stilsonbk27
to Stilson/Stillson A Family History 1646-1993, by Christie Stilson, brought to you on line by Margaret Lee This is the 7th Generation of the book, containing the following names: Eli Stilson, 1820/1883, son of Lyman & Bethia; Abel G. Stilson, ?/?, son of Lansing & Cornelia; Perry C. Stilson, 1860/?, son of Lansing & Cornelia; William Edward Stilson(my gr. gr grandfather),1857/1937, son of Nathan & Lodemia; Daniel Chapman Stilson, 1826/1830?(i ? this death date, it might be later) son of William & Nancy; Happy Hunting. This page created for web on Sept. 17, 2000.
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   p.200   

STILSON - SEVENTH GENERATION

(Vincent 1;Hugh 2;Joseph 3;Joseph 4;Eli 5;Lyman 6;Eli 7)

VII. ELI STILSON, 2nd, was born at West Windsor, Broome Co., New York, June 2, 1820, died at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 20, 1883. He is BELIEVED to be the son of Lyman and Bethia Stilson (who was BELIEVED to be the son of Eli Stilson... see Lyman Stilson, 6th generation, and Eli Stilson 5th generation for more information on this connection).

Eli 2nd, married (1st) September 14, 1841 to Louisa Jane Dyer, daughter of Rev. Moses Dyer. She died in 1851. (SOURCE: The Binghamton, NY Republican, in issue of Jan. 15, 1851 says, "Yesterday morning, the 20th inf., age 28 years at her residence near this village, Mrs. Louisa Jane, wife of Eli Stilson, daughter of Rev. Moses Dyer of Windsor -- Mr. Stilson removed from Windsor in this county, to Oshkosh, some few years since ---"

Elis Stison 2nd, was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church of West Windsor in 1838. He was given a church letter "to join any Christian Church where his mind may be led,? on August 12, 1843.

According to a diary in his handwriting, now in the possession of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, Eli Stilson, 2nd, a reconnaissance of Eastern Wisconsin in 1845 to determine its possibilities as a future home. He went west from Buffalo, around the lakes to Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Jefferson and Dodge counties. In 1847, he bought a farm north of Oshkosh. (Note that Lyman Stilson had deeded to Eli, 2nd, $1,000 worth of land on January 20, 1847.)

He became one of the leaders of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin, experimenting with the sheep and dairy industries. In 1874 he was elected president of the State Agricultural Society and was twice reelceted. He also made investments in Texas and Kansas but continued to live in Oshkosh until his death in 1883.

His second wife was Lucy Wagner, or Waggoner, b. 1828 in New York State. His children were:

1.Edgar, b. 1854

2.Hattie, b. 1855

3.Creela or Orilla, b. 1856

Adelbert, b. 1860, m. Susan Bell, b. 1869. See Generation VIII.

NOTE: There are many Stilson families in New York State, several which moved from Connecticut following the Revolutionary War. Another Stilson family in Windsor was that of Orrin Stilson, and his wife, Eliza Dwight. There may have been a close relationship, but I (Bertha Taft-Keith) can find no evidence that Eli, 2nd, belonged to the Orrin Stilson family -- this family lived in Windsor, while Eli Lymand and Eli 2nd were connected with the Baptist Church of West Windsor.

The preceding regarding Eli, wnd, Stilson was compiled by Bertha Taft Keith for the A.B. Keith family of Spokane, but was not inclued in her Stilson genealogy book, for reasons unknown.

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p.201

OSHKOSH DAILY NORTHWESTERN-Monday, August 20, 1883

Obituary - Death of Eli Stilson, occurred at 4:30 this morning. Although not sudden to those acquainted with his condition for a short time past, the news came quite unexpectedly to people generally who had known Mr. Stilson so well and had not been looking for such an event. Mr. Stilson came here from his Texas ranches this summer suffering from an affliction of the stomach to such an extent that he was confined tot he house immediately after his arrival. His complaint seemed to be that of rheumatism for a time, but in the latter states of his desease his physician, Dr. Kempster, pronounced it cancer of the stomach. In fact Mr. Stilson's health began failing a year ago, at which time he suffered quite a siege of exposure and over exertion by reason of the overflow and floods at the Concho River in Tom Green County, Texas. Since his return a month or two ago from Texas, he had been able to be out ver few times. Although his body was growing ver weak, his mind remained perfectly clear to the very last moment of his life. It was only recently while in bed that he transacted the sale of some property in Texas amounting to $20,000. On Saturday he was informed that his end was near. He took the matter with the perfect coolness which characterized him in all his doings.

