Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Elwood, Nelson D ************************************************ 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 September 7, 2007, 11:59 pm Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record NELSON D. ELWOOD, deceased, who was one of this county's honored pioneers, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1818, a son of Daniel Elwood and a nephew of Isaac L. Elwood, at one time secretary of the Western Union Telegraph Company. He represented the fourth generation in America, the family having been founded in this country by a native of Essex County, England, who settled on the Hudson River. When eight years of age he was left an orphan, and seven years later he secured a position as clerk in Lockport, N. Y. In 1837 he came to Lockport, Ill., securing employment as an engineer on the Illinois and Michigan canal, at which he worked in the summers, while he taught during the winters. On his election as county clerk, in 1843, he came to Joliet, and while filling that position he studied law and was admitted to the bar. At the expiration of his term as clerk he formed a partnership with his wife's brother, Judge Parks, under the firm name of Parks & Elwood, and afterwards he managed the real-estate business of the firm, while his partner had charge of law matters. At the organization of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company he was made the company's secretary, and also served as a director until the road was completed into Iowa. Governor Joel A. Matteson was the originator of the road, which was opened to Joliet in 1852. Afterward Governor Matteson and Mr. Elwood built a part of the Chicago & Mississippi Railroad from Joliet to Alton, and this road, under its subsequent name of Chicago & Alton, has since become one of the most successful in the state. In 1856 Governor Matteson and Mr. Elwood built the Joliet & Northern Indiana Railroad, which connects Joliet with the Michigan Central Railroad at Lake Station, Ind., and in 1859 the latter road purchased the branch. Until 1859 the Chicago & Alton ran to Chicago on the Rock Island tracks, but in that year its roadbed was extended, and the road was known as the Joliet & Chicago Railroad. In 1848 Mr. Elwood was secretary of the state senate. Although he was a strong Democrat, he was in 1861 re-appointed by Governor Yates, a Republican, as one of the penitentiary commissioners chosen to locate the state penitentiary. He retained the position until his death, which occurred February 24, 1861. For years he was a member of the vestry of Christ's Episcopal Church. While he was identified with the Odd Fellows his most active work, fraternally, was with the Masons. He was grand high priest of the grand chapter of Illinois, and at the time of his death deputy grand commander of the grand commandery of Illinois, an officer in the grand lodge and a thirty-third degree Mason. Mr. Elwood took an active interest in all educational work, and for many years was a member of the board of school inspectors of Joliet. For two terms he held the office of mayor, and for three terms served as an alderman. He was, beyond all question, one of the most active, progressive and public-spirited citizens of Joliet of his day. He filled positions of public and private trust with exacting fidelity. His handiwork may be found in and around Joliet to this day. He erected the first business house on Jefferson street, it being located where the present post-office building stands. In that same frame structure were for a time the offices of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, and there the building of that road was planned. Although but forty-two years of age at the time of his death, Mr. Elwood left behind him a memory that will endure through future years. The affectionate remembrance in which his name is held by all the older members of the Masonic fraternities is one of the rare evidences of deep and lasting love. The marriage of Mr. Elwood united him with Miss Juliet L. Parks, of Lockport, N. Y. She survived him almost forty years, passing away May 6, 1900, in Chicago, and was buried in Joliet. Her father, Joel M. Parks, was postmaster and a merchant of Lockport, N. Y., and in 1837 settled in Lockport, Ill., where he also engaged in the mercantile business and served as postmaster. Later he removed to Joliet, where he died. His wife was a sister of William Gooding, chief engineer of the Illinois and Michigan canal. The esteem in which Mrs. Juliet L. Elwood was held in Joliet was shown by the following, which is a portion of an article published in a local paper at the time of her death: "One of our noblest women passed away Saturday night when the soul of Mrs. Juliet L. Elwood winged its flight to its eternal home. Everybody in Will County and Joliet knew and loved her, and all alike mourn her death. "Mrs. Elwood was born in Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., September 16, 1819. She was married to Nelson D. Elwood in Lockport, N.Y., February 13, 1837, and shortly after moved to Lockport, Will County, Ill. Some time after the death of Mr. Elwood she moved to Chicago, where she died on the 6th, at 2979 Prairie avenue. "She was one of the grandest of wives and mothers. All loved her for her high character, loving ways and pure womanly traits. "The funeral occurred from Christ Episcopal Church this afternoon at three o'clock to Oakwood. The tears and flowers and heartfelt sighs of the mourning relatives and friends and the mute grief shown by the old-time friends and neighbors told more eloquently than the grandest sermon could of the deep and lasting love for the deceased, whose memory will ever be cherished and revered." Additional Comments: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/elwood1674nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.3 Kb