if Jevons’s (now Bulan’s) Boat Yard was there at the time or not.
Anyway, it’s a nice pic.
VISITORIUM: A group of folks from the Evangelical & Reformed church visited the museum Thursday a.m. I know most of these people. It was the first relatively large group of adults we’ve had tour the building this year. I see many of these folks every Sunday while opening the museum. It’s about the same time they’re leaving Sunday services.
READY: On or about May 1st the contractor should begin some modifications on the building. The back porch will be rebuilt, and the upstairs will be rewired. I know there are some headaches ahead – but that’s part of it. We’re ready.
Putting together a museum is fun. But there are little irritants one really doesn’t think about until they’re right in front of you. Like the fictional character Rosanna Dana used to say, “It’s always something.”
YESTERYEAR REPUBLISHED: I finally completed reprinting my old book “Rich Tarrant’s Yesteryear…”. This was accomplished at the museum. This reprint is much larger than the first (8.5 x 11); much of the copy has been edited; the graphics are improved; and it has two additional stories.
I didn’t want to staple-bind the book, so I purchased a small thermal binding unit that worked just fine. It’s now on sale at the museum.
Now I’ll get to work on a reprint of a booklet about the Roscoe side of my family that was written back in the late 1930s. This book will be staple-bound. I’m currently looking for some special paper for it. This is both a digital and a printing challenge. The book is, of course, historically relevant too.
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: We are located at 727 Grand Street in Vermilion across the street from Vermilion's historic E&R Church. 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.
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 in the drive with the plate "MRCOOKR" stop by and see what's cooking.
Historically,
The Mean Team
WHY SO SERIOUS (?): Did you ever notice that in most pix of football teams that hardly anyone is smiling? In this pic of the VHS Football team of 1936 only one guy appears to be smiling (No. 40) and he looks as though he might tear your face off for fun.
Richard Koontz (the son of Vermilion photographer Dick Koontz) furnished this photo. Dick is No. 39. The pic was taken in the football field behind South Street School.
Aside from Mr. Koontz I only recognize (maybe) two or three other guys: Dan Schisler (No. 41); and Ray Washtak who later owned and operated the Wayside Inn west of town. I think that James Calvert (the mean-looking guy at the very back) was the coach. I may have the yearbook for 1936 that will help id. all of the fellows.
VERMILION’S EDITH GRAHAM – PIONEER GROCER: Edith Graham’s rapid promotion from lowly grocery store clerk in a Wooster, Ohio Kroger store to manager of Vermilion’s Kroger Store was, to say the least, extraordinary. But so too were the times. It was December of 1941 and the world was at war. All able-bodied men - such as her predecessor James Wells - were needed for the war effort. And whilst the boys were away life at home most certainly had to continue. Ergo; it was into the very capable hands of women such as Edith B. Graham that those tasks fell.
In 1941 the Kroger store was located on the south side of Liberty street next to (west of) Mamouru Okagi’s restaurant. Currently Vermilionite Jon Clark’s Vermilion Insurance Agency occupies the site. Under Mrs. Graham’s management business prospered and in 1952 the store moved into a new and much larger store just to the east, and down the street.
The new store (as mentioned in a previous article VPJ 6-10-10) was in a building now recognized as the long time home of the Buyer’s Fair Department Store. Built by Vermilion entrepreneurs George Roberts and “Doc” Dickason, it was intended to be a bowling alley / rec. room. But because of restrictions on materials and permits due to the war it was reinvented as the ideal place to relocate the burgeoning Kroger supermarket.
In the accompanying photograph Edith (second from left) is pictured with three of her co-workers c.1953. The identity of the lady on the far left is not known (by this writer). But the pretty girl just to the right of Mrs. Graham is Evelyn Allison. And the brightly smiling face next to hers is that of Lila Gerber (Stewart). The precise reason for the photograph is (also) unknown.
Edith was born on a farm near Fredericksburg, Ohio in 1911. She was the second of two daughters and a son born to C. Wesley and Martha Gordon. Fredericksburg is a village in Salt Creek Township in Wayne County about 10 miles south of Wooster. It was, and remains, a very small town. According to the 2000 U.S. census it has a population of around 487 souls. Given her background it would appear that she was a person quite accustomed to the hard work and long hours requisite to being a successful manager in the business world.
