NIGHTHAWKS
SHOPTALK: Exasperated no more. The Ricoh printer / copier appliance at the VNPSM has been successfully repaired. I had given up on it and was ready to send it to the junkyard. But the service techies from the company I purchased it from showed up (unexpectedly) on Monday and fixed it.
I had resigned myself to thinking that the problem was something with the software on the computer as well as that in my head – but it was (surprise, surprise) neither. It was a little piece of plastic about the size of a dime.
Thus far I’ve printed around 20 books and numerous photographs without any problem during the last several days. Pshew again.
NIGHTHAWKS: The painting on the desktop this week is one of my (as well as many other persons) favorites. An artist named Edward Hopper painted it in 1942. When finished it was sold to the Art Institute of Chicago for $3000.
The painting is still at the institute. But its value is likely much higher than $3000. A hundred thousand probably wouldn’t buy it.
I wonder how much Apple Computer paid them for the rights allowing them to use it for a desktop pic on their computers?
The painting reminds me of a diner I used to pass in downtown Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) Viet-Nam. Every time I passed the place I thought of this painting.
RENOVAT’N CONTINUES: I was hoping that all the exterior painting on the print shop would be finished – or close to being finished by now. The weather, however, has not been cooperating. That which has been completed looks so nice that I’m anxious to see it all done. Perhaps next week.
On the interior the drywall was put up last Saturday, and the drywall finisher has begun “finishing”. That will take several days. But it will be “finished” by Monday or Tuesday next week.
Even though it is hardly done at this time the appearance change is almost startling. I am really, really pleased with the way everything’s shaping up.
This is going to be a very nice facility.
THE REASON THE BELLS STILL RING, ETC: Some good soul asked why the trains passing through the “quiet zones” in Vermilion still ring their bells. [I don’t think it was a complaint. Just a curiosity.]
An Engineer I know told me that the bell ringing is mandated by federal law. I would assume that there is some good reason underlying it. But I didn’t ask what that might be.
That same fellow also told me that if there are any mishaps on the crossings in the “quiet zones” the community in which they exists [in this instance – Vermillion] is liable. The railroad is absolved of any liability.
I’m not certain that many folks know these things. And though it’s improbable that an auto might be hit at any of these crossings – pedestrian accidents certainly are a possiblity.
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
We are not open on major holidays.
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 Museum727 Grand Street 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,
LUDLOW STUDIO IN THE OLD WAGNER HOTEL
PAUL LUDLOW STUDIO: This photograph isn’t terribly ancient, but I thought it interesting. For a time Mr. Ludlow had a studio in the rooms at the back of the Fischer Building in the heart of Vermilion. By the early 60s he moved into this studio in the old Wagner Hotel Building just down the street from his old place. It was a good deal more visible to the public eye.
When this photo was taken the studio occupied the southern half of the building, and Dr. Halley the north. There were apartments on the upper floor. Today the Vermilion Photojournal occupies the old studio and Vermilion dentist Dr. Suszko, who also owns the building, occupies the other half. The building was recently remodeled.
Mr. Ludlow, like most of the professional photographers I’ve known, was an extremely personable guy. Perhaps it’s because they have to deal with so many different types of people so often.
I recall having my senior class pic taken at this studio back in 1962-63. I also recall how hung-over I was that day. The portrait always gave me a headache. [Go figure.]
BROWNHELM SCHOOL: The year 1889 was a busy year on our planet. It was the last year that the U.S. minted 3-cent coins. It was the year a French structural, engineer named Gustave Eiffel built a huge wrought-iron tower for the World's Fair in Paris; the year a child named Charles Chaplin was born in Britain; and one in which an Austrian woman with the last name of Hitler gave birth to a boy she named Adolph. It was also the year that the' people in little, out of the way, Brownhelm, Ohio built a new school.
Students in Brownhelm attended one of 10 primary schools scattered about the township for their first six years of study and consummated their academic careers in the sturdy brick school that had been erected on the north side of North Ridge Road between Claus and Baumhart roads.
Because it was a very rural area just getting to and from school required some measure of aforethought and effort on the part of each student: One either walked or drove a horse 'and buggy. They kept the horses stabled at the back of the Congregational Church - just a stone's throw west of the school. Students who used real horsepower as their main transportation source had to mete out part of their lunch hour to walk over to the church to refuel their equine engines.
The teachers are said to have taken room and board at nearby homes' so all they needed to do was walk to work. And the system's superintendent, although keeping an office in the N. Ridge School, regularly visited all the schools in the district, either on horse back or horse and buggy.
The original school (1889 middle) was a square two-story brick building with four evenly spaced brick columns on the front, back, and sides. It was topped by a steep pitched roof. Light and air-conditioning were provided by numerous tall, narrow, double hung' windows all around the school.
A century ago (1905 left) an addition was constructed on the west side of the school. A hip roof - the same roof it has today - with a deep overhang supported by carved wood brackets, dormers and a cupola with a bell were also added. In about 1915-16 the schools were centralized and all the students in outlying areas of the district were transported by kid wagons to the N. Ridge facility.
Seventeen years later (1922 right) an auditorium/gymnasium and additional classrooms were added. Before this, basketball games had to be either played outdoors or in an Amherst gym; and graduation ceremonies, plays, and other social events were usually held in the nearby church. This renovation also included a very distinctive new red brick neo-Classical Georgian Revival facade, and a round top glass transom with stone detailing at the front of the building. With perhaps the exception of the bell tower, which had to be removed for practical financial reasons in 1970, the outward appearance of the school is, today, unchanged.
In 1954 Brownhelm joined with Camden, Florence, and Henrietta Townships to become part of the Firelands School District. On May 27, 1954 eight young men and three young ladies graduated from Brownhelm High. It was the last class to graduate from the school. Local resident, Richard McQueen, was the class president.
Long gone are the annual picnics at Linwood Park, and the Senior Class Trips to Washington D.C., New York, and Niagara Falls. And long gone are the spectator’s cheers for Brownhelm's boys of summer with names like Bechtel, Pippert, Baumhart, Henning, Lindsay, Ruth, Shotten, and Bartlome. All that remains are the memories, and the building in which they were made.
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. IX - NO.12 – Aug. 31, 1905.
The little fox “I forget” visited the editor and wife last week and consequently several items of interest were omitted from the News. Among them were:
The barn of Henry Ferber, near Berlin Hts., was struck by lightning Wednesday; three barns with contents were destroyed by fire. Loss is heavy.
Two fine concerts, one Saturday the other Wednesday night, were given at the Opera House by the Lindsay Quartette under the auspices of the Boys’ Brigade of Pittsburgh.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Wagnen of Milan were guests Saturdry [sic] of e.T. Bottomley and family, and Saturday night and Sunday of their cousin H.G. Morse and family. We believe Mr. Morse entertained other relatives from Henrietta also on that date.
The ladies’ Aid Soceity of the German Reformed church met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Englebry. Account given in “Reformed Echoes” this week.
We beg the reader’s indulgence and hope each one will “not forget” to send us their items. Ed.
Lorain county seems to prove a fertile field for swindlers and the gentlemen of the road who spend their time chasing the easy dollar have been having some success of late. The latest developments show that the hard worked old game of cash in advance has not yet been played out.
Two well-dressed men arrived in Oberlin recently, and, hiring a livery rig they proceeded to visit a few of the houses in and surrounding Oberlin. Pretending to be the representatives of a large wholesale grocery house they made some remarkable offers, such offers to hold good, provided that cash in advance. After they had succeeded in fleecing a number of well meaning victims their little game left town and have not been seen since. It is suspected by the Elyria police that this party may have been working I conjunction with the “World Club Subscription Co.” who successfully worked this game in Elyria a few days ago. – Oberlin Tribune.
The 6 o’clock west bound Electric car jumped the track near Geo. Baumhart’s farm Thursday evening and after funning along on the ties for a short distance and then the forward end going into the ditch piling the passengers into the end of the car. Fortunately no one was seriously injured. There were fifteen passengers mostly women.
It took nearly all night to place the car on the track again and passengers had to be transferred. Motorman Bert Conklin was slightly injured.
A.E. Decker was brought home from Columbus this week where he has been at work for some time past. He is suffering from a crushed foot, the result of a fellow workman’s carelessness.
While at work, this man, in handling a heavy piece of iron, let it fall upon one of Mr. Decker’s feet, crushing it to a pulp. He was taken to a hospital where he has been for five weeks.
