USA > Illinois > Kane County > The Biographical record of Kane County, Illinois > Part 33
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Hospital for the Insane at Elgin, and also natives of the Granite state. They preaches there each Sunday.
On the 3d of January, 1855, Mr. Atchi- son married Miss Hannah Jennie Cook, daughter of John and Martha (Bennett) Cook, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1834, locating near Galena, Jo Daviess county, where they remained some years, when they moved to Iowa where their death occurred. Six sons and two daugh- ters have been born of this union: John E., of Atchison, Kansas, married Emma Pearl Solomon and had three children, Frederick, William and George; Wilbur F., now pas- tor of the Methodist church of Woodlawn, married Rena Michaels, dean of the Woman's College, at Evanston; Florence Josephine resides at home; Hugh D. is a minister of the Methodist church at Wil- mette, Illinois; Howard H. died at the age of three years; George B. is a dentist of Elgin; Nellie C. died at the age of three months; and Robert Hall Bruce completes the family.
Rev. Atchison is a member of the An- cient Order United Workmen and of Vet- eran post, No. 49, G. A. R. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Fremont. He has always been a strong and popular pulpit orator, standing high in the councils of his church, and his life has been perme- ated with the noblest principles and pur- poses known to humanity.
W ILLIAM C. KIMBALL, deceased, was for many years one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Elgin. He was a native of Groton, New Hamp- shire, born February 17, 1806, and was the son of Joseph and Nancy (Currier) Kimball,
were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters. With a view of bet- tering his condition in life and giving his children better opportunities for advance- ment, Joseph Kimball made a trip west, and, after looking around, decided to make Kane county his future home. In 1835 he started back east for his family, but died while passing through Ohio. His son, Sam- uel, who came with him to Kane county, remained here while his father went back, and shortly after the death of the latter, the remainder of the family, save our subject, joined him, making Elgin their home. The daughters were Nancy Currier, who married Alden V. Hills; Laura, widow of Asa Smith, and a resident of St. Louis; May Carter, now Mrs. Bartlett Adams, of St. Louis; Mrs. Ruth Ann Thiers, of Elgin; and Su- sanna Clement, who married Hiram George.
William C. Kimball grew to manhood in his native state, and was educated in the public schools of Groton. In 1835 he mar- aied Caroline Willard, daughter of William . R. and Eleanor (Mann) Willard. From Groton, New Hampshire, he removed to Sherbrooke, Canada, where he engaged in mercantile business for a time, but in 1837 sold out and came to Elgin, Illinois, and purchased a large tract of land, but turned his attention principally to the mercantile business, opening a store and for years being successfully engaged in trade. The country was then new and his trade ex- tended for many miles in each direction. He later erected a flouring mill, which was called the Waverly Mill, and which is now owned and operated by the Stewart Broth- ers. This was the first mill erected in this part of the country and its patrons came from far and near.
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The next venture of Mr. Kimball was the erection of a hotel which was given the name of Waverly house. Previous to its erection he lived over his store, but on the completion of the hotel he moved into it, and for some years served as landlord in ad- dition to his other business. With his brother Samuel, he purchased large tracts of land on the west side of the river, which he sold off in parcels from time to time.
In 1856 Mr. Kimball met with some re- verses in his business interests in Elgin, and later lost quite heavily in operating some of the lead mines of Missouri, the ore not being as extensive as anticipated. His re- verses, however, did not cripple to any ex- tent his milling business, which he continued until his death. His business interests were of such a nature as to require a large number of employees, and his trade was for many years very large. His name was a household word, and he was known far and near for his good deeds and his charity. He had a soul that sympathized with those in distress and would do all in his power for their relief.
In his political belief, Mr. Kimball was a stanch Democrat, and was ever ready with time and money to advance the inter- ests of his party, though he never cared for official position. On the urgent solicitation of friends he ran for mayor of Elgin and was duly elected, serving one term in a satisfac- tory manner. He was a great admirer of Stephen A. Douglas, the "Little Giant," and followed his lead through the stormy political career of that statesman. Like his great leader, when the question came up for final settlement as to whether the union of states should be maintained, he sunk the partisan in the patriot and unhesitatingly declared for the union. While not in the
service, his sympathies were with those en- gaged in putting down the rebellion.