She married an amiable fellow named Jim Graham, and they kept a tidy home at 715 Jefferson Street where - in their spare time - they tended to the care of numerous foster children. Jim had been born in Kent, but had lived in Vermilion since he was 15 years old. He worked for Vermilion’s Wakefield Lighting Company as a machinist for 38 years. Additionally, he was also a trustee of the Wakefield Foundation. [Many long-time residents may also remember his kid sister Pauline. She was married to a fellow named Bill Eisenhauer (PJ 10-25-07), and for many years they, in essence, ran Vermilion’s Water Department.] In short, the family was very well known about town.
In 1959, after nearly 18 years of hard work and long hours, Edith decided that because the volume of business had dramatically increased in direct proportion to the population explosion caused by the coming of the Ford plant to the area, it was time to hand management of the store back over to a male manager. After all, the war had been over for 14 years.
Edith died at the rather young age of 63 in 1974. And while I’ve no idea if Edith Graham was the very first female manager of a major supermarket in Ohio or elsewhere I do know this: To the people in the Village of Vermilion O. who knew her in that yesteryear she will always be Number 1.
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.48– May 11, 1905.
Chas Manz of Venice was sentenced for the Mansfield Reformatory Tuesday. He is 18 years old and pleaded guilty to the charge of robbing a Lake Shore freight car.
Henry J. Methe, defendant in the suit filed in common pleas court by A.E. Chaffee, who charged him with fraud, filed his answer Thursday. He denies all allegations of fraud. Methe says he sold the contents and good will of a boarding house in Cleveland to Chaffee for $1,700. He further avers that payment was taken in several notes of 475 each, payable monthly, and that before the filing of the suit by Chaffee these notes were sold by him to a third party and that the retransfer of the property can not be made as the plaintiff requires. [VV Ed. Note: This is a follow-up to a piece that appeared in this part of VV several editions back.]
Chas Krapp, as executor of the estate of the late Jacob G. Krapp, has filed in the probate court a report of the appraisement of the property of Jacob Krapp. The assets amount to $1,336.52.
An effort is being made by H.L. Peeke, attorney for Oscar Green, to secure the acquittal of his client without allowing the case to go to the jury. Greene [sic] was placed on trial before Judge Reed in the court of common pleas Tuesday morning. Prosecutor Williams represents the state.
Wednesday afternoon the jury in the case against Oscar Green for non-support returned a verdict of “Not Guilty’. When the verdict was given Green nearly broke down. A daughter has been with him all through is troubles and has aided him financially as much as her slender means would permit. It looks very much like a case of persecution as his father-in-law, it is alleged, says that if this case did not result in Green’s going to the “pen” another charge would be brought.
The case of the state of Ohio against W.H. Hageman, indicted on the charge of running a “bucket shop” in Sandusky, was commenced in common pleas court Wednesday afternoon. A great deal of time was taken in selecting a jury, as he questioning of jurors was rigid. In case of Hageman’s conviction, Ritter, the owner of the building, would be liable to a fine according to law. Witnesses were called and sworn in and brief arguments were made by Prosecutor Williams and John Ray. The case was carried over until today. Attorneys Geo. H. Burrows of Cleveland and John Ray of Sandusky are counsel for the defendant.
Monday night the regular meeting of the Village Board of Education was held. All members were present and a very interesting session was the result. The tax levy was discussed and it was decided to let it remain at the same figure as last year, viz. 8 mills.
The next important business was the hiring of superintendent and teachers for the next school year. They are as follows:
J.C. Seemann, Superintendent A.L. Irey, Prin. High School Carrie Perrin 7th and 8th Grades Alice Kane, 5th and 6th Grades Hattie Abell, part of 3rd, and 4th G. Anna Baxtine, 2nd and part of 3rd Katherine Kilbride, 1st Grade Ollie Lawless, Music.
As the board has adopted a four years course, seven teachers are required instead of six.
The superintendent reported the schools in excellent condition.
After ordering payment of bills the Board adjourned.
Albert C. Eldredge was elected Superintendant [sic] of the Lorain schools May 1st at a salary of $2000.
Thos. Cavanaugh was killed Thursday at Lorain on the Stmr. Queen City.
A.D. Beechy has been reelected superintendent of the Norwalk schools.
