- JOSEPH M. BOSTWICK, senior member of the firm of J. M. BOSTWICK
& Sons, the leading
- dry-goods house in Rock County, was born in the town of Bethany,
Genesee Co., N.Y., Feb. 3, 1834, and is a son of Joseph BOSTWICK
(of whom see sketch elsewhere in this work). Our subject removed
with his parents to Stafford in the same county in 1836, and
after eleven years' residence there came to Janesville in 1847.
He was educated in the common schools, and in 1848, when fourteen
years of age, began clerking with BAILEY & DIMOCK, general
merchants of Janesville. One year later H. O. CLARKE & Co.
In 1854 the company failed and Mr. BOSTWICK entered the employ
of J. W. WHEELOCK. Later in connection with William KNOWLES he
bought out the stock of Mr. WHEELOCK, and sold it again within
the next six months. He then joined O. K. BENNETT, and the firm
of BENNETT & BOSTWICK purchased the stock of H. O. CLARKE
& Co., that connection continuing four and a half years,
when they divided the stock and Mr. BOSTWOCK formed a partnership
with M. C. SMITH under the firm name of SMITH & BOSTWICK,
dealers in dry-goods, carpets and clothing. That firm carried
on an extensive business, the connection continuing over a period
of twenty-one years or until 1881, when the stock was divided
and our subject returned to the old stand on South Main street,
where he and Mr. BENNETT formerly carried on business, and there
opened a large stock of dry-goods, carpets, cloaks and gents'
furnishing goods. In 1882 his sons Robert M. and Joseph L. were
admitted as partners into the business under the firm name of
J. M. BOSTWICK & Sons. This firm has two separate stores
on South Main street situated only two doors apart, at Nos. 16
and 20. The lower one is stocked principally with cloaks and
upholstery goods, while the one on the north carries a full stock
of dry-goods, notions and carpets. Taken together they comprise
the largest assortment and heaviest stock in that line in the
county.
- On the 30th of November, 1855, Mr. BOSTWICK was married to
Miss Harriet M. ALLEN,
- daughter of Orange ALLEN, Esq., of Genesee County, N.Y.,
and a native of Aurora, that State. The following children have
blessed their union, all of whom are living except two: Frank
M., the eldest, is a lieutenant in the United Sates Navy on the
ship of war "Palos," and is now stationed in Japanese
waters. He married Mrs. Alvira HARTWELL, and makes his home at
Vallejo, Cal.; Robert M. is in business with his father; Henry
Clark died in August, 1865, aged three years; Joseph L., is the
junior partner of J. M. BOSTWICK & Sons. The younger members
of the family are Harry A., Marion, Racine; Edward, who died
Aug. 21, 1881, and Harriet.
- Mr. BOSTWICK is a Republican in politics, but has never sought
or desired public office,
- preferring to devote his undivided attention to his extensive
mercantile business. In 1875 he served as Alderman, which fully
satisfied his aspirations for official honors, since which time
he has declined to be a candidate for any public trust. He has
been the architect of his own fortune, for starting in life without
capital or influence, he has by industry, strict integrity and
the observance of correct business principles, achieved marked
success. At the time of his father's death, being the eldest,
son, he assumed the management of the affairs of the family,
aided and advised by his mother, and did much to preserve the
family organization and advance their interests. His life has
been an active one and his efforts well directed by intelligent
forethought. Nothing in the glitter of brilliantly-promising
speculation ever tempted him from the well-beaten paths of legitimate
mercantile pursuits, and today after forty years of experience
in merchandising he stands at the head of one of the most important
mercantile houses in Rock County. While still rugged and in the
prime of life he has the satisfaction of knowing that his sons,
as fast as age permitted, have become useful and respected members
of society, far advanced in business prospects beyond those enjoyed
by himself at their age; and he has won and retains the respect
and esteem of the best of his fellow-citizens with whom he has
been associated in business and social relations for so many
years.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 517-518.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|