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WAYNE CO., IL

1884 BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES

BEDFORD TWP

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WILCOX, ROSWELL L., general rail-road agent and merchant, Rinard, came from Ohio, Licking County, that State, being his native county.

He was born October 27, 1845, to Josiah C. and Mary (Beecher) Wilcox; the father is a native of Ohio, and the mother of New York. The parents are farmers, and are now living in Ohio. Six of their seven children are now living—George C., Emily A., R. L., Susan, Charles and Zina.

Our subject obtained a fair education, and in early life he assisted his father on the home farm. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1868, he came to Wayne County, and has since remained here. He was engaged in the preliminary surveying, etc., preparatory to the construction of the branch of the O. & M. Railroad, running through this county, and in 1870 the company sent him to Rinard as their agent, which position be has retained to the present time. In 1871, Mr. Wilcox purchased the interest of B. J. Chaney, of the firm of Chaney & Chaney, and the new partnership lasted for several years, when a brother of Mr. Wilcox bought out the interest of Mr. Chaney, and two years later sold the same to our subject, who has since run it on his own account, carrying a general line of goods.

Mr. Wilcox married Mary L. Wilson, a daughter of John Wilson, a citizen of Fairfield, this county. The union has given five children, of whom four are living—Joseph C., Arthur L. Bessie and Maggie.

Mr. Wilcox has been the Postmaster at Rinard ever since the office was first started, and he has also been Notary Public for about six years.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox are members of the Methodist Church. In politics, Mr. W. is a Republican.