Author paints a picture of Neville Island as haven
Jean Boggio saw Neville Township for the first time last year, but she discovered her past buried with the island's industry.
The Maine resident will return June 14, along with other descendants of her grandfather, Everson Cole, to celebrate the release of her new book, "Stolen Fields: A Story of Eminent Domain and the Death of the American Dream."
The book tells the story of Cole, who was the last holdout when the government seized large Neville Island farms through eminent domain.
The stated purpose of the seizure was to build a munitions factory for World War I. However, the war ended, and the factory was never built. The land was put up for public auction, but the farmers could not outbid Carnegie Steel.
Boggio's great-grandmother, Mary Ann Cole, fought back at the auction by pushing up the bidding.
"She couldn't win," Boggio said. "But Carnegie Steel ended up paying twice the amount for her land as what they paid for the other farms."
The book contains many descriptions of life in Neville from Boggio's mother, who grew up on the island until about age 11, and from interviews that Boggio's older cousin conducted many years ago.
"My mother, who actually couldn't wait to get away from farm life, spoke of Neville Island as an Eden, and in many ways, I'm sure it was," Boggio said. "Those family members who turned bitter didn't do so until after they were forced off their farms."
Her ancestors first settled on Neville Island in 1814. When the five Cole brothers arrived from Maine, the island was forested. They bought 150 acres and when that was paid for, they bought 150 more.
"They cleared the land, selling cordwood for fuel to the steamboats that passed by on the Ohio River," Boggio said. The farms prospered. Life was good."
Her great-great-grandfather, George Washington Cole, married Dorcas Bragdon and built her a large house, as did others on the surrounding farms. The houses were plain on the outside, but elegant within.
"One journal referred to the island as 'the gem of the Ohio,' because of the status of the properties there," Boggio said.
She said she visited Neville Island last May, to try to learn more about what happened there.
"The few people I spoke with had little knowledge about the history, other than that there were once some big asparagus farms at the eastern end of the island. They didn't know what happened to them.
"I grew up with a certain image in my head of the island. I knew it had changed, but what I saw last May shocked me," Boggio said.
"There was nothing left of the gracious way of life that once existed there. I hope 'Stolen Fields' brings a small glimpse of that time and the people who once lived there to the people who now make it their home."
Additional Information:
If you go
The public is invited to meet the author and other Everson Cole descendants at the Neville gazebo (the firehouse in case of rain) for a reading and discussion starting at 2 p.m. June 14. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served. Books may be purchased online .