Mr. Stilson was born in West Windsor, Broome County, New York, June 2, 1820. He lived on his father's farm until he came west and located two miles north of this city in 1847, where he has ever since resided. He began farming on quite an extensive scale for those early times, and has kept increasing in his agricultural enterprises until his present farm, north of this city, contains 690 acres, most of which is in an active state of cultivation. That which is not cultivated affords pasturage for his large heard of short horn cattle, which is probably among the finest in the northwest. About 1850 Mr. Stilson in company with John G. Chase operated a saw mill on the site where Radford's Mill is at present, and continued it for about three years. This was a sort of side speculation. About five years ago, he with J.L. Chase of Racine and others began investing in lands, sheep and cattle in Texas. In Tom Green County the firm of Stilson and Chase own immense tracts of land and have a large sheep ranch. In the same County is another sheep ranch owned by Chase Stilson & Sons and Co., and a large cattle operation under the firm hname of Stilson, Case, Reyburn & Co., in which Messars Case and Stilson own a half interest in 14,000 head of cattle. In Reynolds County, Texas, Mr. Stilson personally owns 30,000 acres of grazing land. He was the backer and substantial man of the sheep raising firm of Welch, Karger & Co., which has a ranch on his land. Mr. Stilson was also interested in quite extensive coal mines in Kansas, and the town of Stilson, situated near them, was named after him. Mr. Stilson was probably the best known agriculturist in Wisconsin. In 1874 he became president of the State Agricultural Society and held that office until 1879; previously and subsequently to that he was one of it officers in one capacity or another.

Politically Mr. Stilson had little or no ambition, yet he took great interest in the administration of his town and county affairs, and for several terms, at one time or another, represented his town on the county board of supervisors. He was a member of the county board from 1857-1861 inclusive, then one of the three county commissiners under the commissiner system, and again a member under the resent system in 1870. 1875, 1879, 1880. In 1868 he was the Democratic candidate for member of assembly, but was defeated by Luther Buxton of this city.

Personally, Mr. Stilson was a man of iron will and a great deal of nerve and energy. He was a sharp, shrewd figurer, a clear-headed philosopher, a man strong and pronounced in his convictions, unyielding in his determination and a tireless worker. The business enterprises and the hard work necessary to properly look after them would have killed nine men out of ten quicker than it did him.

Religiously he was a Methodist and a member of theAlgoma Street Methodist Church, ever since it was

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p.202

founded. He leaves a wife and two sons and a daughter. The funeral will be held 2:30 Wednesday afternoon from the residence and the remains will be buried in the cemetery in this city.

Short note appearing in the Wednesday, August 22, 1883 paper:

There was a large (very) attendance at the funeral of Eli Stilson this afternoon. The floral tributes were extensive, the coffin and surroundings being heavily decorated with pillows of flowers and floral designs. A large portion of those attending were among the older settlers and people were present from many of the surrounding cities and some from quite a distance. The services were conducted by Rev. C.M. Heard, of the Algoma Methodist Church. The pall bearers were R.E. Kellogg of Green Bay, J.E. Kennedy, J.J.Moore, W.H. Hay, George Rogers, J.M. Ball. The procession of carriages to the cemetery was very long.

Obituary information contributed by Elaine Hart.

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p.203

STILSON - SEVENTH GENERATION

(Vincent 1;Moses 2;Moses 3;Nathan 4;Moses 5;Lansing 6;Abel 7)

VII. ABEL G. STILSON, (perhaps G. stands for Gallup) son of Lansing and Cornelia (Gallup) Stilson, born at Meredith, NY July 10, 1842, married at Franklin, NY October 19, 1864, Jennie E. Brumond. He was engaged in the hardware business at Franklin until it burned out in the big fire of 1869. He moved to Cobleskill, NY in 1871. He was a Civil War veteran serving with Co. D, 144th New York Volunteers. Abel is listed in the 1890 NY Census of Civil War Veterans & Spouses. A Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions document was completed and signed by Abel G. Stilson on March 20, 1915. It reports that he and his wife were still residing together and that all five of the children were still living in 1915.

Children:

1. Nena M., b. September 25, 1865, married December 29, 1907, E. Martin Shay.

2. Merten D., b. August 5, 1870, married March 13, 1895, Ada M. Larkin. Records of Agnes Stillson list children: Fred Larkin b. 1896, Katherine J. b. 1908.

3. Mabel R. b. March 1, 1877, married August 14, 1902, Scott J. Lake. They had one son, C. Jack Lake, b. November 8, 1909.

4. Anna F., b. February 25, 1883, m. September 23, 1905, E. E. Bonebaker

5. Richard J., b. September 23, 1887, m. August 5, 1908, Alice Schoulcraft

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p.204

STILSON - SEVENTH GENERATION

(Vincent 1;Moses 2;Moses 3;Nathan 4;Moses 5;Lansing 6;Perry 7)

VII. PERRY C. STILSON, son of Lansing and Cornelia (Gallup) Stilson was born December 22, 1860 at Franklin, Delaware Co., N.Y., married at Sloansville, N.Y., June 16, 1886, Carrie B. McMaster, and they settled at Schenectady, N.Y.

Children:

1. Frank Lansing, b. June 1889, m. September 4, 1911, Idah Mudine Maynard
    Possibly a son Robert Lansing Stilson whose las known address was in Westminster, Colorado.

2. Robert b. 1891

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p.205

(this is my gr gr gr grandfather, M. Lee)


STILSON - SEVENTH GENERATION

(Vincent 1;Moses 2;Moses 3;Nathan 4;Moses 5;Nathan 6;William E. 7)

VII.WILLIAM EDWARD (or EDMUND) STILSON, son of Nathan and Lodemia (Sampson or Samson) Stilson, was born September 5, 1857, d. February 20, 1937 in Centralia, buried at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery in Centralia, WA., m. June 7, 1877 in Benton Co., Oregon to (1) Virginia "Jenny" Hartless and arrived in Oregon City in 1846 and the removed to Bento Co., in 1848. virginia later married Jesse Marion Cleveland (2) Emma DeEtta Duvall. A photograph of William and Virginia appears in the Family Photo Album at the end of this family history.

William Edward and wife Virginia Hartless had children:

1. Fred Arba Stilson, b. November 19, 1878 in Philomath, Benton Co., Oregon, m. June 13, 1897 i Littlerock, Thurston Co., Washington, d. December 5, 1937 in Centralia, WA. He married Nora Belle Whipple. See Generation VIII.

2. Mabel B. Stilson, b. Jauary 25, 1885, d. in Victoria, B.C., Canada. m. (1) Steven Ledford and had one child Bernice Evelyn Ledford Lyne, b. Ocoter 12, 1903 in WA, d. September 25, 1975 in Olympia, Thurston, Co., Wa, and is buried at Mills & Mills, Olympia, WA. She had one child Dorothy Lyn Backman of Olympia Washington.

William Edward and wife Emma DeEtta Duvall had the following children:

3. Clarence Lester, b. March 26, 1898 i Elma, WA, d. May 17, 1983 in Seattle. Washington. Buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Seattle. Clarence m. Sarah India Anna Myers on June 20, 1920. Sarah died January 24, 1987 and is also buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

    Betty Jane Stilson b. Nov. 5, 1921 in Centralia, WA,m. Allan Galbraith
    on Dec. 29, 1945.

       James Allan Galbraith b. May 12, 1950, m. July 24, 1971 Rosalee G.
       Truease. Separated, no children.

       Marsha Elaine Galbraith b. June 24, 1950. m. David L Ammons,
       Aug. 7, 1970. They divorced in 1991. Children: Jennifer Noelle
       Ammons, b. Feb. 19, 1978 & Jonathan Jeremy
       Ammons b. Feb. 17, 1981.

