- CHARLES ATWOOD, one of the solid representatives of the commercial
interests of Janesville,
- Rock county, is engaged in the ice business, under the firm
name of the City Ice Co.
- Mr. ATWOOD was born in Janesville March 6, 1852, a son of
Volney and Catherine Ann
- ATWOOD, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere.
He was reared in Janesville, receiving his education in the very
excellent schools of his native city, and when he reached mature
years engaged in handling coal and wood. Being very successful
in this line, after having been in business from 1871 to 1880
he branched out somewhat adding ice to the commodities handled,
and since 1887 has continued the ice business only. He and his
partner are carrying on a large and constantly increasing trade,
having built up their house by honest methods and prompt and
efficient service.
- On July 23, 1877, Mr. ATWOOD married miss Alta M. DOTY, daughter
of E. Philo and Abigail
- M. (AUSTIN) DOTY, and eight children have been born to them:
Volney D., Abbie A., Mary Lea, Harry Cummings, Charley Starr,
William Williston (who died in May, 1900), Leo and Edward Philo.
Volney D. graduated from the Janesville high school in 1894,
and is now cashier for the American Express Co. at Green Bay,
Wis. Abbie ATWOOD graduated from the Janesville high school in
1895, and has been a teacher in the public schools of the city
since that time. Mary Lea, who graduated in 1898, is at home.
Harry C., who graduated in 1900, is now in the Merchants &
Mechanics Bank.
- The paternal grandfather of Mrs. ATWOOD, Zuri Shaddai Doty,
was a native of New York, and
- of the seventh generation in descent from the founder of
the family in America, who came over in the "Mayflower."
His father was a soldier in the Revolution, and Mrs. ATWOOD is
a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. In 1841 Zuri S.
DOTY came West, settling in Rock county, Wis., and engaged in
farming for some time, until he removed to Janesville and embarked
in the manufacture of sashes, doors and blinds, and all kinds
of millwright work. Later Mr. DOTY went to Madison, then to Chicago,
finally returning to Madison, where he died April 16, 1885, at
the advanced age of eight-one. During his long and useful life
this good man made many friends, and his loss was deeply felt.
He was three times married, and was the father of eleven children,
all of whom grew to be highly respected men and women.
- Ira AUSTIN, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. ATWOOD, was
a native of New York State, and
- a blacksmith by trade. He came to Turtle, Rock county, in
the early days of Wisconsin, and died at Madison at an advanced
age. There were two daughters in his family.
- E. Philo DOTY, the father of Mrs. ATWOOD, a native of Lockport,
N.Y., left his native state
- when yet a boy, in 1841, and came West with his parents,
who as stated above settled in Turtle, Rock county, removing
thence to Janesville. After attaining mature years he engaged
with his father in the sash, door and blind factory, and manufactured
a specialty known as the DOTY washing machine, the company producing
it being known as the DOTY Manufacturing Co. Mr. DOTY continued
in this business until his death, in 1869, when he was but forty-three
years of age, and his widow (now sixty-eight) still survives,
residing with her son-in-law, Judge FIFIELD. She is an Episcopalian,
while Mr. DOTY was a Universalist. Five children, two sons and
three daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. E. Philo DOTY, of
whom three are still living: Alta M., Mrs. ATWOOD; Edward Philo,
of Janesville; and Anna S., wife of Judge Charles L. FIFIELD,
of Janesville. One brother of Mrs. ATWOOD, Henry DOTY, lived
in Janesville many years, and died in 1894. He was secretary
of the DOTY Manufacturing Co., and also the founder of the incandescent
light company in Janesville, being at first the proprietor, but
later, as the increasing volume of business demanded, the concern
was incorporated.
- Mrs. ATWOOD is an earnest worker in and consistent member
of the Episcopal Church, and
- both she and her husband are very popular. In their pleasant
home, where Mr. ATWOOD has resided for twenty-five years, these
two most estimable people dispense a cheerful hospitality, and
are most justly numbered among the leading citizens of Janesville.
Mr. ATWOOD is a member of the K. of P.; is a Republican in politics,
and has served as school commissioner for two years. For twenty
years he has been a member of the fire police. He was the first
superintendent of the Janesville Street Railroad, holding that
position until 1888, and contributed very materially to its success;
the first horses purchased for use on the road were bought by
Mr. ATWOOD.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 323-324.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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