My Genealogy Hound

FRANK DE QUINCY TOMPKINS, a prominent resident of Watervliet Township, is was born in the township of Weymouth, Medina County, Ohio, February 13, 1853, being the son of Charles L. and Mary E. (Bosworth) Tompkins. His paternal grandfather, Marshall Tompkins, was a native of Connecticut, and was one of the brave soldiers in the War of 1812. He walked the entire distance from the Nutmeg State to Medina County, Ohio, reaching the State at a period so early in its development that there was only one house, and that a log cabin, on the site of the now populous city of Cleveland. In those early days he engaged frequently in trapping and hunting, and not the least valued of our subject’s possessions is a steel trap used by his grandfather in years gone by. His occupation was that of a cooper, and he followed that trade until his death, which occurred in January, 1871, at the ripe old age of four-score years. Politically, he was a Whig, and afterward a Republican.

Grandfather Tompkins and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Orton, had a family of five children: George W.; Charles L.; Warren, who died in boyhood; Oliver, deceased; and Mrs. Mary Stevens, deceased. The father of our subject, Charles L. Tompkins, was born in Medina County, Ohio, May 3, 1834, and was reared on a farm, learning the cooper’s trade in his youth. He improved a farm of fifty-two acres, and there made his home until his death, which occurred January 30, 1860. Politically a Republican, he always took an active part in matters of local interest, as well as those of general importance. Socially, he was identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The first marriage of Charles L. Tompkins united him with Miss Mary E. Bosworth, who was born in Edinburgh, Lorain County, Ohio. Her father was of English descent, and was a farmer by occupation, he was twice married, our subject’s mother being a daughter of the second wife. The following named children were born to Charles Tompkins and Mary, his wife: Irene, who died at the age of six years; John, who was removed from the family circle at the age of one year; Alice and Frank DeQuincy. The second marriage of Mr. Tompkins was to Abigail Seymour, a daughter of John Seymour, and they became the parents of these children: Mrs. Lavilla Blakesley, Charles, Edith and Mrs. Edna Loomis. After having received a common-school education, the subject of this sketch commenced to earn his own livelihood; in fact, he has been practically self-supporting since he was eight years old. He was employed by the day or month until he was nineteen. In the fall of 1872 he came to Michigan, and arrived in Covert Township, Van Buren County, with fifty cents in his possession. However, he was not in the least dismayed by the want of money, but energetically set to work, and economically saved his earnings. For three years he worked by the month, after which he located on his present farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres. He has eight acres set out in peach trees, and also cultivates other small fruits with considerable success.

November 19, 1876, Mr. Tompkins was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Ray, who was born in Paw Paw, Mich., May 14, 1855. This estimable lady is the daughter of George and Ann Mary (Whalen) Ray, who removed from Livingston County, N. Y., to Paw Paw, Mich., becoming early settlers of that village. In 1855 they located upon our subject’s present farm, where they purchased one hundred and twenty acres, and afterward devoted their attention to clearing and improving the property. Mr. Ray passed away April 14, 1875; his wife died February 28, of the same year. They had been the parents of two children, Mary E., and Fannie M., Mrs. Doolittle, who died at the age of twenty-one, leaving two children, one of whom, Blanche, now survives. In his political sentiments Mr. Ray was a Republican. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Tompkins were Abel and Betsy (Brown) Ray, natives of New York. Our subject and his wife are the parents of one child, Alice E. Politically, Mr. Tompkins is a Republican, and takes an intelligent interest in all the public affairs of the community and nation. However, he has never been solicitous of office, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his farm, and when he was elected Justice of the Peace he refused to qualify for the office. He is a man of industrious habits and excellent judgment, and has made a success of agriculture through painstaking perseverance and good management.