Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Cagwin, Hon Abijah 1807 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 3:43 pm Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890 HON. ABIJAH CAGWIN. The growth and prosperity of any city depends very largely upon the efforts of a comparatively small number of her residents, to whose faith in the future of the place and wise judgment as to methods by which to secure a rapid development, other citizens owe the benefit which acrue to them. In the city of Joliet an important part in the upbuilding and official work of both city and county has been taken by the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, and who merits the good will of the citizens for labors which have resulted beneficially to all who then made or now make it their home. The birth of Mr. Cagwin took place in Verona, Oneida County, N. Y., May 19, 1807, and he lived in his native place until he was nineteen years old. He had learned the trades of tanning, currying and shoemaking in Rome, and going to Brockport, Monroe County, he built a tannery, continuing in business there until 1835, when the tannery was destroyed by fire, entailing a severe loss. The people of the community were very anxious that the owner should rebuild and offered him material assistance, but he thought it would not be for the best, although very grateful to them for their good feeling and generosity. Some leather had been left uninjured by the fire, and this he made up into harness, which he shipped to Chicago, having made up his mind to come West. Mr. Cagwin left his old home in the Empire State in company with one Hiram Janes, but took on his own account a stock of goods, which he peddled on the way through to Peoria, Ill. He visited a brother in Pekin, and then, having determined to settle at Joliet, which was then in Cook County, he loaded up the goods which he had left in Peoria and set out for this place. He bought a house and lot on the west side of the Desplaines River and sold out his goods at auction. Just before his settlement he undertook to cross the river in a boat, but came very near being carried over the dam by the current and drowned. He was within twelve feet of the verge when he was rescued by having a bed cord thrown out to him attached to a pole, which he finally succeeded in getting hold of. In 1835 the land sale took place in Chicago, and Mr. Cagwin purchased eighty acres southeast of Joliet, after which he returned East and bought the necessary equipments for a sawmill, which he shipped to Chicago, and brought with a team from that place to Joliet. He had some time before purchased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, on which he purposed to begin the lumber business. On his return from the East he purchased a horse in Detroit, Mich., completing his journey from that point on horseback. He began getting out timber for his mill, doing what he could until the following winter, when on horse-back he went back to the Empire State, returning in the spring with his family, which consisted of a wife and four children, the journey being accomplished by teams. In the party were four other adults. Settling on the land east of Joliet, Mr. Cagwin began in earnest to build the sawmill, which was soon completed and in running order. Such mills being few in this section at that date, made sawmilling a lucrative business to those who were engaged in it. Mr. Cagwin did well, and in a short time was able to pay for all his land and purchase several lots in Joliet. He operated the mill until about 1839, when his excellent judgment and discrimination were recognized by his election to the position of Judge of Probate, which office he held four years. During that time he lived in the city, where he built several stores and other edifices, and in various way displayed his public spirit. The first warehouse in Will County was erected by him during his term of office, it being the one now owned by E. Bush. Joliet was the home of Mr. Cagwin until October, 1886, when he removed to his present residence east of the city limits on section 11, Joliet Township. The land which he occupies consists of ninety-three acres, valued at $500 per acre, and on it is a full line of excellent buildings adapted to various purposes, the family residence being a model of rural architecture. For a long term of years Mr. Cagwin was engaged in buying and shipping grain, and he is to day extensively known as the veteran grain dealer of this section. The marriage of the Hon. Mr. Cagwin was celebrated at Brockport, N. Y., many years ago, his bride being Miss Hannah Scribner, a native of Poultney, Vt. She is a worthy woman, possessing more than ordinary intelligence and an excellent Christian character. She has borne her husband ten children, eight of whom are living—Merritt is a farmer in Lockport Township; Helen is the widow of the late Dr. Elvis Harwood; Sarah was first married to a Mr. Hibbard, and is now the widow of the late Dr. Barrett, of Jackson Township; Thomas is a resident of Milwaukee, Wis.; Hamden lives in Joliet; Rose is the wife of Burt Briggs; Nancy is still with her parents; Abijah resides in Ft. Smith, Ark. Mr. Cagwin's first Presidential ballot was cast for Andrew Jackson, and he has ever been a stanch Democrat. He has held several important public positions, having been the incumbent of various city offices. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a Knight Templar. Both he and his wife belong to the Universalist Church. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/cagwin513gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb