- MERRITT BOSTWICK, residing on section 4, Turtle Township,
is one of the prominent citizens
- and honored pioneers of Rock County, who dates his residence
in this community from 1838. He has witnessed the growth of
the entire county, for on his arrival it was almost in its primitive
condition. The prairies were uncultivated, the trees were still
standing, and where now are prosperous and thriving towns not
a cabin marked the site. He has witnessed the rapid strides
and progress made by the advancement of civilization, has seen
the wonderful growth of town and city, the transformation of
the wastelands into beautiful homes and farms, and has borne
a prominent part in this great work.
- Mr. BOSTWICK was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., on the
8th day of January, 1817, and is
- a son of Philo and Charlotte (STONE) BOSTWICK, who were natives
of Middletown, Conn. In an early day they removed to Pennsylvania,
and Mr. BOSTWICK gave the name of his native city to the new
town of Pennsylvania. He was one of the first settlers in Middletown,
Pa., and in his house the elections were held until his death,
which occurred about the year 1834. Upright and honorable in
all his dealings, he received the respect of all who knew him,
and was one of the prominent and leading citizens of the county
in which he made his home. For many years he held the office
of the Justice of the Peace, was Sheriff for several years, and
in the Baptist Church, of which he was a faithful and consistent
member, he acted in the capacity of Deacon. Mr. and Mrs. BOSTWICK
were the parents of five children - Phoebe A., became the wife
of Z. F. DOTY, and both are now deceased; Madison died in Pennsylvania;
Perry died in Rock County in 1870; Homer departed this life in
Iowa; and Merritt completes the family. After the death of her
first husband, Mrs. BOSTWICK became the wife of William LAWRENCE,
and in 1836, emigrated to Rock County, settling in Beloit Township,
where she made her home until her death in 1860. She, also was
a member of the Baptist Church.
- The early education of our subject was received in his native
county, and supplemented by a
- course in the schools of Beloit, after the emigration of
the family to Wisconsin. When a young man he learned the trade
of a carpenter and joiner, which occupation he followed at intervals
for a period of twenty-five years. On the 8th day of January,
1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Diantha NASH, their
union being celebrated in Turtle Township. The lady was born
in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N.Y., March 9, 1819, and is the
daughter of Timothy and Betsy (WOODARD) NASH, the father a native
of Deerfield, Mass., and the mother of Albany, N.Y. On their
removal from the East, they located in Lenawee County, Mich.,
when thirteen families comprised the population of that county.
The death of Mrs. NASH, who was a member of the Baptist Church,
occurred in Jonesville, Mich., in 1843. Her husband engaged
in the occupation of farming in that State until he too was called
to his final rest. Unto them were born seven children, but only
two are now living - Mrs. BOSTWICK and Hiram H., a resident of
Los Angeles, Cal. Harriet became the wife of Jonathan CLARK,
who is now deceased, and her death occurred in Iowa at the age
of eighty years; Fannie wedded William SMITH, a pioneer settler
of Beloit, and both are now deceased; Jefferson, who has also
passed away; Eliza, deceased wife of George CAMPBELL, of Hillsdale,
Mich; Esther M. married James HAMPTON, of Michigan, and both
are now dead.
- After his marriage, Mr. BOSTWICK worked at his trade in Beloit
until 1850, when he purchased
- the old homestead, comprising eighty-six acres of land on
section 4, Turtle Township. This was in an unimproved condition,
but he immediately began its cultivation and development, and
made for himself a good home, where for thirty-nine years he
has continued to reside. His farm is stocked with a fine grade
of horses, cattle and hogs, and the improvements which have been
made, place the farm on a par with any in Turtle Township. Though
his business interests have been quite extensive, Mr. BOSTWICK
in all his life has never had a lawsuit or felt the need of an
attorney only when drawing a deed. He believes in settling all
difficulties by arbitration rather than law, and desires to live
in peace with his fellow men. He is well informed on all the
leading issues of the day, and has always identified himself
with the social, educational and moral interests of the county,
and was for thirty-one consecutive years Treasurer of the School
Board. Mrs. BOSTWICK, an intelligent and highly educated lady,
is a firm believer in the doctrine of Spiritualism and is outspoken
in behalf of her religious faith.
- This worthy couple are the parents of two children - Frances,
who for six years was a successful
- teacher in the schools and also of music, is now the wife
of Henry J. BICKWITH, a native of London, England, now residing
in Chicago; Philo, a leading farmer of Turtle Township, wedded
Miss Ella SWEET, daughter of Henry SWEET, a prominent citizen
of Shopiere, Wis., and to them have been born four children -
Nellie, an accomplished young lady and a brilliant writer, many
of whose literary productions have been published, receiving
commendations from the press; Henry, Martha, and Gertrude, who
are all intelligent children and bid fair to become useful and
honored citizens.
- Mr. BOSTWICK is one of the oldest pioneers now living in
Rock County. He has filled various
- township and county offices, discharging the duties of the
various positions with promptness and fidelity, and for six years
was a member of the township Board of Supervisors. His honorable,
upright cause of life during the fifty-three years in which he
has been numbered among Rock County's citizens, has won him hosts
of friends, and by all he is held in the highest regard and esteem.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 244-246.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|