History of the Western Reserve, Vol. II, Part 66

Author: Upton, Harriet Taylor; Cutler, Harry Gardner, 1856-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago ; New York : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Ohio > History of the Western Reserve, Vol. II > Part 66

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When David L. Bailey was eighteen years of age his father placed him in charge of the home farm and he is the only survivor of the following children : Julia, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Maria, who passed away un-

MRS. DAVID L. BAILEY

DAVID L. BAILEY

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married at the age of twenty; Frances, who became the wife of J. L. Bissell, and after his death married Anson Sutherland, of Buffalo, New York, where she died at sixty years of age; David L., of this sketch, who was next in order of birth; and Hannah, who married P. T. Safford and died at the age of twenty- five. Mr. Bailey was educated in the imme- diate vicinity of the old farm, with whose culti- vation and development he has been identified since boyhood, the family homestead now con- sisting of 220 acres. A number of years ago he commenced to devote his attention more particularly to the raising of high-grade live- stock, becoming one of the leading growers in Lake county. He attained especially high standing as a breeder of registered short-horn cattle and of superior Delaine sheep and was well known as a dairyman and a cheese manu- facturer. Apropos of his record as a dairy farmer, he believes he has "done his share of milking," as he began his services in that line when a lad of six years and continued his labors in mature years when he had a fine dairy herd of forty cows. He has maintained the old homestead in the best of condition, and on every side are unmistakable evidences of good management, thrift and taste. The farm is one of the model country places of Lake county, and Mr. Bailey still gives it his personal super- vision. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but, although he has served for several terms as township trustee, the faithful care of his homestead and his household has given him no time to cultivate politics, even if he were so inclined. His religious connections are with the Congregational church, and every step in his life is taken in accord with his professions.

In 1861, more than forty-eight years ago, David L. Bailey was united in marriage with Miss Phrosene Benjamin, who was born and reared in Madison township, Lake county, and was a daughter of Levi and Rebecca (Emer- son) Benjamin. Her natal day was December 13, 1833, and her parents were fine Massachu- setts people who came to the Western Reserve not long after the arrival of the Bailey family. The daughter was carefully educated and de- veloped into a woman of true culture and dis- position of rare strength and sweetness. Before her marriage October 9, 1861, she had proven her superior abilities as a teacher, and as a bride she entered her husband's home and, for many years patiently and cheerfully assisted him in the care of his venerable widowed mother. As a devoted wife and mother she

spread the strength and fragrance of her life over nearly half a century, and finally passed away from a sorrow-stricken community on December 12, 1895-the highest type of a broad, faithful, tender and noble Christian woman.

She was survived by her bereaved husband and two sons-Newton, a merchant of Madi- son, and Russell L., who is now a resident of Cincinnati.

GEORGE ATKIN. - Worthy of note among the many thriving agriculturists of Ashtabula county is George Atkin, of Harpersfield town- ship, the descendant of a pioneer settler of this part of Ohio, and a man of integrity and honor. A son of the late Elisha Atkin, he was born on the parental farmstead, Septem- ber 10, 1837. He comes of English ancestry, his grandfather, Joseph Atkin, having been born in England.

Joseph Atkin was but seven years of age when he came with his parents to America. He lived for a time near the coast of the United States, but as a young man came to Ohio to settle permanently, being a pioneer of Ashtabula county. Buying one hundred acres of heavily timbered land, he began the strenuous task of clearing a farm from the wilderness, watching its gradual transforma- tion from a dense forest to a comfortable homestead with gratification. Here he con- tinued his occupation of a general farmer until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. The farm which he improved is now owned and occupied by his grandson, Fred Atkin, a cousin of George.

After coming to Ohio, Joseph Atkin mar- ried Lena Bartholomew, then living with her parents on the South Ridge, and she survived him two years, dying at the age of seventy- six years, also. Both were consistent men- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and active in its work. They reared eight chil- dren, namely: Elisha; Susanna, who married Filo Heeley, became the mother of three chil- dren: Robert, who married Miss Bartholo- mew, went to Oregon for his health, and died in that state; Major married Betsey Banks, and moved West; Nancy ( Mrs. Thurber), who lived to a ripe old age; Levi married Persis Clark, served as a soldier, and died in the army; Peter married Nancy Davis, and they had two children; and John, who mar- ried Almira Stiles, and became the father of three children.

Elisha Atkin, a lifelong resident of Ash-

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tabula county, was born on the parental home- stead, in April, 1803, and was reared among pioneer scenes, receiving such educational ad- vantages as were afforded in the district schools. Choosing the free and independent occupation of his ancestors, he bought fifty acres of land lying about a mile south of his father's estate, and began its improvement. Hard-working, determined and persevering, one who observed and thought for himself, he was quite successful in his labors, continu- ing as a general farmer until his death. He was a stanch Republican in politics, but never sought public office, and in his religious be- liefs was a Methodist. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Chapin, seven children were born, namely: Alvin, liv- ing on the town line, married Hannah Pool, and they have three children; Elizabeth died in childhood; George, the subject of this brief sketch ; Spencer, a merchant in Missouri, mar- ried Mary Lyons; Lucy, wife of Henry Brad- erd, of Harpersfield township, has three chil- dren living, while one child, Celia, died when young ; Horace, a resident of Geneva, married Pluma Higley; and Fred, owning and occu- pying the homestead which his grandfather, Joseph Atkin, reclaimed from its pristine wild- ness.

Educated in the district schools, George Atkin grew to manhood on his father's farm, which he assisted in improving. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years and eleven months. He took part in many battles of im- portance, serving first with the Army of the Potomac, later with the Army of the Tennes- see, under General Sherman. He was sick a part of the time while in service, was captured by the enemy, confined a prisoner in Lynch- burg, and at Belle Isle, for three months, but was never wounded. Returning home, he re- sumed the management of the land he then owned, but subsequently sold that property, and about a half mile west to his present farm of fourteen acres. Inheriting the political views of his father. Mr. Atkin is a steadfast and loyal Republican, and has served as town- ship supervisor several terms, and as town- ship trustee one term. He is not a member of any church, but contributes towards the support of religious organizations.

Mr. Atkin married, at the age of twenty- nine years, Emilie Hoeg, who is three years younger than he, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Frank, a well-known

blacksmith of Ashtabula, married Irene Har- vey, and has two children; Bert died at the age of twenty-seven years, in 1897, of typhoid pneumonia : and Clara, wife of Ford Holden, of Geneva, has one child. Mr. Atkin is not a member of any fraternal society, but belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and takes great interest in promoting its interests.

EUGENE E. COOK .- Noteworthy among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Ashtabula county is Eugene E. Cook, of Say- brook township, a citizen of worth and promi- nence, who has ever evinced a warm interest in local progress and improvements, and while advancing his own prosperity has aided the growth of town and county. A life-long resi- dent of Ashtabula county, he was born May 24, 1852, a son of Silas and Mary (Palmer) Cook, who came to this part of Ohio from New York state in 1835. His father, a farmer by occupation, was born July 7, 1810, and died July 5, 1877. His mother was born July 3, 1816, and died January, 1892. They had six- teen children, twelve of whom grew to ma- turity.

The thirteenth child of his parents, Eugene E. Cook obtained his early education in the district school, completing it at the Grand River Institute. After teaching school eight years, Mr. Cook entered the employ of the Pennsylvania, Youngstown and Ashtabula Railroad Company, serving four years as brakeman and three years as conductor of a train. Locating then in Ashtabula, he estab- lished himself in the grocery business, which he continued six years, when failing. health compelled him to seek some other occupation, and he purchased a half interest in Woodland Beach Park, a popular summer resort. Sub- sequently, after living for some time on a farm in Saybrook, Mr. Cook bought his present fine estate of 147 acres, taking possession of it in 1893. He has here carried on general farm- ing, some of the time keeping an extensive dairy, and at other times raising sheep. He has made improvements of value, and has added all the modern appliances, machinery and equipments to be found on an up-to-date farm. He has an 800-feet gas well on his place, which he utilizes in many ways, doing much work with his gas engine. For the past three years Mr. Cook has rented his land. but still resides on his farm.

On April 30, 1877, Mr. Cook married Sybil Scoville, who taught school three years prior

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to her marriage. She is a daughter of the late Captain William N. and Sarah (Strong) Scoville, the former of whom was born Janu- ary 4, 1815, at Saybrook, Connecticut, mi- grated to Ohio in 1830, and died November 20, 1881, while the latter, born June 24, 1820, in Saybrook, Ohio, died April 30, 1907. Eight children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cook, namely: Raymond P., born May 5, 1878; Clifford, born in 1879, died in infancy; Lester L., born October 13, 1880, taught school a number of terms, and is now an engineer on the Ashtabula docks; Clive, born in 1883; Percy E., born June 9, 1888. was graduated from the Geneva high school, and is now in Purdue College, studying for an electrical engineer ; Bessie R., born May 30, 1889; Myrl S., May 26, 1893, and Ivan D .. August 3, 1896. Raymond P. Cook taught school several years when a young man, and is now proprietor of "The Sugar Bowl," a re- freshment store in Geneva. He married Persis Gerald.

Mr. Cook is connected with various local enterprises, being a director of the First Na- tional Bank of Geneva; a director of the Ash- tabula County Infirmary, now serving his sec- ond term in that capacity, and being president of the board ; and is a member of the County Agricultural Board. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of lodge and encampment, and also of the Daughters of Rebekah; to the Home Guards; to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and is a member of the local grange. Religiously he and his family are valued members of the Congregational church at Saybrook.

THOMAS MCGOVERN .- A practical, progres- sive agriculturist of Geneva township, Thomas McGovern has been identified with the agri- cultural and financial prosperity of this section of the state for many years, and has aided in every possible way its growth and develop- ment. Like many other of the prominent and influential citizens of the place, he was born across the sea, his birth having occurred De- cember 25, 1842, in County Mayo, Ireland. He came to Ashtabula county in 1856, with his father, who died three months later.

Spending the days of his youth and early manhood with Orange Webster, Thomas Mc- Govern attended the district school of Geneva township, afterwards taking the course of study in the Geneva Normal School. On June

20, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio Battery, and, although he fought throughout the war, taking part in many engagements of importance, was but once wounded, and then but slightly. Soon after his return from the scene of conflict, Mr. McGovern began his career as an independent farmer, and now owns 200 acres of choice land, which he is managing with characteristic thrift and suc- cess. He has devoted much of his time to stock growing, formerly handling carriage horses, at the present time having 200 head of sheep. He allows himself some recreation, and for the past few years has spent the win- ters in Florida, always being accompanied by his wife. Mr. McGovern was one of the pro- moters of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, and was the second president of that railroad. It was completed in 1901, and Mr. McGovern and his associates sold out the road in 1906.

Mr. McGovern married, November 14, 1867, Mary Warden, a daughter of Jonathan and Almanda (Andrews) Warden, and a great- granddaughter of James Wright, a Revolu- tionary soldier. An uncompromising Repub- lican in politics, Mr. McGovern is active and influential in both local and state affairs. He served thirteen consecutive years as county commissioner, and as township trustee seven years. He has been a director, and also the president, of the County Agricultural Society, and for thirty years has belonged to the local grange. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and relig- iously both he and his wife belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which he was trustee for ten years.

HENRY HOWARD CUMINGS .- About one mile south of the city of Painesville, Lake county, is the old farm of seventy acres lying on both sides of the highway, widely known as "Cumings Place." On it reside the three daughters and the only son (Henry Howard) of Henry and Julia Ann ( Hills) Cumings, who located on the tract they now occupy in 1848. The former was brought by his parents from New Hampshire to the Western Reserve, when only thirteen years of age, and became, like the grandfather, an example in the ma- terial and moral progress of Painesville and the county at large. The family, which has always represented one of the balance wheels in the activities of the locality, is descended along six lines of Revolutionary ancestors. On the maternal side, its most historic New Eng-

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land ancestor is Governor Bradford, which also honors the family with the "Mayflower" descent. Two of the daughters, Julia Alice and Stella Louise, are active members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The other living daughter is Evelyn Miranda, and Mary (Cumings) Kingsbury died August I, 1882.

Henry Howard Cumings, the only son, was the only one born outside the old homestead, where the family still reside, his birthplace being the city of Painesville, and the date, August 7, 1845. After attending the Paines- ville high school, he took a business course at Poughkeepsie, New York, but returned to the home farm to assist his father. In 1868 he went to California and spent ten years in that state engaged in various agricultural occupa- tions. With that exception his life has vir- tually been spent on the Cumings place, and until 1894 he was a very active man. In that year he had a fall which so paralyzed the nerves of his spine that, although he is still able to oversee the farm work, he has been forced to forego the active and heavy labors.

The first of the Cummings family to settle in America was Isaac, an emigrant of Scottish descent, who came from England about 1630 and became a resident of Ipswich, Massachu- setts. The records show that he was constable in 1641; later was moderator of the town; acted as sergeant in one of the Indian wars, and was a citizen of mark and public promi- nence. He is also known to have been a man of strong religious convictions and of an inde- pendent, courageous spirit. His will was made in May, 1677, and he died in Topsfield. His son, John Cumings, born about 1630, is listed among the commoners of Ipswich in 1672, and subsequently was one of seven males to form a church in the new town of Dunstable. He was selectman of that place in 1682, for sev- eral years town clerk, and died there Deceni- ber 1, 1700. Jolin, son of the foregoing, born in 1682, was also prominent in the town and church affairs of Dunstable. A band of 200 Mohawk Indians attacked the garrison at his house, July 3, 1706, and his wife Elizabeth was killed. Two Samuels of the name resided in Groton and Dunstable, Massachusetts, the one of a later day being especially prominent in the public affairs of the latter town. After- ward he became equally prominent in the town of Hollis, New Hampshire: was sergeant in the war of 1755. and died in 1772.

Benjamin, son of Samuel and Prudence

(Lawrence) Cumings, who was the great- grandfather of the living descendants, was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, November 25, 1757 ; was at Bunker Hill; served as sheriff of Hills- boro county, and was twice married. Benja- min, son of his first union, with Bridget Poole, was born in Hollis, August 24, 1782, and mar- ried Lucy Whitaker. They resided in Brook- line, New Hampshire, for some years prior to 1825, when the parents, with their three sons and four daughters, moved to Ohio. Ben- jamin Cumings, the grandfather, was a me- chanical genius of an inventive turn, and was the originator of the spring shuttle loom, which represented the first step in advance of the old hand method of weaving. It was while making a trip through the west introducing. his patent shuttle that he decided to settle in the Western Reserve, choosing for his home, Unionville. There he spent his .last years, dying September II, 1852. He was active. generous and public-spirited, and from the leading part which he took in military training was generally known as Major Cumings.

Henry Cumings, the father, was a native of Brookline, New Hampshire, born January 1, 1812. He came to Ohio with his parents in his fourteenth year, and, although he be- came a carpenter by trade, he spent most of his life upon a farm in and near Painesville. Although of a retiring disposition, he was of a broad and generous nature, and was never backward in doing good. He was well edu- cated for his day, an earnest patriot and a stal- wart Christian whose religion was reduced to one tenet, strict faithfulness to duty. He died in Painesville, August 23, 1893. Henry Cum- ings married Miss Julia Ann Hills, who was born in Painesville January 5, 1816, a daugh- ter of Jedediah and Mary (Kingsbury ) Hills. Her parents were pioneers who came to the Western Reserve in 1814, her father being one of the early druggists and postmasters of Painesville. The mother possessed all the characteristics of her New England ancestry -general intelligence, high-mindedness. pa- triotism and strong Christian faith, and these she faithfully instilled into her children. Mrs. Henry Cummings died at Painesville September 25, 1883.

ISANC STADDEN WRIGHT, of Kirtland, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, May 28, 1825, and is a son of Simeon and Melissa (Stadden) Wright, she born in Newark, Ohio, and he in Connecticut. Simeon Wright was a carpenter

Istrights

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and joiner, and when a young man of twenty- five or thirty came to Ohio, and built the first steam saw mill in the state, on the Muskegon river at Zanesville; this was about 1825. He also operated a paper mill. About 1831 he re- moved from Zanesville to Kirtland. His brother, Captain Ashbuel Wright, who as a young man served on the ocean, lived in Kirt- land when he retired. He died at the age of sixty years, in Kirtland. Simeon Wright lived with his brother, and purchased the farm where his son Isaac now lives, but he continued to live on his brother's farm, on the river, and died there, at the age of eighty-seven. His widow died ten years later in Mentor, at the age of eighty-five years. They had six chil- dren, namely: Asbel, died at the age of thirty, in Kirtland; Isaac; Simeon, a farmer in Tus- cola county, Michigan, died at the age of seventy years; Catherine Melissa, widow of Charles Reynolds, is housekeeper for her brother Isaac; Nathaniel, killed in the Civil war : and Abbie, married Martin Hopkins, and has her winter home in Florida and her sum- mer home in Mentor. Nathaniel Wright had gone to Albany to work with an uncle in the harness trade, and from there he enlisted in a New York regiment of 1,200 men, he being lieutenant ; he was killed before Petersburg, Virginia, being about thirty years old, and at that time captain. He went into the battle of the Wilderness, and his superior officers being all killed, he came out in command of the regi- ment.

Isaac S. Wright has lived in Kirtland since six years of age. He spent two years in Hart- ford, Connecticut, at the trade of joiner, and assisted in building the first county farm house at Painesville, also his own buildings. He se- cured his present farm twenty-five years ago, has built a good house, and made many im- provements. He does general farming, and has some fine fruit, mainly peaches and grapes, also having apples, pears and plums. The high elevation of the land above Lake Erie makes it very desirable for fruit. About six years ago Mr. Wright became interested in the cultiva- tion of ginseng, and started it from rods dug in the woods; it took about four years to get a crop, and he has sold two fine crops, having now about one-half acre in cultivation. Being an old man, unable to do heavy work, he finds this occupies his time very pleasantly and profitably. He cared for his parents and his sister until he married, at the age of forty-one, Lola Fenton, who died one year later. Mr.

Wright's sister is his housekeeper. In political views he is Democratic, though not extreme in his views. He had no children, and belongs to no fraternal organization, preferring, the peace and quietness of his home. He enjoys the affection of a large circle of friends.

MRS. MARY WICKWARE, widow of W. H. Wickware, was born in Brimfield township, Portage county, September 1, 1859, and is a daughter of Peter and Esther (Worbs) Steigner. Peter Steigner, born in Germany in 1823, removed to America with his parents at the age of ten years, and in 1854 to Brim- field. His father, born in Germany, brought his second wife with him to America. Esther Worbs was born in Morthausen, Germany, in 1820, and came to Wayne county, Ohio, with her parents, who died shortly after their ar- rival there. She was married to Peter Steig- ner in 1847, in Akron, where they resided until their removal to Brimfield, in 1854; both died in the year 1903. They had six children, namely: Emilie A., John L., Sarah, Mary, Theodore and Effie Jane. Emilie A., born July 12, 1848, in Akron, married George Poole, and they reside in Akron. John L., born November 15, 1854. died in 1901; he married Elizabeth Winckleman and had six children; his widow still resides on the old place in Brimfield township. Sarah, born July 5, 1856, in Akron, married William Christy and they live in Tippecanoe, Harrison county, Ohio. Theodore, born August 13, 1869, in Brimfield, married Emma Motz, and removed to Streetsboro township. Effie Jane is dead.

Mary Steigner attended the district school and finished her education at the high school at Kent, Ohio. She has always resided on the home place, which has all modern conve- niences and improvements, and is carried on in a profitable manner. She is a member of the Methodist church, and much respected in the community. She married W. H. Wickware May 17, 1903, and he died December 5, 1906. They had no children.

VICTOR P. SAWYER, proprietor and success- ful operator of a fine farm of 116 acres in Brimfield township, Portage county, was born in that township on the 12th of September, 1848. His parents were Uriah and Caroline (Pike) Sawyer, and his earlier American an- cestors came from Massachusetts. The pa- ternal grandfather, Uriah Sawyer Sr., was a native of Berlin, that state, born in 1778, and

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in 1817 he located in Brimfield township, about one mile west of the farm now occupied by Victor P. He had married Miss Sallie Spaf- ford, by whom he became the father of nine children-Oliver H., Henry, William B., B. Frank, Lockhart, Sallie, Hannah, and two who died as infants. The last four were born in Brimfield township. Uriah Sawyer Jr. lived at home until his marriage, on July 3. 1836, to Miss Caroline Pike, daughter of Jeremy and Rebecca ( Walbridge) Pike, who became settlers in Brimfield township about 1818. The children by this union were Victor P., of this sketch, and Adelaide R., now deceased.

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History of the Western Reserve, Vol. II, Part 66

Author: Upton, Harriet Taylor; Cutler, Harry Gardner, 1856- Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago ; New York : The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 886

Author: Upton, Harriet Taylor; Cutler, Harry Gardner, 1856-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago ; New York : The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 886