Reprinted with permission from Geauga County Maple Leaf, Thursday, September 1, 2016.
Haskins
Farm
Bears
a Sweet
History
in Bainbridge
Haskins
Farm
Bears
a Sweet
History
in Bainbridge
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Page 14
Thursday, September 1, 2016
BY JENNY MAY
BY JENNY MAY
[email protected]
[email protected]
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Though a gravel driveway is now thePage 14
entrance to the Haskins Farm, a stone
wagon step
sitting just ais
fewnow
feet in front
Though a gravel
driveway
the of
the nearly 200-year-old white wooden farm-BY JENNY MAY
entrance to the Haskins
Farm,
a
stone
wagon
house makes it easy to envision the horsecarriages
that once
dropped
[email protected]
step sitting just adrawn
few feet
in front
of the
nearly
and friends off there, gentlemen likely assist- Though a gravel driveway is now the
200-year-old white
wooden
farmhouse
ing ladies in
long dresses with
petticoats. entrance to the Haskins Farm, a stone
step sitting just a few feet in front of
With a house constructed in 1843 at wagon
a
makes it easy to
envision
the
horsedrawn
the nearly 200-year-old white wooden farmcost of $300 and a barrel of whiskey, thehouse makes it easy to envision the horsecarriages that farm
onceat 17199
dropped
family
andFallsdrawn carriages that once dropped family
Haskins Road
in Chagrin
remained a symbol of strength and workand friends off there, gentlemen likely assistfriends off there,has
gentlemen
likely
assisting
ing ladies in long dresses with petticoats.
ethic for six generations, with its owners With a house constructed in 1843 at a
continuing
to produce
some of the area’scost of $300 and a barrel of whiskey, the
ladies in long dresses
with
petticoats.
farm at 17199 Haskins Road in Chagrin Falls
finest maple syrup.
With a house
constructed
in owned
1843by Curtis
at has remained a symbol of strength and work
The
Haskins Farm, now
ethic for six generations, with its owners
Cook, awhose
thirdof
great-grandfather
estab-continuing to produce some of the area’s
a cost of $300 and
barrel
whiskey, the
lished it in 1818, recently received sesqui-finest maple syrup.
farm at 17199 centennial
Haskinsstatus
Road
in from
Chagrin
this year
the Ohio The Haskins Farm, now owned by Curtis
Cook, whose third great-grandfather estabDepartment
of Agriculture.
Falls has remained
a symbol
of strength lished it in 1818, recently received sesquiSesquicentennial farms are those withcentennial status this year from the Ohio
and work ethic same-family
for six generations,
with150itsandDepartment of Agriculture.
ownership for between
199 years.
In 2018, Haskins
will be Sesquicentennial farms are those with
owners continuing
to produce
someFarm
of the
same-family ownership for between 150 and
designated bicentennial, meaning it will have199 years. In 2018, Haskins Farm will be
area’s finest maple
had syrup.
same-family ownership for 200 or moredesignated bicentennial, meaning it will have
SUBMITTED
An aerial
photo
the
ownership
for 200taken
or more in 1958, just before the fifth generation (Robert Haskins) started operating SUBMITTED
years.Farm, now owned by had same-family
before the fifth generation (Robert Haskins) started operating the farm, shows only one silo at that time.
The Haskins
years. An aerial photo taken in 1958, just
An at
aerial
photo time.
taken in 1958,
just
before
the fifth
generation
(Robert
Haskins)
started
operating
the
farm, shows
only
one silo Cook's
at that time.
farm,
shows
only
one
silo
that
The
tile
silo
shown
was
built
in
the
early
1940s
by
Curtis
Cook, who is the owner of an engineer- Cook,
the shown
owner ofwas
an engineerThewho
tileissilo
built in theThe
early
1940s
by
Curtis
Cook's
grandfather
(fourth
generation).
tile silo shown was built in the early 1940s by Curtis Cook's grandfather (fourth generation).
Curtis Cook, whose
great-grandfather
ing andthird
construction
company in Pittsburgh,ing andgrandfather
construction company
in Pittsburgh,
(fourth
generation).
Pa., grew up in South Russell Village. HePa., grew up in South Russell Village. He
established it in
1818,
recently
received
and wife, Deborah, have three children —and wife, Deborah, have three children —
20, Bryce, 18, and Kaitlyn, 16.
1958
OWNER: Curtis and
20, Bryce,
and Kaitlyn,
sesquicentennialKirsten,
status
this 18,
year
from 16.the Kirsten,
Cook splits his time during the year
Curtis and
Deborah Cook
his Pittsburgh home and the farm,
Cook splits his time during the yearbetweenOWNER:
Ohio Department
of Agriculture.
of the time onCook
the farm proESTABLISHED: 1818
Deborah
between his Pittsburgh home and the farm,spending much
ducing maple syrup. He and Deborah plan to
LOCATION: Bainbridge
spendingfarms
much of the
on the with
farm pro-move there
Sesquicentennial
aretimethose
ESTABLISHED:
permanently when Kaitlyn is1818
finTownship
ducing maple syrup. He and Deborah plan toished with
high school.
LOCATION:
Bainbridge
same-family ownership
for
between
150
ACRES: 67.42
move there permanently when Kaitlyn is fin- “We’re really proud of that deep-rooted
Township
history and the
work ethic of the family,”
STAPLE:
Maple Syrup
ished2018,
with high
school.
and 199 years. In
Haskins
Farm will Cook says. “I intend to keep it in the family.”
ACRES: 67.42
“We’re really proud of that deep-rooted
The contract is listed in Philip’s account
be designated bicentennial,
meaning
it will
history and the work
ethic of the
family,”A RichSTAPLE:
Maple Syrup
History
book, which is in the family and rarely hanCook says.ownership
“I intend to keepfor
it in200
the family.”
have had same-family
or The story of Haskins Farm begins with dled as it is quite fragile.
Haskins Farm Bears a Sweet History in Bainbridge
Farm Facts
Farm Facts
Farm Facts
OWNER: Curtis and Deborah Cook
ESTABLISHED: 1818
LOCATION: Bainbridge Township
ACRES: 67.42
The first house was replaced in 1843 by
William Haskins, who was the first of the
The contract is listed in Philip’s account
more years.
family to come to America from England, the present 2,000-square-foot house, which
A Rich History
records
book,
is in the
and
rarelyshow
han-was constructed for $300 and
arriving
atSTAPLE:
thewhich
Massachusetts
Bay family
Colony in
Maple
Syrup
a barrel of whiskey.
Cook, who is the
an engineering
1633,asaccording
to family
records.
it is quite
fragile.
Theowner
story ofof
Haskins
Farm begins withMay ofdled
It has housed fifth and sixth generations
He was the third great-grandfather of
SUBMITTED
The first house was replacedofinHaskins
1843 by
William
Haskins, who
the first of thePhilip Haskins
and is now rented to a family
and construction
company
in was
Pittsburgh,
Sr., who lived in Taunton,
An aerial photo taken in the early 1980s shows
SUBMITTED
2,000-square-foot
which
friend who
also leases most of the farmland
family to come to America from England,Mass.,the
andpresent
later moved
to North Adams, house,
An aerial photo taken in the early 1980s shows the addition of a milk house, corn cribs, and
to produce
corn,1783.
soybeans, wheat and hay.
Rounseville
Haskins,
born
in
Pa., grew up inarriving
South
Russell
Village.
He
records
show
was
constructed
for
$300
and
Mass.
Philip
Sr.
had
eight
children,
the
fifth
the
addition
of that
a were
milk
house,
corn
cribs,hisand
at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in
many
sheds
and
pole
buildings
necessary
as
Robert
Haskins
expanded
dairy
The Haskins property, much of which
beingaCurtis’
great-grandfather, Philip
barrelthird
of whiskey.
