Biography - James B. Boggs
JAMES BUCHANAN BOGGS (1828-1903) is buried in Hope Cemetery in Galesburg
with Susan C. (1838-1910)
He was master-in chancery for Knox county for 36 years. He was a longtime
member of the Presbyterian church. He was born 20 October 1826 in
Greencastle, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. His father was John Allison
Boggs and his mother Isabella Craig. He married Susan Cornelia Weeks 5
October 1858 in Galesburg and had eight children.
Source: Unknown
1878 Biography
JAMES BUCHANAN BOGGS. An attorney in Galesburg, he is the son of John and Isabelle C. Boggs, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in Green Castle, Franklin County, PA, on 20 Oct 1828. He studied law in Chandlersburg, PA, with McGanahan and Reilly. He came to Galesburg in June 1856, and has served as City Attorney five years. He married Susan C. Weeks, who has borne eight children, but three of whom are living. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and Trustee. A Republican in politics.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman
1899 Biography
JAMES
BUCHANAN BOGGS, Attorney at Law and Master in Chancery, was born in
Greencastle, Franklin County, PA, October 20, 1828. His parents were John
and Isabella Craig (Allison) Boggs, and were natives of Franklin County, PA.
Both the father and the mother were intelligent and painstaking people and
exhibited marked traits of character. They were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and
seem to have inherited the stern morality of that race.
John Boggs was a physician, and at an early age, was left fatherless. He was
adopted by his mother's brother, Dr. Robert Johnson, a man of wealth and
influence, and under his supervision, rose to prominence. He received his
medical diploma from the University of Maryland, and for thirty years
practiced medicine in his native county. In the War of 1812 he was appointed
surgeon of Franklin County Volunteers, and in 1819 he married Isabella
Craig, daughter of William Allison.
Dr. Robert Johnson, the adopted father of Dr. John Boggs, was a surgeon in
the Revolutionary War from the beginning to the end. He was also one of the
original members of the Society of Cincinnati, whose first president was
George Washington.
J. B. Boggs availed himself of such opportunities for schooling in his youth
as the district schools afforded. This preparation was supplemented by a
thorough training at the academy. He studied law at Chambersburg PA, and in
1852, was admitted to the Bar. After leaving school, he was first engaged in
teaching and afterwards took charge of the Chestnut Grove Iron Furnace. His
first law practice was at Loudon and McConnellsburg. In 1856, he came to
Galesburg, where has been his home ever since.
Mr. Boggs is a man of ability and of fine presence. In forming opinions, he
is cautious, and is not biased by prejudicial instincts. His nature is
benevolent and open, to be read of all men. To him, right doing and right
living are instinctive. The places of honor that he has been called to fill
have been deservedly won. He filled the office of City Attorney in
1862-65-66-67-68-69, and was elected Alderman from 1879 to 1884. He was
appointed Master in Chancery in 1871 and has held the office ever since.
According to his means, he has favored every public enterprise that has been
for the interest of the city of his adoption. For several years, he has been
the president of the Galesburg Printing Company, and a charter member of the
Homestead and Loan Association and its attorney. He belongs to the Masonic
Order, though not an active member at present. He has been connected with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1849.
Mr. Boggs is a firm believer in the tenets of the Presbyterian faith and his
life has always been in harmony with that church. All its laws and
ordinances are to him sacred and these he has kept blameless. His political
affiliations are with the republicans. Although his time is employed
principally in the Chancery Court, yet he has never failed to do his duty as
a worker for the success of republican principles.
He was united in marriage at Galesburg, October 5, 1858, to Susan Cornelia
Weeks, daughter of Benjamin Weeks. Eight children were born to them, three
of whom are living, Isabel Allison, Elizabeth Wharton (Dunn), and Henry
Hurd.
Extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, Munsell Publishing Company. Picture contributed by Jim Ferris.