4. Lewis Bertrand b. February 13, 1900, d. May 8, 1983, m. Jean Grandchamp, no children.

5. Clara Ethel, m. 1)Ted Clark, 2)Guy Cooper, 2)Frank Brooks. No children.

Research assistance from Betty Galbraith

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p.206

STILSON - SEVENTH GENERATION

(Vincent 1;James 2;James 3;James 4;William 5;William 6; Daniel Chapman 7)

VII. DANIEL CHAPMAN STILLSON, was born March 25, 1826 at Durham, New Hampshire, son of William and Nancy (Chapman) Stilson/Stillson of Portsmouth, was theinventor of the STILSON WRENCH, the tool familiar to every household and indispensable to machinists. Date of his birth is sometimes given as 1830 instead of 1826. He m. Ellen R. Davis (shown as Eleanor Raynes Stillson in burial record) on April 18, 1855. Birthdate of Elanor would have been December 1831 or January 1832. The following copy of his obituary published in the Boston Journal was obtained from Paul B. Stilson, 6801 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio:

"DANIEL CHAPMAN STILSON, inventor of the Stilson wrench, was born in Durham, N.H., March 25, 1830. His granfather was a captain in the Revolutionary War and was one of the earliest settlers of Durham. He was educated in the public schools of Newmarket and Exeter. He was a machinist by trade and when the Civil War broke out, accepted a position as Third Engineer of the government steamer R. B. Forbes, January 20, 1861. His ship was wrecked off the coast of North Carolina and he narrowly escaped capture by the Confederates. At Hampton Roads, he was taken on board the U.S.frigate Roanoke and from this ship watched the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac. He had several commissions during the war and at one time served under Vice Admiral Farragut. He received anhonorable discharge at the close of the war.

He resumed his trade as machinist and while in the employ of J.H. Walworth & Co., invented the wrench which bears his name, known and used throughout the mechanical world. He made several other inventions, among them a safety fire sprinkler, but noe was as successful as the wrench.

He married Ellen R. Davis on April 18, 1855, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clement Davis, of Durham, and had two daughter -- one married F.A. Preble, and the other O.B. Winn. He was alderman at Somerville, Mass., 1886/87, member of Grant Lodge Masons, Salmon Falls, N.H. and of Ivanhoe Lodge, K.P.,of Charlestown, and of Willard C. Kinsley Post, 139, G.A.R. Died at 55 Tennyson St., Somerville, Mass, 1899 or 1900 of heart attack."

Robert S. Childs reports he may also have been the mayor of Somerville at some point in his later years.

The Massachusetts Industries publication carried the following information on the development of the Stillson wrench:

America's Most Famous Tool -- The Stillson Wrench

Col. Levi R. Greene, who served his apprenticeship in the Corliss Engine Works before the Civil War, and who was an engineer on a naval vessel during the Rebellion, had, as a fireman o the craft, a young man named Daniel Stillson, who appeared to possess unusual mechinical ability. In 1865, Colonel Greene entered the employ of the Walworth concern, and much to his surprise, Stillson appeared one day seeking a job, and was hired as a mechanic at the Cambridgeprot plant.

In 1869, he came to the office with the pattern of a new type of pipe wrench, which he had whittled out of wood. Greene was interested and authorized Stillson to have a wrench made of steel, after his model. When next he appeared Colonel Green and C.C. Walworth examined the wrench and finally Stillson was directed to the pipe room, in the Devonshire Street shop, and was told to try the device on a section of

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p.207

1 1/4 inch pipe. "I want you to put strength enough on that wrench," said Colonel Greene, "to twist off the pipe or break the wrench. I don't care which."

Colonel Greene in telling the story years afterwards, said: "Dan looked at me with some strong language in his eyes. He was competent in use language, chiefly profane, and he exercised this accomplishment on frequent occasions." C.C. Walworth chucked as Dan turned on his heel and walked out of the office. Half an hour later, he came back with a piece of the pipe which had been twisted off. His wrench was intact.

C.C. then became really interested and told Dan "to go back to the factory and have the forman make up two dozen wrenches." continued Colonel Green. "He and I agreed upon suggestions as to the length of the handles for different sizes and Dan went away. He came back with the finished wrenches a few days later and was advised to go to the Patent Office and get a patent for his invention.

"It is as much as I can do to get my dinner, to say nothing about going to the Patent Office," said Dan.

C.C. Walworth, however, though so well of the wrench that he authorized Stillson to draw upon the office for the necessary expense money and directed him to a patent lawyer, who had served the company. In the course of time, Stillson came back with his letters patent and asked Colonel Greene's advice as to how he should proceed.

