First Generation

1. Robert D. COOME was born in 1814 in England, United Kingdom.^1,2,3 About 1835 he was in England, United Kingdom.⁴ "He learned the carpenter and builder's trade from his father in England, and after coming to the United States followed that occupation in New York for about fifteen years. In 1856 (he) came West to Wisconsin and settled in Sauk County, where he continued his operation as a carpenter until he secured a farm of wild land, which he subdued and brought to a high state of cultivation; here he made his home engaged in general farming until 1867.

Purchasing a farm of eighty acres in Monroe County, he moved hither and for the next twenty-five years this was the family home. Disposing of this farm. (He) moved to St. Paul, Minn., where he died in 1903; his widow ... survived him five years and passed away in 1908.

Both were Christian people and devoted members of the Methodist church, and were among its most generous and faithful supporters. Mr. Coome was a man of genial nature, loyal to his friends, liberal with his money, compassionable, a lover of good comradeship and generous to a fault. In politics he was a Whig and strong anti-slavery man." He appeared in the census in 1850 in Sterling Township, Cayuga County, NY.⁵ His occupation was "Carpenter." (His surname is spelled "Coombs" in the Ancestry.com census index.) Robert appeared in the census in 1860 in New Buffalo Township, Sauk County, WI.⁶ His household (dwelling 1200) consisted of "R." age 47, occupation "Farmer," born in England; his wife, Maria, age 41, born in England; and their children, William H., age 19, occupation "Farmer;" Laura L., age 17; and Ellen J., age 21. There was also a William Coome, age 36, occupation "Farmer," born in England; he may have been a brother of Robert. The value of Robert's real estate was listed as $1,500 and that of his personal property was listed as $600. (The Ancestry.com census index lists the family surname as "Corners.") He appeared in the census in 1870 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.³ His household consisted of Robert, 55; Maria, 50; and their daughter, Carrie, 6. His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1875 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷ His household consisted of 2 males and 3 females. Robert appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹ His household consisted of Robert, 66, born in England; his wife Maria, 60, born in England; their daughter Carrie, 16, born in Wisconsin; a step-daughter, Ellen "Hutchin" (actually "Hutchins,") 41, born in NY; a grandson Frank "Hutchin," 13, born in WI; and a grandson Robert "Hutchin," 3, born in WI. Apparently, Maria had a previous marriage, resulting in the daughter Ellen. His occupation was "Farmer." He died on 5 February 1894 at the age of 80 in St. Paul, Ramsey County, MN.^2,8,9 He was buried in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^2,8,10,11 in the LaGrange Township Cemetery

Robert D. COOME and Mariah "Maria" WESTLAKE were married on 3 October 1840 in Owasco, Cayuga County, NY.^4,6,12,13 He and his family were not listed in the 1840 Census for Sterling Township, Cayuga County, NY, where they lived during the 1850 Census. They cannot be located anywhere in New York state in 1840, but they probably lived there because their daughter Ellen was reportedly born there in 1839. Mariah "Maria" WESTLAKE^9,14 was born in 1819 in England, United Kingdom.^1,2,3 According to the 1880 Census, both of her parents were born in England. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Sterling Township, Cayuga County, NY.⁵ She appeared in the census in 1860 in New Buffalo Township, Sauk County, WI.⁶ Maria appeared in the census in 1870 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.³ She appeared in the census in 1875 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷ She appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹ The Census record indicates that she was suffering from a "Sprained Wrist." (She cannot be located in the 1900 Census.) Maria died on 9 January 1901 at the age of 82 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^8,13 She was buried in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^2,8,10,11 in the LaGrange Township Cemetery (Her maiden name may have been Harris.)

Robert D. COOME and Mariah "Maria" WESTLAKE had the following children: