Vermilion Ohio, A Good Place to Live
SHOPTALK: On the shoptop this week (oddly enough) is a pic of my home workstation / desktop. This area serves as both my home office and closet. Someday I will go through things and eradicate the clutter. It’ll be a good thing to do when the snow flies. However; saying it is one thing and doing it is quite another. I moved a year ago in and never really unpacked. I have numerous reference books that I’ve collected over the years and I don’t really know where they are. (Yet.)
FRONT YARD IN AUTUMN: Some folks just have manicured lawns and flowers in their front yards. Geo and I have boats - 2 canoes, a kayak, a fishing boat - as well as a flagpole, children’s playground equipment and a river. Soon all will be stowed or snowed away until spring.
Historically,
THOSE WERE THE DAYS:FONT: For some reason this particular photo caught my eye the other day. It has appeared in past issues. It is a portrait of a group of Vermilion young people who took swimming lessons at Main Street Beach back in the 1950s.
In any case, what I thought rather amusing was seeing Freddy Smith behind the group with a big smile on his face. He wasn’t part of the class – just a kid having fun at the beach who saw someone taking a pic of the group. For many reasons I thought his appearance to be very appropriate.
Also note the youngsters in the background. They’re playing on “Table Rock” some distance from the shore. That rock is the very reason I taught myself how to swim from this beach about the same time this pic was taken.
Them were the days…
THE IDEAL HOME: It had been a long time (five years?) since I heard directly from her. Her name is Mary Michaelson. Mary lives in a town called Lynden, Washington. It is the second largest city in Whatcom County, Washington. The town, established in 1874 on the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish, began as a pioneer settlement headed by Holden and Phoebe Judson who named it Lynden. Lynden is roughly the same size as Vermilion. Although I’ve never “flesh-met” Mary we’ve talked on the phone and exchanged information, books and photographs since 2005.
The aforementioned Phoebe Judson was a daughter of Jotham Goodell, the minister of Vermilion’s first church built in 1843. In a history of that church written by local historian Betty Trinter the following passage appears: “In 1853, the Goodell family, along with several other Vermilion families, traveled to Washington State by wagon train to claim land offered by the federal government Phoebe Goodell Judson, daughter of the Reverend, tells of her experience in her book, A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home. Homesick, she recalls her days in Vermilion.”
After reading Betty’s history, and my interest thus piqued, I acquired the book. And yes, Phoebe does talk about the Vermilion of her youth and her marriage to a local fellow named Holden Judson. But the book is a good deal more than that. The account of the family’s journey west describes an exceptionally American pioneer experience, both good and bad. But the journey hardly ended when they reached what was then the wilderness called the Oregon Territory. At that time Vermilion must have seemed very cosmopolitan to those folks. But it was behind them. And so they moved along, built homes, churches and schools, etc. In the case of Phoebe and Holden they built a town, and she gave it the name: Lynden.
So what about Mary? Still curious about the Goodell-Judson families I wondered if anyone in Washington State had additional information. One of the things I really wanted was a photograph of Phoebe – the girl who loved Vermilion and founded and named Lynden. Consequently, I contacted a reference librarian at the Lynden Public Library. And to my delight and surprise I was put into contact with Mary Michaelson who was then the co-curator of the Lynden, Washington Pioneer Museum.
As it turned out Mary not only had a plethora of photographs and information regarding the Goodell-Judson families, but she had also started an organization called “The Friends of Aunt Phoebe”. Moreover, the information she provided led me to find additional perspective / information about Vermilion as well as Vermilion’s Pelton, Austen, and Sturgis families among others. In 2006 she put together a book called “Memory Book – Friends of Phoebe Judson Reunion” in which Vermilion has a page.
In any case, I’d not heard from Mary for a long time. Then at the end of August I received an email from her: “I'll bet you're wondering where in the world I've been for the past few years! Well, I went dormant for about five years due to some health concerns... I'm doing very well now, except for some aches and pains, but nothing life threatening… All of the ‘Friends of Aunt Phoebe; group are rejoicing that I'm ‘back in the saddle again’.
Things are going very, very well for me. Last month, I attended a writer's conference in Seattle and was able to pitch my idea for a book about Phoebe Judson to a literary agent from New York, who requested a book proposal from me… I find that there are still some very intriguing unsolved mysteries concerning Phoebe's mother and father. I am working closely with Carolyn Stone (GG Granddaughter of Phoebe and Holden through their daughter Mary) and we have realized that some of these mysteries will require us to make a trip to Ohio to do some research on the ground. And so a trip to Ohio is now in the planning stage.