In his religious views Mr. Kimball was a Universalist, believing in the fatherhood of God, and brotherhood of man, and that while man might stray from the paths of virtue and right, a just God was always ready to welcome the return of the prodigal and receive him again in favor. His wife believed with him in these great views and was likewise a member of the Universalist church.
After a long and useful life, Mr. Kimball was called to his reward May 5, 1875, and his body was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Elgin. The city council of Elgin, on the announcement of his death, passed the following complimentary pre- amble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, this council has learned of the death of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens, an honored ex- mayor of the city, and wishing to express our feelings and the sense of the people upon the sad event; therefore
Resolved, That in the death of William C. Kimball, the city has lost an honored and highly respected citizen, whose private and public record was characterized by in- dustry, purity and generosity.
Resolved, That, as a fit expression of our feelings and a slight honor to his mem- ory, this council attend the funeral in a body.
Resolved, That the business men of the city be requested, as a further mark of re- spect, to close their places of business at the hour appointed for the funeral, to re- main closed for the space of one hour.
Resolved, That we tender to the family of the deceased, our heartfelt sympathy at the great loss which has overtaken them.
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The resolutions were ordered spread upon the records of the council and an en- grossed copy furnished the widow and pub- lished in the city papers. Mrs. Kimball survived her husband some years, dying January 3, 1883. They were the parents of seven children: William, who died young; Leonidas, who also died young; Eugene, who died at the age of seventeen years; Emma and Ella, twins, the latter being the wife of John J. Williford, and residing in Anna, Illinois; Anna, who died in child- hood; and Charles W., who lives in Elgin.
Emma Kimball grew to womanhood in Elgin and was educated in its public schools. On the 25th of June, 1863, she married Charles J. Hawkins, a native of Cayuga county, New York, and a son of Joseph and Lucy (Adams) Hawkins. To them have - born in that city April 27, 1860, and is the been born five children: Frank J., who is . son of Edward S. and Jennie (Padelford) now operating the home farm, married Rose Joslyn, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts.
Grove, and has two children-Morris and Mabel; William J. and Morris B. are at home; Lucy died at the age of one year; and Ella W. is at home.
On the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Hawkins, though quite young, started to the new Eldorado, and is numbered among the '49ers. His experience going and coming and his life in that rich field can never be forgotten. On his return, about four years later, he went to his home in Genoa, New York, where he engaged in farming until he came west in 1857, settled in Elgin, and engaged in the business of loaning money for several years. In 1869 he purchased the farm in Cook county, near Elgin, consisting of about three hundred and twelve acres, where he has since re- sided, and for a number of years gave a part of his time to its cultivation. He is now living retired. Politically he is a stanch
Democrat. Religiously Mrs. Hawkins is a Universalist. Like her father she is hon- ored and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who appreciate her lov- ing kindness and many acts of true Christian charity. A life-long resident of Elgin and vicinity, she has witnessed with pride its growth and prosperity. The poor have al- ways had in her a true friend, and many sacrifices has she made to alleviate the suf- ferings of others.
FRANK W. JOSLYN, the efficient state's attorney for Kane county, now serving his second term, is the senior member of the firm of Joslyn & Schultz, with offices in the Spurling block, Elgin, Illinois. He was
Edward S. Joslyn was by profession a lawyer, and in 1835, when but seven years of age, was brought by his parents to Mc- Henry county, Illinois, where he grew to inanhood. His primary education was ob- tained in the subscription schools of Mc- Henry county. When fifteen years of age he went into a blacksınith shop to learn the trade, and there continued for five years. He then took a course in Elgin Academy, later read law in the office of. Paul R. Wright, and after examination was admitted to the bar. Like all attorneys of an early day, he mixed politics with his legal business, and in 1856 stumped the state for Fremont, the first presidential candidate of the Re- publican party. For some cause, in 1859 he endorsed the views of Stephen A. Doug- las, and was known as a Douglas Democrat during the remainder of his life.
