Hidden Hero - George Howland

When entering Union Springs from the north, one's eyes are drawn to the lovely pond and the historical marker proclaiming the old stone structure as Spring Mills erected in 1839-1840 by George Howland. As you venture further south, you see a street sign for Howland Street. If you have visited the Frontenac Museum, formerly the First Presbyterian Church of Springport, you may have noted the marker in the main room indicating the land on which the church was built was the gift of George Howland. Further down the street, yet another historical marker recognizes Howland College. It quickly becomes clear that George Howland played a prominent role in the earliest days of this village.

Howland (1781-1852) made his fortune as the major owner of a New Bedford, MA whaling fleet. Between 1830 and 1860, due to the high demand for oil to light the lamps of America, New Bedford became one of America's richest cities. It is believed that Howland visited this area but with certainty, we know that he never lived here. His shrewd business sense recognized the potential this area held. Rich land was inexpensive and plentiful. And there was that lovely North Pond which, to this day, never freezes in the winter. A man of vision and great business aptitude, it is believed Howland sought to invest in this area to diversify his whaling empire as protection against possible decline.

Howland sent his two sons, Charles and Robert, to develop successful businesses in Union Springs. At the North Pond, they built, what was at that time, the largest mill in Cayuga County. As this water source never froze, the mill had an edge over other area mills as it operated year round. A saw mill, cooper shop, (the remains of which are visible today) and other necessary service industries were built along a canal connected to the lake. The original mill still stands today as testimony to Howland's insight and wisdom.

Impressive homes were built for his sons, one of which was eventually occupied by his daughter Elizabeth Howland Chase and her husband, William Henry Chase, who also participated in the management of George Howland's local business interests.

In a section of an 1853 map of Union Springs (shown below), you will see many businesses and structures marked as belong to Howland or his son-in-law who is notated as WHC.

Those who are history and genealogy buffs look to their ancestors to learn about themselves. If we look to George Howland's family history, we can quickly surmise why he had the grit and determination to be so successful. You see, he is directly descended from John Howland of Mayflower fame. John arrived in the New World as an indentured servant and later became the executive assistant and personal secretary to the first governor of the Plymouth Colony, John Carver.

As every school child knows, the Mayflower encountered strong storms during its passage, causing the ship's timbers to be damaged and taking on sea water. These conditions , combined with a lack of food and unsanitary conditions for several months, contributed to sickness and the death of two onboard. Upon arriving in the New World, almost half the passengers perished in the harsh and unfamiliar New England winter. John Howland, however, survived these conditions and thrived. During one of the turbulent storms which occurred during the crossing, Howland fell overboard. Exercising his great grit and determination, John Howland managed to grab a topsail halyard (rope) that was trailing in the water and was hauled back aboard safely. If not for John, we would be living in a very different community! Thanks be to John!

Hidden Hero - Helen Pike (Additional Comments from Marge Gibbs)

The Norma Bilak Research Room at the Frontenac provides access to many tools and sources of information for genealogists. Due to the generosity of the Bilak family and the foresight of Norma, the collection is large and available to anyone free of charge.

One of those sources is a modest red box situated on top of a filing cabinet which is labeled "Helen Pike - Catholic Church Records." Inside the box are index cards containing Helen's transcription of the baptismal and marriage records of St. Patrick's Parish, including both Aurora and Union Springs, for the 1850's and 1860's. What a valuable source of information Helen left the Frontenac as early church records, particularly those of Irish parishioners, can be rare. This is also true for census records as many Irish immigrants of that era, due to their experiences in their homeland, simply did not trust government.

Helen Melvin Pike was active in many local organizations and served as president of St. Patrick's and St. Michael's Parish Council, as well as the President of the Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a lay reader and was installed as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist by Bishop Joseph Hogan of Rochester. At the time of her passing in 1980, she was a member of the Finger Lakes Genealogy Society and Treasurer of the Frontenac Historical Society. Helen also earned a BS in History and Genealogy from Empire State College the year prior to her death. All of these interest no doubt merged into a desire to assure the records of her church would be available to future generations.

Helen had other interests as well. In 1926, she graduated from the Columbia College of Expression in Chicago, a school founded in 1890 and named in honor of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Columbia was a private institution teaching elocution, oratory, physical culture and the then growing fields of radio broadcasting and dramatic arts. The school continues to this day as Columbia College Chicago. Following graduation, Helen returned to her hometown of Auburn where she began a career in parks supervision in Auburn.

As a young girl, she had a passion for Girl Scouting which resulted in her receiving the Golden Eaglet, at that time Girl Scouting's highest award. She was one of the first two Girl Scouts in the United States to receive this award, which required her to be a First Class Scout with a minimum of 21 merit badges. A 1923 article from the Auburn Citizen announced her earning 19 badges that year, some of which were athlete, flower finder, citizen, dressmaker, economist, first aid, health guardian, child nurse, laundress, swimmer, journalist, dancer and craftsman. As an adult, Helen continued to serve as a Girl Scout executive for 20 years including stints in Boston and Philadelphia. One of her most memorable experiences in scouting was when she personally conferred a Scouting award on famed American flyer Amelia Earhart.

Sadly, life did send tragedy to Helen. In 1976, while asleep in the home she shared with her husband Richard at 3 Park St. in Union Springs, Helen was awakened to fire by the barking of her dog and the cries of her husband. Richard, a double amputee, was trapped in his bedroom and despite Helen's repeated efforts and those of the local fire department to reach him, he died in the fire. The house sustained heavy damage but this did not deter this community. The volunteer efforts of students from the village and the Union Springs Academy, the fire department, the village DPW, the Lions Club, as well as many area residents, resulted in the re-building of the Pike home. Church organizations and local businessmen raised funds for the re-build while businesses in Auburn volunteered to provide skilled services. At the time of the fire, Helen was employed as a teacher at A J Smith School. She stated that from this experience, she "discovered that the spirit of generosity still flourishes in Union Springs." This spirit continues to this day making this community the very special place that it is.

Upon reading the latest Hidden Hero Helen Pike, Marge Gibbs sent an email asking to add a little to the story. Here are the words from Marge. "During the time I was a guidance counselor at Union Springs, probably in the late seventies or early eighties, Helen asked me if I would be willing to proctor and certify some examinations she was to take in genealogy from Brigham Young University. She was working on a degree by mail from that institution. Her course work was long distance, and she needed someone certified to administer and proctor her exams. I remember going to her house and watching her write at least one (and I think more exams), seal it in an envelope and mail it to the assigned address. I think she earned some kind of degree or certification form Brigham Young. She was always trying to improve her educational expertise and qualifications. She was a dedicated teachers' aide at A. J. Smith elementary school, of which my youngest son Brian was a beneficiary."

Thank you Marge for sharing your memories. The Frontenac Museum encourages others to do the same.

Hidden Hero - Roger Lewis - Korean War Veteran/Hero

For many years, a quiet but very friendly gentleman graced the last pew of Trinity United Church of Christ sanctuary every Sunday. Over time, he has lost his hearing but never his beautiful smile. While he was a man of few words, little did we know that he was a man of great deeds.

Roger Lewis was that man. We came to know him as a successful businessman, a community volunteer, and a devoted husband and father. His quiet demeanor did not give a hint to his accomplishments during the Korean War. Roger was born in Auburn but spent most of his adult life in Union Springs. He owned several successful office supply stores long before Staples and Office Max were part of our landscape. He married Millicent Spring and together they had two children, Deb and David. Roger served our country in the Army both during World War II and yet again during the Korean War when he was called back to service. It was during this war that Roger was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the United States Armed Forces" third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

Below is the citation which accompanies Roger's medal which is on display at the Frontenac Museum.

HEADQUARTERS 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION

APO 7

GENERAL ORDERS 5 August 1951

NUMBER 382

AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR. By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918 (WD Bul. 43, 1918), and pursuant to the authority in AR 600-45, the Silver Star for gallantry in action is awarded to the following named enlisted man:

Corporal ROGER E. LEWIS, ER12246761, Infantry, United States Army, Company K, 31st Infantry, distinguished himself by gallantry in action near Sindok, Korea, on 4 June 1951. On this date, Corporal LEWIS's platoon was attacking a heavily defended enemy-held hill when the group was pinned down by intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire. Observing the fire was being placed on them from a bunker, Corporal LEWIS, with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged up the hill firing his automatic weapon at a rapid rate. Reaching the emplacement, his BAR failed to fire. Corporal LEWIS then used his pistol and grenades to kill the occupants of the bunker. The intrepid and prompt action of Corporal LEWIS allowed his platoon to advance and capture its objective with negligible casualties. The gallantry displayed by Corporal LEWIS reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

And so this Memorial Day Weekend, we remember Roger, a quiet, brave and fearless hero whose heroism is hidden no more. There are many quiet heroic veterans among us. It could be the man who mows the museum lawn always with a smile on his face who served during the Viet Nam War. It could be a Lion Club Member who gives of his time on Saturdays to barbeque chicken knowing that the proceeds will benefit many of our community organizations. It could be a member of the American Legion who supports the amenities of this organization knowing that those proceeds will also promote the good of our community. It is our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, as well as neighbors, who served our country and continue to serve today in a more quiet way. We salute and thank each and every one of you for your continued service!

The Frontenac Museum is grateful to the Lewis family for entrusting us with Roger's Silver Star and Commendation which are on permanent display in the museum's Military Room.