Sewing Machines – New and Second hand also supplies. – George P. Wahl.
A meeting of the Supreme Council of the royal Arcanum is being held at Put-in-Bay. The almost universal protest against the change of rating may bring anew order of things. The new rate is an outrage to the older members of the order as it practically drives them out.
Some of the younger members are benefited rather than injured by the change.
[VV Ed. Note: According to Wikipedia - The Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum, commonly known simply as the Royal Arcanum, is a quasi-Masonic fraternal benefit society founded in 1877 in Boston, Mass. by John A. Cummings and Darius Wilson. They were previously among the founders of the Knights of Honor, a similar organization, in Kentucky. The Royal Arcanum home office is located in Boston Massachusetts. Initially, membership was limited to those who believe in a supreme being. "Mongolians, for some odd reason, whether of pure or of mixed blood, no matter what they believe, are ineligible." These restrictions have now been removed. The organization had 28,111 members in 1994. There was a female auxiliary called the Loyal Ladies of the Royal Arcanum, founded in 1909; the main group didn’t recognize it until 1923. Go figure.]
The annual cruising race of the Lakewood Yacht Club will be held from Rocky River to Vermilion Sunday. Monday their entire fleet will race over a triangular course of 12 miles for the Wakefield trophy and class prizes.
The tramp plague struck Vermilion pretty hard during the past week. Thirteen were captured one night but released next morning. One man had his coat taken from him by these pests and a visitor at the park reported an attempted hold-up. Sunday one attempted to dictate to Geo. Krapp how much meat he should furnish him for five cents and he had a rebuke administered to him such as he will long remember.
There should be some way to dispose of these fellow without costing the town very much. They should be made to work for their vacation or at least given a good sound threshing to kill the “lazy microbe” which seems to infest them.
[VV Ed. Note: As I do a good deal of work for less fortunate folks I’m not sure how to take this rant. I assume it is that of my grandparents. Perhaps it was the voice of frustration. I suppose the visitation of 13 tramps at the same time is a hefty number of persons to deal with. But I don’t know that they should all be given “a good sound threshing” for their circumstance. And I’m also sure that it would not have helped much. I guess it was one of those “you had to be there” situations. Nonetheless, I find the article historically relevant. It shows us that even a century or so back folks had little tolerance for certain types of unfortunates.]
Some time ago an attempt was made to pas a bill in the State Legislature compelling the publications of the state of finances of the towns over 1000 or 1200 population. The cry was “it is a scheme for newspapers to make money.” For all that why wouldn’t it be a good thing to have semi-annual statements of village affairs published the same as the banks so the people will know how they stand. The old method of posting the reports before election is as antiquated as the town crier.
In these days of newspapers the people have no time to gather at the hall and read over the lengthy report of the clerk. The matter of expense would be small compared with the benefit.
Huron and Milan, if reports are true, are in a mix-up financially. Vermilion, while short of cash, is all right, everything straight and the books in good order.
Why wouldn’t it be a good plan to have the finances of every town made public through the town paper once or twice a year?
Take our watereworks for instance. Who, besides a few, know where they stand? They are self-supporting but still the pipe extensions, etc. cause the board to be “hard up”. Some cannot understand why and complain of the “burden”.
The village is short of cash caused by the tendency to make taxes as light as possible and a number of unlooked for expenditures. We hope to see the day when we will have a fine sewerage system, municipal lighting plant and best of all, everything paid for.
It is such things that attract businessmen and industries and we are in hopes of having a steady growth along this line. Let us advertise the good qualities of our town.
Tomorrow is Sept. 1st and no Businessmen’s Picnic in sight. A trip to Cedar Point, Put-in-Bay or the Islands might be considered.
The old tug Favorite is partially capsized near the pumping station. About half of the boat is above water.
The pupils of the Vermilion schools will attend the Erie County Fair Wednesday, Sept. 13. Rates on the railroad will be announced next week.
The tug Deveny left for Ashtabula Monday night to fish from that port. The Mary & Norman; Driscoll, Ames and Stricker are also at that port. Catches of 3000 to 4000 are reported.
Clyde L. Todd of Wakeman, and Miss Edith May Welch of Clarksfield, were united in marriage at Norwalk Saturday, Rev. Arthur Dumper of St. Paul’s Episcopal church, performing the ceremony.
At an early hour Sunday morning an engine crashed into one of the Grand street guard gates and demolished it as well as causing several hours work to get the engine back on the track. The accident occurred at the west end of the side track, the bumper at that point not being sufficient to stop the engine.
Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Decker attended the funeral of their uncle John Ashenback at N. Amherst Tuesday.
Geo. L. Oles of New Castle, Pa. arrived here this week and will spend the next two months at the Lakeside Inn. He is interest in apple buying.
The work on the harbor is progressing nicely and will be quite a change from the rotten wood work and heaps of stone with which we have become familiar. If we can only secure another appropriation to dredge and complete the harbor we will be fortunate indeed.
NOTICE – A package was placed in the wrong buggy in the wagon shed last Saturday night. Finder please leave at NEWS OFFICE. – Louis Nieding
Don’t forget the Erie County Fair Sept. 12, 13, 4, 15.
Willie ries has accepted a position in a grocery store at Lorain.
Wm. Curley died quite suddenly at his home in Toledo last week. He was brought to his old home in Florence for burial.
A 50-foot flagpole is being placed near the lakefront on Com. Wakefield’s place. Messrs Giddings and Quigley are doing the work. [VV Ed. Note: This must be on the old Thompson property purchased by Wakefield where he built his Harborview Home.]
S.C. Myers has purchased the Evangelical church property on Division Street and will remodel it for residence purposes.[VV Ed. Note: This is also an interesting piece of information. Could this be the duplex on the west side of south Main Street – 2nd house from the corner?]
Earl Childs has accepted a position with the Erie County Banking company and will enter upon his duties Tuesday, vice Miss Leah Burrows who resigned last week to take apposition with the Erie Wood Working company. [VV Ed. Note: Yet another interesting piece. Earl Childs was the head-guy at the bank back in the 1950s when I was a lad. At Halloween he had a bowl of coins sitting on his coffee table and trick-or-treaters were invited to take as many coins (i.e. pennies) as they could hold in one hand.]
About sixty of the young men of N. Amherst have organized a club and will give dances this winter.
Patrick Delaney, without doubt the oldest citizen of Lorain County, died Tuesday in Lorain age 97 years. He came to Lorain County in 1845.
Nathan Dogger, of Wakefield, near Cleveland was thrown from a Nickel Plate train just east of Lorain by three tramps that attempted to rob him. He struck in a small creek and was not seriously injured.[VV Ed. Note: I can’t help but make another comment here. This article may explain my grandfather’s attitude toward tramps.]
One of the worst thunderstorms of the season occurred today. A barn was struck by lightning on a farm about one and a half miles west of town and burned.
Gus Weideman, who lives near here, lost his barn and contents by fire Monday. The fire was discovered and put out once, but it was supposed that sparks drifted down and all at once the barn was ablaze. The fire was caused by sparks from a threshing machine engine. He saved 3 bushels of wheat.
Mr. Nau’s little girl who was sick is reported better.
The funeral services and burial of Mr. Phillip Baker were held here last week. Mr. Baker was a well-known merchant of this place and had many friends. Heart failure was the cause of his death, which occurred in Toledo.
At a special meeting of the village council Friday evening it was decided to put a sewer down South street without expense to property holders on the street.
Jerry Paxton sold his farm consisting of thirteen acres, to the Wabash Ry. Co., last week. Consideration $6000.
Work on the school building is progressing rapidly. Scholl will probably open Sept. 25.
Mrs. Chas. Davis has bought the millinery business of Mrs. J. Kritzer.
Hmmmmmm....
THE STAR OF VERMILLION HARBOR: CLOUDY: He was the star of the old Vermillion Harbor. I deliberately use the original spelling of Vermilion here because: 1) The star to which I refer was always, first and foremost, a French-Canadian, and that is, undoubtedly, the way he would have spelled it; and 2) that is how the photographer of Vermilion's Harbor thought of it when this photo was captured one hundred years ago. It was not Vermilion. It was Vermillion adapted from the Old French word describing a bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulfide. Precisely what Native Americans who once made this place their home called it is anyone's guess.
