Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: The desktop pix this week are Vermilion’s Water Tower.
THEN: On my home desk this week is a pic of the town’s first tower. It was located in Hanover Square. This photo was taken south of the tower on Grand Street looking north toward Ferry Street. The homes in the background still look much the same. Although I don’t immediately recall the specific year the tower was erected it was likely around 1904-05 – and it was a Big Deal. The same year the tower was built a water treatment plant had also been constructed along the river. Prior to this time most folks acquired their water from wells. One of the problems with well water was, of course, contamination. Prior to the establishment of treatment plants typhoid and cholera – diseases spread by water – were not uncommon visitors in Vermilion Village and elsewhere. Again, it was a ”Big Deal”. What follows is a report / plan for both the treatment plant and the tower:
WORKS
GENTLEMEN:
The following report is respectfully submitted on the subject of the extent and cost of a complete water works system for the Village of Vermillion, [sic] Ohio, and in accordance with resolution duly adopted, and the petition of your citizens now on file.
SUPPLY - While the matter of the best supply cannot be definitely determined in advance of investigations and actual tests, yet from the data available on this subject, and a study of the supply conditions of your Village, a good water supply may be had from either the infiltration water in the beach sand on the shore of Lake Erie just west of and adjoining the lands of Linwood Park Co., or from the water of the vermillion [sic], River near the Shore Road bridge and filtering such water for domestic purposes.
While the first supply is subject in amount to the results obtained by experiment, yet the latter supply will be adequate in amount and quality, and at about the same cost, should the first source after experiment, prove deficient in quantity. And therefore for the purpose of an estimate, the first mentioned source will be used as a basis of an estimate.
LOCATION OF STATION - All suction lines must be laid to a rising grade from the supply to the pumps, and therefore, should it be deemed desirable and expedient to take a supply from the beach sand on the shore of the lake, the suction pipe to the station must be located on the easterly side of the river. Again, a station should also be so located, that in case a new supply should be required from the development of the village that such supply may be readily had without changing the location of the station or the appurtenances therein.
These facts indicate the necessity of the location of the station on or near the east side of the river, and as far up the river as will be in a measure beyond the influence of lake currents. But to reach such location it would be necessary to go up the river a considerable distance resulting in but shallow summer depth of the river water. And a reasonable compromise of location taking all the conditions under consideration, lead to a location before mentioned of near the Shore road, that being convenient of access for the operation of the plant and for the delivery of fuel, and having the additional advantage of deep water at all times in the adjacent river.
MACHINERY - For water works purposes, you should have one pumping engine of 750,000 gallons daily capacity, which is sufficient to deliver three good fire streams to a height of 100 feet at any point within 500 feet of a fire hydrant. This engine should be compound and arranged to take live steam in the low pressure cylinders for emergencies when called upon to deliver water to those lines when more than 500 feet from a hydrant. One 60 H.P. boiler will be sufficient for present needs with storage in the line of an elevated tank on a tower or a stand pipe for use during times of cleaning or repairs to the boiler.
STATION - A station should be of brick, and large enough to accommodate two boilers and two pumps, though but one of each will be necessary to be placed now: the surplus room being used for shop and supply storage, and for coal storage in the boiler room. The form of the building will in a measure depend on the site chosen but in such form that additions may be readily made to provide for increase of room for more machinery or for a future electric light plant. and the location recommended is well adapted for such lighting plant.
STORAGE - That it may not be necessary to pump direct, and continuously, it is desirable to erect a stand pipe or an elevated tank on a steel tower with the top of the tank at a height of about 100 feet above the ground level. This will give adequate head for domestic and small fire pressure, and the capacity should be about 80 thousand gallons with a full tank, so as to enable you to pump all the water required per day in the day time and bank the fires for night. A valve should be placed in the connection pipe line to the tank so as to cut off the tank and pump direct when more pressure than that represented by the elevation of water in the tank is required for fire service. This tank may be located at any convenient site near the heart of the pipe distribution to insure normal pressure at all points of the distribution. A suggested location is shown on the plat 340-A (plats may be seen at the Mayor’s office,) as on Exchange Place, where the tower and tank will be an ornament as well of utility.
DISTRIBUTION - The suggested pipe distribution is, as shown on the plat number 340-A herewith submitted. The this plan is not submitted as final, yet it or some location will give good service.....[not legible] in the present village...[not legible] the lots are built upon....construction commences, or before, and desired modification may be made to adapt the system to the best interest of the citizens and the village.
Where houses cannot be reached by service directly from the mains shown on this plat, it is the intention to lay at the expense of the water works fund, what are known as long services, from such mains to the front of such properties, and from which long services to connect the house service required.
ESTIMATE OF COST - The following estimate of cost has been prepared as being sufficient with present prices of labor and material to construct the plant proposed with a supply from either sources mentioned and which estimate is as follows:
The laying of 7558 ft. 4-in pipe @ 20c.......... $1510
10600 ft. 6-in. pipe @24c.......... 2438
2400 ft. 8-in. pipe @26c........... 624
480 ft 10-in pipe @30c.......... 144
Additional cost of protecting pipe over bridge $200
Total for pipe laying................................................................. $4916
Pipe and Specials 4-in pipe, 166320 lbs.
6-in pipe, 318600
8-in pipe 28800
or, 314 tons @ $32...........$10048
Special castings, 6 tons.. 360
Total for pipe and specials.................................................................... $10408
Hydranti, Valves and Boxes,
21 4-in valves @ $ 7..................................$147
22 6-in “ 11................................. 242
4 8 in “ 17................................. 68
1 10-in “ 25................................ 25
48 Valve boxes...................2.75........................... 132
35 Fire hydrants..............24.................................. 840
Total for valves, hydrants and boxes.................................................... $ 1454
Long Services estimated.................................................... 322
Total cost of pipe distribution, complete.................................................. $17100
Water tower and 80000 gal. tank, iron work................. 5200
Suction line, pipe and laying complete................................................... 2900
Supply wells or cribs...................................... 600
Station building complete.................................. 2800
1 7500,000-gallon pumping engine complete........................................... 1700
1 Boiler and feed pump and piping complete............................................. 1000
Suction and discharge piping complete.......................................................... 300
Tank foundation......................................................... 200
$31809
Preparing legislation, printing specifications, engineering
and inspection of complete plant, 5 percent.................................................... 1590
Expense of sale of bonds, land and right-of-way, grading
grounds, contingent expense, estimated............................................................1300
Total cost of complete plant.............................................................. $35000
By judicious date and maturity of the amount of bond issue for this purpose, such issue can be floated for about 4 1/2 percent, and also receive perhaps a small premium. And in the legistration [sic] it is recommended that the bonds be made at not exceeding 5 per cent, and when bids are received the same to be at 4, 4 1/2 and 5 per rates, reserving the right to fix the rate after the bids are received. Should any premium be received, it must be placed in the sinking fund and cannot be used for construction purposes.
COST OF OPERATION - This plant as recommended, can easily be operated within an annual expense of $1000.00 including in such expense all attendance, fuel supplies, and repairs. With the stand pipe or water tower, you will operate the plant with one man, and these results are easily had in all plants under like conditions.
REVENUE - With an average low rate of $6.00 per annum from small residences, and the larger ones, and stores and business houses in proportion, with the possible revenue from railway and manufacturing uses, your revenue at the end of the second year will be sufficient to pay for all interest on the bonds, all operation and extension expenses and leave you a small margin for sinking funds, giving your people the fire protection at practically no annual cost, and which fire protection is generally equivalent to an annual saving in insurance rates of an amount equal to the interest on the propose bond issue.
With the possession of such a water plant, you will be able to offer valuable and effective inducements for the location of manufacturing plants, increase your popularity as a place of residence, and add much to the comforts and conveniences of your people.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAPIN & KNOWLES, Eng’rs.
per L.E. Chapin.
March 1903
AND FINALLY: After several years of discussion and more discussion a headline in The Vermilion News on September 29, 1904 proclaimed “A FINE PLANT. The Vermilion Water-Works Completed.” With the exception of some very basic finishing touches (i.e. grading, installing floors in the power house, and general cleanup) the plant was ready to supply clean water to the citizens of Vermilion, O.
Just the previous weekend workers tested the system by attaching hose to fire hydrants in various parts of town and applying pressure directly from the plant and from the water tank. The tank (pictured) was in Hanover Square on the southwest corner of Grand and Ferry Streets. At the corner near the M.E. Church (currently the vacant lot on the southeast portion of Grand and Liberty Streets where Fulper’s Auto Supply was recently located) they tested the pressure and threw water to the height of the vane atop the steeple.
Remarkably the lines withstood the pressure of 125 lbs. per square inch for three solid hours without any leaks. It was thought to be remarkable at that time because apparently such things were apparently very rare. “Generally” said the report, a few leaks are found” during such testing.
The Water-Works Construction Company of Pittsburg, Pa did the work. The President of the company, Edward J. Robinson was there for the grand opening.
The new system, built by The Water-Works Construction Company of Pittsburg, Pa., consisted of about 4 miles of pipe. The intake system consisted of some 12,000 feet of pipe that fed a 80,000 gallon capacity tank on a steel frame about 72 feet from the ground and about 100 feet to the top. The main pump had a 75,000-gallon capacity feed over a period of 24 hours. The filter pump was about half that capacity.
The settling basin was located on the shore of the lake at the foot of Main Street. When water flowed into it where much of the sediment settled to the bottom before being pumped into the filters. The filters removed the impurities and treated the water with chemicals to kill germs. From there it was pumped into the tank or into the mains.
Vermilionites Vernon Thompson was hired to oversee the operation of the plant. The estimated cost for the initial operation of the plant was $35,000. A new operation levy was placed on the ballot to secure funds keep the plant running on a regular basis.
The charge for tapping into the main was $6 and included pipe and attachments to the curb line. It did not include the digging. Lawn sprinkling and water closet piping were also provided. The water rates were based on the number of rooms in each house with a six-room minimum. The cost for the six-room tap-in was $5. The charge for each additional room was 50 cents.
The editor of The News commented that local insurance man C.A. “Charlie” Trinter had sampled the filtered water from the water-works and compared it to “pure” lake water saying that “One only has to see the samples to form an opinion in favor of the filter”. Vermilion had finally splashed into the 20th century. All that was needed in that yesteryear was some electricity to help light the way.
& THEN AGAIN: The tower on my shop desk this week is now a Vermilion landmark.Aside from Fulper’s Sohio Station, Butler’s restaurant, the News Gift Shop, and the Western Union Telegraph store, things missing from today’s Vermilion are the water towers; one in Hanover Square; and the tower used by the steam engines (along the rails between Sandusky Street and West River Road). Also missing is the garage on the northwest corner of Grand and Liberty streets. It had been destroyed in a great fire and is the reason I am able to guesstimate the date the new tower was built. When the fire that destroyed the garage took place Glenn Martin ran an auto dealership on the ground floor, and Leonard Osberg – Vermilion’s “Singing Mayor” – kept the mayor’s office and ran a cosmetic firm on the upper floor. During Mayor Osberg’s first term of office (1940-42) the water tower along the river on West River Road was built. I should add that I don’t believe that the fire had anything to do with the construction of a new water tower. It was just something that a growing town with a leaky old water tower really needed.
Historically,
LITTLE THINGS MEANS A LOT: Over the years I have wished that someone in the past had had the foresight to make an accurate map of the town as it was way back when. As the saying goes, “Wish in one hand and etc.…” But sometimes we have to take what we can get. So, when at the end of June Vermilionite Rich Parsons visited the local history museum with a document that was apparently composed by his grandfather, Clifford, some years ago describing where things had once been, I was very pleased. It was a one-page piece, handwritten in pencil, on an unlined sheet of paper and tentatively titled, “Places in Vermilion That Have Been Moved”.
