May-June - Amherst - Amherst Historical Society

The Grindstone
May/June 2013
Live Oak Engine
Company #2
Museum
In the Amherst
Historical Society
Sandstone Village
Dedication and
Grand Opening
April 27, 2013
Vintage Amherst fire equipment on exhibit at the
entrance of the Live Oak Engine Company # 2.
Dedication sign identifying state
and local contributors.
Fire Chief Wayne Northein accepting
a pen and ink drawing of the Live
Oak Engine Co. # 2 museum from
Amherst artist, Ted Litkovitz.
The Amherst Fire Department volunteer firemen.
The time and talent of these men made the museum a reality.
Fire Equipment Through the Ages
Live Oak 1847
Steam Engine 1888
Chemical Cart 1900
Fire Truck 1930’s
Fire Truck 2000’s
From the President: Bob Pallante
I am proud to announce that the “Live Oak Engine Company #2”
museum was dedicated at 1:00 P.M. on April 27th followed by a
luncheon in the Grange Hall.
Bob Pallante
All of the buildings in the Village opened at 3:00 P.M. for a very
well attended open house for the public. This project has been a mission for the
Amherst Firemen’s Social Club and Amherst Historical Society to provide a
home for the history of the Amherst Fire Department and will be an important
addition to attract people to the Village.
The project was financed through grants from the State of Ohio through the Cultural Facilities Commission,
The Community Foundation of Lorain County and The Nordson Corporation Foundation. Additionally, material and
financial donations from The Cleveland Quarries Company, The Ray Roth family, The Hickory Tree Grange #881
in memory of Walter Gambish, Bill Starbuck and many other individuals and businesses provided material, labor
and support in reaching completion of the building within the budget allowed.
The garden east of the Fire Museum developed by Ralph Zilch and the Amherst Garden Club will be dedicated later
in the spring in memory of Mary Alice Kovach, mother of Sylvia Zilch, who donated the funds specifically for the
garden next to the fire museum. The Amherst Garden Club has provided the many flowers, shrubs and plantings that
surround the buildings and make up the Victorian Garden.
A picnic pavilion with a fireplace will soon be constructed in the village between the Fire Museum and the Caboose.
Materials for the pavilion will be donated by Ralph Zilch with volunteers supplying the labor.
The Village grounds and buildings are becoming a popular backdrop for graduates to have their senior
pictures taken. This is a positive example of the growing popularity of the village and the unique venue it has
become.
Upcoming Events
German Fest
August 10, 2013
Village Grounds
2:00 - 10:00
Music, Dancing, German Dishes and Desserts, Raffles,
Children’s Games and Crafts. Specific information will
be forth coming in the Grindstone and local newspapers.
The German Fest Committee is interested in displaying
German related collectibles, costumes or documentation
of family stories in the St. George Chapel for public
viewing during the event. The display is to be monitored
by society docents.
If anyone has German memorabilia to share or knows of
someone interested in sharing an item, please contact
Donna at the society office: 988-7255
2
By My Lantern’s Light
Village Grounds Halloween Event
October 19, 2013 & October 20. 2013
5:00 - 8:00
Last year’s stories include the 1916 Amherst
Train Wreck, the Gore Orphanage Fire, the
Hedwig Family tragedy, Carrie Nation and
Prohibition, the Boot Hill Body Snatchers, and
Stingy Jack of Jack of the Lantern.
Chairperson, Kathy Dean-Dielman, is canvassing the area for additional Amherst related tales
based on true events or slightly embellished
events.
Anyone having a local historical yarn or legend
to share, please call Donna at the society
office: 988-7255
DO YOU REMEMBER?......
The Way We Danced?
By Vivienna Bickley
Your first dance? All I remember of mine was that I slapped the face of the young man who asked
me to dance. Why? My aunt was supposed to “baby sit” me and took me along to a dance. I
slapped him because I knew he was just teasing me and really wouldn’t dance with me as I was
Vivienna Bickley
about 2 1/2 years old. ( I wonder what my parents said to my aunt when they found out about my
night on the town!)