H. Burton Claflin, a promising young man of Norwalk died at his home in that city Friday.
Leon C. Shafer former principal of the Deshler public school pleaded guilty to burning the school house at Erie, Mich.[VV Ed. Note: Talk about having a grudge.]
The case of Cassie L. Chadwick has been set for hearing by the United States court of appeals at Cincinnati for Oct. 3. [VV Ed. Note: This woman just wouldn’t give it up. She was responsible for breaking the bank in Oberlin, O. among others, and was finally sent to the pen.]
Geo. Carter a conductor on the L.S.E. was severely injured by being caught between two cars at Woodville Friday night. His collar and breastbones were broken.
An attempt is being made to have all the criminal insane transferred to the New State hospital at Lima A bill to that effect will be introduced into the next legislature.
C.S. Sprague, of the livery firm of Sprague Bros. of Lorain was assaulted and knocked down on Broadway near the Boston Store Monday by a former employe [sic] with whom he had had some trouble. His face was badly lacerated probably by brass knuckles.
M.J. Lawrence, publisher of the Ohio Framer was made defendant in a suit for $3000,000 damages brought by his niece, Hazel Lawrence who charges him with criminal assault and the paternity of her child born in March. Mr. Lawrence is at present cruising about the West Indies. Both are of Cleveland.[VV Ed. Note: Yikes!!!]
Mrs. Jessie Thompson of Bellevue has been jailed at Norwalk for contempt of court. She was involved in a lawsuit and as she has a considerable amount of money, the court attempted to ascertain its whereabouts. She says she will stay there a “hundred years” rather than tell. Her husband was an employee of the W. & L. E. ry and was killed some time ago.
Thee are thirteen members in the graduating class of Berlin Hts. High School – Mary Hannah Cook, Carl Jenkins, Bess Maria Temple, Verna Blanch Morgan, Anna Louise Hildebrandt, Margaret Anna Kauffman, Ethel Emma Smith, Charlotte May Green, Marie Vera Driver, Lyria Katherine Hast, Ada Ethel Jenkins, Hazel Irene Drake, Edna Prudence Hamer.
Elyria has been ordered by the state board of health to build a disposal plant for the outlet of its sewer system within two years. At present the city is drained into Black river and Lorain complained to the state officials.
Mrs. Jaeger passed away to her reward on the first day of May. She had lived for a short time with her daughter at Collinwood. Her husband, Mr. Jn. Jaeger had preceeded [sic] her by only a few months. They were joined for life and could not be parted in death. Following is short sketch of her life:
The deceased, Mrs. Anna Katherine Jaeger was born Dec. 31st 1834 in Hessen Kassen, German, died May 1, 1905 at 7:25 P.M. age 70 years, 4 months and 1 day. She came to America when a young lady, locating in Brownhelm, O. She was married Dec. 31, 1862 to Mr. John Jaeger. The fruits of their marriage were four sons and three daughters of which three sons and two daughters are still living to mourn their loss.
Funeral services were held last Thursday from the reformed Church at Brownhelm Station, rev. Wm. G. Klein officiating. The text was: For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. It was shown that these two statements go together. If we live a consistent Christian life to die must be gain, whatever our circumstances here, and if to die is to be our gain we must live a life well pleasing to and in Christ. Mother Jaeger had lived in and trusted in Christ therefore death could only bring gain. We laid her to rest beside her husband awaiting the Resurrection of the body at the last day, knowing that the Spirit had fled to Him who gave it. May we all be sure of a welcome to this Home. If for us to live is Christ, to die must be unspeakable gain.
Capts. Hasenflue and Moody spent Sunday at their homes here.
Roy Kane was among our sailor who visited home this week.
Capt. F.C. Rae of the Stmr. Wallace visited relatives here Sunday.
Mrs. Hattie Crosier went to Toledo where she will spend some time.
Arrangements are being made for band concerts this summer.
The Vermilion and N. Amherst base ballists crossed bats at Shadduck’s Park Sunday afternoon. The Amherst boys won by a score of 9 to 2.
Mrs. and Mrs. John Riblet are the happy parents of a bouncing son, born Tuesday, May 2nd – Berlin Hts. Budget.