To be clear this is not an essay. It appears that Mr. Parsons simply wanted to create a document that in his experience accurately detailed, as the title intimates, some of the places in our town that have been moved from one site to another. I tried my best to accurately decipher and transcribe the document. But some things still escaped me. So please excuse my errors.
Some of these moves are well known to long time residents. But there are also a few surprises. So let’s have a look. What follows is the document as I found it – it with a few very minor notations:
“The Sterling home or Geo. Blattner’s stood North of C. (Clifford) H. Parsons on Huron St. (until) water washed the bank away – (it) had to be moved to Grand St. then to Ferry St.
The School house stood where the Town Hall was built – was on Exchange St. about 50 ft. East of Kishman Fish House. Geo. Fischer bought Burt Parsons Fish House the old school house then moved it to Toledo St on the west side right on the river – it was used to build several trap net boats by Andrew Marks. The Present “bought” [sic] house was my father’s house torn down and the lumber was used to build the present Boat Club building – used by Tony Becker for making concrete blocks.
The Beer joint on Liberty St. “acrost” [sic] from Walker’s garage stood on the south side of the sidewalk in “rubberneck” [sic] park. It was Dr. Bond drug store. Their[sic] was a jewelry store next to it – a man was murdered their [sic] (in 1877) – it was moved to State Street south of Nickel Plate track.
Harry Williams home on Washington and Doc Iden (‘s) home were part of home on Liberty St. where the Ambulance service is now. The Home [of] George Schrack on Huron St. is where a Thompson home was – it was moved acrost[sic] from Wakefield Museum is[sic] on Main St. The home next to Geo. Kopenhaber’s just south on Perry was moved from Washington St. where Doc Iden home was. The Home of Dick Gorbach stood one Lot North of Library. The Shaw home on Decatur was a barn and stood where Jim Snell home now stands. The Home next to Don Englebry was moved to Bluebird Beach – the Roy Hurlbut home was moved from Decatur to Ohio two doors west of Sandusky St. on the north side – the home on Toledo St. stood on Decatur St. next to track – the Andy Marks home stood where the Bettcher Bldg. on Liberty St.
The Kane house on Decatur was moved West one lot on Liberty when the New House was built – the Stone house stood on Decatur St. - where Don Englebry home is, was moved to Perry on East side. The Large house on Sandusky corner of South St. stood were the South St. School now is.
The Old school on Ferry & Grand was moved acrost[sic] from Bailey hardware – Torn down in 1970 – 1930 C.H. Parsons Home moved to Decatur two doors North from South St. on West side. Geo. Baumhart Stood where John Long home is now – moved the big part (?) to North West corner on Perry & Huron St. – the house Next to that known as Stal[sic] house stood on Perry West side north of Lake St. Last house on exchange St. stood on Washington east side next to New York central track. Maud Elton stood on Liberty acrost[sic] from Erie Co. Bank.”
- July 6, 2018
Fun.
IF YOU EVER WONDERED ABOUT VERMILION’S CANNONS…: The photograph accompanying the column this week was taken by a young man named John Bernard “Bernie” Gribble during the summer of 1941. Gribble was 16 years old at the time. Although I have no concrete evidence to prove it, the photo was very likely taken by the young man in an effort to earn a Scout merit badge in photography. It is of very good quality. In fact it was so good that it was published on the front page of The Vermilion News on 29 January in 1942. Given the fact that this was well before the time of Polaroid and digital cameras this was no mean feat on Gribble’s part. The only fault one might take with it has more to do with the newspaper staff than the photographer: the Scouts pictured were never identified.
On the other hand the photo was not really the subject of the headline over it, which read, “Cannons in the Park Fired Salutes”, or the article that followed it. Most of the information in that piece was provided by long time Village Mayor, H.R. “Squire” Williams. The reason Mr. Williams knew so much about the cannons that still sit in Exchange / Rubberneck Park was because he and a well-known Vermilion doctor, F.E. Englebry, were responsible for their acquisition back in the spring of 1898. At the time Dr. Englebry [VPJ 01/26/18] was the village mayor and Mr. Williams a young attorney.
The cannons are 32-pound (i.e. a gun firing 32 pounds of weight) Naval cannons. Mr. Williams noted that they were shipped here by train from Boston and hauled from the depot to the park by a local contractor named Dan Thompson; the local postmaster Edgar Kane furnished the lumber for the stanchions; and Harry Rose and local painter, painted them.
The first time they were fired in Vermilion was during a 4th of July celebration in 1898. A small charge – 1 and a half pounds – was loaded and fired by Mr. Williams. Those present during that “big bang” were G.A.R. members Albert Alonzo Blair, Tom Ball and Charles A. Mattison.
The last time the gun was fired was in 1921. By that time Williams was Mayor and had been several times. It was also a 4th of July celebration. At this time the newly formed Fiebirch Post of the American Legion was in charge of festivities. The Mayor offered to buy a keg of powder for the “boys” if they used the cannon, and two local veterans, Marty Strahle and John Leidheiser, attempted to secure the powder with no success. Finally they acquired a keg of coarse grain blasting powder.
The cannon they used was the one facing Lake Erie. During the cleaning of the gun it was found that a priming of black powder was required to ignite the main charge of blasting powder. They used old fishing nets as wadding. At sunrise on the Glorious 4th the first round was fired attracting every youngster in the village to the park like a magnet. Mr. Williams specifically noted that eleven-year-old Vermilionite John Trinter was the first to arrive. The gun was then fired at stated intervals throughout the day.
A grand finale of sorts was slated for a sunset service in the park. Unfortunately, it was discovered that there was no black powder left to prime the gun. While Bill Tarrant, the first legion post commander, was searching around for something to use, the gun crew filled the cannon with wet nets and mud. Mike Kishman who was clerking at Albert Hart’s drugstore while on vacation from medical school suggested that ether could do the job. And it most certainly did.
I am amused by Williams’s eyewitness description of the sunset ceremony that ensued: “The people collected. The flag flew high on the pole. Babe Thompson's bugle sounded retreat. Tarrant stood by the canon with its charge primed with the ether. He lighted a safety match and placed it over the touchhole. Then things happened.”
With a thunderous roar the canon leapt into the air, carriage and all; snapped off the steel cable with which it was anchored, the cannon came down much off the base; windows rattled; the bass drummer in the G. A. R. Band, Johnny Krapp, held both heads of the drum to save it from vibration; the mud in nets spewed from the Canon tore into the cement form that Phil Darley had just built for the Kishman Fish Company’s twine loft, and raked the river to beyond the lighthouse.”
“The band played the national anthem; the flag came down with the crowd standing at attention.”
Methinks, however, that the crowd was not really standing at attention. They were frozen in shock. In any case, if you ever wonder about the cannons in the park, that is the story. It’s also very likely the reason they’ve not been fired since 1921.
YESTERYEAR'S NEWS: The following clips are dictated transcriptions from past issues of The Vermilion News. I think you will find them both interesting and fun...
The Village Council held its regular meeting Tuesday evening. July 5 on account of the Fourth being our National holiday. All members were present accepting Mr. Minium who is on his vacation. After the regular routine of reading and approval of minutes of the previous meeting reports of committees the Council took up various other matters.
The matter of license for peddling popcorn, etc., on the street was brought up. It seems that one or two of the Council did not understand the matter. The rate of $5.00 per month was annulled and a new rate of $3.00 a month made and instructions given the mayor that the rate be enforced.
A resolution was passed providing for the oiling of the streets with the appointment for the property owners, etc.
The subject of oiling the road from the present stopping point to Crystal Beach and the committee was asked to interview the property owners. If this is not done a few barrels of oil will be purchased for sprinkling a few of the places, which have been missed or could not be reached with the wagon. The matter of the crossing on Huron street at the intersection of Main Street was discussed and the former act on in regard to the matter rescinded and upon motion which was duly carried it was proposed to advertise for bids the notice of which appears elsewhere.