I am hoping that Rita Rosenkranz, the NY literary agent, will choose to represent me in the production of my book and will be able to hook me up with a major publisher. She seemed very interested in my idea to produce an annotated version of "A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home," incorporating newly discovered information and photographs, correcting errors and uncovering mysteries…”
Anyway, Mary and Carolyn will soon make an appearance in our town looking to solve some mysteries of history. Whether that happens or not I am certainly looking forward to seeing a new edition of Phoebe’s book with Mary’s enhancements. To me, however, Vermilion will always be “The Ideal Home.”
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...
MARRIED – At the home of Mrs. Christopher Decker, Miss Amelia Hahn to Mr. David F. Nieding, Wednesday evening, November 10th, Rev. E. W for. Bockstahler officiating.
The young people are well-known residents of Vermilion and their many friends wish them much joy and happiness.
They will be at home to their friends, on Exchange St, after Nov 20th.
Charles, the five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Naegele of Huron had his feet and legs severely burned Saturday afternoon. He was playing in the vicinity of the neighbor’s bonfire and the fringe on the Indian suit he had on caught. Had it not been for the presence of mind of his mother he would have burned to death. As soon as she heard his screams she snatched a piece of carpet and wrapped him in it smothering the flames. The family formerly lived at Vermilion
George York, 72 years of age, of 132 Chase St., died at the method Memorial Hospital Sunday morning, a few days after he had been conveyed to the institution for treatment. The patient was afflicted with stomach trouble and his advanced age prevented him from rallying from the last attack.
The funeral will be held from the Rimbach-Friday funeral parlors Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. – Elyria Telegram.
Mrs. York will be better known here is Mrs. Elizabeth Tansey.
[NOTE: HEY! Advanced age? I turned 73 last Wednesday. Advanced age would be something like 120.]
The first steps toward the acquisition of land to be used in the construction of approaches to the new bridge to go up over the Huron River at Huron will be taken at the courthouse in the city today when a meeting of the parties interested will be held. Representatives of the Wheeling and Lake Erie and Lake Shore Electric railways are expected to attend. Whether or not condemnation proceeding will be necessary, of course, remains to be seen but the hope has been expressed by the commissioners that a satisfactory arrangement could be made without resorting to litigation. – Sandusky Register.
Roy Hines several weeks ago killed his sweetheart, Clara Elliott at Wellington and then attempted suicide was indicted Monday on first-degree murder by a special grand jury.
James McGuerk, chief financial engineer of the steamer George Stone, who was had his license revoked by the steamboat inspectors for failing to report the loss of that vessel when she went ashore at Point Pelee Passage in the storm last month, appealed his case to Jas. Stone, supervising inspector of this district. In a decision inspector Stone upheld the action of the inspectors and McGuerk will not recover his license.
The Farmers Telephone company of Vermilion recently incorporated has been organized with the following officers: A. G. Risden, president; A. B. Todd, vice president; and D.M. Poyer, secretary and treasurer.
Fred Ackerman of East Quarry is reported on the sick list.
Mrs. Chas Van Voorhees was taken severely ill Thursday evening while witnessing the production of East Lynn at the Opera House.
The Nickle Plate is putting in a sawmill at quarries. William Kelch and Fred Bodman have the job.
Mrs. A. Haas of Brownhelm who has been at the Lorain hospital for the past six weeks, suffering with typhoid fever, has returned to her home.
George Enter South Amherst was arrested Thursday and the case brought up before judge Justice Schuler. He was charged with improper use of firearms and pled guilty to the charge and was fined $10 and costs.
A stone thrown from Lake Shore work train Monday struck George Nester cutting a gash in his head.
Henry Schroeder died very suddenly of heart failure Monday. He was 65 years old and leaves a wife and four sons.
Furman Foster has sufficiently recovered from the injuries sustained in Wednesday night's automobile accident to be taken to his home at Amherst. – Lorain News
Mrs. Bertha May Turner, wife of Dr. W. H. Turner died very suddenly at her home on Saturday afternoon, after but a week's illness. Mrs. Turner was prominent in social life and an active church worker, was affiliated with the Ladies Aid Society, the Pythian Sisters, the Maccabees and the Mother’s Circle.