A short time ago some men were engaged in putting up telegraph poles on land belonging to an old farmer who disliked seeing his wheat trampled down. The men produced a paper by which they said they had leave to put the poles where they pleased. The old farmer went back and turned a large bull in the field. The savage beast made after the men and the old farmer, seeing them running from the field, shouted at the top of his voice: “Show him the paper! Show him the paper!” – Ex.
Mrs. Chas Jay returned from a two weeks visit at Ashtabula Monday. She was accompanied home by her mother Mrs. Lois Griggs.
Geo. Darling of Newark, O. was in town Tuesday. Mr. Darling was a resident of Vermilion some twenty years ago. He is now manager of the telegraph department of the B & O Road.
Get Choice Strawberry, Cabbage and other plants in season of L.U. Todd, Vermilion, O.
Albert Rust and Almon Patchett were among our sailors to visit their homes here this week.
We can furnish a photo of your hoe on a souvenir post card at small cost – The News.
Mr. Thad Rawson of La Grange, an expert piano turner, was in town tuning pianos the first of the week.
A small wreck occurred on the Nickel Plate this noon just west of Grand St. crossing. [VV Ed. Note: I don’t know if this was a mistake or what. There was / is no Nickel Plate rail crossing on Grand Street. They may have meant the M.& S. Railroad.]
J.J. McKee moved his family to Cleveland yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have many warm friends in Vermilion who regret their departure.
The band was out again Tuesday evening giving the business men serinades [sic]. Unfortunately Ye Editor was not at home, but we extend our thanks just the same We hope to be at home if they again honor us.
There is a rumor that Vermilion will have an electric line from the south. It would be a good thing and we believe a paying investment especially in the summer. But perhaps it is only a rumor.
The fishing from this port is at present very light, running from 200 to 1000 lbs. per boat each day. Few herring are coming in at present. The pound fishermen are getting a few whitefish. One fisherman tells us that the catch of pike is heavier this year than formerly, but the prices have gone to smash. There seems to be plenty of fish in the lake which somewhat confuses the theory that the fish are becoming scarce.
There was ball playing at this place Sunday. Look out boys! You may have to pay a fine.
Adam Kneisel has a sick cow. Dr. w. N. farmer of N. Amherst was called to attend her.
Ran Delzell has the job tending the cemetery this year. – Jack.
We are having beautiful weather and picnics are in order. Two specials with pleasure seekers from Oberlin were on the siding yesterday. Birmingham is a lovely place to look at now and the air is delightful just now.
Mrs. Penson is still improving.
Mr. Funk met with a severe accident one day lately. He was kicked by a horse in the region of his heart. His sons think he will soon be all right.
Born – To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Strehle a daughter, May 3, 1905.
J. Buckley is building anew barn.
A. Northeim has moved his family to N. Amherst.
Fishing is the favorite sport of the boys nowadays. Some very good catches are reported.
I.B. Poyer is spending a few days in Ft. Dodge, Iowa.
Henry Schuster sports a fine new buggy and harness, purchased of J. Boehm of Ceylon.
J. Parsh met with a painful accident last Sunday which, might have proved fatal. While leading a colt it became unmanageable, kicking him in the side and fracturing his hand. Dr. Englebry was called and dressed the wounds.
Hmmmmmm....
“> This photograph was among several donated by local resident Rita Mayer./SUB>
A PHOTO FOR THE SCRAPBOOKS: Now here’s a photo for local scrapbooks. My-Oh-My-Oh-My. The quality of this group portrait is so delicate that the who, whats, whys, and wherefores of it are practically irrelevant. No matter that some of the faces in it may be familiar to various Vermilion residents. The quality of the photograph is so stunningly beautiful that individual portraits of each subject could be made and placed in an art gallery, sans any explication, and no one would question them beyond their intrinsic value as “objets d’art” - as the inset photo well demonstrates.
This photograph was among several donated by local resident, Rita Mayer, to the Vermilion Area Archival Society where it will be catalogued, stored, and preserved for the benefit of future generations. Historically, the portrait, alone, is of significant value. But that which makes it exceptionally valuable (at least to amateur historians such as myself) is the fact that when Mrs. Mayer removed the wooden backing from the framed photo she discovered a sheet of paper with the neatly typed names of all the persons pictured on it. The find was (at least from my perspective) just short of miraculous.
There are fifty-one names on the paper that go with the fifty-one faces in the portrait. Finally, the names one comes across in an old book or newspaper have faces. And again, for someone such as myself who continually wanders / stumbles through local histories and sundry other memorabilia this is exceptionally advantageous. For a name can only tell ye so much.
So without further windbaggery here are the names to place with the faces of the “Employees of the F.W. Wakefield Brass Company” as they appeared on a lovely June day in 1925:
FRONT ROW L-R: Adam Walper, Winifred Emerick, Gladys Hoffman, Minnie (Beursken) Mayer, Mrs. Hitzman, Helen Schatz, Eva Krapp, Katherine Driscoll, Mildred (Sanders) Friday, Madelene Seberson, Mrs. Havis, Mrs. Grisel.
SECOND ROW L-R: A.F. Wakefield, Jack Fitzgerald, F.W. Wakefield, Marie Avery, Flora (Pelton) Hollister, Arlene Eaton Albright, Ethel Whitmore, Belle Smith (Inset Photo), Mrs. Showalter, Emma Kishman, Mildred Lumley.
THIRD ROW L-R: Geo. Smith, Ed McVeen, Erwin Shaw, Rae Crosier, Geo. Beursken, Fred Schifler, Clarence Kishman, George Stump, Sam Lingelbach, Dan Krapp, A.J. Copeland.
FOURTH ROW: Charles Neiding, Charles Jay, Herman Kobs, Fred Burger, Andrew Schisler, Erwin Fitzgerald, Alfred Werner, Albert Lingelbach, Mr. Beursken.
BACK ROW L-R: Hinie Buiting, Dick Havis, T.D. Penning, Fred Fredricks, Walter Shirk, C.A. Schroeder, F.W. Wilson, R.G. Kane.
And that’s the way they was in a yesteryear - 75 (almost to the day) years ago. Poised on the edge of a great economic disaster, sandwiched between two world wars, and thirsting for a glass of cold beer, they momentarily paused and posed for their portrait; and then returned to work. It was only Thursday. The next day was payday.
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.
…from a book of records mid reminiscences in manuscript, partly compiled, but mostly composed, by Mrs. Mary E. Bull, a sister of Mrs. Chapman, who, at the time of writing it, was residing at La Salle, Illinois. She died at that place some four or five years ago. The work evinces much talent and would make a readable volume in print. If the poet, Campbell, had had access to it he might have avoided some of the mistakes which he fell into in writing his "Gertrude of Wyoming" and he would have found in it plenty of incidents quite as romantic as those which form the basis of that affecting story.
The children of Eliphalet Follett, the father of Mrs. Chapman, were: Dewey E., Abel D., Julia, Clemence A., Mary, Thede, Elizabeth, Tryphena and Fannie. Dewey E. died at Alton, Illinois, in 1860. His wife was Sarah Bull. They had two children: Francis, who married a Mr. Moyer, a prominent citizen of Memphis, Tennessee, and Harmon, who is a leading lawyer of Brainard, Minnesota. Abel D. lives in California. He married Laura Smith. They have one child living, Clemence, who married an elder in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Follett buried three children: Clemence, Ellen and Edward. Julia is spoken of in the sketch of Dr. L. G. Harkness, and Clemence A. elsewhere in this memoir. Mary married Mason Bull and resides at La Salle, Illinois. They had two sons killed in the army and buried two others, and have two still living: Follett Bull, a prominent lawyer of Ottawa, Illinois, and Dewey, a resident of St. Louis. Thede married William Harkness, a nephew of Dr. L. G. Harkness, and resides with her husband at Des Moines, Iowa. They have one son and two daughters: Daniel, Arabella and Florence. Elizabeth married John McKee and lives in Upper Sandusky. They have one son living: John, who resides at Dayton, Ohio. Tryphena married Cuyler Greene, by whom she has had three children: Eliphalet, Malcolm and Ferguson. Mr. Greene died in 1848, and she married, for her second husband, Dr. J. W. Goodson, by whom she had one child: Nettie, now living with Mrs. J. A. Higbee. Fannie married Calvin Merrels and resides at Alton, Illinois. One child, Julia, died five years ago, and three, Franklin, Luella and Charles, are still living.
The members of the Follett family, from the grandfather of the above named children down, have all been exemplary christian men and women, devoted to the church of their choice. Mrs. Chapman is the only one of her father's family who became a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and her fidelity to this branch of the Christian church has ever been of the truest kind.