The "star of the harbor" was a man most locals knew as "Cloudy". His given name was Louis Noel. Born in Canada in 1872 his family immigrated to Erie, Pennsylvania when he was a baby. At the age of 24 he married a young lady named Marry, who had moved with her family to Erie from Lake George, Indiana.
At the turn of the century Cloudy and Mary had arrived in our little village. In 1906 he leased part of what was then swampland to operate a ferry service on the Vermilion River. The happy-go-lucky French-Canadian based his service in a small shack and store just north of the Vermilion Yacht Club where he sold pop and rented boats to Linwood Park vacationers. Prior to this time Peter Wahl, a well-known Linwood Park resident and concessionaire, and a man by the name of Norman A. Foster had operated the ferry. Park officials had been trying for years to obtain an exclusive lease from the swamp owners to operate the service, but for reasons unknown their efforts were never rewarded. The park company could have easily put the concession out of business by closing its western gate (the only realistic egress and access to the ferry on that side of the river) but" did not. Instead they charged Cloudy a set fee to leave the gate open.
Cloudy's original ferry was a 20-foot, flat-bottomed boat named Gertrude. Late Vermilion historian George Wakefield, recalled that "It was an open craft with benches on either side powered by a single engine near the stern. There was always a big pile of life preservers at the stern, and a large American flag flew aft. He steered her with a rope that ran athwart ship. When he docked he would shut the engine off in just the right place, coast into the dock, and gently toss a line around a pike to bring her to a slow stop. One of his favorite tricks was to start the engine by rocking the boat; he would set the flywheel near the ignition and roll the boat just right and the darn De Moy (engine) would just take off like a pet steam engine. He would then dance a jig as the boat moved in a small curve to the east dock singing as they went."
The western dock was just south of our waterworks. The fare was a nickel. He would later also use tokens for this purpose. American red flags were kept in pipes on either dock and when passengers wanted to cross they would wave them to get his attention. At night he used oil lamps on his docks, and later electric lights with switches to signal.
When the Gertrude had finally seen her best days local boat builders, George Goetz and Jim Brooks built a new round-bottom boat called the Marry N, put the old engine in her, and Cloudy was back in business until the days the automobile overwhelmed the ferrying trade just as it did the interurban electrics.
Although it is true that the dark and handsome clown in bib overalls, who habitually traded gibes with the gillnetters and danced and sang his way whilst crisscrossing the Vermilion River, was viewed with some disdain by proper folk, his antics delighted most of those who knew him. He was, in fact and deed, the star of old Vermillion Harbor.
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.
…W., who married S. R. McConnell, and lives in Burlington, Iowa: Susan, who died young; Julia L., who married William Dougherty, and lives in Newark, Ohio, and Hattie R., who lives at home.
H. J. Doolittle, of Halifax, Vermont, married Emily Wheeler, of the same place, - and in 1846 came to Ohio. He purchased sixty-five acres in lot thirty-four, in the second section, and still occupies the same premises. The comfortable frame dwelling he now occupies was built by him in 1868.
James Trimmer, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in May, 1834. He settled in Peru township, this county. In 1835, he married Louisa E. Smith, of Greenfield township. In 1847, he came to live in Norwich. His first stop was on the farm now occupied by H. C. Niver. He now lives on lot six, in section one. The children born to this couple are five, three of whom are living; these are: Thomas C, who married Mary J. Chandler, lives in Norwich. Essington T., who married Nettie Wheeler; she died, and he married Lona Smith, and now lives in Michigan. Charles E., who married Anna West, and lives with his parents. Of other early settlers we find the names of Jesse Woodruff, Russell Woodruff, James McCornell, William Gregory, Alpha Stout.
In the fall of 1835, Henry H. Coit, son of the proprietor, surveyed the fourth section, and opened it for settlement. The same fall, George W. Haxton and a brother-in-law began on the farm afterwards owned by Christopher Post. About this time, and later, the following came: Franklin D. and Seth Read, Daniel Robbins, John Numan, Horatio N. Owen, Martin G. Owen, James L. Couch, Wakeman R. Slater, Aaron Wheeler, Lyman Austin, — Joiner, Hartner - Miller. There may be others.
The first birth was that of two twin children of Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson, on the "24th of October, 1817. They lived in the house with Hosea Harnden. But one of these infants survived its birth, and that only a few hours.