Mrs. Turner was born at Camden on September 17, 1867. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Whitney who are at present residents of Wellington. On June 11, 1891 she was married to Dr. W. H. Turner the wedding being solemnized at Lodi. To this union three children were born, two daughters, Gladys and Treva and one son, Claire, all residing at home. These with a husband, father and mother, and three brothers in the west are left to mourn her death. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the residence at 10:30 o'clock, standard time, conducted by Rev.'s. Harding and Lindenmeyer. The remains were taken to Camden for interment.
Mr. Clyde Heussner is confined to the house with neuralgia.
Mrs. H. Kelly has been sick for a few days caused by stepping on a nail.
Our school is closed on account of the measles.
Mr. Ed Coen has harvested his crops. He did well for his first farming.
C. Young was husking corn for Charles Kishman averages 80 bushels a day. Who can beat it!
Charles Kishman’s sale in wire fencing and farm tools with the largest he ever had. Talk about hard times!
The new breakwall built by Jas Cuddeback on Mr. Coen’s property to protect the land fronting on the lake is a decided success.
The tug Ames returned from Erie first of the week after a fishing season of several weeks from the port. Messrs Will and Barney Shiffler, James Halloran and George Rathbun are home for a few weeks. Thomas Notter, the engineer is ill from typhoid fever and was unable was unable to return, Henry steers is substituting.
The play Thorns and Orange Blossoms presented at the Opera House by Rowling and Clifford. Was fine. All took their part splendidly and they were greeted by a fair sized audience.
Mrs. A. P. Becker, who has been reported very ill, is reported better.
Sorosis will meet at the home of Mrs. Jacob Abell Friday evening.
Thomas H. Bottomley left Monday for Ada to take up a course in pharmacy.
[NOTE: This is a record for myself. Bottomley was my great uncle. He actually was a “great” person.]
BORN – to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Baus at their home in Cleveland, a son, Sunday, Nov 7. Mrs. Baus was formally Miss Belle Hancock.
The F. W. Wakefield Brass Company is enjoying a period of unusual activity necessitating a large force of employees working 10 hours per day. Several new employees were added the past week with work for more.
Forty-five cases of measles have been reported in town.
The Ohio Florence Crittenton [sic] conference at Canton this week adopted a plan to help unfortunate girls. It was decided to have a mission established at Cedar Point. Announcement was made that the management of that summer resort had agreed to help defray expenses. It was decided also to establish missions at other summer resorts. The places to be selected with regard to geographical fitness.
An assault case Grenzebach vs. Berk was on in justice court here Saturday. Berk received a fine and costs.
Mr. Leo Lord is doing quite a business making cider. His mill is very convenient to a good many about this country here, as there are several large orchards near.
The proposed approach to the new Van Rensselaer Street Bridge was laid out Monday.
James B Galloway died at his home west of here Tuesday aged 68 years.
Mr. LeVoo dug 180 pounds of ginseng last week. He has been at this business for some time and has realized the profits.
Machinery has been moved from the old electric powerhouse to new pumping station this week.
Harry Haas, brakeman left Huron one day last week failing to pay an $18 board bill at the Aicher House. He was brought back to Huron from Bellevue and settled the bill and costs.
BORN – two Mr. and Mrs. W Harple a son, Nov 6th.
King Edward of England was 69 years old Tuesday.
George Daniel Sr., 73, ex-mayor and ex-postmaster of Sandusky died Friday morning.
Mrs. M. Brummage, 80, Zanesville, was burnt to death Saturday. Her dress caught from the open great.
12 nuns at St. Vincent's Orphanage, Cleveland formed a bucket brigade and put out a fire that threatened the building Saturday.
A. P. McLeod proprietor of the Wayne Hotel, Norwalk died Friday night at the county jail where he was serving a sentence for shooting at his wife a few weeks ago. He suffered a hemorrhage of the lungs.
Niels Larsen has made an application from his wife Edith, alleging that she frequents disorderly resorts. The parties were married in 1907 and have one child. They live in Lorain.
[NOTE: Interesting: “disorderly resorts”. I trust that wasn’t a reference to Cedar Point or Crystal Beach.]
Hmmmmmm....
THE GILCHRIST FAMILY: In reviewing the history of Vermilion’s First Congregational church and writing some about one of the ministers (John Kaley) I noted that on Children’s Day (June 14, 1896) a former member of the church rose to present the church with a pipe organ in memory of his little daughter Daisy who had died in January of 1893 of Typhoid Fever at the age of 7 years, 9 months and 20 days. That person was Captain J.C. Gilchrist.
