The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-08-12
OBITUAR IL ".

DIED At the residence of her nephew Cor
nelius Baldwin, in Nelson, on Friday, Aug.
6si,, in her siin year. Mrs. Celesta L. Pike.
The subject of this sketch was born in Gram
vllle Mass. or January 21th. 1877. Her fathers
name was stephen Baldwin, she being the
fourth child born 10 him in a family of seven.
In June. 1903, her father with his family moved
from her birth place to Ohio, arriving in what
is now Nelson October 1st of the same year.
The journey from Massachusetts to Ohio was
made with one yoke of oxen and horse. and
reaching Buffalo, n. Y. they took open
boats, or scows. keeping near shore on their
way up the lake. They debarked at or near
Painesville. The exposure of the trip pros
trated most of the family with what was called
at that time boat fever. The nearest physician
was sent for. being at Austinburgh, distance
of 25 miles. Rev. Joseph Badger, a missionary.
took two of the children home with him to Aus
tinburgh. and kept them until the family re-
covered. They then journeyed on to Nelson.
reaching that place October lst. 1903. To look
back and compare the mode of lOcomotion Of
those days with the perfected system of travel
by rail and lake steamers OF these latter days,
is wonderful to contemplate. The genius of
Fulton had not developed the ocean palaces that
now accommodate the public. nor Stephenson's
invention rendered transportation pleasure
Instead of dreary. monOt nous drag.
Mrs Pike WAS nearly seven years Of age when
she came to this country. and has lived in Mel
son since then her fathers family making the
third to settle in that township. At the time Of
their arrival here there was not a family living
in any sf the adjoining townships except Hi
ram. There there were only few buildings.
and not human habitation at or near what is
now Garrettsville.
While in Ohio she has lived upon the farm
her father bOu9 hit of the Connecticut Land Com
in Tho &c tho lac fhoy inroo
who were here ut an early day. and her memo
ry in regard to Nelson and vicinity extended
farther back than any ones now living, as far
rs the writer is informed. She has lived to see
this country recovered from the forest fastness,
to bloom into paradise compared with what it
was when her father commenced to clear out
his future home from the dense forest She
distinctly remembers the exciting times follow
ing the surrender of Gen. Hull at Detroit, IN
the war of 1912. When the guns of Perry's fleet
announced that he chad met the enemy and
they are ours" she heard them distinctly. Her
fathers family was well known to all Indians
who at that time inhabited or wandered through
that section. and she remembered that they often
came on cold winter nights to sleep around the
large old fashioned fireplace. During her en-
tire Lie she was always ready to aid the dis
tressed and needy. and in sickness call was
necessary to bring her to the bedside Of the af-
ficted. She was u member Of the COngrega-
| tiOnal Church at Nelson during almost the en-
tire period of its existence. She heard the first
| sermon preached in Nelson. by the Rev. Joseph
Badger, and had attended Church nearly reku-
| larly up to within two weeks OF her death.
She was united in marriage December. 1915.
10 FAIRY Pike. who still survives her in his Ssth
year. Her reason was well retained almost to
! her last moments. Her last sickness was the
result of slight cold. which resulted in rleur-
:sy. which. with her frail condition by reason
OF age, was more than she could bear. It is
presumed that as pioneer she had lived longer
in Portage county than any other person.