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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FRANK W. JOSLYN.
COL. E. S. JOSLYN.
LIBRARY OF THE TINIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Like his lamented leader, Edward S. Joslyn was a strong Union man, and when the south attempted to secede he took up arms in defense of the Union. . He was first commissioned captain of Company A, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was the first company of the first regiment from Illinois, with which he served six months. Resigning his commission, he came home and assisted in organizing the Thirty-sixth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. With his regiment went to the front, and was actively engaged until the battle of Pea' ... was often called upon on short notice for a Ridge, where he was wounded. Soon after the battle, and on account of his wound, and also fromn having contracted dysentery, he received a furlough and returned to his ' home in Elgin. His health not being re- stored as soon as anticipated, he tendered his resignation. His bravery being recog- nized by his superior officers, the resigna- tion was not accepted, but the time of his furlough was extended. This extension was made several times with the hope that he could return to his post of duty, brave men and efficient officers being then in great de- mnand. On the statement of his physician, his resignation was finally, but reluctantly, received, and his discharge granted in the fall of 1862. far and wide. While in Utah obtaining. evidence in the case just mentioned, he dressed as a mountaineer, in buckskin breeches, jacket, wore a sombrero hat, and went in and out among the natives as one of them. His oratorical ability was soon discovered, and was often called upon for a speech, and responding spoke upon various subjects to the edification of all. By the citizens of that region he was dubbed "the old man eloquent of the mountains." While there he defended the accused in two mur- der cases, winning them both. At home he speech, 'and it mattered not what the sub- ject, he was always ready. His imitative powers were great, and few were the public men but what he could imitate their style of speech. His speeches always abounded in apt illustrations, bright witicisms, and caught the crowd.
It was some time, however, before he regained his usual health. In the meantime he gradually resumed his law practice, and for many years was recognized as one of the ablest criminal lawyers in Illinois, and as a general practitioner had few superiors. Among the most noted cases in which he figured was that of the Emma mine case in Utah, involving some three million dollars, which he won for his clients.
As an orator, his reputation extended 16
As a citizen he was at all times progress- ive and devoted much time to advancing the- material interests of his adopted city. For a number of years he served as alderman and for two terms was mayor of Elgin. A friend of education he helped establish the free school system for the state. Relig -. iously he was a Baptist, of which church his wife is also a member. His death occurred at the age of fifty-eight years, and his loss was felt most deeply, not alone by his good wife, who still survives him, but by many friends throughout the county who knew his worth as a lawyer and as a man.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Lindsey Joslyn, was a native of Vermont, of English origin. In early life he followed farming and the millwright trade. About 1858 he came to Kane county, where he practiced law and served as justice of the peace some years. He was better known
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among the settlers of Crystal Lake and around Woodstock, McHenry county, where he lived many years. His death occurred in Elgin, when seventy-three years of age.
The maternal grandfather, Rodolphus W. Padelford, was born at Savoy, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, in 1806, and came west in 1842, locating in Elgin. He was of English descent, a descendant of Jonathan Padelford, who came across the water in a very early day. In early life he followed farming, but learning the daguer- reotype business he established the first gal- lery in Elgin, and followed that profession until 1866, when he was burned out. A friend of liberty, while residing in Buffalo, New York, he conducted a station on the underground railroad, and many a poor colored person owed his liberty to Mr. Pa- delford's watchful care. Owen Lovejoy, Wendell Phillips and other noted abolition- ists were numbered among his personal friends.
Few men were ever better known in Kane county than Adolphus Padelford. On the organization of the city of Elgin in 1854, he was elected its first city clerk, and con- tinued in that office for twenty years consec- utively. In 1866 he was elected clerk of the city court of Elgin, and served as such until 1889. In 1886 he was elected police magistrate of Elgin and held that office two terms. A strong Baptist, he was clerk of the Baptist Association of Illinois from 1850 until his death, and was clerk of the First Baptist church of Elgin for over forty years, and deacon for the same length of time. He was clerk of the board of trustees of the Northern Illinois Hospital for the Insane for twenty years, and township treasurer of El- gin for twenty-five years. As a bookkeeper and accountant he had few superiors. His
death occurred at Elgin in 1894 at the age of eighty-eight years, four months and twenty-four days.
