Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: Atop my desks this week are pix of old Street Dances. The one with the old bandwagon came from Brenda Baumhart-Mezz. You will, no doubt, note that Baumhart’s store is very prominent in the background. And next to it is a store that some about town may still remember – Hawkin’s Flowers. [Which now reminds me that when I interviewed Larry Howell at the Ritter Library, I intended to ask him about the time Mr. Hawkins appropriated his bicycle. Oops! It was an interesting story about old time Vermilion and its people.]
The other pic was probably taken during WW2. It’s of interest (at least to me) because Miller’s Hardware Store was then located on the east side of the street, and the saloon was Conner’s Saloon before it became Eland’s (Lefties) Café. In my time Miller’s was on the opposite side of the street where Tiffany’s Flowers is currently doing business, and Conner’s place is now called Woodstock.
I also note in this pic that nearly all the ladies in the pic are wearing dresses that are a few inches below their knees. I thought that a notable observation. Some may remember when women were not allowed to wear even slacks to school. I don’t recall when the change was made, but change certainly did come.
There is, by the way, one young lady wearing trousers. If you find her you will note that they are very baggy.
I liked the street dances when I was a youngster. But I never was a fan of square dancing. Some years after those pictured, I was trying [I need emphasize trying] to participate in a square dance at the Olympic Outing Club and was asked to leave the floor because I was so inept. I was more glad than mad at the request. And my square dancing days were over.
NOT MUCH SHAKING There’s not been much going on at the museum during the holidays. That’s a good thing and a bad thing. It’s bad because I hope we’re not being forgotten, and it’s good because it affords me time to catch up with things I’ve been meaning to accomplish for months.
NEW CORRESPONDENCE: I received an email from a girl named Stephanie Korney on Friday. Ms. Korney is the President of the Camptonville (California) Historical Society. Famed Vermilionite Lester Pelton made Camptonville his home when he lived in California. It’s where he invented the “Pelton Runner” that is now used all over the planet to generate electricity.
I net-met Stephanie and several other in her society several years ago. And just a few years back one of the society members visited us at the Vermilion museum. I took him out to the Pelton plaque at the Risden Road cemetery, as well as to Lester’s grave in Maple Grove.
Anyway, she went on to tell me that their society now has “an actual museum space and are now busily working on getting it into shape”. She is also thinking of doing an updated biography of Mr. Pelton and was requesting additional information – if there is any available.
We have a good deal of stuff that might interest her and we’ll pass it on.
However, one of the things we really want to do is acquire a real “Pelton Wheel”. I am hoping that with the help of her organization we will be able to arrange the purchase of one and bring it to Vermilion in the coming year.
Stay tuned.
Historically,
OTTO: OTTO: This is a snapshot of a fella whose name, I have only been told, was Otto. He was a chef, alongside of Russ Vasbinder, in the kitchen of the Okagi Restaurant. I don’t think that Otto was Otto’s name. It doesn’t appear to be Japanese and he does.
If anyone knows his real identity, I’d appreciate hearing from you. I’m trying to figure where he might have been living when he worked for Okagi. He didn’t live with Okagi, and he didn’t live with Vasbinder. Where else would he have made a home?
Someone must have an inkling of who Otto really was.
A TOWERING VIEW: It appeared to be a fine summer morning, probably just before W.W.II (c.1940), when some audacious soul climbed the Vermilion water tower, looked westward over the village, and took this photograph. While it is certainly part of the P. Roscoe/Vermilion News file photograph collection the specific identity of the valiant Wight who scaled the tower to capture these shadows is unknown to me.
In the lower right corner of the picture the silhouette of the tower top is visible on the pavement of Liberty Street and part of the parking lot at F.E. (Frank) Baker’s Ford garage. A decade later the dealership would become one of my favorite haunts. I loved the Ford’s of that time, and Mr. Baker never objected to allowing me an opportunity sit behind the wheel of the new models when they were introduced to the public every September. The garage is now home to Vermilion’s Convenient Store and Carl Lapp’s Medicine Shoppe.
Directly behind the garage on Sandusky Street, just to the west of the barely visible Fries/Crow Lumber Company buildings, sat a tidy two-story house. I’ve no idea who occupied the house at the time of this photograph, but when I was a youngster the Ed Fischer (not Fisher) family lived there. When one looks at the area today it is hard to believe that there was enough space for such a residence.
With the exception of the large building that can been seen to the west of Sandusky Street, which is now the Cargo Warehouse, none of the visible structures in this photo (aside from the brick Lake Shore Electric depot) remain.