The Council instructed the public grounds committee to have the plank used as seats in the park converted into benches and instructions were given to look up the chair question and procure chairs needed for the band. Complaint was made that the ordinance in regard to bicycle riding on the sidewalks was being disregarded and that it be more rigidly enforced.
After discussing several other matters the bills were ordered paid in the meeting adjourned.
The meeting for the purpose of acting on the railway franchise will not be held until officials of the road can be present which will be in one or two weeks. It is to be hoped that the matter can be adjusted at that time.
Monday, while on the way to town in a rig, N. Reifert and his daughter Mrs. Zilch and baby had a narrow escape from injury. An automobile bound in the same direct direction attempted to pass on the wrong side. The result was that two wheels were taken off the buggy. The autoist settled for a small amount.
The County commissioners and Nickel Plate Ry officials have reached an agreement whereby three crossings will be eliminated and an underground undergrade put in near Fries Landing in Milan Township. The county pays not to exceed $1900 or half the cost.
The Fourth of July passed out off about as usual in Vermilion and the parks. A fairly large crowd was here. The Henrietta reunion and picnic at Linwood attracted large number who indulged in reminisces and greeted old friends. The old Henrietta band and the Salvation Army band from Cleveland furnished the music. At Crystal Beach all the amusement features were on in full blast. The band music was furnished by the Berlin Heights Band.
In the evening the Vermilion G. A. R. Band entertained a good size crowd at Exchange Place. So far as we can ascertain there were no serious accidents although a few fireworks and other noise producing things were in evidence.
The good of the oil on Liberty Street was demonstrated very satisfactorily on the Fourth. The large number of autos would have rendered travel on foot a source of great discomfort especially as a high wind was blowing most of the day. The contrast was very noticeable on Water Street beyond where the oil had been spread. At times during the day the autos and buggies were very plentiful. It would be a good thing if all the main traveled streets of the town could be oiled. Residents along the West Shore road are contemplating using oil on that road. Portions of it have been already treated.
Motorman Harry Trinter, a former Vermilion boy, now a resident of Sandusky fell from a L. S. E. car Monday night at Cleveland and was severely injured. At first it was reported that his back was broken but later reports say that he was only badly shaken up and shocked and will be out of the hospital in a few days.
According to conductor Harry Cole who had charge of Trinter’s car the accident occurred just after the car had crossed Rocky River Bridge. The trolley rope had become loosened and Trinter climbed up to fix it. In some way he received a shock and was thrown to the ground. He was taken to Lakewood Hospital and it was thought his back was broken. He suffered intense pain and it was not until Tuesday that the extent of his injuries could be ascertained.
Mr. Trinter was not on his regular run but had been called upon for extra duty on account of the heavy traffic.
Charles Crowdell, one of the operators of the Merry-go-round at Crystal Beach had the misfortune to fall and break his collarbone about 6 o'clock on the evening of the fourth. Medical aid was summoned and he was cared for and is getting along as well as can be expected. Mr. Crowdell has been in the employ of Mr. Wahl for four years.
The Henry black property located on the lakefront on Washington Street opposite the new residence of Mr. and Mrs. Jas F. Nolan, is now offered for sale.
E. L. Coen, agent.
Louis Lassen is nursing a badly injured foot caused by stepping on a rusty nail the fourth.
Died – at his home in Brownhelm Monday, July 4, Mr. Elmer Shattuck, age 49. A wife and three sons survive.
Michael Schmidt, age 74, died Friday at the home of Carl Krieg. Burial was made in Henrietta Cemetery.
George Hacker, former resident of Amherst met instant death at Lorain Saturday by jumping from the viaduct.
Mrs. Lewis Woodruff has summer borders.
Farmers around here have begun their haying.
A big auto load came up from Cleveland to spend the Sabbath at Charlie Baldwin's.
We understand that Albert Ward is talking of purchasing an auto. It is too awful warm to pump a bike these days and then only one can ride at a time.
Axtel was represented well represented at Vermilion on the Fourth.
