Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: Back to schools. On my shop desk is an old pic. These kids were part of the VHS Class of 1938. I recognize only two of them: Jim “Albert” Hart and Dan Schisler.
Jim, as many folks know, became a pharmacist and took over this father’s (also Albert) drug store in the middle of town. Dan was a decorated pilot during WW2 and eventually worked at Wakefield Lighting. I assume he was an executive. Both were very smart men.
The VHS Class of 1946 is on my home desktop this week. It’s a Rudy Mic presentation. Some people will remember that these presentations appeared in the window at Hart’s Drug Store until the classes grew to so large, they would’ve been impractical.
I knew a good many of these folks. My oldest brother, Bill, was a member of this class. Jimmy Dean (as is obvious) was also in the group along with a guy I kind of admire (he had a cool car and I was not a deep thinker) when I was a kid, Jack “Tiny” Ballog.
July and August are reunion months (at least in Vermilion). As a consequence when I look at these fresh faces, I am inclined to think about the many paths they took in their lives. Every face tells a story.
OLD FRIENDS: Because Vermilion is always a good place to come home to in the summer more than a few persons I knew when I was in school tend to drop by the museum. One guy came in and told my niece (Barb Akers) who was manning the desk that he wanted to see the oldest thing in the building; Rich Tarrant.
To my surprise it was a Vermilion expatriate named Jimmy Mason. Jim was (as said) an old school mate. We graduated in 1963. Many persons who went to school around those years will remember his older brother, Skip, and his sister Lois. Jim lives in Florida and Lois still lives in Vermilion. Skip passed away just a few years back.
I didn’t know it until now but their mother was a Dickerhoff. (Small world.)
SABINE: Another person who made a point of stopping to see me at the Congregational church on Friday was a person named Sabine Sarpe. I don’t know that her last name is still Sarpe – but that’s how I know her.
I met Sabine around 1992 when she came to Vermilion from Germany as a student minister in the church working with Rev. Louis Bertoni. At that time Sabine must have only been about 21 years old. She was a nice, agreeable young lady who liked a good cup of very strong coffee.
She told me a good deal about the clergy and churches in Germany, etc. At the time we were both smokers – so we spent some time talking and smoking together outside the church building.
Sabine was in (she was going back to Germany Saturday) the U.S. with a group of youngsters from her church in Germany. They had been staying at, and doing some mission work, with their sister church in a nearby town.
It was great to see and to visit with both of these persons. Time goes by so fast that I sometimes do not notice until old friends appear.
Historically,
ONE MORNING: Early one morning last week I got out of my truck and looked over at the Vermilion Township Hall in the morning light. I found the sight not unusual so much as very comfortable.
Sometimes in the quiet of a moment one needs to take time to empty the mind of the noise of the world and just relax...
THE PATRIARCH: FISCHER: The primary subject of yesteryear this week is that of a man named Fred Fischer. He was the father of Fred G. (a five-term Vermilion Mayor), Pauline (Krapp), Emma (Bartlome), Elsie (Knott,) William “Bud”, Edward “Ed”, Henry “Hank” and Albert “Hanse”. If you were fortunate enough to come of age in Vermilion during the 40s, 50s and 60s you most likely knew one, two or all of the elder Fischer’s children – or at least a couple of their children.
The patriarch of this family was born in Russia in February of 1867, came to the U.S. sometime around 1900 and was naturalized within the decade. His wife’s name was Mary T. Fischer. She was also born in Russia in the year 1876. Their native language was German. Their oldest son, Fred who later became our Mayor, was born in Germany in 1893. Two daughters – Pauline and Emma – were born in Michigan. The family arrived in Vermilion sometime around 1918.
At one time they lived on Liberty Ave. very near the place where Vermilion’s Ritter Public Library is situated today. In those days the L. J. Decker livery stable occupied the site. This may have been of some benefit to the elder Fischer because he worked as a teamster. He kept his team of horses, Patty and Buster, who are pictured with him very near the aforementioned site. [F.Y.I. the term “teamster” is derived from the fact that it defined the occupation of persons who drove “a team of horses” that pulled a wagon for commercial purposes.]
Mr. Fischer along with Patty and Buster were a familiar sight around the village of Vermilion for many years. They hauled stone from the Linwood Park area to a block-building enterprise once run by the Becker family. It was located in the area of the present-day Vermilion Boat Club. They also hauled lime from the kiln near the mouth of the river to the ironworks near the corner of Darrow and Vermilion-Savannah (Rt. 60)) Roads, and then hauled slag back from the ironworks. Some of that slag was, incidentally, used to form the base of Vermilion's streets.