Just west the old LSE depot on the northwest corner of Exchange Street the 4-story Maud-Elton Hotel towers over the trees. Most likely the old inn wasn’t in use at this time - or if it was, it wouldn’t be too long before new laws regarding operations would put it under. And kindly take note of the New York Central rails behind (to the south of) the old hotel. There are four sets of rails. One is a set of siding tracks. But the other three were in regular use well into the 1960’s. Both passenger and freight trains made regular stops in the village.
North of Liberty Avenue, just across the street from the hotel named after him and his sister Maud, was the riverside home of Elton Fischer. Elton’s father, George, had built the house earlier in the century. This was a sizeable house that I have before called a “mansion”. To the east of the mansion fish houses line the river to the bridge.
At one time George Fisher’s Lumber Company had occupied the area between the mansion and the first fish house where the Vermilion Boat Club is today. That lumberyard was completely dispatched in a fire (c. 1930) and was never rebuilt on that side of the road. Ironically and tragically, another fire in 1950 erased nearly all of the fish houses seen in this photo.
That which became the lovely Vermilion Lagoons, across the river from the fisheries, was still but someone’s dream the day the brave photographer climbed the tower with his camera to capture these specters of yesteryear. I am glad he dared to do so. Because if it was up to me there would be no tower view at all. Five foot eleven is as high as I ever care to climb.
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...
Quite a crowd was attracted Wednesday afternoon when a freight pulled in and left a huge locomotive, being transported to the West for the A. T. & S. F. Ry. The cab was in flames and after the engine was sidetracked a stream of water from a hydrant was turned on and it was soon extinguished. Most of the woodwork in the cab was burned and a number of the pipes and equipment of the engine were damaged.
The origin of the fire is not definitely known as the caretaker was so dazed that he could hardly give his name. The cab was heated with a small coal stove and whether he was asleep and the fire caught from that or a gasoline stove exploded. The caretaker had the appearance of a man who would either been overcome by gas or had imbibed freely. He was sent to the hospital at Sandusky. As nearly as could be ascertained his name was Davis. The engine, a huge machine with two sets of cylinders and 12 drivers, is one of the largest ever seen here.
Mr. Geo. Ritter of Sandusky was visiting in town the first of the week.
The Christmas exercises at the M. E. Church passed off nicely in all seem to have an enjoyable time.
The Box Factory closed down last Friday afternoon when the manager, Mr. Guy Sturdevant called all employees into the office and presented each one of the men with a beautiful adjustable umbrella and each lady with a certificate which entitled them to a fine pair of kid gloves. The factory began work on Wednesday morning again.
Miss Edna Bacon is very ill.
Reuben Miller has left for a two months trip through the southern and western states.
Mr. Almon Chapin age 94 years who has been very ill is now very much improved.
The Ohio River is practically closed to navigation from Gallipolis, to Pittsburgh Pa., because of ice. Ice gorges have formed at a number of places and shipping is in danger. The towboat Crescent of Pittsburgh, with a tow of barges, was crowded on the rocks when a gorge formed at the LeTart Falls. In some places the gorges are from 6 to 10 feet high and reach to the bottom of the river. Great damage to the river craft is feared should the weather turn warm and the gorges move suddenly.
Jacob Smith fell Sunday and sustained a broken wrist.
Miss Violet Baker is reported on the sick list.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Winson, a son, Saturday, December, 24, 1910.
The funeral services of Mrs. Catherine Schram will be held on Friday morning at St. Paul’s Evangelical church, Rev. Lehmann will officiate and Interment will take place in Carlisle Cemetery.
Mr. Simon Shelton quite poorly at this writing.
Mrs. Leimbach’s funeral was largely attended. Mrs. Leimbach had many friends.
John Stevenson has been under the weather with a hard cold.
Miss Catherine Cox is very ill with typhoid fever.
School exercises held at Henrietta Hill Friday were a complete success.
A sleigh load from Wind Fall Road attended the Christmas exercises at Henrietta Hill Saturday evening.
Mrs. W. Sanger is having quite serious trouble with her foot.
Clarence Clay of Florence is quite ill with jaundice.
Mrs. Catherine Baatz died very suddenly Tuesday about noon. She did her morning work and was taken with a severe pain in her side and passed away before medical aid could be summoned.
A. R. entertained a number of his friends and relatives Sunday.
The Bell phone company is rebuilding their line through this section.
