- JOSEPH BOSTWICK, an honored pioneer of Rock County, was born
in Vermont in the year
- 1797, and was the son of Noble BOSTWICK, who was of English
descent. He was twice married, first to Miss Rhoda WHITE, in
Vermont, by whom three children were born - Noble, who married
Lucretia BROWN, and resides in western New York; Emiline, who
is single, and lives in St. Louis; and Betsy, widow of Dr. E.
EASTERLY, of St. Louis. The mother of these children died in
1830. Two years previous to that time, Mr. BOSTWICK, accompanied
by his family, removed to Genesee County, N.Y., where, in 1832,
he was again married - Mrs. Fannie HULING, daughter of Peter
MATTESON of Shaftsburg, Vt., becoming his wife. The lady, who
was a widow at the time of her marriage with Mr. BOSTWICK, was
born in that town, where he father was buried, and by her former
marriage was the mother of two daughters - Fannie and Mary HULING.
The former died at Janesville in 1849, and the latter resides
in this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. BOSTWICK there were born six
children: Joseph M., whose sketch appears elsewhere; Robert M.
married Miss Helen M. BAILEY, the first white girl born in Janesville;
John Lent died in 1852; Josephine is the widow of L. W. CURTIS,
and resides in San Francisco, Cal.; Isabella is the wife of William
T. VAN KIRK, of Janesville; Racine is the wife of Clarke W. WEBSTER,
of Janesville. The two surviving brothers are prominent merchants
of this city.
- Mr. BOSTWICK was a farmer and drover by occupation and also
kept a hotel while in the East.
- In 1846 he came to Wisconsin and settled at Janesville, his
family becoming residents of the city in 1847. He entered upon
no active business here. In political sentiment he was a Democrat,
but never sought public preferment or took an active part in
political affairs. His death occurred while visiting a daughter
in St. Louis, in 1872. His wife survived him several years,
dying at Janesville, March 15, 1881. She was a woman of superior
intelligence, possessed of great force of character, was indefatigable
in her devotion to her family, and aimed, by precept and example,
to direct the development of good moral character in her children,
and to qualify them to be useful and respected members of society.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 427-428.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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