My actual dancing started when I was about thirteen. Our Clearview principal, (Mr. Jake Durling of
Amherst) acquired a JUKEBOX for our use after lunch and for dances! I quickly became a “Jitterbug” like so
many of us in the ‘40’s. Maybe a jukebox in school would keep kids out of trouble today.
We graduated just in time for all our able-bodied boys to be drafted in WW II, so dances dwindled. Churches and
lodges still held them, but who wants to dance with another girl? We saw all the movies instead.
When the boys came home after the war we locals all flocked to Crystal Beach Ballroom on Fridays—stag night
and Saturdays, date night to Cedar Point or Crystal Beach. Many couples who met at these dances married in the
late ‘40’s and in the ‘50’s.
In the ‘50’s, square dancing became very popular. There were actually five clubs in the Amherst area alone.
Where did they all disappear? I know I quit because swinging your partner was a little difficult while pregnant and
there was a baby boom then.
Do you remember Harley Kerr’s dancing lessons? Then you probably joined the Amherst Cotillion when Pat
Hubbard and I founded it. With this inexpensive club we would now have room to dance the Tango, Rumba,
Cha-cha-cha and others that Harley had taught us. It was a big success with 65 couples belonging to it. Then in
the late 80’s the Musicians Union raised their dues, thereby increasing the fees charged by combos who played for
our Cotillion and when our dues went up, membership went down...the end of Amherst Cotillion. When I recall all
the good times the Cotillion provided, I can’t help but wish someone would start another one now.
Line Dancing ..what a great idea...no need for a partner. Hubby didn’t like to dance? He could watch or stay
home. Our organization sponsored lessons off and on since the mid 90’s. Held at the school house, only recently
were they discontinued.
Its great exercise so as Kay Kyser (1940’s band leader) used to day, “ C’mon,chillun! Le’s dance!”
Historical Research
If you are interested in the history of Amherst you must come to the Monday Night Research session.
A group of Amherstonians meet at the Amherst Historical Society office to research the records, maps,
pictures and anything else that can be found about the history of Amherst. There is lively discussion about
Amherst of old and occasionally some of Amherst’s longtime residents pop in to add their stories of a bygone era. Many students from Mrs. Marty’s history class join in the group to research information for
their assignments. There is always something new that is being discovered about Amherst’s past and I hear
tell that oft times there is chocolate candy involved.
So join in the fun at these informative sessions. Remember: Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at the Amherst
Historical Society office, 113 South Lake Street (southeast corner of Milan Avenue and South Lake Street),
3 second floor.
Memories Pages Prelude by Marilyn Jenne
I had always known that my grandfather, Clayton Engle, was killed when he was pushed into a
quarry hole while working at the quarries in 1895. My mother was 8 months old at the time.
A few years later my grandmother remarried and I was not close to my grandfather’s family.
I knew little about them until I recently came across a family history written in 1934 by Charlotte
Mae Lewis, my grandmother’s sister. I learned much about his family and about our strong
connection to the quarries.
I had never seen this history before and was thrilled with it...folded and almost eligible as it is.
Perhaps others will find it as interesting as I did.
Marilyn Jenne
Memories Pages by Charlotte Mae Lewis
Many tender memories fill my mind as I write these lines. How many times, as I have sat beside my dear Mother,
and heard her give, in her own language, the memories of her life, it would come to me that she and my
grandparents helped symbolize the pioneer age in developing this great country.
Sarah Velona Blackman was born April 26, 1845. She was the oldest of a family of six children, four girls and two
boys, Sarah, Louise, Eugene, Burton, Alice and Bertha. Her parents were Elizabeth and Hiram Blackman.
I wish I might express the love I cherish for these dear grandparents. Grandma’s and Grandpa’s ancestors were of
fine, educated stock. Grandma was born August 11, 1825. Her parents were Nancy and David Delmage. In this
family there were five children. Jennings, the only one I remember, Anson, Thadus, Elizabeth and Olive. Grandma
taught school some time before her marriage. I want to pay her this tribute, not because she was esteemed “great”,
but because she was one who accepted all that made up life, all the joy, all the anguish, all the hope and disappointments that came her way, and yet came through it all a sweet beautiful Christian character. A few days before the
dear Lord called her home she asked the family to read to her many times “ The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not
want.” She went peacefully to sleep January 24, 1899, age 73 years. She was beautiful in death. I will remember
my Aunt Bertha taking her cold hand in her own and saying “such beautiful hands.” Grandma’s burial was so
simple compared to funeral services of today. No flowers, and I felt so badly about this that I gathered winter
myrtle from the yard and placed it inside the plain black casket.
Hiram Blackman was born November 23, 1823. Died February 26, 1888. Grandpa came from a large
family, seven girls and five boys. His father’s name was Ansel and his mother’s name was Sarah Higgins Blackman. The boys were Lorenzo, Lewis, Lyman, Alonzo, and Hiram. Uncle Lewis, as mother always called him, was
killed in the war of 1812. The others served in the war of 61 to 65. Grandpa was the youngest of these boys. Dear
Grandpa, how often I think of him, although many years have passed since he went away. I do remember the time
when he was well. I have memories of seeing him sitting in his armchair by the window, at the old homestead, day
after day, and when us children would turn in to the path that led up to the house, Grandpa would be at the window
with a smile. I often would sit upon his knee and we would sing, “Come Thou Found of Every Blessing” and “I’m
Going Home to Die no More,” and many other United Brethren Hymens. Some times when he would praise my
singing, I would then sing so loud that he would tell me to be very careful not to ruin my voice.
The day that my father was buried which was a year before grandpa died, we passed the old home going to the
cemetery. As we passed, I stood up and waved to Grandpa. I have a mental picture of that dear old face in the window. We laid him away as I have said one year later, and I must have cried a great deal, because Aunt Hannah
Kane, father’s sister scolded me, and said that I did not make nearly so much fuss when my father died. In
Grandpa’s early life, he drove stage coach and freight wagons with eight horses. He carried a long whip, and with
a whirl of it, could hit the front horse. I do not know how many days it took to made the trip from Cleveland to
Milan, which at that time was a great shipping point down the river into Lake Erie.
Note: Due to the length of Charlotte Mae Lewis’s reminiscence, her memoirs will be continued in the next four
upcoming newsletters.
4
The Old Braun Brewery Discovery
By Col. Matthew Nahorn
Although the large sandstone Braun Brewery is long gone, its beautiful arched sandstone cellars still remain today. Most residents had no idea that only a shallow layer of dirt covered these unique structures, but on March 22,
during construction activities for a city storm sewer project, workers uncovered one of the cellars that has been
sealed for around 80 years. I soon learned of this find, and research began. Only a week before, I was down at the
Old Spring, working to unplug the drain and preparing to restore the Spring site once the City project was completed. My work on the Spring however was abruptly halted, and my research shifted to the Braun family.
William (“Wilhelm”) Braun (1834-1904), the son of Justus and Emilie Braun, emigrated from Bremen, Germany and arrived at port in New York on August 2, 1852, with his parents, three brothers, and one sister. Genealogical documents reveal his destination was Ohio, and it looks as if the family initially settled in Brownhelm. He
was only 18 at the time, and his occupation was listed as “brewer.” William first appears on Amherst tax records in
1860.
A 1954 newspaper article in the Society’s files provides some insight, stating that Braun leased water from
the Old Spring from Mr. Beesing, who lived directly across the street. (Interestingly, the Beesing house, built c.
1862, was later moved to near the corner of Cleveland Ave. and Jackson St.) This was before Milan Avenue was
filled and raised, when the Spring was at road-level. It is believed that at this time, the Spring was tapped on the
north side of the road, and later, this giant seep spring was tapped on the south side, the present location of the “Old
Spring.” But during Braun’s early years, it looks as if the water was piped to the south side of the road for use in
his brewery. Of course we all recognize the Spring site as one of the most historic spots in town – where Judge
Josiah Harris settled and where our town’s first Fourth of July was celebrated between Harris and founding father
Jacob Shupe.
