1599 Clifton Avenue
Dewey House

Lot 11, Watson and Ryan's Subdivison of 1889

The McAllisters purchased this lot on January 15, 1919.

Robert K. McAllister was born in Ohio about 1885. He married Emogene R. McAllister about 1922. Emogene was born about 1884 in Iowa. They had two children: Elizabeth Jean (1923) and Mary M. (1925).

Robert was a house builder with an office at 85 South High Street. In 1920 the family lived next door at 1603 Clifton Avenue. They had a servant, Hattie Bond, listed as a 38 year-old mulatto in the Census.

Robert McAllister probably built this house in 1919. He sold it on December 18, 1919 to the widow, Vivian P. Dewey for $10,000. McAllister also built 1512 Eastwood Avenue in 1918. 

Vivian Peavey was born about March 13, 1890 in Waltham, Massachusetts, daughter of Simon Fillmore and Elizabeth Benson Peavey. She married Joseph Fenns Dewey about 1913. Joseph was born February 6, 1888 in Sheffield, Illinois, son of B. Fenns and Eva Coyle Dewey. They had two children, Joseph F., Jr. (July 27, 1913) and Vivian Dewey (1916). 

Joseph, Sr. died September 22, 1919 at his parents' home at 1631 Granville Street of pneumonia. His death certificate lists his occupation as "motor trucks".

On November 6, 1920, Vivian married Jonas Ferson McCune at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Jonas was born May 18, 1894 in Ohio, son of Jonas Mann and Evalena Gares McCune. They had a daughter, Elaine "Lainie" (December 28, 1921 - June 7, 2014).

In 1924 they purchased the property for the house that would be constructed for them at 296 North Columbia Avenue in Bexley. The house was completed by the end of 1925. In 1930 they employed a live-in maid, Elizabeth Dooley, age 33. The home was valued at $60,000 in 1930. In 1931, the McCunes sold this house and moved to 105 Woodland Avenue.

Jonas committed suicide on May 19, 1932 in Truro Township, "near Columbus Country Club." His death certificate states that he died of a "gunshot wound through brain" He died one day after his 38th birthday. His residence at that time was 105 Woodland Avenue.

The May 20, 1932 Columbus Dispatch front page story reads, Financial Worries Blamed for Suicide - Body of Jonas F. McCune, Realty Dealer, Found in Field Near Columbus Country Club by Searchers. - Financial worries are believed to have caused Jonas F. McCune, aged 38, of 105 Woodland avenue, prominent real estate dealer, clubman and World war veteran to end his life by shooting himself in the head, Thursday.

"McCune was found in a field near Main street and the Columbus Country club, of which he was a member, about 4 p.m. The shooting is believed to have occurred about three hours before.

Revolver is found - Joseph Dewey, stepson of McCune; Deputy Sheriff William Everett, and J. Giles Mohler, 224 Woodland avenue, who found the body, located a revolver within a short distance of where McCune lay.

"The suicide was discovered after McCune's stepdaughter, Vivian Dewey, while riding in East Main street, saw McCune's car parked in a field alongside the road. Stopping to investigate, she found his hat, coat and ignition keys in the auto.

"Mohler, a friend of the family and vice president of the Dreher Supply Co., 59 East Goodale street, was called after the girl notified members of the family. He notified Everett. Then a search was begun for McCune.

"Note held secret - No definite motive could be ascertained by friends or members of the victim's family, but it was the consensus that financial troubles probably prompted the act.

"In McCune's pockets was found a note, complete contents of which were not made public. The note identified the bearer and gave the name of relatives who were to be notified.

"McCune left his home, Thursday morning, apparently in good spirits for a luncheon engagement with Mohler downtown.

"For the past several years he has operated his own real estate agency. Previously he was associated with Leigh Koebel in a similar line of work. He was engaged in the brokerage business for a while after the war.

"Cited for bravery - Leaving Dartmouth college, McCune enlisted in the army. As a member of the Rainbow division, he was cited for bravery and at the close of the war held a commission as first lieutenant.

"McCune was particularly fond of golf and tennis, and was a familiar figure at both the Columbus Country club and Rocky Fork Hunt and Country club. Formerly he was associated with the Columbus club.

"Besides his stepson and stepdaughter. McCune is survived by his wife, Mrs. Vivian Peavey McCune; a daughter, Elaine; his mother, Mrs. Jonas M. McCune, Seneca hotel; a sister, Mrs. Dwight Howard, 1581 Hawthorne park; another sister Mrs. Claude Fries, Montclair, N.J., and a half-brother, Edmund Mills, Toledo.

