Page:Women of Ohio; a record of their achievements in the history of the state (Vol. I).djvu/44

40 postoffice was equally attractive. The same cannot be said for the log cabin to which the philosophic scientist and citizen retired after losing his fortune and his town home in the panic of 1819. Panics, it seems, were an early—and by no means mild-variety of our all too familiar depressions and recessions.

When Dr. Drake found it could happen to him, he built a little cabin on what was then a country hillside —the block where upper Broadway now crosses Liberty St. He called his refuge “Mt. Poverty” and doubtless in his detached way, even enjoyed the experience. But whether Mrs. Drake enjoyed it—

Dr. Drake often expressed conviction that balls and parties were detrimental to the health of “females.” He said women’s clothes (with all those petticoats) were too thin. Doubtless she okayed dutifully her gifted husband — but it seems too bad that nobody has been able to unearth a diary written by Mrs. Daniel Drake. One has a feeling that, once she let herself go, she could have divulged an interesting point of view.

That the men and women who settled in Cincinnati and its neighboring communities were, on the whole, superior men and women, unusually endowed with stamina as well as with ability, there is no question.

Their strain endured. Succeeding generations have evidence of the influence of such heredity and of the environment it created.

Descendants of the settlers families have given a good account of themselves. They are proud of their heritage and mindful of its varied obligations. In many instances the old names have been continued and are to be found today in connection with social, civic, educational and cultural activities of first importance.

This is a history of women of Ohio, space is limited and except where clarification of such history indicates, must be reserved for them. That pride of present day Ohio women in sturdy and industrious ancestry justifies their identification with such forbears was strikingly demonstrated by participation of women all over the state in the recently celebrated Sesquicentennial of the founding of the Northwest Territory.

A striking feature of the Cincinnati celebration, held Oct. 2-15, 1938 was an “Old Settlers Tea” held the night of Oct. 2nd at the University Club. To MRS. LAWRENCE J. BRADFORD, a member of the Cincinnati Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee and a former regent of Cincinnati Chapter, D.A .R ., is credited in large measure the impressive representation of Cincinnati’s founders at the settlers tea by women who are their direct descendants.

Among Cincinnati women, young and old, who registered on this occasion were BERTHA GIBSON, descendant of Israel Ludlow, MABEL BROWNE, descendant of Stephen Wood, who accompanied Symmes, LOVELA H. WILLIAMSON, great great granddaughter of Dr. William Goforth, pioneer physician of Cincinnati and for 30 years a leader in medical science, GERTRUDE