Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: The folks in the shoptop pic this week are no longer young, but they may very well still be gay [i.e. lighthearted and carefree]. At least I hope so.
I know that a few are gone now. But my sis Nancy Alice (no.24) still lurks in the shadows about town. She could likely tell ye about all these kids (and a plethora more).
I have always liked this photo. I guess I just liked seeing all the happy and eager faces.
The other pic show persons that I know / knew much better than the other photo. Among them is my friend Larry E. Howell (he still smiles like that). Again, some of those pictured have moved on to the next life. But, gosh, I remember just about all. Doug Keith and Nancy Lee-Fulper are still mucking about. Nancy (to me) still looks almost as she does in this pic.
HOURS WASTED For a good deal of time during two days this past week I worked hard trying to get my Microsoft Word program to work without any success. Finally, on the Thursday I spent approximately one hour on the phone with a Microsoft Tech-Rep (who was obviously working at home) and she got everything to work correctly.
If you heard a big sigh of relief on Thursday (about noon) that was me. I just can’t tolerate my failing at these things. So, I stay after them until my only choice is to dial up an expert.
CORONA-SOLATED I’m waiting a few days to see how things eventually shake-down in places where people decided that the either didn’t’ care about the pandemic or didn’t believe it so they gathered places without regard to the warnings. If things aren’t too bad, I’ll place the open sign on the museum door in the coming week. We’ve been closed since all this began.
I doubt that we’ll be overrun. But I still intend to be cautious; Wear a mask and social-distance. I believe that this sort of thing will last for time to come. It may very well be that some of these things may become permanent.
A few persons may know that I’ve begun to create a virtual tour site for the museum. It, of course, doesn’t take the place of an in-person visit because there are still numerous details and items that can only be found with an in-person tour. It also doesn’t bring in any funds to the museum unless some kind soul sends a few bucks in the mail. We are still on the negative side of a grave historical event. And that’s good. It beats being in the grave side of it.
Historically,
MORE OKAGI: As much as I find dwelling on one subject too long to be distasteful, I find that sometimes it just can’t be helped.
This pic of Mamoru Okagi is (in my experience and view) the best one I’ve ever seen of him. Taken in 1930 (see the license plate on the auto) it means that he was fifty years old at the time. It was, as some may recognize, taken in the parking lot directly behind the restaurant.
I was very happy to get the photo. Gayle Jeffery (“Doc” Jeffery’s daughter) emailed it to me during the week along with another of the front part of the restaurant. That’s also an interesting pic. But I believe it was taken some years after the one you see here. I’ll be showing that one soon. So, stay tuned.
TWO NEW: This week I added a video of meself practicing a speech I made on Veteran's Day in Exchange Park eleven years ago. My real intention in using the video here is selfish: I want it quickly available for my own records.
The other video is also a practice piece (for me). It's a short taken at the Olympic Club last week during a spring rain. It's nothing to shout about - just fun.
That said, have a look.
THE ESSENCE OF A YESTERYEAR: In the c.1939 sketch accompanying this week’s essay my grandfather (Roscoe) and my sister (Nancy Alice) are at the news desk of the old Vermilion News the town’s former weekly newspaper. Take note of the old candlestick telephone and Corona (sans virus) typewriter on the desk. The photo brought to mind an article that I had earlier discovered in The Vermilion News from July 19, 1917. It is a historical sketch by a gentleman named Christopher G. Leimbach recounting various developments in the Brownhelm area over what was the previous half-century of his life from (which would have been from about 1867). He was born in 1853 and died in 1931.
It’s an interesting piece that mentions the world moving from candles to lard fueled oil lamps to electricity; from the old one-room schoolhouse with slab seats to what he called a “modern building”; from using oxen in the fields, to horses, to machines; from sickle and cradle to reaper and then binder. It reminded me of a song from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma that always amused me: “Everything's up to date in Kansas City / They gone about as fer as they can go / They went an' built a skyscraper seven stories high/ About as high as a buildin' orta grow. / Everything's like a dream in Kansas City / It's better than a magic lantern show.”,
A hundred or so years after the fact Mr. Leimbach’s remembrances are both interesting and informative of course. But it also made me stop and think about my own life experiences – the things I’ve seen transpire in my lifetime. From my perspective the changes don’t seem all that dramatic. However;
Several months ago (pre-pandemically speaking), a little girl of about 10 or 11 years visited the local history museum with her parents and was puzzled by an old rotary dial phone on display. I half-jokingly asked her if she knew how to work the apparatus. She stuck a finger in one of the dial’s cells, but didn’t really know how to work it beyond that.
