Biography - Josiah Babcock
JOSIAH BABCOCK, SR.
Josiah Babcock is buried in the Hope cemetery in Galesburg (1823 to 1897)
with his wife, Catherine S. Wheeler (1857 to 1890), and his son, William W.
(1857 to 1944), and his son Josiah W., Junior (1860 to 1944), and his wife,
Grace Chapman (1864 to 1938), and two of Josiah Junior's children.
According to the 1860 census, Josiah was born in New Hampshire and his wife
was born in Maine with their children being born in Illinois. He was a
merchant, according to the 1860 census.
JOSIAH BABCOCK, JR.
Josiah
Babcock, Jr., son of Josiah and Sarah (Pettingill) Babcock, was born in
Andover NH, August 22, 1823. His paternal grandfather, who had the same
name, was born in Milton MA, July 6, 1752. His maternal grandfather was Amos
Pettingill; the time and place of his birth are unknown. His father, who was
also named Josiah, was born in Andover NH, September 21, 1791, and his
mother, Sarah Pettingill, was born in Salisbury NH, September 21, 1797.
Josiah Babcock, the third of the same name in the line, was not reared in
affluence. His early years were spent among the stern and rugged hills of
his native state. His education was obtained in the common schools and in
Hampden Academy, Maine. He was not broadly educated, but was thoroughly
trained in those branches necessary to a practical business life. In his
boyhood days he worked in the lumber camps on the Penobscot river in Maine.
When only eighteen years of age, he ran a saw mill for his father. He
continued in this work for five years, when he came West, reaching Peoria
IL, in 1846. Here he was engaged in a wholesale house of general merchandise
for Moses Pettingill. After two years of service, he bought an interest in
the firm and became a junior partner. He conducted this business
successfully for several years, when he sold out and came to Galesburg in
1852. His first partnership here was with Warren Willard in a store of
general merchandise. He soon sold out and engaged in the hardware business
with Reed and Stilson under the firm name of Reed, Babcock, and Stilson.
Mr. Babcock continued in this business, almosFrom the 1899 Historical
Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company. t
uninterruptedly, until the day of his death, which occurred September 1,
1897, at the age of seventy-three. He first bought Reed's and Stilson's
interest and then ran the business in his own name. He then sold out to
Calkins and Wilcox, which firm existed but a short time. He next took Mr.
Reed as a partner under the firm name of Reed and Babcock. This
co-partnership lasted until Mr. Reed's death, and then it was changed to
Babcock and Pierpont. This last co-partnership continued until the
retirement of Mr. Pierpont in 1893. Then Mr. Babcock continued in the
business in his own name.
Mr. Babcock was prosperous in every relation of life. He started almost
alone in the world and became a man of wealth. He possessed ability and was
always noted for his honesty of purpose. He had no high aspiration for the
honors of office, but was contented with the simplicity of home life and
with the duties devolving upon him as a citizen. He took the position in the
ranks of toilers working in the interest of the city, and earned the
reputation of a man whose word is law and whose acts are just and right. His
views were broad, charitable, and intelligent; and his life was a blessing
to the community in which he lived.
Mr. Babcock always took an active interest in the prosperity and welfare of
the city of his adoption. Every line of business and every project which his
judgment approved received his cordial support. He encouraged the
establishment of the Electric Power and Motor Company, and was a part owner
and director. For thirty years, he was a director in the Second National
Bank of Galesburg, and for many years its Vice President. He was always
regarded as one of its most trustworthy guardians and managers.
He was a friend of education. He believed not only in the common school
system but in higher institutions of learning. He was a staunch supporter of
Knox College, and for many years was one of its trustees. His discretion and
judgment, as a member of its Executive Committee, were appreciated and
acknowledged.
Politically, Mr. Babcock was a republican, but in no sense a partisan. No
man ever exercised the right of suffrage in a freer spirit than he. He voted
for measures, not men. In religious faith, he was a Congregationalist and a
deacon in the church for many years.
He was wedded in Hampton, Maine, November 7, 1853, to Catherine Wheeler,
daughter of Willard Wheeler, who was once a sea captain. To them were born
three children, Alice, wife of W. J. Pierpont, living in Crescent City,
Florida; William W., and Josiah, who is engaged in the hardware business in
the store building formerly occupied by his father.
Extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company.