Pictured here are (Mrs.) Alice Devin Gilchrist and her children Frances R., Joseph A., John D., Agnes H. and (Alice) Daisy. This is a very unusual photograph. Daisy’s first name was, like her mother’s, Alice. They likely referred to her as Daisy to avoid confusion.
If the mother appears to be rather young it’s because she was. She was born in 1862 and died about two years after Daisy was born – about the same year this pic was taken. She was only 25 years old. She was eleven years younger than her husband.
There was also (to my surprise) another child: Alice Mabel Gilchrist. She was born on 21 September 1881 and died on 18 June 1882. This, I suppose, is part of the reason Daisy, whose first name was also Alice, was given that name.
Sometimes while reviewing photos and stories from Vermilion’s past I am mesmerized by both. This pic captivates me: the children are so beautiful. Their eyes are like their mother’s. Perhaps it’s the tragedy that was just before them that gets to me.
VERY INTERESTING:Clark Jay led a very interesting and a very tragic life. Check out the biography files for him...
…General Hay's division effective service. Gettysburg cost the Eighth Regiment over one hundred men in killed and wounded.
In August, after pursuing and skirmishing with Lee's retreating army the Eighth received much needed rest and quiet in a trip to New York City to assist in quelling the draft riots then raging.
Returning to the field the regiment joined the army at Culpepper, and participated in the operations and engagements at Auburn and Bristow Station, both in October, and at Robinson's Cross Roads, Locust Grove and Nine Run, the latter three in November, 1863.
The operations of 1864 were no less active with the Eighth Ohio. They opened the last six months of army service with the battle at Morton's Ford, on February 6th, after which they next participated in the Wilderness fight, occupying a prominent position supporting the right. They recaptured a section of a battery that the Sixth Corps had lost. On the 6th of May they were engaged during the entire day, while on the 7th, 8th and 9th they again showed their remarkable ability for successful skirmishing. Again at Po River and Spottsylvania Court-House from the l0th to the 18th the regiment was closely engaged, and lost heavily of its few remaining though determined men.
From Spottsylvania Court-house to Petersburg the Eighth was constantly on the move, at North Anna River, Cold Harbor and elsewhere; now at close quarters, again on the skirmish line, wherever they were ordered they went and did as they were ordered unflinchingly, and without a murmur of discontent.
At Petersburg, from June 15th to the 19th, were they on the field or in the trenches. In the latter place were they when their term of enlistment expired, June 25, 1864.
Then they returned home, receiving ovations and receptions at several places along the route. The Eighth was mustered out of service on the 13th of July 1864.
Those of the regiment whose term did not expire in June were consolidated with the Fourth Regiment of Infantry and became the "Fourth Battalion Ohio Infantry," and were mustered out in July 1865.
H. G. DePuy, captain; James E. Gregg, first lieutenant; John Bixby, ensign; William D. Witherell, Zenas W. Barker, Jr., Samuel M. White, Jr., H. C. Jennings, George A. Scoby, D. VanKirk, Leonard Dewey Smith, S. G. Rossiter, Charles H. Reed, Charles M. Keyes, A. T. Craig, O. H. Rosenbaum, Philander Derr, Charles G. Knight, William R. West, Benjamin E. Deely, West B. Jennings, S. M. Ricker, Frederick M. Burton, S. A. Johnson, Lewis J. Lick, Henry C. Morton, John W. DePuy, Eugene D. Bell, Bryant Headly, Charles Ruggles, Leonard B. Osborn, C. M. Chapman, A. W . House, R. W. Spaulding, E. Warren, A. A. Curry, William Lisles, Roger Walsh, William Brady,…
REDUNDANT – BUT USEFUL – ARTIFACT: I believe I’ve used a photo of this item at least one time before in “VV”. But no matter, would you believe that this telephone gets a good deal of attention from folks who visit the museum?
Sometimes I forget how old I am. Believe it or not, this device still works.
My Parents had not been out together in quite some time.
One Saturday, as Mom was finishing the dinner dishes, my father stepped up behind her.
"Would you like to go out, girl?" he asked.
Not even turning around, my mother quickly replied, "Oh, yes, I'd love to!"
They had a wonderful evening, and it wasn't until the end of it that Dad confessed.
His question had actually been directed to the family dog, lying near Mom's feet on the kitchen floor.
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. 15. Issue 36 - November 11, 2017
Archive Issue #765
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