Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Elwood, James G 1839 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:40 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JAMES G. ELWOOD. This gentleman has been prominently identified with building, 
real estate, and many other public enterprises of Joliet. He is an able 
financier, has a meritorious record as a soldier, and has served with honor in 
public capacities. He is the eldest son and only surviving child of the late 
Nelson D. Elwood, and was born in Lockport, May 6, 1839. Joliet became his 
home in 1843, and here he obtained his fundamental education. He spent three 
years at the military school in New Haven, Conn., and the years 1857-58-59 in 
Geneva, Switzerland, and Berlin, Prussia, closing his schooling at the 
Frederick William University, in the last named city. In July, 1862, Mr. 
Ehvood formed a company and entered the Union service as Captain of Company B, 
One Hundredth Illinois Infantry. During the battle of Stone River, January 2, 
1863, he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General of the brigade, and in that 
capacity he continued to serve until the close of army life. His gallantry was 
unmistakable and the zeal with which he opposed the efforts of treacherous 
hands to tear some of the stars from our nation's banner was such as to add to 
the enthusiasm of his comrades and those whom he led to battle. At the 
conclusion of the war Mr. Elwood spent two years in Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
three in Chicago, and in 1870 returned to Joliet with his family. He served 
two years as a member of the City Council, his term beginning in 1872, and in 
1877, he was elected Major, holding the chief place in the municipal 
government two years. He was the first Mayor under the present city charter. 
He has been active in Masonic affairs, and in 1884 served as Grand Commander 
of Knights Templar of Illinois, having filled various positions from Junior 
Warden of Joliet Commandery, No. 4, to that of Grand Commander. He is now 
President of the Joliet Masonic Association, which is erecting a $60,000 
edifice for the use of the order. Mr. Elwood has been connected with the 
Joliet Gas Company since 1861, was Secretary for twenty years and is at 
present Managing Director. In connection with ex-Major Paige he built the 
Telephone Exchange here, and for four years he managed the water works now 
owned by the city. He is Secretary and Superintendent of Oakwood Cemetery. He 
and his family move in the first circles of Joliet, their intelligence and 
culture being duly appreciated by their acquaintances.

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

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