- ROBERT M. BOSTWICK, dealer in clothing and furnishing goods,
of Janesville, is a native of
- New York, and was born in the town of Bethany, Genesee County,
on the 24th day of January, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and
Fannie (MATTESON) BOSTWICK. He removed to the town of Stafford,
in the same county, with his parents when two years of age. He
attended the public schools, and in 1847 came with his parents
to Janesville, Wis. When thirteen years of age he began clerking
with the firm of STONE and GAITES, general merchants of Janesville,
continuing with that firm until they went out of business, when
he engaged with Mr. HAYFORD, remaining with that house until
they closed out. He then engaged with H. S. SHELTON, general
merchant, and served with that gentleman as salesman for four
years. Next he was with H.O. CLARKE & Co., and in 1858 accepted
a position in the extensive mercantile house of M. C. SMITH.
In 1864 he formed a partnership with Mr. SMITH in the clothing
business, which connection continued until 1872, when he bought
Mr. SMITH's interest, and since that time he has been alone in
the business.
- On the 12th day of February, 1863, Mr. BOSTWICK was married
at Janesville to Miss Helen M.
- BAILEY, the first white girl born in Janesville, and a daughter
of W. H. H. and Mary (DICKSON) BAILEY. Her parents came to Janesville
in the fall of 1836, and her father was one of the leading men
of the pioneer days of that city. (See sketch of Mr. BAILEY elsewhere
in this work.) Mr.. and Mrs.. BOSTWICK) are the parents of seven
children, six of whom are living. Morris M., the eldest, was
educated in the city schools, studied law and was admitted to
the bar in 1885, and is now employed in his father's store; Fenno
B. was educated in the Janesville schools and is also clerking
for his father; John D. died April 24, 1883. The younger members
of the family are Eva H., Mary B. and Mark W. The youngest son
is clerking for his father.
- Mr. BOSTWICK is a Democrat in politics but has never sought
or desired political preferment. He
- is a member of the Wisconsin Lodge No. 14, I.O.O.F., and
also of Oriental Lodge No. 22 K. of P. Of the last-named lodge
he was a charter member. Mr. BOSTWICK has now been a resident
of Janesville forty-two years, and for thirty years of that time
has been identified with the mercantile business of the city.
His clothing house is one of the best stocked in the town, and
is as widely and favorably known as any store in Rock River Valley.
As a business man he ranks among the first in the city, and his
upright and honorable dealings in all this intercourse with is
fellow-citizens have won their regard and confidence.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 597-598.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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