- VOLNEY ATWOOD, of the firm of LAWRENCE & ATWOOD, of Janesville,
Wis., is a native
- of the Green Mountain State, having been born in Franklin
County, on the 28th day of February, 1812. His parents were Levi
and Lucretia (WATERMAN) ATWOOD, who were born in Connecticut.
When four years old, having lost his father while an infant,
our subject went to Johnson, Vt., where he made his home with
his grandfather, residing in the town until the spring of 1830,
when he returned to his native farm. In May, 1837, he started
for the then far West. In the month of July he reached Janesville,
then a little village composed of a few log houses. Not a store
or place of business was to be found in the town with the exception
of a log tavern kept by Charles STEVENS, and the post office,
which had been started the spring before. Henry F. JANES was
the first postmaster. About four miles northeast of the town
Mr. ATWOOD made a claim, cultivating and improving it as he could,
and when the land came into market purchased it of the Government.
In 1843, he bought a public house situated on the present site
of the Court Street Methodist Church. Previous to this time,
he had held the office of Deputy Sheriff of Rock County, and
in 1844, was elected to the position of Sheriff, acting in that
capacity during the years of 1845 and 1846. In 1847, he was elected
Register of Deeds, and during the same year he formed a partnership
with Mr. LAWRENCE, to engage in the mercantile business. That
firm was continued for forty-two years. It is one of the oldest
firms in the county and has gained a wide reputation. In 1848
he was appointed Deputy Assessor for the city of Janesville.
- On the 30th day of June, 1847, Mr. ATWOOD and Miss Catherine
A. HOLMES were united
- in marriage, their wedding being celebrated in Janesville.
She is the daughter of William HOLMES, who located in this city
March 9, 1836, his two sons, Thomas A. and William HOLMES, having
settled in the county the year previous. Mrs. ATWOOD is now the
oldest of the living early settlers of Rock County. Six children
were born of their union, three of whom are now living. Volney,
the eldest, died at the age of one year; Charles married Alta
DOTY, a daughter of Ellis P. DOTY, and is now engaged in the
ice business in Janesville, as a member of the firm of ATWOOD
& TALL; Mary L., is now the wife of E. V. WHITON, of Janesville;
the next children were twin girls who died at the age of eighteen
months; and Annie E., who is living at home, completes the family.
- Mrs. ATWOOD and her daughter are members of the Trinity Episcopal
Church, of Janesville.
- Mr. ATWOOD, who entertains very liberal religious views,
is now a Republican in politics and prior to the organization
of that party cast his ballot with the Whigs. Socially, he is
a member of Wisconsin Lodge No. 14, I.O.O.F., and is a valued
citizen of this community. He is well known throughout the county
where he has made his home for more than half a century, and
his sterling worth and upright life have secured him many friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 296.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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