"Services will be held, Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal church. Burial will be in Green Lawn cemetery by the Schoedinger Co. Relatives request the omission of flowers."

In 1934 Vivian was living at 105 Woodland Avenue. She was working for the Maramor Company. In 1935 Vivian was working as a hostess and lived with her parents at 550 Town Street. In 1957 Vivian still lived at 550 Town Street. She was an interior decorator for Miller Kelton Studios. She later lived in Upper Arlington.

Vivian died May 5, 1984. The McCunes are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

On January 5, 1926 Lorenzo Baker bought the house from the McCunes, assuming a mortgage of $6,500.

Lorenzo Philip Baker was born January 27, 1894 in Columbus, son of Duane H. and Laura E. Benner Baker. He married Helen Louise W. Chilcote on February 22, 1922 in Cleveland. Helen was born January 8, 1901 in Columbus, daughter of August Alfred and Helen E. Luckhaupt Chilcote. They had three children: Lorenzo Philip, Jr. (November 27, 1922), Duane Chilcote (January 17, 1926 - September 1977) and Helen Laura Lee (1929 - 1980).

About 1917, Lorenzo Philip Baker lived at 193 Woodland Avenue. He was in the Ohio National Guard and served with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. He was honorably discharged in 1919.

In 1930, the Bakers employed a live-in nursemaid, Lucile Gansheimer, age 18.

Lorenzo Baker owned a photography studio and was the grandson of Lorenzo Marvin Baker who founded Baker's Art Gallery. Lorenzo Marvin Baker (1834-1924) "came to Columbus in 1854 and became a clerk in a store, and later at the Neil House; was an officer at the penitentiary under Governor Chase; served a short time in the army during the recent unpleasantness; went into the photograph business in 1862, and the next year established the present gallery, of which he has been the head ever since.

"Baker's Art Gallery has the finest art rooms in Ohio, and it is a demonstrated fact that the work of the artists are the best produced in the United States. They were awarded the gold medal for the best specimens of photographs exhibited at the Semi-Centennial at Boston and at the World's Fair at Chicago." (Ohio American Local History Network) 

Baker's Art Gallery passed from Lorenzo Marvin Baker to his son Duane and then to his son, Lorenzo Philip.

Lorenzo Philip Baker died in Bermuda February 27, 1947. After his death, Helen sold the house and moved to 44 Meadow Park Avenue in Bexley. Helen died January 6, 1991. 

On May 22, 1951 the Adams bought the house from Helen.

Isiah "Ike" Adams was born March 26, 1901 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, son of Henry and Mary Frances "Fannie" Coleman Adams. He married the widow of Oscar Martin, Corene Cody in Franklin County on December 12, 1934. Corene was born January 27, 1909 in (Winder), Georgia, daughter of James and Effie Aikins Cody. 

in 1920 the Codys lived in Houses, Barrow County, Georgia. By 1929 they had moved to Columbus and in 1930 were living at 511 Galloway Avenue. Corene married Oscar Martin in Franklin County on May 29, 1929. Oscar died on November 25, 1930.   

In 1910 the Adams lived in Tunstall, Pittsylvania, Virginia. In 1934, Ike was a machinist and lived at 837 Atcheson Street. 

In 1940 Ike and Corene lived at 5353 Hamilton Avenue. Isiah was a railroad mechanic's helper. Corene was a houseworker for a private family. Corene's mother, Effie lived with them, as well as a niece, Leona Whiteside. 

Corene died August 17, 1956 in Columbus. Isiah died September 11, 1986 in Westerville, Ohio.

On May 21, 1963 the Williams bought the house from Adams.

Jafus Williams, Jr. was born October 7, 1929 in Arkansas. Jafus married Virginia E. Biggers before 1963. Virginia was born March 15, 1930 in Fayette County, West Virginia, daughter of Robert T. Biggers.

A Columbus Dispatch article of March 30, 1964, headlined, "Donald Sanderson Fullen, 44, 1599 Clifton Ave., is killed when he is thrown from a pickup truck as it strikes a tree west of Springfield on State Route 41." (p. 16A)

Jafus and Virginia were divorced on April 18, 1974, and Virginia kept the house.

Jafus remarried in 1976, divorced again in 1995, and died in Columbus on January 14, 2001. 

Virginia sold the house to Classic Homebuyers, LLC on July 3, 2002.

1599 Clifton Avenue, March 2010

Jonas F. McCune

Elaine McCune Altmaier, circa 2014

Baker Art Gallery, SE corner of South High and East State Streets

Lorenzo Philip Baker

Helen Louise Chilcote Baker

Duane Chilcote Baker