The first person born in the township that survived its birth was Owen Fletcher, son of John Fletcher, February 22, 1818, eleven days subsequent to the time Fletcher, Rossman and Moore moved into the township. He died near Toledo, a few years since, of the small pox, leaving no family except a wife.
The first marriage in the township was that of Augustus Cook to Miss Martha Fletcher, March 3, 1819. The marriage contract was solemnized at the "surveyor's house," where her father lived, by Richard Burt, Esq. of Monroeville. The wedding was attended by nearly all the settlers in the township, who enjoyed a friendly social afternoon visit. Augustus Cook was born in Onondaga county. New York, and came to Norwich in December, 1818. His wife, Martha, was born in Otsego county. New York, and came to Norwich with her father, John Fletcher. Mr. and Mrs. Cook lived in the township until 1871, when they removed to Michigan, in which State he died August 14, 1878, leaving a wife and seven children.
The first death was an infant son of Wilder Lawrence, February 19, 1817, only nine days after their arrival in the township. It was buried on the bank of Mud run, some twenty rods northeast of the present burying ground. Soon after, Chauncey Woodruff buried a son at the same place. One of these children was born in Trumbull county while the parents were enroute from the State of New York. The first adult person that died in the township was Richard Moon, in the fall of 1819. Elder J. Wheeler, then a resident of Greenfield, preached the funeral sermon. This was the first burial that had been attended with religious services. The body was interred on the bank of Mud run.
The first frame building in the township was built in 1832. It was a barn and now stands on the farm of Lewis Bodelier.
The first frame dwelling house was built by Cyrus Niles, where Charles Clark now lives. It was designed as a dwelling house and cabinet shop. It was built in 1835 and burned the following year.
The first brick house was built by John Bowen, Sr.
The first post office was established in 1827. It was North Norwich, so named to avoid repetition, there being a Norwich post office in Muskingum county. Naum Gilson was the postmaster for perhaps twenty years.
In 1848, post offices were established on the Mansfield and Sandusky Railroad, at Havana and Centerton in the township, and the North Norwich office was abolished in 1858. The present postmaster at Havana is F. Van Horn; a brother, W. S. Van Horn, is the postmaster at Centerton.
The first corn was planted, on lot seven in the third section, by Messrs. Lawrence and Woodruff. This was in the spring of 1817.
Naum Gilson sowed the first wheat in the township. This was on lot twenty-eight in above section, the fall following the arrival of Mr. Gilson in the township.
Asa Gilson, Naum Gilson, Jonas Gilson, George H. Woodruff and Joseph Read, each planted or set out orchards in 1827. The Gilsons brought their apple seeds with them, and raised the trees. Joseph Read procured his trees in Norwalk township, and G. H. Woodruff purchased his of Morris Read, of Sherman.
Ira Halloway opened a small store on the corners, near the meetinghouse, in 1835. He remained long enough to sell out his stock of goods, and retired from the business.
In 1840, William L. Fish opened another stock of goods in the same house. He continued in business some five years.
Excerpts from: The Fire Lands, Comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio; W.W. Williams - 1879 - Press of Leader Printing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
KWIK GRIP: I’ve no idea where I found this little item. But it’s an ingenious little thing replete with directions for use.
I don’t know how many years the Crow Lumber Co. served Vermilion and the surrounding communities, but it was a good deal of time. I would guess that many of the homes in the Vermilion area built before, during, and after the Ford expansion / migration years have Crow lumber products in them.
The business card in this little gripper is that of the electrical contractor who has accomplished a good deal of the new electrical work at the print shop – Jim Traut’s Electrical Accents Inc.
I always like the Crow logo. It’d be interesting to know who designed it. Maybe a “Viewer” knows who that might have been.
In order for the admissions staff of our college to get to know you, the applicant, better, we ask that you answer the following question: Are there any significant experiences you have had, or accomplishments you have realized, that have helped to define you as a person?
I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently. Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.
I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.
Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets. I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.
I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy eveningwear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat .400. My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.
I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four-course meals using only a Mouli and a toaster oven. I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin. I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis. But I have not yet gone to college.
THIS SECTION WILL CHANGE SOON: I doubt that I will return podcasts to "VV". It's easier to do those things on YouTube. But I want to continue to promote the following:
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 22 - August 10, 2013
© 2012 Rich Tarrant