I was told that the larger, and oldest, photo of Mr. Fischer was taken when he was still living and working in either Russia or Germany. Looking very closely at his image I am reminded of the couple’s grandson, David. He really and truly resembles his fraternal grandfather – although Dave’s moustache is a good deal lighter in color. The inset photos show (as mentioned) Mr. Fischer with his trusty team Patty and Buster, and the other inset is that of the patriarch (Fred Sr.) and matriarch (Mary T.) of Vermilion’s Fischer family on the steps of their Vermilion home. Mr. Fischer passed into the great beyond at the tender age of 62 in 1929. Mary followed in 1961. These are very compelling portraits of an immigrant family who came to our country in search of some measure of happiness and prosperity and, very literally, achieved those goals for themselves and for the hundreds, if not thousands, of others who followed them and helped build our nation.
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...
At a special meeting of the village council last Saturday evening Lewis Blattner was chosen clerk. There being two candidates, Theo. Penning and Lewis Blattner, the Mayor decided to present both names for the selection by the Council. A ballot was taken which resulted in Lewis Blattner being chosen by a vote of 4 to 1.
In the matter of curbing and guttering certain portions of Liberty and Division streets it was decided to postpone it, the work to commence September 5th. This was done on account of the amount of traffic rendering it difficult to handle the work properly. Another question was brought up and that was whether the work could be a completed by the time of the convention, August 30.
The Council then adjourned.
After careful consideration the committee decided that it would be much better to go over Lake Shore Electric Ry., who can take us from Vermilion right into Euclid Beach Park grounds without a change.
This will mean that the rates will be 30 cents for children 12 years or under and 65 cents for adults.
The date set is Friday, August 11. Tickets must be purchased not later than Tuesday, August 8th. We cannot promise the sale of any tickets after that date.
Tickets can be secured after Saturday, July 22, through any of the pastors or from Bertha Holl, W. E. Childs, Walter D. Smith or Gerald basil.
Everybody is invited to go, so get your tickets as soon as possible and count on a fine big day for the entire family.
Two men were caught and jailed Friday for stealing lead and brass from L. S. & M. S. Ry. Several hundred pounds of lead recovered.
When Marshal Gross went to the jail to the jail to take them to dinner he found the doors open and the “birds” flown. The thieves had taken an iron bar from a bunk and by diligent work succeeded in prying to lock off the cell door. It was then easy enough to get out of the building. There was no evidence of outside assistance as was at first reported. It was fortunate for them that they escaped as they did for a L. S. & M. S. Detective came to town shortly afterward. Care will be taken hereafter that the locks are more securely placed.
The gate shanties and line equipment of the Lake Shore Ry. is being moved this week to give place for the third track. The depot will also be moved.
The work on the new bridge is practically completed and the third track will soon be ready for traffic.
The NEWS was in error stating that Harry Dunlap was in trouble and arrested at Crystal Beach the Fourth. It should have read Ray Dunlap.
Through application by attorney George W. Ritter, representing E. M. Silver, a cross petitioner in the foreclosure case of the State Bank of Savannah, Mo., against the Vermilion Lumber and Manufacturing Co., the plant and property of the Vermilion company was late Friday afternoon placed in the hands of a receiver, Judge Reed appointing James L. French, receiver. He took charge of the property Saturday morning
The banks mortgage against the Vermilion company was for about $4000. Other cross petitioners have claims which will bring the total encumbrance on the property to fully $10,000 so it is said.
In his application for a receiver, attorney Ritter pointed out that the company had abandoned business, that it has no one in charge that a receiver was necessary to protect it .
Martin Ackerman of Vermilion has brought suit in common pleas court for divorce from his wife, Nelly Ackerman. They were married at Vermilion in 1896 and have five children, the oldest 13 years of age the youngest 3 years old.
Ackerman alleges gross neglect of duty on his wife’s part. He claims that his wife has for more than three years past continually scolded, naggled [sic] and tantalized him and made his life miserable. He further asserts that Mrs. Ackerman failed to look after her household duties and that on many occasions she has remained away from home all day up until 12 o’clock at night, leaving alone her children and her invalid mother.
In addition to divorce, Ackerman asks for the custody of the children.
The tenant house on L. J. Washburn Farm occupied by Mrs. C. C. Humphrey was burned to the ground yesterday about 1 p.m. Only a center table and chairs were saved. The family was away from home at the time and is not known how the fire originated. There was a small insurance on both house and furniture. This makes the second time within two years that Mrs. Humphrey has lost her home by fire.
The quarrymen picnic at Cedar Point, Saturday, July 22nd.
B. A. Kuss recently passed the pharmacy examination.
Myron Crandall is reported seriously ill at his home on Cleveland Street.
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schaeffer, a daughter, Friday, July 14, 1911.
Mrs. Fred James was operated upon at St. Joseph’s Hospital Lorain, Friday, for mastaiclitis [sic] a brain trouble. The operation was successful and it is believed she will soon regain her health.
[NOTE: They probably meant Mastoiditis It is a serious infection in the mastoid process, which is the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. Ear infections that people fail to treat cause most cases of mastoiditis. The condition is rare but can become life-threatening without treatment.]
Mrs. A. H. Armstrong who was operated upon at St. Joseph’s Hospital last week is getting along nicely.
Chas. Hahn domestic relations have figured in several cases in Erie and Lorain County courts, has again broke into the limelight by a divorce decree separating him from his wife who was Miss Cummings, daughter of Lucius Cummings, a prosperous retired farmer of South Amherst. Hahn was given the privilege of having his two children, Ruth, age nine, Hubert, five, for one week. He secured the children a week ago when his Wednesday from the mother who now resides with her parents and took them to Brownhelm. Last Wednesday was the day he should have taken the children back to their mother. Instead he secured a conveyance and was driven to the Lake Shore Electric taking the children with him.
The mother has made every effort find them but without success. Yesterday Mr. Cummings, the mother’s father, went to Sandusky to secure the aid of the court having the children found and returned. While there he saw the father on the streets but no trace of the children was found.
Mr. Louis Hahn got a new automobile Saturday.
[NOTE: So ever slowly the “Age of the Automobile” begins to dawn in the area.]
BORN – To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schaeffer, a baby girl, Wednesday night.
Mr. Henry Copenhaver has resigned his position at the market on account of blood poison in his ear, caused by pricking a pimple with a pin.
Misses Jessie and Lucinda Durchem of Columbus are spending the week Hotel Linwood.
Mr. G. D. Matcham fell from a ladder while at work around his cottage Monday and was severely shaken and bruised.
Barry Kurtz, 22, conductor on the Lake Shore Electric baggage car, had his legs so badly crushed with his own car went over them at the Kolbe siding, a mile west of the city, at about 5:45 Friday night that amputation of both legs below the knees was necessary. Wickens ambulance took him to St. Joseph’s Hospital. He lives at 767 East Erie Avenue and was married on April 17. His wife is prostrated with grief. Dr. S. S. Cox attending physician declared he may recover.
The accident is supposed to have occurred while Kurtz was attempting to change the trolley pole while his car was backing into the siding to wait for the regular to pass. It is said he was leaning from the door of the car looking at the trolley pole when his head struck a telephone pole which was bent and extended out across the strip of ground joining the car track. He fell from the car with his legs across the tracks. They were badly crushed by the front trucks. Was rushed to the hospital where amputation was found necessary.
When a mad dog bit seven others at Finley, a half dozen policeman began a slaughter of dogs in one hour eleven were killed. The first dog killed is said to have been frothing at the mouth. No people were bitten.
Miss Jessie Delker was an over Sunday guest at the home of her uncle Chas. Allen at Cleveland.
Miss Alice Rumsey was brought home from St. Joseph’s Hospital Sunday.
Mrs. Geo. Krapp is taken to a Cleveland hospital Saturday for treatment.
John. A. Englebry has some tall corn on his lot near the river. A stalk pulled at random measured 12 ft.
An eight-pound baby girl, Mildred Bernice arrived Tuesday morning July 18, ‘11, to make her home with the latter’s aunt in Warren, O.
Mrs. Pearl Roscoe and daughter spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Houseman and daughter at Birmingham.
Several foreigners employed on the Nickel Plate railroad engaged in a row Sunday and five were gathered in. Three were given $1.00 and cost and two $10.00 each and costs.
The many friends of Wm. Sweeney will be sorry to learn that he is very ill at his mother on State Street. His sister Mrs. Bevington was sent for arrived last week to help care for him.
BORN – Tuesday, July 11, 1911 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nordheim, a son.
BORN – Thursday, July 20, 1911, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Haber, daughter.
Mayor H. R. Williams received word this morning of the death of a favorite sister at her home in eastern Oregon.
A.H. Leimbach served an injunction the Lake Shore Ry., Co., early this morning restraining them from placing telegraph poles on his property adjoining the track.
The fine new launch built by T.J. Ball was launched in the presence and of a small crowd and made a trial trip on the lake. She was christened Iona and is one of the finest gasoline launches ever built. Mr. Ball has orders for two more boats which will be started at once.
Mrs. H. L. Edson still quite ill at the home of her sister, Mrs. A. Myers.
Mrs. Lawson Rumsey has been quite ill for the past week.
Mrs. Geo. Rathbun and son and Mrs. Miss Inez Williams spent yesterday at Cedar Point.
Miss Mary Baumhardt daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Baumhardt has been quite ill past week suffering from appendicitis. She is still unable to leave her bed.
BORN – Mr. and Mrs. Carl Northeim Wednesday, July 12th a son.
Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Baumhart and son David of Vermilion called on Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bacon, Wednesday.
Mrs. B.K. Lindsley and sons Raymond, Sherman Donald spent Wednesday with Mr. and Mrs. McQueen of Vermilion.
After illness of some duration Mrs. Frances Higgins died at her home here, Thursday afternoon July 13th. The immediate cause of her death was organic heart disorder.
She was born in Amherst in the year 1846, the eldest child Peter and Mary Ann Rice and was married to Frances Higgins October 26th 1864.
There is left to mourn her loss her husband Frances and two sisters, Miss Sophronia Rice, who resides here, and Mrs. Messerole of Amherst, besides other relatives.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the late home, Rev. Harding of Amherst presided. Burial took place in Brownhelm cemetery.
Peter Herman is confined to his hospital with stomach trouble.
Capt. Charles Montague left for Cleveland to take charge of the steamer Hibbard for the balance of the season.
BORN – To Rev. Mrs. Fenker a daughter, Sunday, July 16, 1911.
…Conn. On locating at the county seat of Erie county Mr. Wildman read law with Francis D. Parish for about one year, and was admitted to the bar at Mansfield September 17, 1849.
During the thirty-nine years of Mr. Wildman's professional life in Sandusky city he has not been without some political ambition. In 1851 he was elected mayor of the city; from 1856 to 1859 he was a member of the board of education, and from 1870 to 1879 he filled the position of city solicitor. It was during the latter period that the most important local improvements were made, and the duties of his office were indeed onerous.
Jacob A. Camp. Mr. Camp was born at Buffalo, Erie county, N. Y., on the 20th of July, 1823, and came to Sandusky at the age of eleven years. His father was Major John G. Camp, than whom, in connection with the early land transactions of the vicinity, no man bore a more active part. Jacob A. Camp was graduated from Kenyon College, at Gambier, after a regular classical course, in the year 1847. In 1848 he entered Harvard Law School and remained there two terms, after which he read law in the office of Reber & Camp, at Sandusky, and was admitted to the bar in 1850 or 1851. He practiced until the breaking out of the war of 1861-65, when he was made paymaster and so continued in the service of the government until November, 1865, when he returned to his professional work at Sandusky. About four years ago Mr. Camp retired from active practice, still retaining, however, an office in the city.
Jabez G. Bigelow has been a member of the Erie county bar since the year 1852. He was a student in the office of L. S. Beecher for two years prior to his admission to practice.
Mr. Bigelow was born in New Lebanon, N. Y., on the 7th of March, 1822. His father was a farmer by occupation, and the family, during the childhood of our subject, emigrated from the Empire State to Michigan, but died after a residence in the latter State of a few years. Young Bigelow then started out to make his own way in life. He worked on a farm and attended school when an opportunity offered. In 1844 he entered Oberlin College and remained through his junior year, after which he came to Sandusky city and commenced a course of law study in the office of L. S. Beecher. In 1852 he was admitted to practice and at once opened an office in the city, where he has since made a residence. Mr. Bigelow was appointed the first revenue assessor of this district, about, or soon after the breaking out of the war, and served in that capacity until the war closed. He has been no aspirant for political preferment although at one time he was a member of the city council. Of late years he has retired from the active work of the profession.
Arthur Phinney was born in the Pine Tree State, Maine, at Gorham, on the 28th of March, 1837. At the age of twenty-one he took a preparatory course at Andover, Mass., for one year, after which he entered Dartmouth College…
A short time ago I indicated that I have been looking for a photograph of the house (pictured) for about fifteen years. Well, finally here it is. Like many things I find it was purely accidental. My sister Ginny Wilkes was sorting a plethora photographs at the history museum and came across the snap of the man holding a fish (also pictured). She brought it to my attention because this guy resembles our late father. He really does resemble our dad. But it isn't him. However, when I took a closer look at the photo, I could see that it was taken in the driveway aside the old Vermilion News print shop. More importantly, behind him is at least a partial snap of the aforementioned house. Wow!
This partial photo, as is obvious, was good enough for me to construct a complete photograph of the house as I remember it.
As an engineer in an upscale hotel, I was asked to repair or replace the television in a guest room. When I arrived, the couple was watching a picture one-third the size of the screen. I knew all our spare sets were in use, so I figured what the heck: I struck the side of the TV with the heel of my hand. Just my luck the picture returned to full size.
"Look, honey," said the wife to her husband. "He went to the same repair school as you”.
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 “Tripping: A Writer’s Journeys.” Signed copies of her new book can be purchased for $15.00 at the Southside Sentinel office or by mail by writing Rappahannock Press, Box 546, Urbanna, VA and adding $6.00 to cover mailing costs and tax. Contact:glongest@ssentinel.com.
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. 17. Issue 20 - July 20 2019
Archive Issue #853
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