Edward Parker Wilcox Biography


	This biography appears on pages 811-812 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	EDWARD PARKER WILCOX is a native of the old Empire state of the 
Union, having been born in Victor, New York, on the 17th of December, 
1837, a son of Jairus and Mary E. Wilcox, of whose nine children five 
are yet living, namely: Albert B., who is a resident of San Francisco, 
California; Dr. Robert J., who resides in Wisconsin; Henry M., 
deceased; Ann A., who is the wife of Benjamin W. Thomas, of Chicago, 
and Edward P., the immediate subject of this sketch. Jarius Wilcox was 
born in Middletown, Connecticut, about the opening year of the 
nineteenth century, and he died in the city of Chicago, Illinois, in 
1851, having been one of the honored pioneers of the western 
metropolis, which was a mere village at the time when he there took up 
his abode. His death resulted from an attack of cholera, during the 
memorable epidemic of the dread disease in the year mentioned. He was a 
man of high scholastic attainments, having been graduated in Yale 
College and having been ordained as a clergyman of the Presbyterian 
church. His first pastoral charge was in the state of New York, and in 
1837 he removed to Genesee. Illinois, being called to Chicago in 1845, 
and being one of the early ministers of the Presbyterian church in that 
city. His loved and devoted wife survived him many years, her death 
occurring in 1885. The paternal grandfather of the subject was a 
valiant soldier in the Continental army during the war of the 
Revolution, having served as captain of a Connecticut company.  

	Edward P. Wilcox remained at the parental home until the death of 
his father, having been fourteen years of age at the time, and he 
forthwith initiated his independent career, bravely facing the 
exigencies and showing that self-reliance which has been the 
conservator of his pronounced success in later years. His early 
education was secured in the common schools and he had also the 
advantages implied in the environments of a cultured and refined home. 
From the age of fourteen until 1861, he was employed in the lumber 
business in Chicago, and he then withdrew from the vocations of peace 
to take up arms in defense of the republic. During about seven months 
of the year 1861 he was employed in the quartermaster's department at 
General Grant's headquarters, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in 
Battery B, First Illinois Light Artillery. He entered as a private and 
was later promoted sergeant, orderly sergeant and finally lieutenant, 
and in 1864, when his battery was consolidated with Battery A, same 
regiment, he was made captain of his company and commanded the same 
during many spirited engagements. He participated in the battles of 
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of 
Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville, and many other of 
the important engagements incident to the progress of the great civil 
conflict, and he received his honorable discharge in July, 1865, having 
served practically during the entire course of the war. After the crown 
of victory rested on the Union arms he returned to Chicago, where he 
became associated with his brother-in-law, Benjamin W. Thomas, in the 
lumber business, under the firm name of Thomas, Wilcox & Company. The 
business of the firm was rapidly expanded in scope and importance and 
the concern became one of the leading ones of the sort in Chicago, 
controlling large tracts of timber land in Michigan and manufacturing 
lumber upon an extensive scale. In 1870 Mr. Wilcox disposed of his 
interests in Chicago and came to the territory of Dakota, locating in 
Yankton, which was then the capital of the territory, and here 
establishing lumber yards, under the title of the Wilcox Lumber 
Company, while later branch yards were established in other places in 
the southern part of the territory. Finally the concern also began 
dealing in grain and the business in both departments grew to be one of 
extensive proportions, while the firm gained the confidence of all with 
whom it had dealings, the policy followed being one of the highest 
business honor and integrity. In 1887 Mr. Wilcox withdrew from the firm 
and organized the American Mortgage Company, which was incorporated, 
and of the same he has since continued president, the corporation being 
one which controls a large business and which provides facilities in 
the extension of financial loans upon reasonable terms and in such a 
way as to justify the confidence of the people who have recourse to the 
same. In 1890 Mr. Wilcox gave distinctive evidence of his public spirit 
and his interest in the upbuilding and progress of his home city, since 
he then erected one of the finest business blocks in the city, the same 
bearing his name, and in this fine structure the offices of the 
American Mortgage Company are now located. In politics he accords an 
unwavering allegiance to the Republican party, and while he has never 
sought official position of any sort he consented to serve as a member 
of the board of aldermen, having held this office for one term. He is 
at the present time a member of the board of trustees of Yankton 
College, having been in tenure of this office from the time of the 
organization of the college, save for the interval of five years 
between 1886 and 1891. He and his wife are prominent and valued members 
of the Congregational church, in which he held the office of deacon for 
about a quarter of a century, taking a zealous interest in all 
departments of church work and contributing liberally to its support.  

	On the 19th of November, 1867, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage 
to Miss Fannie S. Hurlbut, of Chicago, Illinois, and they are the 
parents of two children, Jessie H., who is the wife of Frederick W. 
Gurney, of Jamestown, New York, and Dudley B., who is a resident of Los 
Angeles, California.