Michael Cookingham and Betsy Ann Abernathy

46. Michael Cookingham {a,d,e,f,g,i} was born 23 Dec 1814 in Rensselaer County, New York, and died 1 Feb 1910 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. He was a son of John P. Cookingham [92] and Hannah Vail [93]. Michael married in Dec 1841 in Yates County, New York,

47. Betsy Ann Abernathy {b,d,e,g,i}. Betsy was born 7 Dec 1820 in Massachusetts, and died 28 Feb 1916 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. She is a daughter of William Abernathy [94] and Sybil Beaumot [95].

Michael and Betsy	Betsy (Abernathy) and Michael Cookingham. From Michael’s obituary in the New London Record, 3 Feb 1910.	Betsy, around 90 yrs old, Cleveland

Michael and Betsy lived in Yates County, New York for almost ten years after they married. The 1850 census lists them in Milo Township, Yates County. They moved to New London, Ohio with their four children in 1851, among the earliest settlers there. There are many references to them in the local newspaper, and in a book, “History of New London”.

Michael was a shoemaker, and by 1871 he owned a factory at No. 2 Barrett Block (a brick building on North Main Street). An advertisement in the New London Record at about this time says “no one pays more for leather and furs, no one sells boots and shoes cheaper”.

An 1895 photo of Barrett Building on N. Main St. in New London. Michael’s shoe factory was in this building from 1871 to 1874.

In May 1874 he moved his store to No. 5 Union Block. I found an Aug 1874 advertisement for shoes at $1.50. In 1876, Michael and his son DeWitt joined a “Hayes for President” club.

In 1878 Michael owned a 2-story brick building on Wheeler lot. At that time his business was called “Cookingham and Co., Shoe Dealers”. By 1892 the name had changed to “Cookingham’s Boot and Shoe Shop”. In 1892 (then 88 yrs old) he bought out McConnell’s Boot and Shoe. A 27 May 1897 newspaper article announced that Michael was suffering from shingles.

A 12 Aug 1897 news article reads: “M. Cookingham received news Friday [6 Aug] of the death of his sister in Louisville, Kentucky, where she lived for 40 years.” The article doesn’t give her name or age. Around this time, Michael and Betsy began spending each winter with their daughter Tempa in Cleveland. A May 1909 article in the New London Record says they had returned to spend the summer in New London. They sold their New London home in December 1909, and from that point they stayed permanently with Tempa, at 2279 East 103^rd St. in Cleveland.

Michael died after a 10-day illness, at his daughter’s home. The cause of death was given as senility (i.e. old age) and acute dysentery. He died at 10:45 on a Tuesday night. His obituary says he was buried in New London, but we could not find his grave (there is a broken stone in the family plots that could be his).

Michael’s obituary was printed on the front page of the New London Record, 3 Feb 1910:

“After an illness of about ten days, death came to Michael Cookingham at 10:45 o’clock Tuesday night, Feb 1, 1910, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. C. Howell, Cleveland, Ohio, where Mr. and Mrs. Cookingham went December last to spend their remaining days. His body will be brought to this place for burial, the funeral to be held at the Methodist Church at 2:30 this (Thursday) afternoon. At the time of his death, Mr. Cookingham was 95 years and two months old, passing his 95th year in December. The month that marked the 95th anniversary of his birth also marked the 68th anniversary of his marriage to Betsy Abernathy, who survives him, but who is in feeble health. Mr. and Mrs. Cookingham came to New London to reside in 1851, making this their home until two months ago. All of the active years of Mr. Cookingham’s life were spent in the boot and shoe business in New London, he being a shoemaker by trade. For a number of years he lived a retired life. Apparently he possessed most of the virtues of man, with few imperfections of character, was held in highest esteem by all who knew him, and the memory of this citizen who lived to fill out fully the measure and possibilities of human existence will be held in tenderest love and remembrance by the people of New London.”

Betsy Ann continued to live with her daughter in Cleveland. On 7 Dec 1912 (her 92nd birthday) her picture was printed in the newspaper (we don’t have). She helped with meals and housework, and worked on Christmas presents. She wore glasses for reading and sewing only. She commented on the many changes that had occurred during her lifetime, such as electricity, cars and moving pictures. Betsy Ann died in her daughter’s house, at 9:20 in the morning. The cause of death was given as acute lobar pneumonia and grippe. She was buried in New London, Ohio -- her gravestone, like Michael’s, is missing. Betsy’s obituary was printed on page 10 of the New London Record, 2 Mar 1916:

“The death of Mrs. Betsy Ann Cookingham, aged 95 years, occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. W. [sic, should be W. C.] Howell, in Cleveland, February 28. Her body was brought to this place Wednesday afternoon for burial by the side of her husband, who died six years ago, in Grove-St cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cookingham were born in the state of New York [sic, she should be Mass]. They were married in Yates county and came to New London in 1851. Until about eight years ago they were residents of this village where Mr. Cookingham was a shoe merchant for over 50 years. After his retirement from business, on account of his advanced age, himself and his wife disposed of their property interests here and went to Cleveland to make their home with their daughter. A coincidence of their long lives is that both lived to the age of 95 years and both died in the month of February. They were of the class of hardy pioneers who contributed largely to the material, social and spiritual growth of New London, and were beloved by all who knew them. The children left to mourn the loss of a mother are Horace Cookingham and Mrs. W.C. Howell, residents of Cleveland, and Mrs. H. C. Kilburn, of Racine, Wis.”

Michael and Betsy had seven children:

46.1. Helen Cookingham [23] (1843 NY - 1933 WI) and Henry Kilburn are direct ancestors, separate page.

46.2. Horace D. Cookingham (1845 NY - 1918 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

46.3. DeWitt Clinton Cookingham (1848 NY - 1879 OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

46.4. Mary E. Cookingham {k} was born Sep 1850 in PennYan (Yates) New York, and died 2 Aug 1853 in New London (Huron) Ohio, age 3.

46.5. Evangeline Cookingham {k} was born Jul 1853 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 19 Sep 1853 in New London (Huron) Ohio, at 2 months. It is likely the Mary and Evangeline died from some epidemic. They are buried in the same grave in New London with a single headstone, which reads “Children of M and B Cookingham”, next to a stone which reads only “Mother”, which I believe is probably Betsy Ann.

46.6. Alice Cookingham {d,g,k} was born 1855 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 8 Mar 1877 in New London (Huron) Ohio. She died of “consumption”, which is what they called Tuberculosis at that time.

46.7. Temperance Cookingham (1867 OH - d. OH) had descendants and is expanded below.

46.8(?). Ida May Cookingham {k} may possibly be another daughter of Michael and Betsy. She is known only from a gravestone near Mary and Evangeline, on the other side of the one which reads “Mother”. If she turns out to be a daughter, she would actually be #7, coming before Temperance. Ida May was born about Apr 1864 and died 20 Jan 1865, age 9 months.

46.2. Horace D. Cookingham {b,c,g,h,k,l} was born 27 Oct 1845 in PennYan (Yates) New York, and died 6 Aug 1918 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. He married on 20 Aug 1865 in New London (Huron) Ohio, Agnes Fredrech, the daughter of Charles Fredrech (~1820 Ger - 1853 Ger) and Louise ___ (b. Ger, d. OH). Agnes was born 7 Jul 1845 in Malchen, Darmstadt-Dieburg  (Hessen) Germany, and died 1 Feb 1911 in New London (Huron) Ohio. Horace was Methodist Episcopalian; Agnes was born Lutheran, and converted to Methodist after marriage. Their names are given as Homer and Agne on the birth certificate of one of their children. Agnes came to America in 1862 with her mother.

Horace served in the Civil War, in the 12th Ohio Light Artillery, 26 Feb 1864 to 10 Jul 1865. He served with his future brother-in-law Henry Kilburn. After the war, he worked at the DJC Arnold-Creagher Factory.  Sometime after Agnes died, Horace went to live with his daughter Florence in Cleveland. Horace and Agnes are both buried in New London, near Frances Kilburn June.

Horace and Agnes had five children (first cousins to us). They also had eight grandchildren at the time of Horace’s death, but the names are unknown.

46.2.1. Florence Cookingham {c,k,l} was born 1867 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 1959 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. She married William G. Bellville. William was born in 1864, and died 1931 in Ohio. They are both buried in New London, next to Horace and Agnes

46.2.2. Horace Arthur Cookingham {c,k,l} was born 1868 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 26 Jun 1882 in New London, age 14. He was called Arthur. Arthur died of Bright’s disease, a kidney disease that would be called nephritis today. He is buried in New London, next to Florence and her husband.

46.2.3. Harley Dexter Cookingham {c,l} was born 27 Aug 1877 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died probably in Los Angeles, California. He went by the name Dexter.

46.2.4. Louise A. Cookingham {c,l} was born sometime around 1870 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died sometime after 1918. She married E. E. McLafflin. Louise was living in Rochester, Ohio in 1918.

46.2.5. Effie E. Cookingham {c,l} was born sometime around 1870 in New London (Huron) Ohio. She married ___ Carr.

46.3. DeWitt Clinton Cookingham {d,e,g,k,m,n} was born 1848 in PennYan (Yates) New York, and died 7 Aug 1879 in New London (Huron) Ohio. He married on 27 Sep 1868 in New London (Huron) Ohio, Mary E. Kilburn [88.8.3], the daughter of Levi Kilburn (1825-1898) and Betsy Hoyt (1827-1911), and the cousin of our [22] Henry Kilburn. Mary was born in 1850 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died 8 Nov 1910 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. DeWitt joined a “Hayes for President” club in 1876, along with his father.
DeWitt suffered from alcoholism and depression, and committed suicide with a pistol at age 31, leaving his wife with three young children.
DeWitt and Mary had three children (both first and second cousins to us):

46.3.1. DeWitt Cookingham {m,n} was born Jan 1874 in New London (Huron) Ohio.  He married Effie ___.
DeWitt and Effie had one child that we know of, their were probably others (second cousin to us):

46.3.1.1. Ella Cookingham {n} was born Jan 1899 in Ohio.

46.3.2. Frank L. Cookingham {m,n} was born 10 Jan 1876 in New London (Huron) Ohio. He moved to Cleveland.

46.3.3. Harry Cookingham {m,n} was born 11 Jul 1878 in New London (Huron) Ohio. He moved to Cleveland.

46.7. Temperance Cookingham {b,d,i,j} was born 1867 in New London (Huron) Ohio, and died sometime after 1917 in Cleveland (Cuyahoga) Ohio. She was called Tempa; her name is sometimes seen as Temple. She married 6 Apr 1887 in New London (Huron) Ohio, Walter C. Howell.
Temperance and Walter had two children that we know of, there were probably others (first cousin to us):

46.7.1. unnamed Howell {j} was born 1 Feb 1889 in New London (Huron) Ohio. The lack of a name on the birth certificate suggests this child may have died at birth, but this is not certain -- we have no death date, and people were occasionally undecided on a name at the time of birth.

46.7.2. Harold Howell {j} was born 1 Jun 1893 in New London (Huron) Ohio.

Sources:

a. Death certificate and obituary for Michael.
b. Death certificate and obituary for Betsy.
c. Obituaries for Horace and Agnes
d. References in New London Record (newspaper)
e. References in “History of New London Ohio 1815-1941”, H.R. Foskett 1976
f. New York census 1850
g. Ohio census 1860
h. “Official Roster of Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866”, Ohio Adjutant General’s Office, 1886
i. Rosine E. Spencer, research notes and correspondence.
j. Birth records for children of Temperance, county courthouse in Norwalk, Ohio
k. Gravestone
l. Birth records for children of Horace
m. Mary Kilburn Cookingham: death announcement, New London Record
n. Birth records for children of DeWitt

Compiled by Bill Stupak. Last update: Aug 2010