When her parents and I showed her how the dial turned she grabbed the outside of the entire dial and moved it, but still didn’t understand how it actually functioned. I believe that even when we illustrated to her how to dial the phone, she probably still didn’t understand how it worked. [NOTE: I must admit that even for someone like myself who grew up using a similar device I don’t know, technically at least, how it works.]
Anyway, that’s not what really surprised me. The youngster was also unfamiliar with the handset part of the device and didn’t understand how it was used for listening or speaking. I thought that was the easy part. It had never occurred to me that anyone would not know how to use that part of the device.
The point I’m trying to make here is that all the things (i.e. improvements technological and otherwise) that seem so obvious and common to persons of an age (such as myself) are not so obvious, not to mention common, to young people. For instance, I distinctly recall a time when most rumors were spread via telephone party lines. Now it’s done via a thing called “social media” on the internet. Ergo, the jump from the old rotary phones to push button, to cell phones that do everything but cook dinner (and that may someday be quite possible) is greater than even I realized. Incidentally, the original telephone number for The Vermilion News was very easy to remember. It was 19. I guess in two digits that is the essence of a yesteryear.
-Sunday, May 24, 2020
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...
Memorial services were fittingly observed last Sunday at St. Mary’s church. It was about 10 o’clock G. A. R. and W. R. C. Headed by the G. A. R. band marched to the church.
After the morning services Father Horst delivered a splendid memorial sermon. He went back into history the time before the Christian era, and told of how the heroes of old fought for the love of conquest and plunder. The birth of Christ brought out what the truth that “All men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are, life, liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
He spoke of the growth of these ideas, the struggle for their maintenance and the revolution by which the U. S. Came into being. He told the heroes of those days, gave those who went out to fight, brother against brother for the freedom of a race as greater and more to be commended than all the others. He pointed out the hand of God in all our history, how fitting it was that the day should be observed. That generations yet unborn will observe the memorial in honor of these heroes. A large gathering listened to this able address, and which we have made an attempt to briefly outline.
Jos. Whitt sold his farm on the state road to Mr. Stockton of E. Cleveland, very recently and Friday evening left for Anderson, Cal. to look up a new location. Mrs. Whitt went to Akron to visit her sister and will go from there for a visit with her mother at Pittsburgh before leaving for her western home. Mr. and Mrs. Whitt have resided here for the past ten years and have so endeared themselves that they will be greatly missed both in the neighborhood and village.
The work of securing the jury second trial of Rocco Klawetch charged with a murder at Kelly’s island last September is going on at the courthouse. Very little interest is taken the case. It developed Monday that the county may be forced to borrow money to meet the expenses of the trial. Some of $1800 is been appropriated and if the expense expenses exceed this it will necessitate borrowing.
[NOTE: This really was a waste of money. Klawetch was guilty and after being twice convicted was soon executed. I studied the crime and the trials of both Klawetch and his co-conspirator murderer D. Selvaggio and they were truly guilty of murdering three of their fellow workers at the stone quarry on Kelly’s Island. [VV Issue #870] The second trial was due to a technicality in the first trial. It was found by Vermilion born attorney George Ritter near the beginning of his law career. I am currently under the impression that the Sandusky courts did not like Ritter much in the years following these trials. But to be fair Ritter told his client (Klawetch) not to seek a new trial. Had he taken the advice and stayed with the original verdict his life would have been spared.]
J. A. Sheldon, who over the past two years has conducted a jewelry store here, disposed of his stock to Chas. Trinter, Friday evening and Saturday joined his family at Cleveland. Mr. Trinter is disposing of the stock at a reduction.
Decoration Day will be fittingly observed today. In the morning by the strewing of flowers on the graves at the cemetery, and by parade, address and services in the park in the afternoon.
