Brevet Brigadier General John Shuler Wilcox
Settled in Elgin, Ill's in 1850.
From the 1850 Census #325/434
Name - John Wilcox
Aged - 17 Years
Born - New York
Home in 1850 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Laborer
Washington Continental Artillery
Listed in the 1857 Elgin Directory as a Lawyer living on the West Side.
Listed in the 1859-1860 Elgin Directory as an Attorney with an Office over J. Parker's Store living at the corner of Mill and Seneca St's.
From the 1860 Census #306/2268
Name - John Wilcox
Aged - 27 Years
Born - New York
Home in 1860 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Attorney
From the Elgin Reserved Militia Rolls
1861 Elgin Class II Reserve Militia
Signed the roll July 27, 1861.
From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
Co. K 52nd Ill. Vol. Inft.
The Lincoln Regiment
Enlisted Sept. 14, 1861 as a Capt.
Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
Mustered in at Camp Lyon in Geneva, Ill's on Oct. 25, 1861.
Wounded in Action at Corinth in the head.
Promoted General.
Mustered Out June 5, 1865 in Louisville, Ky.
Finial payout and discharge at Camp Douglas in Chicago July 12, 1865.
Known Actions;
Fort Donelson, Tenn. Feb. 17, 1862
Shiloh, Tenn. April 6, 1862
Iuka, Miss. Sept. 19, 1862
Corinth, Miss. Oct. 3, 1862
Lay’s Ferry, Ga. May 15, 1863
Elgin Registered Voter in 1866.
Article: Sept. 23, 1876 issue The Elgin Advocate.
Col. John S. Wilcox and son Dwight, and William Anderson, left for Tesas on Wednesday. Dwight is going into the stock raising business with Fred Childs. Mr. Anderson goes for the benifit of his health, and the Colonel to see the boys safe in the Lone Star State.
Article: Sept. 23, 1876 issue The Elgin Advocate.
Col. John S. Wilcox and son Dwight, and William Anderson, left for Tesas on Wednesday. Dwight is going into the stock raising business with Fred Childs. Mr. Anderson goes for the benifit of his health, and the Colonel to see the boys safe in the Lone Star State.
Postmaster 1877
From the Post #49 Files
From the Post #49 Files
Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 in 1884.
From the 1900 Census
Name - John Wilcox
Aged - 67 Years
Born - New York
Home in 1900 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Lawyer
Name - John Wilcox
Aged - 67 Years
Born - New York
Home in 1900 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Lawyer
Obit: April 30, 1926 issue The Elgin Courier-News.
General John Shuler Wilcox, one of the most prominent citizens in the history of Elgin, died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Fitz in Los Angeles, Calif., where he went to make his home ten years ago. His health had been failing rapidly for the last year, according to the information furnished by friends and relatives here. He was 93 years old.
Coming to Elgin with his family at the age of nine years at a time when the log cabin with shake roof, puncheon floors and wooden latch were familiar realities, and the lurid gleam of the prairie fire was a common sight, General Wilcox made himself one of the most respected citizens that this community has ever known.
He became the holder of a brilliant war record. He was a successful lawyer; he served as mayor and postmaster and was prominently connected with business, banking and railroad activities. In 1855 as president of the Young Men's Christian Association, he introduced to Elgin audiences such eminent men as Wendell Phillips, Elihu Burritt, John G. Saxe, Oliver Wendell Homes and Bayard Taylor in a course of brilliant lectures rarely equalled.
In August 1861, he became a member of the military company and was chosen its captain. It became company K, 52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the regiment he was chosen its lieutenant colonel. Later he was promoted to the colonelcy and subsequently was commissioned by the president as brevet brigadier general of volunteers.
He served with his regiment in its campaigns, marches and battles until the spring of 1864 when he resigned at the request of the governor and adjutant-general of the state to take command of the camp of organization of the 141st Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
John Shuler Wilcox was born March 18, 1833, at Fultonville, Montgomery count, New York, the ninth child of General Elijah and Sally Shuler Wilcox. The family came to Elgin in May 1842, and established a homestead which in after years was the property of the late Judge Silvanus Wilcox, brother of John.
When he was a boy he drove the breaking team of seven yoke of oxen to a great plow in his father's fields. Practically all of his boyhood was spent on the farm, but for a short time in 1851 he was employed in a store in Union.
In 1852 he went to Galesburg, Ill., to take up his schooling and attended what is now Lombard university. After he had studied there for a year and a half he returned to Elgin and began the study of law in the office of his brother, Hon. Silvanus Wilcox. He was admitted to the bar in 1855.
On September 3, 1856, he was married to Lois A. Conger at Galesburg and in 1858 they built their first home at 436 Douglas avenue. Six children were born, tow of whom survive him. Mrs. Wilcox preceded her husband in death about five years ago.
She was one of the incorporators of the Elgin Woman's club, and served as president during the first eight years. During this time appropriations of $2,200 were made in the interests of the Elgin Academy, and the erection of Sherman hospital was brought about.
During the war General Wilcox received an injury at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, which greatly incapacitated his hearing. Despite this he resumed his practice of law with flattering success.
In 1865 he became one of the original incorporators of the First National bank. He served as director for 12 years and as vice president for a time. In 1869, with others, he incorporated and served as one of its officers for ten years.
In 1866 he was elected and served one term as mayor of Elgin.
He served a number of years on the public library board, and while its president had the Elgin library designated by the congressman of this district to receive all public documents issued by the government, including the unique and very costly war records of both the Federal and Confederate governments.
He served several years as director and as president of the Elgin Agricultural society, and for over a quarter of a century served as a member of the board of trustees of the Elgin Academy, and several years its president.
In his railroad experience the deceased rendered one of his greatest services to the town and his fellow men, and in so doing he lost a comfortable fortune. This money was lost in the fight to secure reduced freight charges for Elgin.
In 1877 Mr. Wilcox was appointed postmaster of Elgin when he was forced to give up his law profession because of the war injuries. In 1882 he embarked in the fuel trade and warehouse business.
He was one of the incorporators of the Elgin Loan & Homestead association and was a director for five years. He outlined the organization of the Elgin Patriotic Memorial association and prepared its articles of incorporation.
He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a devote member of the Universalist church. He also belonged to the military order of the Loyal Legion and the Society of the Army of the Tennessee.
His last visit to Elgin was made two years ago.
He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Robert Fitz and Mrs. Herbert Kidd, both of Los Angeles. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Mr. Louise Wilcox and three grandchildren, Frederick S. and Ruth Wilcox and Mrs. Frank D. Urie of Elgin and three other grandchildren, Mrs. Ruby Wilcox Byrd and John Wilcox of Little Rock, Ark., and Mrs. Wenster Anderson Brown of Rhindlander, Wis.
Funeral services will be held in Los Angeles, Sunday.
General John Shuler Wilcox, one of the most prominent citizens in the history of Elgin, died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Fitz in Los Angeles, Calif., where he went to make his home ten years ago. His health had been failing rapidly for the last year, according to the information furnished by friends and relatives here. He was 93 years old.
Coming to Elgin with his family at the age of nine years at a time when the log cabin with shake roof, puncheon floors and wooden latch were familiar realities, and the lurid gleam of the prairie fire was a common sight, General Wilcox made himself one of the most respected citizens that this community has ever known.
He became the holder of a brilliant war record. He was a successful lawyer; he served as mayor and postmaster and was prominently connected with business, banking and railroad activities. In 1855 as president of the Young Men's Christian Association, he introduced to Elgin audiences such eminent men as Wendell Phillips, Elihu Burritt, John G. Saxe, Oliver Wendell Homes and Bayard Taylor in a course of brilliant lectures rarely equalled.
In August 1861, he became a member of the military company and was chosen its captain. It became company K, 52nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the regiment he was chosen its lieutenant colonel. Later he was promoted to the colonelcy and subsequently was commissioned by the president as brevet brigadier general of volunteers.
He served with his regiment in its campaigns, marches and battles until the spring of 1864 when he resigned at the request of the governor and adjutant-general of the state to take command of the camp of organization of the 141st Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
John Shuler Wilcox was born March 18, 1833, at Fultonville, Montgomery count, New York, the ninth child of General Elijah and Sally Shuler Wilcox. The family came to Elgin in May 1842, and established a homestead which in after years was the property of the late Judge Silvanus Wilcox, brother of John.
When he was a boy he drove the breaking team of seven yoke of oxen to a great plow in his father's fields. Practically all of his boyhood was spent on the farm, but for a short time in 1851 he was employed in a store in Union.
In 1852 he went to Galesburg, Ill., to take up his schooling and attended what is now Lombard university. After he had studied there for a year and a half he returned to Elgin and began the study of law in the office of his brother, Hon. Silvanus Wilcox. He was admitted to the bar in 1855.
On September 3, 1856, he was married to Lois A. Conger at Galesburg and in 1858 they built their first home at 436 Douglas avenue. Six children were born, tow of whom survive him. Mrs. Wilcox preceded her husband in death about five years ago.
She was one of the incorporators of the Elgin Woman's club, and served as president during the first eight years. During this time appropriations of $2,200 were made in the interests of the Elgin Academy, and the erection of Sherman hospital was brought about.
During the war General Wilcox received an injury at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, which greatly incapacitated his hearing. Despite this he resumed his practice of law with flattering success.
In 1865 he became one of the original incorporators of the First National bank. He served as director for 12 years and as vice president for a time. In 1869, with others, he incorporated and served as one of its officers for ten years.
In 1866 he was elected and served one term as mayor of Elgin.
He served a number of years on the public library board, and while its president had the Elgin library designated by the congressman of this district to receive all public documents issued by the government, including the unique and very costly war records of both the Federal and Confederate governments.
He served several years as director and as president of the Elgin Agricultural society, and for over a quarter of a century served as a member of the board of trustees of the Elgin Academy, and several years its president.
In his railroad experience the deceased rendered one of his greatest services to the town and his fellow men, and in so doing he lost a comfortable fortune. This money was lost in the fight to secure reduced freight charges for Elgin.
In 1877 Mr. Wilcox was appointed postmaster of Elgin when he was forced to give up his law profession because of the war injuries. In 1882 he embarked in the fuel trade and warehouse business.
He was one of the incorporators of the Elgin Loan & Homestead association and was a director for five years. He outlined the organization of the Elgin Patriotic Memorial association and prepared its articles of incorporation.
He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a devote member of the Universalist church. He also belonged to the military order of the Loyal Legion and the Society of the Army of the Tennessee.
His last visit to Elgin was made two years ago.
He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Robert Fitz and Mrs. Herbert Kidd, both of Los Angeles. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Mr. Louise Wilcox and three grandchildren, Frederick S. and Ruth Wilcox and Mrs. Frank D. Urie of Elgin and three other grandchildren, Mrs. Ruby Wilcox Byrd and John Wilcox of Little Rock, Ark., and Mrs. Wenster Anderson Brown of Rhindlander, Wis.
Funeral services will be held in Los Angeles, Sunday.
From the 1956 Kane Co. Honor Roll
Interred at - Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.
Location - Lot 1, Section 18
Interred at - Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.
Location - Lot 1, Section 18
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| Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc. |
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| Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc. |
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| Used with permission Dan Mallett |
Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.
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