SILVANUS WILCOX COLLINS LAWRENCE MALLORY PEASE SHERMAN SHULER Hon. Silvanus WILCOX, ex-judge of the 27th judicial circuit of Illinois, now residing on the corner of Bridge and West Chicago St.s, Elgin, is one of the best known and most distinguished citizens of Kane co. He was born in Charleston, Montgomery Co. NY, Sept. 30, 1818, and is a son of Elijah and Sally SHULER WILCOX, both of whom were natives of New York, the former born in Charles and the latter in the town of Florida, Montgomery Co. Of their 10 children, 8 grew to manhood and womanhood, and five are yet living - Silvanus, our subject; Hannah Maria wife of Charles R. COLLINS of Elgin; Edward Sanford of Cloud Chief, Oklahoma; John S. of Elgin and Capt. William H., also of Elgin. Elijah WILCOX was a man of marked ability, and in his native state was duly honored by his fellowmen. For some years he served as county commisioner of Montgomery co., was collector of toll on the Erie Canal, and held various town offices. He also served as general in the state militia. By occupation he was a farmer. In 1842, he came to Illinois, bringing his family with him, and located on a farm of 300 acres 2 1/2 miles west of Elgin. Three years later he was elected a member of the state senate, the duties of which office he discharged in a most satisfactory manner. The farm on which he settled was in an almost primitive condition, and he at once began its improvement. His death occured there in 1862 at the age of 72 yrs. His wife survived him by some years, dying at the age of 85. In early life she was a Presbyterian, but later in life became a Universalist, accepting the faith of her husband, who was steadfast in that belief. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Silvanus WILCOX, was a native of Dutchess Co. NY, of Welsh origins. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and was one of the guard at Tarrytown when Major Andre was captured and was present at the execution. His death occurred at Fultonville, Montgomery Co. NY when he was 87 years old. The maternal grandfather, John SHULER, was also a native of NY, born near Catskill, of German parents. For years, he served as justice of the peace and held other minor offices in the town of Florida, Montgomery Co. He was a very able man and one of strong intellect. He wass 86 years old at the time of his death. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and recieved his primary education in the common schools of the town in which the family resided. Later he attended the academy at Amsterdam, and in July 1836, was appointed a cadet at West Point, his examination giving him fifth place in a class of fifty. On account of failing health he resigned Aug 15, 1839. His room mates were H.W. Halleck, R.Q. Butler, Stewart Van Vliet and Schuyler Hamilton, all of whom are dead except for Val Vliet. In 1861, at the Planters House in St. Louis, he met Hamilton going up stairs and accompanied him to Halleck's room. He was a great friend of these gentlemen, and on meeting them Halleck excalaimed, "Wilcox, I thought you were dead!" He corresponded with them all through the war. Besides those mentioned William T. SHerman, and George H. Thomas both famous generals of the Civil War were his classmates. The following is a letter to Mr. WILCOX from the superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point: Dec 4, 1839 Mr. S. Wilcox: Sir: Your friend Cadet Van Vliet has requested me in your behalf for such a statement of stading and merit in your studies and character relative to conduct, as the records of this institution will enable me to give. It appears that you joined the Academy as Cadet in July 1836, and that, at the last examination at which you were present, the staff pronounced you fourth in order of merit in mathematics, the ninth in French, and the thirteenth in drawing, which, when compared with the rest of your class, then consisting of fifty memebers, secured you the fifth place in general merit. It also appears from the records of the Institution that you left here in bad health, and that after a protracted illness of more than a year, you tendered your resignation, which was accepted by the secretary of war, to take effect the 15th of Aug 1839. It gives me much pleasure to have it in my power to put you in possession of such highly favorable testimonials of your conduct and talents when a member of the is Institution. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Richard jDelafield, Maj. of Engineers, Supt. of Military Academy. For over 2 yrs after his resignation from West Point Mr. WILCOX was an invalid, but in 1840 he came west to Elgin, and located some land in that vicinity. Returning to NY for a time, he act4d as agent for his father for a line of boats running from NY City to Utica. On the 27th of Aug 1840 Mr. WILCOX was united in marriage with Moss Jane MALLORY, dau of Henry and Polly BENT MALLORY, of Yankee Hill, town of Florida, Montgomery Co., NY. One son who was born to this union, Silvanus Marcus, who died at the age of 32 yrs. Mrs. WILCOX died in Elgin Apr. 24, 1884. Religiously she was a Universalist, as is also the Judge. She was a woman of domestic tastes and habits, one who tried to make a happy home, and in this she succeeded admirably. In May 1844, Mr. WILCOX came with his family to Elgin and here has since made his home. Since 1845, he has lived upon the site of his prsent home, except 5 yrs, when he resided upon his farm near Elgin. About the time he came here he commenced the study of law and in 1846 was admitted to the bar, and at once commenced an active practice. His success was assured from the very start, and it was not long before he secured recognition as one of the most active practitioners in his circuit. His standing among the legal fraternity was such that in 1867 he was nominated and elected circuit judge, and served the full term of six years. In the spring of 1873, he was re-elected for another term, but in the fall of 1874 he wass compelled to resign on account of his ill health. The impartiality displayed as a judge and the justness of his decisions is well known and duly acknowledged by all his circuit. For some 2-3 years after his resignation from the bench, Judge WILCOX devoted his time principally to regaining his health and lo9oking after his private business interests. In 1891 he platted a part of a farm and for a time was engaged in the disposal of town lots, with which he combined other real estate business, greatly to his profit. In addition to his other private business, he was a stockholder in the Elgin Condensed Milk Co. and was its president for 3 yrs. In every enterprize in which he engaged he brought to bear a well trained and well balanced mind, and was therefore greatly relied on by his business associates. The Judge has travelled extensively for business and pleasure, and has visited every state and territory in the US. In 1891, he went to the Pacific coast and on this trip visited Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Pirtland, Tacoma, Seattle and Yellowstone Park. His next trip was from Portland Or. thence to Tacoma, then to Sitka, Alaska. His third long trip was to Mexico, at which time he visited nearly every city of any note in that country. Politically the Judge was a gold Democrate, from the fact that in order to have genuine prosperity in the country its currency must have stability and be accepted at its face in any country in the civilized world. He has never cared for poitical office and has held but few. In 1844 he was appointed and served as postmaster of Elgin until 1849. As a citizen he is honored and esteemed by all. The Judge, B.F.LAWRENCE, Walter PEASE, and Henry SHERMAN were instrumental in locating the Elgin watch factory in this city; was also identified in locating the Elgin Packing Co. The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Illinois S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. July, 1898 pg. 245 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.