Go to Fosters for your choice Candies, Ice Cream, Popcorn and Peanuts.
We also have the agency for the Lorain Steam Laundry, which guarantees all work to give good satisfaction. Parties wishing to have their laundry collected and delivered, please leave word at store.
W. M. Foster.
Mrs. John Becker is slowly recovering after several weeks of illness.
Miss Mildred Holzhauer is quite ill at her home.
Memorial services were held at Methodist church Sunday, Rev. Snyder delivered the address.
Mrs. A. G. Stilwald who has been very sick for several weeks reported much better.
The remains of Mrs. Martha Brandau, a former Amherst resident were brought here for burial Saturday, from Ashtabula, where she was living with her daughter, Mrs. Hotchkiss. The deceased was 82 years of age. Funeral services were held from Evangelical Association church at 2 o’clock, Rev. Zigler officiating. The remains were interred at Cleveland St., Cemetery.
About 500 attended the annual picnic of the Brownhelm tp. school held at Crystal Beach, Vermilion, on Saturday. The trip was made in decorated hay racks.
Miss Blanche Jenne was bitten by a dog Thursday evening. As the dog was not mad, wound is not considered a serious one.
The funeral services over the remains of Mrs. C. Delafield, age 80 was held from the St. Peter’s Church 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Lindenmeyer officiating. Interment being made in Cleveland St. Cemetery.
Have you noticed how our street commissioner has, with a drag made of timbers and a primitive clog crusher, smoothed up the streets of our village better than as if an expensive road machine had been used? The “split log drag” is being used upon many of our country roads with the best of results. Have you also notice the way the oil is being applied?
John Bernard, forty-eight years [at the] farms of the Bawdale Stock Raisers was killed by lightning in a storm passed over Wellington at 6 o’clock Friday morning. He was taking the cattle to pasture, accompanied by his son. The shock that killed the father ripped off the son’s straw hat, but otherwise did not harm.
Mrs. David Beach the New York to Chicago pedestrienne completed her long walk Tuesday forenoon. She will rest a few days, and Friday evening she and her husband, who met her at Chicago will give a concert at Sandusky. Proceeds to go to several charitable institutions.
Sorosis met Friday evening at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Kate.
BORN – To Mr. Mrs. Kennedy, of Exchange St., son, Friday, May 24, 1912.
Mrs. Wm. Troxel and daughters Lottie and Audrey spent a couple of days last week Burgoon, O.
Edwin Coen is confined to his room at Cleveland suffering from an attack of the mumps.
A.L. Irey has been drawn for jury duty on the Klawetch trial.
Mrs. E. L. Coen Who has been quite ill for the past two weeks reported on the way to recovery.
In last week’s issue, the age of Mr. B. O. Crosier was given as 55. It should have read 61, as Mr. C. was born in 1857.
The many Vermilion friends of Miss Alice Hamilton will be sorry to learn of her death, which occurred Friday, at her home in Cleveland, from tuberculosis. Miss Hamilton made her home for some time with Capt. and Mrs. Fred Driscoll and was very popular here. Mr. and Mrs. Driscoll and daughter, Louise attended the funeral at Cleveland., Monday. Burial was made Woodlawn Cemetery.
C. O. Bassett family of Cleveland have taken up the residence at their summer home.
Little Miss Ella Roscoe was pleasantly surprised on Saturday afternoon in honor of the sixth anniversary of her birth. Fifteen of her little friends were present and spent a jolly two hours at various games.
[NOTE: This likely doesn’t mean much to anyone but myself, but I want to keep a record of it. The little one eventually became my mother.]
Mr. Fred Gerber sprayed his mother’s fruit orchard last week.
Mrs. Ed Humm who has been quite ill is some better at this writing.
School is out Friday, May 31 do not forget the commencement exercises Friday evening.
Fred Andress had a runaway Friday. His horse got frightened at an automobile. No serious damage.
Wrestling match, Town Hall, Birmingham, Saturday evening, June 1. Ben Gordon of Oberlin agrees to throw 10 men in one hour and Gordon is in prime condition and promises to make things very interesting. Preliminary set 8:00 Main Bout 8:15. Admission 25c. Ladies free. Children 15c.
