The Amherst Historical Society Newsletter
The Grindstone
November / December 2008
POULTRY CELEBRATIONS
The THANKSGIVING TURKEY
Upcoming Events
General Meeting
Wednesday October 22
7:30 p.m.
Grange/Schoolhouse
―Player Piano‖
Presented by
Bill Cutcher
General Meeting
Wednesday
November 19, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Grange/Schoolhouse
―How Sandstone is
Made‖
Presented by
Dr.Charles Herndendorf
Sunday Dec.7 2008
―Christmas in the
Village‖
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Each year the President of the United States pardons a turkey before Thanksgiving
at a White House ceremony. The tradition’s origin is uncertain. One story claims that
Harry Truman pardoned a turkey in 1947, but the Truman Library has been unable to
find any evidence for this. Another claims that the tradition dates back to Abraham
Lincoln pardoning his son Tad’s pet turkey. Both of these stories have been cited in
recent presidential speeches.
What’s certain is that for many years—and its alternate—have been
pardoned each year. An alternate is chosen just in case the first bird
is unable to perform its duties. For fifteen years through 2004, the
turkeys were given to Kidwell Farm, a petting zoo at Frying Pan Park
in Herndon, Virginia. The turkeys would receive a last minute pardon
before arriving, and were then led to their new home at the Turkey
Barn after enduring a turkey ―roast‖ full of poultry humor and history.
In 2005 and 2006, however, the turkeys were flown to Disneyland in California where
they served as honorary grand marshals for Disneyland’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
After that they spent the rest of their lives at a Disneyland ranch.
In November 2007, president Bush gave two turkeys named May and Flower a
last-minute reprieve. For the fifth time, the American public was allowed to vote for
the turkeys’ names on the White House web site. About 28,000 votes were cast
online in 2007. 2006’s turkeys were named Flyer and Fryer, 2005’s were
Marshmallow and Yam; 2004’s were Biscuit and Gravy; and 2003’s were Stars and
Strips.
The Christmas Goose
Wednesday Dec, 17
Christmas Dinner
Grange/Schoolhouse
― A Dickens of a
Christmas‖
Unfortunately there is nothing recorded regarding a presidential pardon for a
holiday goose. We can't say exactly how the tradition of roast goose came into
the celebration of Christmas, but doubtless it got picked up from other
traditions and then became a hallmark of the Christian holiday.
Sometimes by coincidence and sometimes by association the
goose seems to have come with a theme: Ancient Egyptians,
Romans, Jews, Christians, and many others have all heard the
same message from the goose - a message just as relevant today
as it ever was: Be Thankful!
Reference: infoplease.com
From the President
By Ron Sauer
What a wonderful event we had at our Sandstone Village on Sunday, September 14. General
Grant was there along with several of his soldiers. Even a confederate private was milling
around to make sure those ―Damn Yankee‖ didn’t get out of line. Nine teams of Dutch oven
chefs competed for bragging rights of ―best chef‖. A team came all the way from Florida just to
compete. I was one of the judges, but I would have liked to declare everyone a winner.
A wonderful job was done by one and all. Marsha DePalma worked hard to make this a first-class competition.
Thank you to Laurel Run Cooking School and DePalma Insurance & Financial Services for sponsoring the cookoff. Thank you also to Vivienne Bickley for making all of the arrangements for the entertainment namely Tim
Krugman and Bob Kurowski of ―The Laurentian Divide‖; ―The Marble Man‖, Glen Bernhardt from the Blue Marble;
Ohio Volunteer Cavalry; Ferrier, Shane Charny; Blacksmith, Ky Green and David Pierce with ―Buckeye BBQ for
providing wonderful food. Thank you to all the docents who added to the flavor of Amherstville-1865 – job well
done! We hope to make this an annual event and I’m volunteering to again be judge next year. We have a list of
the winners on page 8. And to Marsha DePalma, we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery from her recent
accident.
Congratulations, John and the Penton Family
September 21 was the grand opening of the Penton Museum that honors John Penton
and the Penton family. I hope you were there to show John and the Penton Family how
much they mean to the Amherst community.
The village has been growing by leaps and bounds. The Firelands Archaeological
Research Center is almost complete and will be offering upcoming programs beginning
in October.
2008 One-Room School Program
A sincere thank you goes out to all the docents who participated in this year’s One-Room
School Program. Our biggest educational program of the year was again a huge
success with the teachers, the docents and most of all, the children.
HELP WANTED
The winter months will be a good time to catch up on accessioning donations and artifacts at the Quigley
Museum. Call Viv at 988-4234 and learn our easy proceedings. We meet on Wednesday morning and need
extra help.
Besides its fun!
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November/December Programming
By Vivienna Bickley
General Meeting
November 19, 2008
―How Sandstone was Made‖
We are breaking a precedent! We are so delighted to have Dr. Charles (Ed) Herndendorf agree to give us
another program that we are having a November General Meeting.
Previously we omitted the November meetings because the fourth Wednesday is always the day
before Thanksgiving. ( Who would make the pies?)
Take note that this date is the THIRD WEDNESDAY of November.
Dr. Herndendorf, Professor Emeritus at Ohio State University, is the geologist and archaeologist who ―took‖ us
underwater to find sunken treasure a few years ago. This time his talk takes us to our sandstone quarries with
the answers to how sandstone was made. Mark your calendars: Wednesday November 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the
Grange/Schoolhouse of the Sandstone Village. Short business meeting first, the program, then refreshments
and social time afterward.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
―Christmas in the Village‖
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bring children of all ages to see Santa and have their picture taken. Enjoy the
entertainment that appeals to the ―kid‖ in all of us. Enjoy the Village in her Christmas finery
and plan to join Mary Miller at the organ and Norman Miller as he leads the caroling in the
chapel at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 17,2008
―A Dickens of a Christmas‖
Don’t be a Scrooge—You don’t even need a Ghost of Christmas Past to go back in time.
Just purchase a ticket for our annual Christmas Dinner/Party and we’ll take you to
Mr. Fezziwig’s party. From the menu to the dancing it will be out of the pages of Charles
Dickens Christmas Carol.
More details to follow.
RIDDLE’S HARDWARE
Ship Your Packages Here Via UPS®
for your Convenience
3
263 S. Main Street, Amherst
988-2608
History of Amherst
1850 - 1890
Written by Miss Marion Steele. Taken from Amherst Ohio Sesquicentennial 1814 - 1964
As the services of the local government grew, people were needed to fill special posts. One of these posts
was village surveyor. For many years the work was skillfully performed by Hiram Belden, who purveyed most
of the land about Amherst. Another of the posts was street commissioner. The first street commissioner was
E.C. Foster. John B. Robertson was the first town marshal. In 1875, the first Board of Health was appointed.
A short time later a volunteer fire department was organized.
Josiah Harris had set aside a plot of land for a town square or Common. Until 1873, the use of the Common
had been granted to the town with certain restriction. In that year, Milo Harris and Frank Clark, heirs of Josiah
Harris, gave the town full control of the Common and certain lands for streets.
North Amherst had a town square, but it did not have a town hall. Several times the building of a town hall
was proposed at election time. In 1876 a majority of the voters turned it down. In 1879 a mass meeting was
held to boost support for a town hall. However, the election in April of that year was declared illegal. It
seemed that if the town was to have a town hall it would have to be approved in a different manner. An
ordinance for a town hall to be built by North Amherst and Amherst Township was passed on July 30, 1884.
This was the first of a series of ordinances which made the building of the Town Hall possible.
Before the town hall was built, the Common was a vacant field surrounded by a white fence. The Common
began to change its appearance in 1884 with the laying of the cornerstone for the Town Hall. James Nichol
was in charge of construction. The plans called for an area for village and township offices, an area for
meeting rooms, space for police and fire equipment, and a large auditorium. The Amherst Town Hall has
long been a tribute to the community.
In April,1875, Dr. A .C. Moore succeeded Dr. Crosse as mayor. The clerk was C. O. Hirsching. The
councilmen elected were E. C. Foster, M. C. Seeley, John G. Baus, and Joseph Barber. The first Board of
Health was appointed by this council - J. B. Parker, Milo Harris and E. E. Mussey.
In April, 1876, three new members were sworn into the council. They were John G. Baus, Daniel Freese and
Daniel Horn. According to the law, Mayor Moore made his annual address on that night. The concluding
paragraph of that address as given in Armstrong’s Amherst’s Story reads:
―In conclusion, gentlemen of the Council, let me say, in all our deliberations together let us bring thoughts
well matured to bear on each other and every question of any importance to the corporation, ever rising far
above the narrow vision of selfishness, and ever aiming to advance the greatest good to the greatest
number.‖
This is still a fine goal for any group of public spirited men.
Following Dr. A .C. Moore, J. W. Gilbert, E. Hinman, H. Hirshing, J.P. Jenne, H. G. Redington in turn served
as mayors from 1877 - 1893. A. E. Stiwald served as clerk of the village from 1879 - 1893.
Several will recall the fine work of our mayors and councils. Amherst has reason to be proud of these citizens.
An important part of the village life centered in the post office. A. A.
Crosse was postmaster for four years followed by Alonzo Crocker, who
served for sixteen years. E. C. Schuler held the office four years. L. Horn
and John Riley each served a term of four years. In 1872 the name of the
post office was changed from Plato to North Amherst. During this time the
post office was located on the east side of Church Street between Park
and Tenney Avenue.
4
Ohio’s State Flag
Architect John Eisenmann designed the Ohio state flag in 1901. Ohio was
participating in the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, and desired a flag to
fly over the Ohio Building at the fair. The state legislature officially adopted the flag on
May 9, 1902. The shape of the flag is known as a burgee.
Eisenmann described the flag's symbolism thusly:
The triangles formed by the main lines of the flag represent the hills and valleys as typified in the State Seal,
and the stripes the roads and waterways. The stars, indicating the thirteen original states of the Union, are
grouped about the circle which represents the Northwest Territory; and that Ohio was the seventeenth state
admitted into the Union is shown by adding four more stars. The white circle with its red center, not only
represents the initial letter of Ohio, but is suggestive of its being the Buckeye State.
Ohio's State Seal
The State of Ohio has had an official seal for more than two hundred years. Over that time, the state
government has modified the seal several times. The current state seal was adopted in 1996.
The seal illustrates Ohio's diverse geography. In the background stands Mount Logan in Ross County.
Separating Mount Logan from the rest of the seal is the Scioto River. In the foreground is a freshly harvested
wheat field. In the field stands a sheaf of wheat, illustrating the importance of agriculture in Ohio. Nearby stand
seventeen arrows that resemble the sheaf of wheat. The seventeen arrows represent Ohio's Native Americans
as well as the fact that Ohio was the seventeenth state to join the United States of America. At the top of the
seal is the sun, with thirteen rays protruding outwards. The thirteen rays represent the thirteen colonies that
became the original thirteen states of the United States. Some early versions of the seal also had a canal boat
on the river.
According to historical lore, the seal was based on the eastern view from Adena, the home of Thomas
Worthington near Chillicothe. Worthington was one of Ohio's first two United States senators and he served as
the sixth governor of the state. Today, Adena is a museum operated by the Ohio Historical Society. Most
scholars now believe that Adena's view did not inspire the seal.
Ohio's State Groundhog: Buckeye Chuck
Buckeye Chuck is one of two groundhogs in Ohio known for predicting the arrival of spring. A native of Marion,
Ohio, Chuck began predicting spring's arrival in the 1970s.
From late September until early April, Buckeye Chuck spends his time hibernating. On February 2, against his
will, Chuck emerges from his sleep to predict the weather. In 1979, the Ohio legislature made Buckeye Chuck
Ohio's official groundhog.
Using groundhogs to predict the weather came from Germany. A long-held German tradition states that if a
hibernating animal sees its shadow on February 2, six more weeks of winter will occur. In the United States, this
tradition evolved into Ground Hog Day. Generally, wild groundhogs live to only two years of age while domesticated ones commonly live to ten years of age. While groundhogs rarely live more than a decade, some people
contend that Buckeye Chuck is the same groundhog that has predicted the weather for almost thirty years.
5
Board of Director
Zack Dolyk has been on the Board of Directors of Amherst Historical Society
since January 2006. He was raised in Amherst and, in fact, lived directly
across the street from the Hickory Tree Grange Hall. He remembers playing
ball in the Grange parking lot and also picking muskmelons in the field next to
the Grange. Zack is a partner in the law firm of Dolyk & Zeiher Co., L.P.A
with offices in Vermilion and Sandusky. After graduating from Amherst High
School, he received his undergraduate, Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ohio
Northern University and his Juris Doctor Degree from Ohio State University.
He is married to Wendy Dolyk, who is employed by Providence Care Centers
in Sandusky as the Executive Director. They reside in Vermilion with
Wendy’s son, Jimmy.
Zack has practiced law for 30 years. He has been in private practice and has maintained a Vermilion
office since having been admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1978. He was elected Judge of the
Vermilion Municipal Court in November, 2007 and took office in January, 2008. He is presently serving a six year term. The Vermilion Municipal Court is a single judge municipal court and holds court
on a part time basis. He has been an Arbitrator in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, a Mediator in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, and a Trustee of the Erie County Bar Association.
