Bio of WILCOX, John Finley (b.1847 d.1918), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol. II, page 374-377
JOHN FINLEY WILCOX
Minneapolis has never had a more loyal and devoted citizen than John Finley
Wilcox, who established his home here in 1867 and remained thereafter a resident
of the city until his death, which occurred more than a half century later. He
was born in Akron, Ohio, January 4, 1847, and died on the 18th of April, 1918.
He was a son of David T. and Hannah (Whitney) Wilcox, who were natives of Ohio
and he received his education in the public schools of Akron and in Granville
College of his native state, from which he was graduated with the class of 1866.
The following year he came to Minneapolis, where he engaged with the firm of
Wheaton, Reynolds & Francis, sash and door manufacturers, and upon the
retirement of Mr. Francis from the business he became a member of the firm, with
which he was thus associated until 1885, when he withdrew from that company to
establish an independent business. He built a sash and door factory, which he
continually developed and operated successfully, incorporating his interests in
1907, under the name of John F. Wilcox & Company, his sons becoming associated
with him in the enterprise. The plant is located at No. 1030 Marshall street
Northeast, and here Mr. Wilcox developed and enlarged the business until he had
one of the most extensive plants of the kind in the Northwest. He remained
president of the company until his demise, when he was succeeded in that
position by his son, Ralph D. In the meantime he and his son. Harry E. Wilcox,
organized the Wilcox Motor Car Company, of which the father remained president
until his life's labors were ended, when his son became his successor as head of
the firm.
It was in the year 1871 that Mr. Wilcox was married to Miss Emma E. Clement, a
daughter of Andrew A. and Emily M. (Bowker) Clement, the former a native of
Massachusetts and the latter of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox had a family
of five children: Harry E., who is now president of the Wilcox Motor Company of
Minneapolis; Archie, a prominent physician and surgeon of this city; Myrtice E.,
the wife of Dr. Walter T. Joslin, a dentist of Minneapolis; Ralph D., who is
president of the John F. Wilcox Sash & Door Company; and Beatrice E., the wife
of Clark L. Keator, who is associated with the Barber Milling Company.
Mr. Wilcox departed this life on the 18th of April, 1918. this being the first
break in the family circle. He attended the Plymouth Congregational church and
he was prominent in all the leading clubs of the city. He became a Consistory
Mason and was a most loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft.
In politics he was a lifelong republican and while he never sought nor desired
office no man was more loyal to the interests of Minneapolis nor gave more
hearty support to those plans or projects which have been promoted for civic
betterment and the upbuilding of the city. He was very successful in business
and the irreproachable integrity which characterized his operations made him one
of the most highly respected residents here. He was preeminently a home man and
had a beautiful summer residence at Crescent Beach, Lake Minnetonka, finding the
greatest pleasure in adding to its loveliness. While he never sought to figure
prominently in any public relation he was rich in those personal qualities which
win warm friendship