Frank W. Joslyn, our subject, was born and reared in Elgin, and here has spent his entire life. His primary education was ob- tained in the public schools of the place, and his higher literary education in the Elgin Academy, from which he graduated in 1881. The succeeding three years he spent in teaching, and during his leisure moments read law, passed a successful ex- amination, and was admitted to the bar in 1884. He commenced practice in his native city and while as a rule it is true that "a prophet is never without honor, save in his own country," here where he grew up and was well known in boyhood and youth, he began his life work and success has crowned his efforts. Since 1894 he has been in part- nership with Fred W. Schultz.
On the 7th of December, 1886, Mr. Jos- lyn was united in marriage with Miss Carrie A. Mead, daughter of F. W. and Emma (Colby) Mead, and one son -- Paul-has been born unto them.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Josiyn are identified with the Baptist church. Frater- nally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, Home Forum, Maccabees, and Sons of Veterans. In woodcraft he has taken espe- cial interest and from 1886 to 1890 he was .
consulting attorney for the Modern Wood- men. In behalf of that order he has made addresses in four or five states of the union.
Politically, he is a Republican and for the principles of the party he has taken an active part in several campaigns, speaking in Kane and adjoining counties. In 1885 he was elected city attorney of Elgin and served two terms. In 1889 he was appointed
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master in chancery in the city court of El- gin, and in 1892 was elected state's attorney for Kane county, and re-elected in 1896, and is now serving his second term. As a prosecutor he discharges his daty faithfully without fear or favor, and has had remark- able success, securing the conviction of a very large proportion of those prosecuted. Inheriting the talents of his father as a pub- lic speaker, he makes a good impression be- fore a jury, and in the trial of cases holds his own with the best.
D ANIEL TUTTLE, a substantial and enterprising farmer of Kane county, first came to the state in 1847. He is a native of New York, born in Oswego coun- ty, February 11, 1824, and is the son of Ethel Tuttle, a native of Vermont. His grandfather, David Tuttle, was a native of Tuttle Hill, England, and in 1816 settled in Oswego county, New York, where he purchased a farm and lived until the age of ninety-four years. Ethel Tuttle grew to manhood and in Oswego county married Rhoda A. McAlpine, a Scotch lady. Her father, John McAlpine, was an early settler of Oneida county, New York, and when Mrs. Tuttle was a child moved to Oswego county. After their marriage Ethel Tuttle and his wife resided in Oswego county a few years, and in 1829 moved to Madison county, New York, and located on a farm, where he reared his family. In the spring of 1849 he moved west, and settled in De- Kalb county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for a few years. In 1852, accom- panied by one of his sons, he went overland to California, where he remained five years, engaged in mining and freighting. He was
only fairly successful, and in 1857 returned home, but soon went to Missouri, where he purchased land to which he later reinoved with his family. He there spent the last years of his life, dying in 1863. He was an old Jackson Democrat in his political views. His wife died in De Kalb county in 1860.
Daniel Tuttle is the oldest of five sons born to Ethel and Rhoda A. Tuttle. Milo, the next in order of birth, settled in De Kalb county, and some years later moved to Iowa, bought a large tract of land near Webster City, engaged in stock-raising, and there died. George W. married in De Kalb county, where he lived some years, and later removed to Kansas, and now resides in Eldorado, that state. Joel grew to ma- ture years, went to California with his fa- ther, and there died some years ago. David married in De Kalb county, there resided for a time, but later moved to Iowa, locat- ing at Clear Lake, where he now resides.
In Madison county, New York, our sub- ject spent his boyhood and youth, and re- ceived a fair education in its common schools. When eighteen years of age he began life for himself, purchasing his time from his father, giving him therefor one hundred and fifty dollars. For several years he engaged in lumbering in his native state, with fair success. He then determined to come west, and in 1847 moved to De Kalb county, Illi- nois, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and later went to Wisconsin, and for a few years engaged in lumbering, going back and forth during the time. In 1852 he made a permanent settlement on his land in De Kalb county, and also bought out his father's improvements, and began farming. This land was located near the present village of Waterman, and by subse- quent purchase he made a fine farm of two
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hundred and forty acres, on which he erected a good, substantial residence, good barn, and made of it one of the best-improved places the cause. in that vicinity. He there remained until 1870, when he rented the place and moved to Aurora, to give his children the advan- tages of its public schools. Some years later he sold his De Kalb county farm and purchased the Lawton farm of one hundred and sixty acres, just outside of the corporate limits of the city, since which time he has - been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1889 he bought the residence where he now resides, but still gives his personal attention to his farm.
In February, 1854, in De Kalb county, Illinois, Mr. Tuttle was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Platt, a native of Scot- land, but who removed with her father, John Platt, to Prince Edward Island in early childhood, where she was reared and educated, and came with him to De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1853. By this union are four children: the oldest, John, is now married and engaged in business in Aurora; Rhoda remained at home; Margaret is the wife of Frank Minard, of Aurora, and Jane Elizabeth, also at home.
In early life Mr. Tuttle was a Democrat, but believing in the principle of liberty for all men, he became a Republican on the organization of the party, casting his vote for its first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856. While residing in De- Kalb county he served as highway commis- sioner and assessor, and also served for some years as a member of the school board. Since that time he has steadfastly declined all official honors. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which he has been actively engaged for nearly forty years. In the work of the Mas-
ter they have always taken great interest, giving of their time and means to advance
JAMES ROCKWELL, of Batavia, Illi- nois, has spent sixty-four years of a long and useful life in Illinois, and all but four years of that time in Batavia. He is a native of Connecticut, born at Ridgefield, November 9, 1812. His father, Thomas H. Rockwell, was also born in the same town and state, May 21, 1776. The Rock- well family are of English descent, the first coming to this country some years prior to the Revolutionary war, locating in Connect- ticut. . Thomas H. Rockwell, the father of our subject, at Ridgefield, Connecticut, married Polly Smith, a daughter of Capt. David Smith, of the Revolutionary war. He built the home residence at Ridgefield, which was first used for a hotel. Observing the tendency of the liquor traffic, even in that early day, he took out the bar, de- stroyed the liquor and soon gave up the ho- tel business. He was an influential man at Ridgefield, where he reared his family and spent his entire life. He died there Sep- tember 25, 1865, and his wife died February 27, 1869.
To Thomas H. and Polly (Smith) Rock- well ten children were born: Harry Smith, who died in infancy; Phebe M., grew to mature years, married Rev. Moses Hill, and died March 18, 1832; William S., born February 24, 1806, died at sea about 1823. Rev. Thomas Burr, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, came west, locating in Batavia, where he died; David S. mar- ried and died in New Canaan, Connecticut; James of this review; George, who died in 1865, in Junction City, Kansas; Francis A.,
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who died in Ridgefield, Connecticut; John, who died in infancy; and John Wesley, who lives in the old homestead.
In his native town. James Rockwell grew to manhood, and there learned the cabinet-maker's trade and at the age of eighteen went to New Haven, Connecticut, where he remained about one year, working at his trade. The wages being small and the opportunities for advancement very meager, he determined to try the west, of which he had heard such glowing accounts. Arriving at Detroit, Michigan, he set out on foot from that place for Chicago, and was eight days in making the trip. Chicago at that time was composed of but a few shan- ties, but he there went to work at his trade and in a short time built a factory, where he employed twelve men. He remained in Chicago about four years, until the failure of the state banks and then discontinued his business and came to Kane county, ar- riving in Batavia, in February, 1838.
Soon after coming to Batavia, Mr. Rock- well was united in marriage with Miss Mar- garet Van Nortwick, a native of Argyle, New York. Her father, William Van Nort- wick, was one of the first settlers on the Fox river. In 1840, Mr. Rockwell again com- menced working at his trade, and for a few years was a manufacturer of furniture. He honored. then retired from business three or four years and then engaged in general mer- chandising, in which he continued up to 1885.
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