A HUNDRED AND ONE YEARS AGO:And life went on....
…and Elizabeth, Jacob Hertels first wife, died in Mr. Knerr worked for a short time at his trade, when he retired, to live with his children. He was one of the founders of the First German Protestant Church in Sandusky and used to busy himself as sexton of his church for years. He died in 1849 of cholera.
Jacob Benz came to Sandusky in 1834. If there is anything in a name it is not easily comprehended why the village of Weingarten (Vinegarden) in Baden should have furnished such an unusual large contingent of early settlers. In this as in many other instances can the real cause be traced to repeated failures in crops and high and accumulating taxes; again, the whole town was intermarried and the glowing letters from the new world spread like wild fire and awakened a desire to participate in all the blessings so vividly described. Jacob Benz, sr., was one of the many that left Weingarten in 1834 with his wife, Barbara Meyer. He was a weaver but never worked at his trade in this country. He made his living as a day laborer and drayman. On account of the deep interest he took in the establishment of the First German Protestant Church, he earned the name of Church Father (Kirchen father) Benz. Of the original eleven founders of this church only one or two are living at this writing. Of the five children born in wedlock two have died viz.: Mrs. Jacob Schuck and Christian. The Benz family is represented in Erie county by Jacob jr., a drayman; Eva Catharine Reinheimer, Barbara Walter. Jacob Benz sr., died in ____ , and his wife, Barbara, in Jacob Benz, jr., was born July 23, 1823, in____ Weingarten, Baden, and was married in 1847 to Christina Wagner in Sandusky, O. Seven children were born to them, all of whom are now living: Christine Waterfield, Elizabeth Bersch, Port Clinton; Fred, Caroline Belt, Toledo, O.; Marie Moore, Julia Hayden, Indiana, and Jessie Hoelein.
Johann Heinrich Platz was Pennsylvania German and was born near Bethlehem, January 7, 1819. He came to Sandusky in 1832, where he learned the carpenter trade with Sam White, sr. In 1845 he was married to Margarethe Bauer. He was a charter member of the First German Protestant Church and an organizer of the first fire company in Sandusky. He died in the prime of life on July 22, 1849, of cholera. His widow became the wife of Clemens in 1851. J. Clemens died in May 1888.
John Koegle, who came here in 1839, was a son of Jacob and Catharine Koegle, and was born September 23, 1813, in Weingarten, Baden, and emigrated with his wife, Maria Eva Meyer, and their infant daughter, Elizabeth, in 1837, making Sandusky their permanent home in 1839. Elizabeth was married to Ferdinand Ziegler and died a year ago. Of the six children born to them in this country only two are now living viz.: George, the efficient street commissioner, and August, the prosperous dry goods merchant of Hancock street. For thirty-six years did John Koegle work faithfully for the old Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark, and the B. and O. R. R. He retired a few years…
ANTIQUE PLATINUM "Firefly " LIFT ARM LIGHTER LIGHTER BY "CLARK": This is an antique Clark 'Firefly' Lift Arm Lighter. The Clark lift arm mechanism was invented by E.F. Clark in 1926. Based in Attleboro, MA Clark was an important manufacturer of high-quality lift arm lighters.
The Clark Lighter Company, Inc. was founded in 1881 by William G. Clark in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Its industry was pocket lighters (originally men's jewelry) and its headquarters were in North Attleboro, Massachusetts (1881-1928) and New York City, New York (1928-1933). The firm was acquired by bankers led by Lage & Company and Hemphill, Noyes & Company in 1928. The company dissolved in 1933.
This is just one of those little things that abound in the Vermilion History Museum.
Two men were sitting at a bar recounting their dreams.
"I dreamed I was on vacation," one man said fondly. "It was just me and my fishing rod and this big beautiful lake. What a dream."
"I had a great dream too," said the other. "I dreamed I was in bed with two beautiful women and having the time of my life."
His companion looked over and exhorted, "You dreamed you had two women, and you didn't call me?"
"Oh, I did," said the other, "but when I called, your wife said you'd gone fishing."
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. 18. Issue 13 - May 30, 2020
Archive Issue #898
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