He is an
active member of the Erie County Bar Association and the Lorain County Bar Association.
Zack has, for many years, volunteered his services. He has served as President of the Vermilion
Chamber of Commerce, President of the YMCA, President of Vermilion Rotary, and Chairman of the
Rotary Crippled Children’s Fund, as well as serving on other non-profit boards. He actively supports
numerous area organizations and events. He is also a member of the Vermilion Historical group and
the Firelands area Archeological Society. While serving on the board, he has provided advice on a
number of legal issues for the Amherst Historical Society.
The Firelands Archaeological Society Research Center Program Announcement
F.A.R.C. is participating in Ohio Archaeology Month with the following activities:
Thursday, October 9th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
"Prehistoric Native Americans in Lorain County: Archaeology at Burrell Orchard"
Presented by Dr. Brian G. Redmond, Curator of Archaeology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Location: The St. George Chapel on the grounds of the Amherst Historical Society
Saturday, October 11th from 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Archaeology Day at the new Firelands Archaeological Research Center Laboratory
at the Amherst Historical Society
Activities will include: laboratory open house, artifact identification, and presentation.
Saturday, October 11th at 3:00 PM
"The Seeman's Fort Defensive Earthworks"
Presented by Glen Boatman, Research Assistant, University of Toledo
Location: The St. George Chapel on the grounds of the Amherst Historical Society
6
A Pictorial Visit to the Quigley Museum
Our Quigley Museum visit is underway as we tour the remaining three areas of the building.
Leaving the 1930’s kitchen, we enter the first of the two early Amherst Rooms which contain
displays of antique toys, sandstone quarry exhibits, WW II items and artifacts belonging to
early Amherst settlers, doctors and dentists.
A few of the antique toys are displayed on shelving while the rest are contained in a glassed
showcase. To the east and south of the toy display and continuing into the adjoining room are
artifacts, photographs, period dressed mannequins, tools and articles used by the quarry worker,
an 1889 time card and company record books all which depict Amherst’s sandstone heritage.
I
Included in the room is a World War II war plaque honoring
the Amherst men and woman who served in the armed
forces. Below the plaque it is a showcase containing
artifacts and memorabilia from the civil war to WW II and
above a 38 star American flag is hanging. Additional
treasures include, but certainly not limited to, a
display case filled with artifacts from early Amherst
families and above the case, pictures of Isaac and
Minerva Shupe. The pictured postcard has the postmark of Plato. which was the
area’s name before it became Amherstville and next to the card is the original poll
book of the election of trustees of Black River Township, county of Huron, which
later became Amherst Township.
The room’s alcove features instruments and equipment
once owned and used by Amherst doctors and dentists.
From a wicker wheelchair to an antique dental chair to a
tortoise shell ear trumpet.
Indeed, a step back in time to view early medical artifacts
and, as well, to recall the early physicians of Amherst.
7
The Green Line
The Green Line was an electric street car which is said to have made its first
run into North Amherst in 1900. It traveled from in front of the town hall, down
Cleveland Avenue to Lincoln Street, north on Lincoln Street to about where
Shady Drive is today. It traveled east, parallel to Cleveland Avenue & North
Ridge Road to Penfield Junction or Clearview as we know it today. From there
they could transfer to Lorain or Elyria. There had been a substation and car
barns at Penfield Junction.
A culvert, over which the car line ran, can still be seen in John Penton’s back
yard on North Ridge Road. I love these bits of history that are still visible after so many years..like a glimpse
into the past. Bertine Foster wrote that the first passenger was Sam Dellefield, the meat dealer and the fare
was twenty-five cents. The waiting room was between Amherst Hardware & Mary Edwards Beauty Parlor and
Adam Jaeger was the first ticket agent.
The cars were turned by means of a ―Y‖ track in front of the town square. In 1919 council requested the ―Y‖
be moved to Beaver Court or the tracks be looped around the town hall. I have no idea if this was ever done.
There was a ―special‖ funeral car named Delores which was shiny dark blue with gold lettering and plush
compartments, according to Bertine’s column.
The car line ran until 1930 when buses became more popular. As I’ve mentioned before, the Green Line
tracks which had long been buried under the pavement, were dug up during WWII and put into the scrap iron
drive. The government paid to replace the pavement.
Courtesy: Fay Ott, Historian
Congratulations: Dutch Oven Cook-Off Winners!
Breads
3rd Place: Sharon and Ann Reigelsberger of Sheffield .
2nd Place: Jenn Arthur and Linda and Katie Sears of Norwalk.
1st Place: Marsha DePalma, Tim Depalma, Gaila Cogar and Judy Couwels
of Vermilion.
Main Dishes
3rd Place: Bob and Patrick Mayer and Maureen Gwynn from Oberlin.
2nd Place: Bob and Judy Frimel of Vermilion.
1st Place: Jimmy’s: Jim and Jeanne Thompson and Tom and April Shroll of Bucyrus.
Desserts
3rd Place: The 18th Century Girls of Norwalk.
2nd Place: The Ridgerunners.
1st Place: Jimmy’s of Bucyrus.
Cook’s Choice
3rd Place: The 18th Century Girls of Norwalk.
2nd Place: Tyler and Adam Frimel.
1st Place: Jimmy’s of Bucyrus.
8
Genealogy Corner # 21
by Orville Manes
A genealogy for the Grugel Family has been added to the Amherst Historical Society library.
Abram Rice Family
Abram (born April 21, 1801) and Margaret (nee Stecher born July 23, 1806) Rice migrated
to Lorain County, Ohio soon after their marriage. They came to this area by horse and wagon.
Among their possessions was a cherry chest of drawers with holly inlay which was a gift to the bride from her
grandfather, a cabinet maker. This beautiful chest is now in the possession of the Amherst Historical Society.
The couple purchased a farm in Black River Township (North Amherst) and several years later bought 200
acres of land in Amherst Township near Kendeigh’s Corners on the road now known as Quarry Road. It was
not unusual, at this time, for Margaret to look up from her chores to see an Indian looking in the kitchen
window. For several years Abram owned and operated a threshing machine, first in the area with modern
improvements. Abram would begin threshing in the summer months and continued through fall into winter.
During the winter months Abram would travel to Pennsylvania with horses and bob sled hauling produce.
The trips sometimes covered a month’s time and were occasion for many happy visits with Pennsylvania
relatives since he was usually accompanied by Margaret and other family members.
Abram and Margaret were members of the Methodist Church at Amherst. They later were among
the founding member of the Methodist Church at South Amherst, contributing much in labor and
money (1842). Being Methodists, they supported Baldwin College in Berea, Ohio and maintained
a scholarship there for several years. Two of their children availed themselves of its assistance
in pursuit of higher education.
Margaret Rice
Note: For over 50 years, the families of John Stecher and Margaret Stecher Rice lost all contact with each
other. Then through a coincidence the family bonds were reestablished. A family from Lorain was touring
through Pennsylvania and they came to an area where they were in doubt as to which of several roads to
take. They stopped at a house on Ginger Hill to ask for information which just happened to be the home of
Mrs. Barbara Stecher Gamble. Through the conversation that followed, Mrs. Gamble learned that she still
had relatives in the vicinity of Lorain and Amherst. Correspondence between the families resumed and visits
were exchanged. Thus, the Pennsylvania and Ohio families were united after a silence of half a century.
Abram and Margaret Rice had 14 children – seven boys and seven girls: Mary Rice (Mrs. Orlando P. Kilmer)
born February 19, 1823; Daniel Rice, December 24, 1824; Samuel A. Rice, February 23, 1826; Anne E. Rice
(Mrs. Hiram Wilber) 1827; John S. Rice, 1829; Melissa Rice (Mrs. H. P. Strickler), 1830, Adaline Rice (Mrs.
William Pearl), 1832; Margaret Rice (Mrs. I. G. Hazel), 1833; Nancy Rice (Mrs. R.
G. Barney), January 6, 1835; Susan Rice (Mrs. John K. Hazel), 1837; Abram J.
Rice, January 17, 1840; Wesley Rice, January 29, 1842; George W. Rice,
February 19, 1846; Charles Rice, December 5, 1849.
Margaret Rice
George Rice
LorMet Credit Union
Lorain National Bank
1175 Cleveland Ave.
Amherst, OH 44001
“See Judy Butchko, Branch Manager
For all your financial needs.”
9
2051 Cooper Foster Park Rd.
Amherst, Ohio 44001
“Local Community Banking at it’s best.”
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Ron Sauer
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address
Kent Sutton
Dr. Eric Stocker
Bernie Wagner-Doane
Grindstone edited by Bob & Martha Pallante
and Donna Rumpler
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The Amherst Historical Society Grindstone newsletter is printed six times yearly and mailed to approximately 400
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