Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Folk, Julius W, M 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 October 4, 2007, 9:12 pm Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County JULIUS W. FOLK, M. D., who is living retired in Joliet, is a member of a German family. His father, Henry, was born in the kingdom of Brunswick, Germany, June 12, 1806, and, being the only son of wealthy parents, was given the best advantages which ample means rendered possible. He graduated in medicine from the University of Heidelberg. In 1833 he came to America and settled in York, Pa., but afterward removed to Abbottstown, Adams County, Pa., and later went to Holmesburg, the same state. In the spring of 1849 he settled in Illinois, remaining for a short time in Blue Island. The year 1851 found him in Mokena, this county, and in 1854 he settled in Greengarden Township, where he bought a farm of three hundred and sixty acres and superintended its cultivation while also practicing medicine. He was the first physician to settle in Peotone, where he continued to make his home until he died, January 31, 1888. He was a man well versed in the classics and general history, as well as in the science of medicine, and his broad knowledge upon every subject of importance gave value to his opinion. In politics he was a Republican. Twice married, the first wife of Dr. Henry Folk was Christine Kinsman, who died April 19, 1843, when the subject of this sketch was less than one year old. Afterward the doctor married Louisa Kinsman, a half-sister of his first wife, and who now makes her home with a daughter in Houston, Tex. The sisters, Christine and Louisa, were born in Germany. When they were children the family decided to come to America. However, on their arrival at the seaport they found the ship had sailed which they intended to take; and, as another would not leave for a long time for the United States, they determined to take a sailing vessel about to leave for Jamaica, hoping later to get to this country. While they were on the vessel ship fever broke out and the father fell a victim to the disease, dying at sea. Soon after landing the mother died and later two of the oldest sons passed away, leaving the other children alone and helpless in a foreign country. An aunt living in York, Pa., was corresponded with and sent for them to join her, which they did, reaching York in 1837, three years after they had started on the ill-fated voyage. The family had possessed large means, but the illness of the parents and sons, with exorbitant bills for physicians and nurses and high hotel rates, together with the fact that grasping strangers had imposed upon the little children, rendered them poor. Dr. Folk was the second child and only son among seven children who attained maturity. He was born in Holmesburg, Pa., July 5, 1842, and came west when a child with his father. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into the service as a corporal at Springfield. Soon he was assigned to hospital duty under Dr. A. W. Heise, of Joliet, with whom he remained for some time. Later he went to the south and took part in the battles of Laverne, Stone River and Chickamauga. In February, 1864, he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. The year after his return home he began the study of medicine under Dr. Heise. In 1866 he entered Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated in 1869, and afterward he practiced with his former preceptor for two years in Joliet. Turning his attention from medicine to railroading, Dr. Folk became a contractor with J. A. Henry in 1871. He built a switch on the Chicago & Alton from Joliet to the gravel pit, and then was connected with the Dwight & Washington branch of the Chicago & Alton road. His next contract was for the building of a road from Roodhouse to the Mississippi River. Next he went into Texas as a contractor on the Houston & Great Northern, built by Shepherd & Henry, and spent three years in that state, where he had charge of the construction of the road. Later he was employed on the Houston, Arkansas & Northern Railroad and on the government works at Mussel Shoals, Ala. His last contract was on the Mississippi levee in Missouri. In 1895 he retired from the railroad and contracting business, since which time he has given his attention to the supervision of his farm of one hundred and twenty acres three miles southwest of Joliet and to the oversight of his other interests. He is a stock- holder in the Will County Bank, and at one time served on its board of directors. In the blue lodge at Manteno, Ill., Dr. Folk was made a Mason, and he is now a member of Joliet Commandery No. 4, K. T. He has always supported the platform of the Republican party, although he has not been active in politics. His marriage took place in Joliet and united him with Miss Helen J. Henry, who was born in Berlin, Hartford County, Conn., a daughter of Jacob A. and Nancy E. (Briggs) Henry. When she was about three years old she was brought to Illinois by her parents and has since made her home in Will County. She is a member of the Universalist Church, in the work of which she has maintained an interest and to which she has been a generous contributor. Dr. and Mrs. Folk have two children: J. Albert, who is a member of the class of 1902, Culver (Ind.) Military Academy; and Ethel Louise. 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/folk978gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb