Archive:The Descendants of John Whitney, page 493
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The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, by Frederick Clifton Pierce (Chicago: 1895)
Transcribed by the Whitney Research Group, 1999.
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| WHITNEY GENEALOGY. | 493 |
lutely no vices. His early education -- his mother's influence -- made a strong and lasting impression upon him, and tobacco, liquor, cards and profanity were alinked in his aversion. No employee was allowed to use profanity in his presence. His daily life was a constant example of uprightness and good citizenship to his sons. His influence was always allied with the best element in society. Church support and attendance were considered paramount. He acted as one of the trustees of the 8th presbyterian church, Chicago, of which he was chairman at times, for many years, and was what is commonly designated as a pillar. He went down into his pocket as often and as deeply as any of the flock. He was one of the founders of this church society and, from his peculiar adaptability, was chosen chairman of the building committee when the present edifice was erected. His occupations were various. From a boy on the farm, where he had charge of the tools and acted as carpenter and cooper, making the sap buckets and repairing everything, for which he possessed marked ability -- after receiving the finishing touches of his educa- tion at the academy at Clinton, N. Y. -- he became the village schoolmaster; specu- lated in farms with success, built the first grist mill and rannery in Carthage, N. Y., with partners, and conducted a general store. Selling out he went to Dubuque, Ia., and owned an interest in a flour mill a year, then went to Norwich, N. Y., where he was connected with a foundry and storehouse. Finally, in 1861, he established him- self in Chicago and remained to the end of his life. He made considerable money in the fur and wool business. At various times he was a member of different firms dealing at wholesale in boots and shoes, glassware, groceries. His earnings to a certain extent were invested in Chicago real estate and he erected a number of build- ings. he wa an indefatigable business worker and pusher. He mastered the de- tails of his business, but the management of the finances and the general oversight of the books fell to him naturally. It was business first and everything else last; it received his constant attention regardless of hours, weather, or health. During mid- dle life a vacation was a curiosity with him, although his family enjoyed them regularly. He never slighted anything nor left it until it was well done. He was a close figurer, always paying and exacting the last cent. His penmanship was uni- form and regular and plain, but characteristic. He showed unusual mechanical ability and knowledge of building. Machinery was his delight. His ability to fall asleep throughout life, almost the moment his head touched the pillow, even during great mental strain and excitement, was quite unique. It was this faculty that pro- longed his life. When not at business he was at home. He enforced upon his children rigid attendance upon school and afforded them every opportunity for their education. When relieved of business cares he was rollicking and boyish with a large bump of fun. Although possessed of a vast fund of anecdote, he never on any occasion, related one that even intimated an indelicate sentiment; in time, all that he said could, with the utmost propriety, be recounted by any family fireside. He had faith in men and women emanating from his individual purity and uprightness. Purity of mind was a noble and pre-eminent characteristic.
He was impulsive and irascible. He never cherished malice and was devoid of vindictiveness. When he was in authority he maintained it, having things pretty much his way. As a man of personal purity, business ability, general rectitude and intelligence and untiring perseverance and labor he was much above the average. The world is in need of citizens of his character. He d. Nov. 28, 1889, in Wauwatora, Wis.; res. Carthage, N. Y., and Chicago, Ill. 7713. i. EUGENE WOLCOTT, b. Oct., 1853; M. D.; res. Eureka, Utah. Eugene Wol- cott WHITNEY, a bachelor, eldest child of Erastus Hubbard WHITNEY and Lucy Cordelia PIERCE, was born in Carthage, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1853. He was named WOLCOTT for his grand- mother WHITNEY, whose maiden name was Clarissa WOLCOTT, a descendant of Henry WOLCOTT, one of the founders of the Connecticut colony. His home from 1864 to 1869 was Chicago, Ill., whence he removed to Utah on account of ill health, and he now resides at Salt Lake City engaged in the practice of medicine. In 1871 he completed his preparation for college at the Chicago high school, entered
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