A second silo
was erected
in the late
1970s. arns
previously used that
for equipment
storMay of have
1633, according
family records.
many
sheds
and
pole
buildings
were
sits at the corner
of Washington and Haskins
Philip
Lovisa
McFarland
in herd.
and wife, Deborah,
three tochildren
— Rounseville
Haskins,
born inmarried
1783.
age were turned into hay storage and calf and heifer housing.
It
has
housed
fifth
and
sixth
generations
He was the third great-grandfather of Philip married Lovisa McFarland in roads, was originally 163 acres. In 2010, the
necessary as Robert Haskins expanded his
family
sold
60
acres.
1811.
The
couple
and
their
three
children,
Kirsten, 20, Bryce,
18,
and
Kaitlyn,
16.
of
Haskins
and
is
now
rented
to
a
family
1811.
The
couple
and
their
three
children,
Philip Haskins Sr., who lived in Taunton,
Following Philip and Lovisa, the farm was
person in the township to make cheese. The
remember as a kid, there was a barn
dairy herd. A second silo was
erected in the
late
Albertwho
and Tryphosa,
accompanied
SUBMITTED
also leases
most of the “Ifarmland
Commodore
old cheese house still stands on the Haskins owned by Philip’s fourth son,
and laterduring
moved to the
Northyear
Adams,Henry,friend
Henry,
Albert
and
Cook splits Mass.,
his time
right on Haskins accompanied
Road,
north ofphoto
the house,
the McFarland
family
to Ohio, where
theyTryphosa,
An aerial
taken property
in the
early
1980s
shows
the addition Perry
of used
a milk
house,
corn
cribs, to
and
Haskins,
who was
married
Cynthia
and
is
now
used
for
storage.
1970s.
Barns
previously
for
equipment
to
produce
corn,
soybeans,
wheat
and
hay.
Mass. Philip Sr. had eight children, the fifthpurchased land in the township in 1818 for and my grandfather kept sheep there,” Cook
many shedsthey
and pole buildings
thatin were
necessary
Robert
Haskins
expanded
his dairy
Worrallo
of Chester
Township.
Philip died
1846 and
Lovisa inas
1869.
TheMcFarland
Haskins property,
much
of“Even
which
family
to
Ohio,
between his Pittsburgh
home
and the farm,
said.
when I where
was a kid, these side
an acre.
being Curtis’
third great-grandfather,
Philip$2.50 the
storage
were
turned
into
hay
storage
and storcalf
Records
show
Commodore
Perr y
Both
were
buried
on
the
farm.
Later,
their
herd.
A
second
silo
was
erected
in
the
late
1970s.
arns
previously
used
for
equipment
roadsHaskins
(including Haskins Road) were gravel.”
They settled
mile from
Bainbridge and
at the acorner
of Washington
Haskins, born in 1783.
remains
were
moved
to
Restland
Cemetery
and
heifer
housing.
age
were
turned
into hay
storage
and
calf
and
heifer
housing.Haskins was active in church and community
purchased
in
theIntownship
in
1818
for
spending muchRounseville
ofPhilip
themarried
time Lovisa
on the
farm Center,sits
Many interesting
facts
about
the
farm
with Philip
aland
farm163
of his
own
was buying
originally
acres.
2010,
the
affairs. During the Civil War, he was in
McFarland ineast ofroads,
in
Bainbridge
Township.
the McFarland tract, in February 1819. and its ancestors have been passed down
An interesting story about Philip’s grave- charge of collecting bounties from men who
family
sold
acres.of the first log through the generations by records and
$2.50
an
acre.
producing maple
Heandand
1811.syrup.
The couple
their Deborah
three children, Cook
believes
the60location
Following
Philip
the farm
person in the townshipstone
to make
The were moved,
bought
theirand
wayLovisa,
out of service
in the was
Union
is that cheese.
after his remains
remember inas the
a kid,
there word
wasofamouth.
barn
vicinity
Henry, Albert and Tryphosa, accompaniedcabin was“I somewhere
Army. He died
in 1889
and Commodore
Cynthia
in 1907.
owned
by Philip’s
fourth
son,
old
cheese
house
still
stands
on
the
Haskins
it
was
moved
to McFarland
property,
which
the
present
2,000-square-foot
house,
which
They
settled
a
mile
from
Bainbridge
plan to move thethere
permanently
when
Forhouse,
example, records show Philip was
Orchard
roads,north
which of the
right and
on Kings
Haskins
Road,
McFarland family to Ohio, where theyNorthbrook
They
had
five
children,
one
of
whom
was
is now
Chagrin Athletic Club.Perry Haskins, who was married to Cynthia
for theand
poor”isofnow
the used
property
forthestorage.
are now part of the Tanglewood development. appointed an “overseer
and
my grandfather
kept
sheep
there,”
— Cook’s
great-grandfather,
purchased
in the
township in 1818 for After
records
show
$300
and
Center,
with
Philip
buying
a farm
of
his
own
Kaitlyn is finished
with land
high
school.
Somehow, the stone
then was
found itsconstructed
way Clarence Perry for
townshipCook
and
put in required
time
helping
living
in the
cabin for
about
five
Worrallo
of born
Chester
Township.
Philip
died
in to1846 and
Lovisa in 1869.
in 1865. He married Flora Bonney in
to Chagrin Village Hall, where it was being
said.
when
I was with
a kid,
these Chillicothe
side
Road.
records“Even
show Philip
contracted
a maintain
an acre.
Perr
y
and took Commodore
over the farm after his
father’s
buried
theaasfarm.
barrel
ofitstheir
whiskey.
of
the
McFarland
tract,
in February
“We’re really$2.50
proud
of that deep-rooted years, east
a step.Later,
After
location was Records
discov- 1890show
His
payment
ofBoth
$4.88 were
for six1819.
and a halfon used
from (including
Portage
County
to construct
Haskins
Road)a were
gravel.”
They settled a mile from Bainbridgebuilderroads
Clarence
and Flora
hadcommunity
five children.
Haskins
active
in church
and
it was returned
to the family
and it,wasdeath.
in his account
book. ered,
frame house. The cost to build the house days of work is recorded
remains
were
moved
to
Restland
Cemetery
interesting
facts about
farm
Philip buying
a farm
of his ”
ownwas $114. Many
It
has
housed
fifth
and
sixth
generations
Cook
believes
the the
location
of
the
first
history and theCenter,
workwithethic
of the
family,
It is also known that Lovisa was the first again, sits on Haskins Farm.
See Haskins
Page 15
affairs. During
the wCivil
War, he was in
east of the McFarland tract, in February 1819. and its ancestors have been passed down in Bainbridge Township.
of collecting
bounties
men who
of Haskins
andcharge
is now
rented
to from
a family
Philip’s gravelog cabin
was somewhere
in theAn interesting
vicinitystory about
Cook says. “I intend
tobelieves
keep the
it in
the offamily.
the generations
by records and
Cook
location
the first”log through
stone is that after his remains were moved, bought their way out of service in the Union
of mouth. cabin was somewhere in the vicinity word
friend
who
also
leases
most
of
the
farmland
Northbrook
and Kings
Orchard
roads,
For example, records show Philip was it was moved to McFarland property, which Army. He died in 1889 and Cynthia in 1907.
and Kings Orchard roads, which
They had five children,
of whom
A Rich HistoryNorthbrook
toClub.
produce corn, soybeans,
wheatone
and
hay. was
which anare
nowforpart
of
Tanglewood
now the Chagrin Athletic
“overseer
the
poor”
of the
the is
are now part of the Tanglewood development. appointed
Somehow, the stone then found its way Clarence Perry — Cook’s great-grandfather,
and put in required time helping to
After livingFarm
in the cabin
for about
The story of Haskins
begins
withfive township
The
Haskins
property,
much
of
which
development.
to Chagrin Village Hall, where it was being born in 1865. He married Flora Bonney in
years, records show Philip contracted with a maintain Chillicothe Road.
took over the farm
his father’s
William Haskins,
who
theCounty
firstto of
the a
at was
thediscovcorner1890
of and
Washington
andafter
Haskins
After
living
cabin
about
five
used
as a step.
After its sits
location
His
payment
of $4.88inforthe
six and
a half for
builder
fromwas
Portage
construct
and Flora had five children.
ered, it waswith
returned toroads,
the family
andoriginally
it, death. Clarence
of work
is recordedshow
in his account
book.
house. The from
cost to build
the house days
family to come frame
to America
England,
was
163 acres. In 2010, the
years,
records
Philip
contracted
was $114.
It is also
Lovisa
was the
first again, sits on Haskins Farm.
See Haskins w Page 15
known
from
that
to construct family sold 60 acres.
arriving at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in
a builder
Portage
County
May of 1633, according to family records.
“I remember as a kid, there was a barn
a frame house. The cost to build the house
He was the third great-grandfather of
right on Haskins Road, north of the house,
was $114.
Philip Haskins Sr., who lived in Taunton,
and my grandfather kept sheep there,” Cook
The contract is listed in Philip’s account
Mass., and later moved to North Adams,
said. “Even when I was a kid, these side roads
book, which is in the family and rarely
Mass. Philip Sr. had eight children, the fifth
(including Haskins Road) were gravel.”
handled as it is quite fragile.
being Curtis’ third great-grandfather, Philip
Many interesting facts about the farm
The first house was replaced in 1843 by
3
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Thursday, September 1, 2016
to Chagrin Village Hall,
where it was being used
as a step. After its location
was discovered, it was
returned to the family and
it, again, sits on Haskins
Farm.
Following Philip and
Lovisa, the farm was
owned by Philip’s fourth
son, Commodore Perry
Haskins, who was married
to Cynthia Worrallo of
Chester Township.
Records
show
Commodore
Perry
Haskins was active in
JENNY MAY/KMG
church and community
Curtis Cook stands in front of the farm's original main barn, which was re-sided in 2012 and a
tile silo built in the early 1940s. The concrete stave silo in the photo replaced the wood silo in
affairs. During the Civil
the 1990s.
JENNY MAY/KMG
Janice Cook-Swanson and Jennifer Cook- JENNY MAY/KMG
War,
he was in charge of
Haskins
Curtis
Cook
stands
in
front
of
the
farm's
original
main
barn,
which
was
re-sided
in
2012
and
a
Curtis Cook stands in frontForbush,
of theboth
farm's
originalspent
main
barn, which was
of Columbus,
much
tile silo
built
the early
The built
concrete
stave
silo
the photo
replaced
the wood
in
time
on thein
farm.
The
threein
were
active
in
bounties from
from
page
14
re-sided
in in
2012
and 1940s.
a tile silo
the
early
1940s.
The
concrete
stavesilo collecting
the local 4H clubs.
the 1990s.
theClarence
photokept
replaced
wood silo40inacres
theof1990s.
men who bought their
the Haskins
As a silo
younginboy,
several theApproximately
Janice
and Jennifer CookFarm is still used for
mapleCook-Swanson
syrup producdiaries, which are still in the family.
way out of service in the
Forbush,
currentlyboth
used of
wasColumbus, spent much
They tell of the weather, crop records tion. The sugar house
in 1939.
and some
of theits
anticsancestors
hefrom
pulled,page
including
timedown
on the farm.Union
The three
were He
activedied
in in 1889 and Cynthia
and
have
been
passed
Army.
14 built
Cook, who sells the
his syrup
to4H
private
cusspying on his sisters and their boyfriends.
local
clubs.
through
the
generations
by
records
and
in 1907.
Flora, who died in 1925, is known for being tomers, won “Best Maple Syrup Producer”
Approximately
As ain young
Clarence
kept
this several
year’s Geauga County
Maple Festival.40 acres of the Haskins
the first woman
Geauga boy,
County
to vote in
word
of
mouth.
five
children, one of whom was
Farm
is still
maplehad
syrup
producIt is one of several
awards
won used
by theforThey
diaries,
after suffrage
was which
adopted.are still in the family.
Haskins
family over
the years.
tion.
The
sugar Clarence
house currently
used
was
Clarence They
was
onetell
of the
of
the crop
of founders
the weather,
records
For
example,
records
show
Philip
was
Perry
—
Cook’s great-grandfather,
“I learned from built
my uncle,”
Cook said. “I
Bainbridge
Company
1897.
in 1939.
and Telephone
some of the
anticsin he
pulled,
including
enjoyed
helping
with
it
as
a
kid.
My
uncle
appointed
an
“overseer
for
the
poor”
of
the
The first phone line was built to connect his
born
in
1865.
He
married
Flora Bonney in
Cook,
who
sells
his
syrup
to
private
cushis on
sisters
and theirand
boyfriends.
grandfather used to keep a team of horshouse tospying
the sugaron
houses
the farm.
township
and
put
required
time
helping
tomers,
won “Best
Maple
1890
andSyrup
tookProducer”
over the farm after his father’s
es tofor
helpbeing
gather
sap.”
Flora,
who died
in
1925,
ishisknown
Clarence
operated
the
farm
within
Walking
throughinthethis
acres
of woods
that County Maple Festival.
year’s
Geauga
sons until
deathwoman
in 1940.Chillicothe
TheGeauga
land wasCounty
the
first
in
to vote
tohis
maintain
Road.
death.
Clarence and Flora had five children.
taps,
he of
knocks
on
then split
withsuffrage
son Albert
taking
the west contain about 1,500
It is
one
several
awards won by the
after
was
adopted.
somefor
of thesix
trees.and a half
side and son Leslie
taking
the east. of $4.88
His
payment
As
a young boy, Clarence kept several
Haskins
family
over
the
years.
Clarence
was
one
of
the
founders
of
the
“There’s trees back here that my grandfaAlbert and his son raised potatoes, fruit
“I learned
my uncle,”
Cookare
said.still
“I in the family.
daysLeslie
of had
work
is sheep.
recorded
hisCookaccount
ther has
tapped,”
said.
“We don’tfrom
make
Bainbridge
Telephone
Company
in in
1897.
diaries,
which
and livestock.
dairy and
lot of syruphis
as compared
to larger
producenjoyed
helping
with it as a kid. My uncle
They each
hadfirst
a sugar
houseline
and sold
The
phone
wasmaple
built toa connect
book.
ers in Geauga County.
we do make
is They
syrup. After
Albert’s
death
in 1964,
his heirs
andWhat
grandfather
used
to keep tell
a teamofof the
hors- weather, crop records
house
to the
sugar
houses
on the
farm.
high
quality syrup
using
techniques
passed
sold their portion
$1,000 known
an acre, which
It isforalso
that
Lovisa
was
the
first
and
some
of
the
antics he pulled, including
es
to
help
gather
sap.”
Clarence
operated
the
farm
with
his
down through generations of our family.”
is now part of Tanglewood.
Walking
the acres
ofhis
woods
that and their boyfriends.
has fond
childhood
memosons
untilMarjorie
histhe
death
in 1940.
land wascheese.
person
in
township
toCook-Swanson
make
The through
Curtis’
mother,
Haskins
Cook, The
spying
on
sisters
ries of
preparing
vegetables
contain
about
1,500 taps, he knocks on
has keptthen
a written
her Albert
memoriestaking
splitaccount
with ofson
theharvesting
west and
old
cheese
house
still
stands
on
the
Haskins
from the garden with her Aunt
Jan. trees.
Flora, who died in 1925, is known for being
of growing
up and
on the
farm.
of the
side
son
Leslie taking the east.“We froze almostsome
everything,” she said.
“We property
girls could hear
through
our bed“There’s
trees
backfirst
here that
my grandfaand
is
now
used
for
storage.
the
woman
in Geauga County to vote
Albert
and
his
son
raised
potatoes,
fruit
Growing
up
on
a
farm
fosters
a
unique
room windows, some choice words as the
ther
has tapped,”
Cook said. “We don’t make
and appreciation
for basic staLeslie
dairywork
andethic
sheep.
boys didand
theirlivestock.
chores at the
barn across
the
Philip
died
inhad1846
and
Lovisa
in
1869.
after
suffrage
was
adopted.
ples, Cook
believes.a lot of syrup as compared to larger producroad,” she
recalled. “Uncle
Albert house
used to and
They
had a sugar
maple
“My
aunt and
uncle
two
of my County.
great- Clarence
Botheach
were
buried
onin 1964,
thesold
farm.
Later,
was
one
ers are
intheir
Geauga
What we do
make
is of the founders of the
make hickory
for
us. death
The boys
syrup. whistles
After Albert’s
his
heirs
est mentors,” he said. “Just being a kid, I folshared a pony, Trixie, with us...”
high quality syrup
using techniques
passed
remains
were for
moved
Restland
sold
their portion
$1,000 to
anlowed
acre,
which
Bainbridge
Telephone
Company in 1897.
my
uncleCemetery
around and helped.
I
down
through
generations
of our family.”
a lot just doing
that.
The work
ethic
is
part of Tanglewood.
innow
Bainbridge
Township.learned
The
first
phone
line
was
built to connect
The Farm
Today
and
persistence
I
learned
as
a
child
has
been
Cook-Swanson
has
fond
childhood
memoCurtis’ mother, Marjorie Haskins Cook,
The original
main barn
that was built instory
the key toabout
my success
in business.”
An
interesting
Philip’s
ries
of harvestinghis
andhouse
preparing
vegetables
to
the
sugar
houses
on the farm.
has
kept
a
written
account
of
her
memories
the early 1800s remains on the property,
Keeping the farm in the family is imporfrom the garden with her Aunt Jan.
of
growing
up on
farm.
gravestone
istheofthat
aftertanthis
remains
now sided
a light grey.
Part
this barn
to all of
the Haskins. were
Clarence
operated
the
farm
with
his sons
“We froze
includes one“We
that was
originally
on through
the
“Iour
havebeda sincere appreciation
for almost
the his- everything,” she said.
girls
couldbuilt
hear
moved,
it
was
moved
to
McFarland
property,
until
his
death
in
1940.
The
land
was
then
west side
of
the
farm.
That
barn
was
moved
tory
and
genealogy
of
it
all,”
Cook-Swanson
Growing
up
on
a
farm
fosters
a
unique
room windows, some choice words as the
to the current
property
and attached
to the says.Athletic
“There’s suchClub.
a pride ethic
in the family
work
and herappreciation
for
basic
sta- taking the west side
which
is
now
the
Chagrin
split
with
son
Albert
boys
did
their
chores
at
the
barn
across
the
original barn to make one larger barn.
itage and this farm. How many families can
ples,farmed
Cookthe
believes.
road,”
she
“Uncle
Albert
to have
saythen
sixused
generations
land?”
Growing
up,
Cookrecalled.
and his two
sisters,
Somehow,
the
stone
found
its“My
way
Leslie
taking
aunt andand
uncleson
are two
of my
great- the east.
make hickory whistles for us. The boys
est mentors,” he said.Albert
“Just being
a kid,
and
hisI folson raised potatoes, fruit
shared a pony, Trixie, with us...”
lowed my uncle around and helped. I
and
livestock.
Leslie
had dairy and sheep.
learned a lot just doing that. The work ethic
The Farm Today
hadhas
a sugar
and persistence IThey
learnedeach
as a child
been house and sold maple
The original main barn that was built in the key to my success
in business.”
syrup.
After Albert’s death in 1964, his heirs
the early 1800s remains on the property,
Keeping the farm in the family is imporsold
their
portion for $1,000 an acre, which
now sided a light grey. Part of this barn tant to all of the Haskins.
includes one that was originally built on the
“I have a sincere
appreciation
the hisis now
part offorTanglewood.
west side of the farm. That barn was moved tory and genealogy ofCurtis’
it all,” Cook-Swanson
mother, Marjorie Haskins Cook,
to the current property and attached to the says. “There’s such a pride in the family herhasHow
kept
a written
account of her memories
original barn to make one larger barn.
itage and this farm.
many
families can
farmed up
the land?”
Growing up, Cook and his two sisters, say six generations
ofhave
growing
on the farm.
SUBMITTED
“We girls could hear through our
SUBMITTED
photo
taken
in the
late
1960s
shows
A photo A
taken
in the late
1960s shows
Robert
Haskins
dumping
a load ofRobert
sap into the sugarbedroom windows, some choice words as
house storage
tanks. The
sugar housea
was
built inof
1939
by Cook's
Leslie Haskins
Haskins
dumping
load
sap
intograndfather
the sugar
the boys did their chores at the barn across
(fourth generation) and it is still used today.
house storage tanks. The sugar house was built
the road,” she recalled. “Uncle Albert used
in 1939 by Cook's grandfather Leslie Haskins
to make hickory whistles for us. The boys
(fourth generation) and it is still used today.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Geauga County Maple Leaf
Haskins
4
Page 15
sharedPage
a pony,
Trixie, with us...”
15
The Farm Today
The original main barn that was built
in the early 1800s remains on the property,
now sided a light grey. Part of this barn
includes one that was originally built on the
west side of the farm. That barn was moved
to the current property and attached to the
original barn to make one larger barn.
Growing up, Cook and his two sisters,
Janice Cook-Swanson and Jennifer CookForbush, both of Columbus, spent much
time on the farm. The three were active in
the local 4H clubs.
Approximately 40 acres of the
Haskins Farm is still used for maple syrup
production. The sugar house currently used
was built in 1939.
Cook, who sells his syrup to private
customers, won “Best Maple Syrup
Producer” in this year’s Geauga County
Maple Festival. It is one of several awards
won by the Haskins family over the years.
“I learned from my uncle,” Cook said. “I
enjoyed helping with it as a kid. My uncle
and grandfather used to keep a team of
horses to help gather sap.”
Walking through the acres of woods
that contain about 1,500 taps, he knocks on
some of the trees.
“There’s trees back here that my
grandfather has tapped,” Cook said. “We
don’t make a lot of syrup as compared
to larger producers in Geauga County.
What we do make is high quality syrup
using techniques passed down through
generations of our family.”
Cook-Swanson has fond childhood
memories of harvesting and preparing
vegetables from the garden with her Aunt
Jan.
“We froze almost everything,” she said.
Growing up on a farm fosters a unique work
ethic and appreciation for basic staples,
Cook believes.
“My aunt and uncle are two of my
greatest mentors,” he said. “Just being a kid,
I followed my uncle around and helped. I
learned a lot just doing that. The work ethic
and persistence I learned as a child has been
the key to my success in business.”
Keeping the farm in the family is
important to all of the Haskins.
“I have a sincere appreciation for
the history and genealogy of it all,”
Cook-Swanson says. “There’s such a pride
in the family heritage and this farm. How
many families can say six generations have
farmed the land?”