From: Neva Babcock <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, 16 May, 2000 10:05 PM Subject: James M. Atwood " Past and Present of Winnebago County", by Charles W. Church, 1905: > > JAMES M. ATWOOD > > James M. Atwood, whose activity in the purchase, improvement and sale of > lands and stock has contributed to the business prosperity of the community > as well as to his individual success, now resides upon a farm on section 33, > Guilford township. He is numbered among the native sons of this county, his > birth having occurred in Harlem township, in 1851, and there he was reared > upon the old homestead. His parents, David and Betsy E. (Crill) Atwood, were > early residents of the county, and the father was a very successful man. His > home was in Harlem township and there he carried on general agricultural > pursuits for many years or until his retirement from active business life > about fifteen years ago. He then settled in Rockford, where he made his home > until his death on the 22nd of September, 1904. His widow still survives and > yet lives in Rockford. They had two sons, one of whom is Charles D., now > residing with his mother at 215 Kilburn avenue. > James M. Atwood, the other son, was reared on the old family homestead in > Harlem township, where he remained until starting out in life on his own > account. He has purchased, improved and sold a number of farms and other > real estate, and has also handled and sold a large number of horses, and in > fact has led a very active and busy life. He has resided on his present home > farm on section 33, Guilford township, for the past ten years, although he > has spent about three years in other localities. He has done considerable > speculating in the line of real-estate investment and his judgment is safe > and reliable. He now has a finely improved farm upon which is an attractive > residence and good outbuildings. There is a street car line passing his door > and this brings him into close connection with the city. > Mr. Atwood was married to Miss Lilly Tuttle, a native of Pennsylvania, > who has resided in Winnebago county for the past thirty-five years. They > have three children, all born in Harlem township, namely: Jennie M., the > wife of James Cotton, a resident of Cherry Valley township; Calla M., who is > the wife of Bert Popham, also of Cherry Valley, and has one child, Donald A.; > and Harry O., at home. > Politically Mr. Atwood is a republican and socially he is connected with > Cherry Valley lodge, No. 173, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife are members > of the Order of the Eastern Star of Cherry Valley, and both likewise belong > to Oriental White Shrine, No. 5, at Rockford, and M. W. camp, No. 51. He has > a wide acquaintance in the county where his entire life has been passed, and > that he enjoys the favorable regard of many who have known him from his > boyhood days is an indication that his career has been honorable and > straightforward as well as active and prosperous. > > Neva