The ice cream social at William Dean's last Thursday evening was a decided success.
Miss Gertrude Sperry of Huron is quite sick at the home of her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. C. Sperry.
The Lakes Shore Electric is extending their bridge at Sugar Creek.
The park was well patronized Sunday and Monday.
The work on A. R.’s new building has been resumed. It is to be completed by the middle of August.
Mr. Henry Kishman has finished fixing his barn on the Barnes place.
Mrs. Nick Snyder returned from St. Joseph's Hospital today.
Lightkeeper and Mrs. Burns are entertaining Miss May Hatch of Cleveland for a few days.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. John Smith son June 27, 1910.
BORN – to Mr. Mrs. Alfred Ries at their home in Lorain a son Tuesday, July 5, 1910.
Mrs. F. H. Rae was called to Conneaut this week by the sudden illness of her son Frank.
P. P. Morgan received word this week of his being awarded a free scholarship for two years at the Agricultural School, Ohio State University by the Erie County Agricultural Society. There were two other applicants. Warren Haise of Birmingham and Herbert H. Gregg of Sandusky. He is expecting to attend the school at Columbus next fall.
Miss Nora Reed who has been visiting her grandmother in Ridgeville for the past two weeks has been very ill with the measles.
What might've been a serious accident happened Monday afternoon when a team from the Children's home became frightened by a car while unloading berries at the depot and ran away tipping about 8 bushels of berries into Dr. Boss yard. No other harm was done.
Almira L. Richards was born at Chautauqua, N. Y. February 3, 1834. When a young girl she with her parents moved to Rockdale, Pennsylvania. A few years later she came to Townsend, Huron County were at the age of 17 she was married to W. H. Washburn. To this union four children were born, one having died at the age of four years. Mr. Washburn died in 1873 – 37 years ago – at Florence, O.
In 1878 she was again united in marriage to Burton French, who passed to his reward in 1899. She united with the Methodist Episcopal Church when but a young girl and has remained a faithful member through life. Her last sickness was born with trust and hope.
There remains two daughters and one son, beside many other resident relatives and friends to mourn her departure. She will be missed and sorrowed for in the home and community.
The funeral services were held at Wakeman M. E. Church, on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. A. G. Rupert of Berlin Heights. Mrs. French had made her home with her daughter Mr. and Mrs. Akers of Birmingham for the past seven winters, and had lived the entire of the past three years in the same home.
Hmmmmmm....
151…Joseph Soncraut, drafted; mustered out May 31, 1865, at David's Island, N.Y., by order of war department.
Jonathan Shell, wounded June 15,1864,in battle of Kenesaw Mountain; mustered out August 11, 1865, by order of war department; veteran.
George W. Steward, died July 14, 1863, of wounds received July 4, 1863, in battle of Gettysburg, Penn.
Thomas T. Spafford, died March 3, 1863, at Brooks's Station, Va.
William Starkey, killed July 3, 1863, in battle of Gettysburg, Penn.
John A. Seawalt, killed August 27, 1864, at Turner's Ferry, Ga.
Elias Saddoris, drafted; died Feb. 28, 1865, in hospital at Savannah, Ga.
Jesse Sneath, discharged May 23,1862,atFranklin,Va.
George W. Stull, transferred to company H, Seventh Veteran Reserve Corps January 12, 1864.
Henry H. Trowbridge, died July 30, 1862, at Baltimore, Md.
William H. Tallman, killed August, 30, 1862, in battle of Bull Run, Va.
Benjamin Wagner, drafted; mustered out with company, July 11, 1865.
John A. Wilson, discharged March 25, 1863, at Brooks's Station, Va., on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Barney Weigle, wounded August 30, 1862, in battle of Bull Run; discharged January 9, 1863.
Fernando West, discharged December 26, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability.
Enoch B. Watson, wounded August 30,1862,in battle of Bull Run, Va.; May 15,1864,inbattleofResaca,Ga.;transferred to company I, Seventeenth Veteran Reserve Corps August 3, 1864; veteran.
George M. Wagar, transferred to Sixteenth company. Second Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps, August 5, 1863.
John B. York, killed May 2, 1863, in battle of Chancellorsville, Va.
This regiment formed a portion of the Sherman Brigade. It was organized and recruited at Mansfield during the summer and fall months of 1861. In several companies of the regiment were me^ from Erie county, although no considerable portion of either company was from here.
At Nashville, Tenn., the Sixty-fourth joined the national forces. Its first lively battle was fought at Pittsburg Landing, on the 7th of April, and even here but apart of the regiment was engaged. General Garfield commanded the brigade. It participated in the events just preceding and in the battle of Corinth, and afterward built Fort Harker, at Stevenson. It joined in pursuit of Bragg in August, and was repulsed in a battle with the rebels at Munfordsville. The next important battle was at Stone River, where the regiment was attached to Crittenden's Corps and Wood's Division. In this fight it was more…
A circus owner walked into a bar to see everyone crowded about a table watching a little show. On the table was an upside-down pot and a duck tap dancing on it. The circus owner was so impressed that he offered to buy the duck from its owner. After some wheeling and dealing they settled for $10,000 for the duck and the pot.
Three days later the circus owner runs back to the bar in anger, "Your duck is a rip-off! I put him on the pot before a whole audience and he didn't dance a single step!"
"So?" asked the ducks former owner, "did you remember to light the candle under the pot?".
LOCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: After giving it much thought this link has been "put-down". During the last year most of the folks who used to use this page as a bulletin board have acquired their own and, consequently, no longer need this forum from "Views". I have, however, kept links (in the links section) to Larry Hohler's "Hope Homes" in Kenya - and to Bette Lou Higgins' Eden Valley Enterprises sites. They are historically and socially relevant projects. I suggest that you visit these sites on a regular basis to see "what's shakin'".
Persons interested in the history of the Lake Shore Electric Railway (which was the subject of a recent past podcast series) - "the greatest electaric railway system on the planet" may want to go to Amazon.com and purchase a book called "Images of Rail - Lake Shore Electric Railway". It was put together by Thomas J. Patton with the help of my friends DENNIS LAMONT and ALBERT DOANE. It'd make a nice gift.
Another great book with Vermilion Roots is, "Grandma's Favorites: A Compilation of Recipes from MARGARET SANDERS BUELL by Amy O'Neal, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and MEG WALTER (May 2, 2012). This book very literally will provide one with the flavor of old Vermilion. And ye can also find it at Amazon.com. Take a look.
MARY WAKEFIELD BUXTON'S LATEST BOOK "The Private War of William Styron" is available in paper back for $15.00 with tax and can be purchased locally at Buxton and Buxton Law Office in Urbanna, ordered from any book store, Amazon.com or Brandylane Publishing Company. A signed, hard back edition may be purchased from Mrs. Buxton directly for $30.00 by writing her at Box 488, Urbanna, VA 23175 and including $6.00 for tax, postage and packaging.
THE BEAT GOES ON: This page is generated by a dreaded Macintosh Computer and is written and designed by (me) Rich Tarrant. It will change weekly ~ usually on Saturday. Bookmark the URL (Universal Resource Locater) and come back at your own leisure. Send the page to your friends (and enemies if you wish). If you have something to share with those who visit this page, pass it on. And if you see something that is in need of correction do the same. My sister, Nancy, is a great help in that respect. It only takes me a week to get things right. And follow the links. You might find something you like. If you experience a problem with them let me know. Also, if you want to see past editions of this eZine check the new archives links below.
If you're looking for my old links section (pictured) I've replaced it with a pull-down menu (visible in the small box next to the word "Go"). If you're looking for links to more Vermilion history check that menu.
How the old links menu looked
P.O. Box 437
Vermilion, Ohio
44089
Telephone: 440-967-0988 - Cell: 440-522-8397
or you can use PayPal: (NOTE: IT WORKS NOW)
Vol. 16. Issue 18 - July 7, 2018
Archive Issue #799
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© 2017 Rich Tarrant