Mr. F. A. Chapman was married to Clemence A. Follett on the tenth of May, 1830. They have had eight children, as follows: 1. Arabella, married to Dr. A. Woodward, one of the "solid men" of Bellevue. They have two daughters: Louise and Arabella. 2. Julia T. married Charles Roberts, and died without issue in 1855. 3. Louisa C. married Cuyler Greene, a prominent lawyer of Rushville, New York.' He died a few years after their marriage and she is now living with her mother in the old home. 4. Frederick A. lived to be a young man and died in 1861. 5. Nellie married George R. Finch, a wholesale merchant of St. Paul, Minnesota. She died May 30, 1869, leaving one child—Clemence. 6. Mary G., who married the widower of her sister Nellie, and has three children: Nellie, George C. and William. 7. Florence married John H. Davis, a banker doing business in Wall street. New York City. They have one daughter—Flora C. 8. Kate married R. W. Matthews, of Boston. He is now engaged in business in Toledo, Ohio. They have had two children: Kittie, who died in November, and Frederick C.
Mr. Chapman died in 1861 of apoplexy. He was public spirited and generous almost to a fault: always ready to assist, with money or advice, those who needed assistance. He won the esteem and good will of all who knew him, and died deeply regretted by his fellow citizens. His widow still resides in the beautiful and luxurious home which he had provided, highly esteemed by hosts of friends for many amiable qualities. And her devotion to the church, though not the church of her ancestors, is the most precious inheritance, which their deep religious nature has transmitted. Amid the privations of pioneer life, with which, in her maiden days, she was brought in contact; in her home life as wife and mother, and in the later years of her life, Mrs. Chapman has ever shown herself to be an amiable, kind hearted, generous christian woman.
was of English ancestry and New England birth. His parents were Abishai and Mary Spicer Woodward. The Woodwards settled in New London, Connecticut, at an early day in the history of that State, and Abishai Woodward, the father of Gurdon, was a leading citizen of the town of New London during and following the revolutionary period. Though not of the number whose losses from fire by British soldiery were compensated by a donation of western lands made by the State, yet he became the owner, by purchase, of a large amount of these claims, and, upon the partition of the Fire-lands, he acquired proprietorship of more than four thousand acres, all lying in sections, one and four of what now is Lyme township. The father of eleven children, he gave to each an equal, undivided interest is these lands. To the ownership, by his father, of western territory, is due the fact of Gurdon's coming to this locality. Mr. Woodward. Sr., came into the possession of his lands November 9, 1808, the date when partition was effected [sic], and died the following year.
Gurdon Woodward was born February 21,* 1795, in I New London, Connecticut, and, at the age of four…
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
CHAMPAGNE ANYONE (?): While cleaning out the upstairs back porch at the museum this week I found a case of Crystal White Star champagne. It’s from the Sandusky, Ohio winery of M. Hommel, of which I know nothing. I would think that the “stuff” is still good. I don’t drink alcohol or I’d try it. Thus far, no one I’ve asked is willing to try. I’m certain it’s not lethal. Perhaps we might auction it off to raise money for the museum (if it’s good).
Somewhere there is someone who knows something about the M. Hommel winery. All I’ve been able to find are a few photographs. While they are dated those dates don’t tell me much. I’m guessing that the case of bubbly was purchased by one of my brothers when the winery closed. I just don’t when that might have been. It may have been sometime in the late 1960s or very early 70s.
"Satan's mentally challenged younger brother."–Stephen King, writing in "Entertainment Weekly.
"Finally, a guy who says what people who aren't thinking are thinking."–Jon Stewart, from the "The Daily Show.
"The comfort of today's mythical homespun aw-shucks-TV-totalitarian-Lonesome-Rhodes, (Blank) is that everyday he gives away the essential truth that he is an idiot."–Keith Olbermann, on Countdown With Keith Olbermann.
"Even the leather-winged shouting heads at Fox News look like intellectual giants next to this bleating, benighted Cassandra. It's like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show."–Buffalo Beast, naming this person in its annual list of the 50 Most Loathsome People in America.
His mother should be very proud.
NADA AGAIN AND AGAIN...: 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.
I've not forgotten about this part of "Views". I've just been busy. But I will get back to it.
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.
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.11, Issue 7 - April 27, 2013
© 2012 Rich Tarrant