Located in the valley was a large stone building, which served as Braun’s brewery. A 1963 newspaper article provides more of the story, as we learn directly from Phillip Braun, William Braun’s grandson, that there are
two arched sandstone cellars parallel to each other and a third located just to the east. These structures, along with
Braun’s house, still exist today. The house has been restored by the Timko family as Five Corners Bed & Breakfast. We are still working to determine the age of the house, but it does appear on an 1874 plat map of the downtown area, along with a notation of “Brewery” denoting the large building nearby. The sandstone brewery was demolished after Braun disbanded his brewery sometime between 1892-94, when the railroad acquired part of Braun’s
property, but the cellars were not sealed until the Depression years.
The 1954 newspaper article we found in files at the Historical Society states, “…the old cellars are still
there. One wonders what people will say years from now if they ever uncover these cellars and try to determine
what they were used for.”
The area around the Town Hall, encompassing Beaver Court and Milan Avenue, is steeped in history. Having begun to delve into the history of the Braun Brewery, it is clear that a small volume could be written just on the
history of this small section of our town. My file folder of information on this topic is now quite large.
Pictures and documents at the Historical Society served as invaluable sources of information to piece together the shreds of this story. I have been compiling a document on the history of this important story, which at
present is 30 pages long. Once the research on this immediate project is completed, I will donate the document to
the Society for our records.
A very special thanks to Joan Miller Rosenbusch, Erin Holvoet, Charlie Marty, Maxine Miller, Ralph Zilch,
Jim Wilhelm, Orville Manes, and Missy and Paul Timko for their help in numerous ways in the preparation of this
article.
5
Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D.
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.
This is how it manifests:
I decide to water my garden, as I turn on the
hoses in the driveway, I look over at my car
and decide it needs washing.
I’m going to look for my checks, but the Pepsi is
getting warm, so I decide to put it in the
refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I start toward the garage, I notice the mail
on the porch table that I brought up from the
mail box earlier. I decide to go through the
mail before I wash the car.
As I head to the kitchen, a vase of flowers on the
counter catches my eye….they need water.
I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail
in the trash can under the table, and notice the
can is full.
I put the Pepsi on the counter and discover my
reading glasses that I’ve been looking for all
morning. I decide to put them on my desk, but
first must water the flowers.
So I decided to put the bills back on the table
and take the trash out first. But then I think,
since I’m going to be near the mailbox when
I take out the trash, I may as well pay the
bills first.
I set the glasses back on the counter, fill a
container with water, and suddenly see the TV
remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I
realize that later, I’ll be looking for it so decided to
put it in the den where it belongs, but first I’ll water
the flowers.
I take my checkbook off the table, and see that
there is only one check left. My extra checks
are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the
house to my desk where I find the can of Pepsi
I’d been drinking.
I pour some water in the flowers, but some of it
spills on the floor. So I set the remote back on
the table, got some towels and wipe up the spill,
Then I head down the hall trying to remember
what I was planning to do!
At the end of the day; the car isn’t washed, the bills aren’t paid, there is a can of Pepsi sitting
on the counter, the flowers don’t have enough water, there is still only one check in my check
book, I can’t find the remote, I can’t find my glasses, and I don’t remember what I did with my
car keys. Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I’m really baffled because
I know I was busy all day...and I’m really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I’ll try to get
some help for it, but first I’ll check my e-mail…….
Amherst 1942: WW II Years
May 1, 1942
Service Flags for Men in Forces
Service flags indicating someone in the armed forces of the country are being issued by Conrad Zilch. The flags
are of satin material with a large red border surrounding a field of white in the center of which is a blue star.
Some flags will have two or more stars indicating the number of men from that family in the army, navy or
marines. The flags are issued free, but the name and address of the service man must be furnished.
Amherst News-Times
June 4, 1942
No Amherst Day Picnic: War Times
In an effort to help the war effort the annual Amherst Day Picnic will not be held this year. This decision was
reached at the monthly meeting of the association Monday night. Considerations that prompted the decision were
the present working schedules of a large number of Amherst men and women who are working in defense industry
seven days a week, the tire shortage which would keep many people from attending the picnic, and the
impossibility of bus transportation this year.
Amherst News-Times
6
The Genealogy Corner # 47 by Orville Manes
Conrad Hageman, Prominent and Enterprising
Agriculturist and County Pioneer
Orville Manes
Conrad Hagemann was born on October 10. 1831 in Unterhaun
Hessan, Germany, the son of John and Margaret Hagemann.
The family moved to the United States in 1847 settling in
Amherst Township where they purchased and developed farm
land. John and Margaret had eight children: John, Adam, Henry,
George, Conrad, Catherine, and Matthew . The family attended
the German Reformed Church. John died in 1877 at the age of
77 and Margaret died earlier in 1869 at age 72.
Conrad was 15 when the family moved to Amherst Township and
he resided with the family working the farm until he was 21 when
he left for Iowa to purchase farm land of his own. He lived in
Iowa only one year before he was called home to assist his failing
parents and man the farm.
Anna K. Claus Hageman
1839 - 1885
Conrad Hageman
1831 - 1917
On September 16, 1855 John married Anna Katherine Claus of
Brownhelm, Ohio, Black River Township, the daughter of Henry
and Martha (Hildebrand) Claus. The following year they
purchased 118 acres of farmland north of Amherst and west of
Lorain where they built their homestead.
The couple had fourteen children of which seven survived. Anna
married Michael Geganheiner of Vermillion, Ohio; Elizabeth
married John Beller of North Amherst; Pauline married Henry
Kolbe; Edna married Martin Trinter; Philip managed a fishing tug
in Lorain; August worked at a brick yard in Lorain; Albert and
Robert attended Oberlin Business College and Hermann and
Elmer remained at home.
Conrad was one of the organizers and a life long member of the
German Evangelical Church* in Amherst, serving as president of
the Board of Trustees. He also held several township offices.
Conrad died at age 85 on March 25, 1917 at the home of his son,
August Hageman. His funeral service was held at the Amherst
German Evangelical Church conducted by The Rev. Lindenmeyer
of Portsmouth, Ohio and assisted by Rev. A. Egli of Amherst.
Conrad Hagaeman is buried at the Cleveland Street Cemetery.
* St. Peter’s United Church of Christ
7
Conrad Hageman and grandchildren, Cornelius
Hageman, Marie Hageman, Robert Kuehlman and
Katherine Hageman at the old homestead on Kolbe
Road.
Kolbe Road Homestead
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
Paid
Amherst, OH
Permit No. 4
T H E A M H E R ST H I ST O R IC AL S O C I E T Y
1 1 3 SO U T H L A K E ST R E ET
AMHERST , OH 44001
P H O N E : 4 4 0 -9 8 8 -7 2 5 5
F A X : 4 4 0 - 9 8 8 -2 9 5 1
EMAIL:
A M H E R S T H I ST O R Y@ C EN T U R Y T EL . N ET
WEB:
W W W . A M H E R S T H IS T O R I C AL SO C I ET Y . O R G
T H E A M H E R ST H I ST O R IC AL S O C I E T Y
BOARD
O F D I R EC T O R S
Jami Anderson
Kathy Litkovitz, Treasurer
Paul Bires
Bob Pallante, President
John Diedrich
Kelly Post
Kathy Dean-Dielman
Judy Ryan, Secretary
John Dunn,
Vice-President
Steve Sayers
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
ADDRESS LABEL
Frank Janik, Esq.
The Amherst Historical Society wishes to acknowledge
a charitable remainder trust created by Mr. Evan Nord
and administrated by
The Community Foundation of Lorain County.
Grindstone edited by Bob & Martha Pallante
and Donna Rumpler, Printed by SQP Print Center
GARAGE SALE IN THE
VILLAGE LONG BARN
REMINDER
FRIDAY JUNE 21, 2013
SATURDAY June 22, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The village garage sale has become a successful yearly fund raising event, mainly due to the
generosity of our membership and members of the community. The sale includes donations of toys,
furniture, jewelry, kitchen utensils, tools, collectibles and electronics.
All the money generated from the sale benefits the society in the preservation of the village grounds.
You may bring your items to the village and place them on the porch of the long barn or call the
society office at 988-7255 to make arrangements for someone to pick them up.