Stillson's first thought was to sell the patents to J.J. Walworth & co. his need of money was so great that he believed $2,500 was worth more to him at that time than possible royalties in the future. Both Colonel Green and C.C. Walworth advised Stillson against selling his patent and even when the inventor fixed $1,500 as his price for the patent right, they urged him to adopt another course. Stillson finally took their advice and agreed to grant the exclusive manugacturing rights to J.J. Walworth & Co. In return he asked for a royalty percentage which, according to Colonel Green, made the sale of the wrench absolutely prohibitive in price. However, he was adamant and the company accepted his proposition and entered into an agreement to manufacture and sell the wrench at the figure named.

The trade was thoroughly informed of the possibilities of the new invention, but the wrench did not sell because the price was too high. After months of waiting, Daniel Stillson was persuaded to accept a royalty which permitted the manufacture and sale of the wrench at a more reasonable figure, and thereafter the Stillson Wrench was a marketable product, and became one of the worlds best known inventions.

Royalties began to flow in until, in the later years of life, Stillson was enabled to retire and live on the earnings of his invention.

Years later, Colonel Greene met Stillson leaving the office of the Walworth Company. In his hand the inventor carried some papers and a check, and he told Greene that the draft was for the last money he would receive for his wrench, as the patent had expired.

"How much has that little wooden model you brought into the office paid you?" Asked Colonel Greene.

Stillson went through some rapid mental calculations and replied: "Counting this check, I have received a little more than &67,000 from the Walworth Manufacturing Company in royalties."

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p.208

From other sources it is learned that he actually collect altogether, between $80,000 and $100,000, for this child of his brain.

The wrench was copied by many other companies after Stillson's patent expired, and is now being made by a dozen or more concerns in this country. The Walworth Company, however, retains the original patent form and it is universally recognized that Stillson's idea has never been improved upon to this day. Massachusetts Industries, pages 11316-1317.

A photograph of Daniel is found in the Family Photo Album section of this family history. It was taken from a newspaper clipping was found among the collection of notes of the late Edward Stilson of Cortland, N.Y.

Burial of Daniel C. Stillson was in the ______________ cemetery, Viburnum Avenue. He is located in Lot#5828. Nine persons are burried in this plot, they include:

Frederick S. Preble died October 18, 1888, died 6 years 1 month 2_days
Robert A. Preble died October 18, 1888, died 3 years 1 month, 29 days
Daniel C. Stillson died August 23, 1899, died 69 years 4 months 2 days
Elanor Raynes Stillson died April 3, 1909, died 77 years 3 months 8 days
Helen E. Prebel died February 22, 1931, age 74 years 3 months 8 days
Frederick A. Prebel d. March 11, 1934, age 76 years 9 months, 2 days
Oliver B. Winn died February 3, 1944, age 87 years 8 months 10 days
Cora J. Stillson Winn died May 9, 1945, age 84 years 5 months, 19 days
Eleanor C. Prebel d. November 14, 1960, age 71 years, 7 months, 8 days

Children:
1.Helen E. b. November 7, 1857 in Durham, m. about 1877 to F.A. Preble. The "History of Durham" shows this "unknown" child and the birth and mariage information. Burial information provides us with answers to the "unknown" chld. Based on age of death, the birth of the cild named Helen fits this description. Birth of Frederick A. Preble would be approximately July 9, 1857. Conjecturing from the data we have the following children born to them:

1. Frederick S. Prebel b. about May 1882, d. October 18, 1888
2.Robert A. Prebel b. about June 1885, d. October 18, 1888
3.Eleanor C. Prebel b. about 1889, d. November 14, 1960

If there were no other children born to this family, there may be no descendents, It would appear that Eleanor may never have married, since she was buried with her maiden name.

2. Cora J. b. November 18, 1860 in Suffolk, Massachusetts. Source: Suffold birth & christening records. d. May 9, 1945. m. Oliver B. Winn who would have been born about January 1861.

Also in the Durham history is a unknown Stilson who was b. about 1842 and married about 1870 to O.B. Winn. If Cora were born inthat year, she would have had to be the daughter of someone other than Mary Davis.

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INDEX     Before NEW ENGLAND
1st GENERATION     2nd GENERATION
3rd GENERATION     4th GENERATION
5th GENERATION     6th GENERATION
7th GENERATION cont.     8th GENERATION
9th GENERATION     10th GENERATION
A FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM (this is the one for the book)


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Last Updated Saturday, 08-Sep-2018 08:50:14 MDT