James Cuddeback has a force of men finishing the break water in front of the Coen property he also has the contract for putting a breakwater at S. Hitchcock’s, and Blacks and for Lake Shore Electric.
Mrs. Bostwick is reported very ill at her home on Exchange St.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Trinter entertained 25 of the Sherod family at the Maud–Elton for Christmas dinner.
Mrs. Baldwin received a box of mistletoe from Berea Ky., Christmas.
John Naegele, Lawson Rumsey, Ray Conklin of Vermilion and an engineer from Fairport started early Christmas morning from Erie, Pa., to lay up the fish tug, Rainbow, at Huron, O. It was supposed the boys would put in at Painesville or Cleveland to spend the night but they were homeward bound and could brook no delay so kept right on, passing Vermilion shortly after 6 o’clock Monday morning. The trip was a hazardous one, with lights all out along the lake and snow and ice piled all around. They tied up at the pier and Huron arrived home just in time for dinner. Monday. The boys are not inclined to talk much of the trip.
The Iceman and fishermen have about completed their ice harvest. This is fortunate as the ice broke up today and as the river is quite high at the time of going to press the ice had not gone on out. All the fishing craft are in slips at Huron.
Mr. and Mrs. P. Roscoe entertained at a family dinner Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Houseman and daughter and Mr. E. Houseman of Birmingham were present.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Abell entertained at a Christmas dinner, Sunday, December 25, 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. M. Naegele and Sons, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Rathbun and son and E. C. Rust and daughter
The following statistics have been secured from the records of C. H. Nuhn, Registrar of this district and are complete for 1910, up to date of going to press.
Numbers of births in Vermilion 37, of these 23 were in the town and 14 in the township. There were more boy babes than girls, there were 22 of the former and 15 of the latter. By months the births were as follows:
January 3, February 3, March 6, April 2, May 3, June 3, July 4, August 1, September 5, November 3, December 4.
There were 27 deaths; 13 males and 14 females. Seven in the township and 20 in the village. Of these 5 were from drowning, 4 of the five being from Cleveland and here for pleasure, one of one of the drowned was from Kipton. 3 deaths resulted from being struck by trains on the railroads. One of these being that of Dr. Englebry last January. One death was supposed to have been from accident one suicide, that of Katie Fey Beatty.
The deaths by months were: January 5, February 1, April 2, May 4, June 1, July 4, August 3, October 1, December 4.
The oldest person dying being Mrs. Wells who was 98.
The average age of the males was 49.1, of the females 42.5.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Henderlick Dec. 21st a boy.
The old Wunderly house on Main St. was damaged by fire one day this week. It caught from a defective flue.
Anna Kunigunda Leimbach was born on the 11th day of October, 1837, in Hessia Germany.
At age of 14 she came with her parents, Siebert and Cathenia Curth, to this country and made her home in Brownhelm, Ohio.
In the year 1856, she was married to Mr. Henry Leimbach.
This union was blessed with eight children; three sons and five daughters. The first son died in the second year of his age. The others are all married and have families.
Mrs. Leimbach passed away to her eternal home on the 22nd day of December at 9:30 p.m. Having been well and at work during the day. Her death was a rather sudden and unexpected one.
She attained the age of 73 years, 2 months and 11 days, and leaves as mourners, her husband and two sons, Frank and Siebert and the daughters, Mrs. Martha Blattner, and Mrs. Mary Riefert, Vermilion, O.; Mrs. Anna Kishman, Lorain, O.; Mrs. Matilda Mental, Cleveland, O; Mrs. Sophia Nuhn, Pasadena, Cal. Nineteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral services were conducted in the German and English languages on Dec. 26 at the home where she had lived for 36 years. Rev. A. C. Pretzer officiating. A large number of neighbors and friends from Vermilion and Brownhelm were in attendance. Interment took place at the Brownhelm Cemetery.
Mrs. Leimbach was one of the few remaining charter members of the Reformed congregation At Brownhelm. She with her husband took great interest in church work and despite the long drive from home, was very faithful and attending all church services at Brownhelm and later in Vermilion.
Catherine Dickel, nee Koch, was born March 20, 1839 at Mechlar, Hersfeld Co., Electorate Hessia, Germany, where she was baptized, confirmed and spent her youth. In September 1862 she was married to George Dickel of Rohrbach, an hour’s walk from the Mechlar. After 11 years of happiness and labor, desire ripened to emigrate to America. This took place in 1873, via Bremen, New York, and Cleveland they came to Vermilion, Ohio with four children May 10th, 1873. After just a few days they settled down on a farm near Vermilion working the same on shares for ten years.
Soon after locating on the farm they joined the Vermilion Reformed church. Five years prior to the close of the laborers on their first farm, they purchased a 76 acre farm near Cherry Tree Corners for the most part woodland. It was arduous labor but nevertheless, twenty-eight years of the most happy life was spent here till old age compelled them to retire to Ceylon, O., four years ago. Their union was blessed with nine children, three sons, six daughters, all of whom are living.
She died Tuesday morning, December 20th, 1910, at 6 o’clock, attaining an age of 71 years and 9 months.
Her demise is a great loss to the heartbroken husband, her nine affection affectionate children, twenty-three grandchildren, as well as to her large circle of friends. She was a believing praying mother. Her Bible was her comfort. She now rests from her labors. Though dead she yet speaketh, through her works of kindness and love.
Her Funeral took place Thursday December 22, 1910, at 11 A. M. from Ceylon church, Rev. Hilgeman officiating. The funeral was quite largely attended. Interment at Maple Grove.
Hmmmmmm....
…Patrick Laughlin, captured May 15, 1864; exchanged March 11, 1865; mustered out with company.
John La Fere, died in rebel prison.
Andrew J. Lewis, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps.
Frank Littlefield, discharged for disability.
Jonn P. McElwane, died in rebel prison.
William Morgan, mustered out with company.
Barney McGookey, died in hospital May 9, 1865.
Richard Martin, missing in action June 15, 1863.
Foster Neil, captured June 15, 1863.
Thomas Neil, starved to death in Andersonville prison.
Theodore Ochs, killed in action March 31, 1865.
Albert Ott, killed in action July 12, 1864.
William Oehen, in hospital when company was mustered out.
August Raab, absent in hospital when company was mustered out.
Conrad Rhohella, discharged for wounds received in action June 13, 1863.
Delos C. Ransom, captured June 15, 1863.
William Reed, captured June 15, 1863; mustered out with company.
James Reed, died of wounds July 12, 1864.
Samuel E. Stowe, captured June 15, 1863; mustered out with company.
Andrew Strawson, captured October 19, 1864.
Albert Southey, name not on muster roll.
John R. Savenack, mustered out with company.
Peter Sheur, captured June 15, 1863; mustered out with company.
George Stockley, captured June 15, 1863.
George Shesley, on detached duty.
Benjamin Thompson, on detached service.
Frederick Tucker, in hospital when company was mustered out.
Alfred C. Van Tine, discharged for wounds February 20, 1865.
George A. Warren, died in hospital at Cumberland, Md.
Albert L. Walker, promoted to first lieutenant March 14, 1865; assigned to 186th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Wi1liam P. Wheeler, promoted to corporal; wounded in action September 19, 1864; discharged fron1 hospital.
Solomon Kriss, discharged for disability.
William Stahl, discharged in hospital.
George Weber, captured June 15, 1863.
John G. McGookey, mustered out with company.
Richard H. Trimmer, wounded in action; captured June 15, 1863.
Thomas Parsons, captured June 15, 1863.
Milo H. Wagner, wounded in action; captured June 15, 1863.
William Kelley, wounded in action; captured June 15, 1863.
A VINTAGE SNOW: Thus far we’ve dodged having a big snow in Vermilion. Actually it’s been several years since we’ve had any significant white stuff. Is this global warming? The lake’s not frozen over for a very long time either. K. Dickason-Kvach, who currently lives in Virginia, was always after me to get a pic of the frozen lake like it was back in the 50s and 60s, but it’s just not happened.
This old pic of winter in Vermilion is probably vintage 1905. Here we’re looking west from the middle of Ohio Street just before Grand Street. The E&R church is visible to the right of the pic.
If I knew when the home where late Vermilionite Ralph Bard used to live on the west side of Grand Street (to the left) was built, I’d have a better idea of the date. The tracks in the snow are wagon tracks. Ergo, it’s not a new photo.
I was at my local cell phone company to pay my bill and upgrade my service. The line wasn't clearly formed, and there was an older gentleman with a cane nearby. It was unclear which one of us would be called next.
When the representative called for one of us to step up, the man with the cane motioned politely and said, "After you."
I smiled at him and replied, "No, please, after you. I have all day."
The man smiled back and said, "No, you go ahead. My doctor says I have at least six months."
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
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Vol. 16. Issue 43 - December 29, 2018
Archive Issue #824
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