Obit: Tolford, Capt. Joshua W. #3 (1831-1913)

Contact: Comstock@stateline-isp.com

Surnames: Tolford, Jewett

----Source: Granton News (Granton, Clark County, Wis.) 01/02/1914

Tolford, Capt. Joshua W. (31 OCT 1831- 20 DEC 1913)

Capt. J.W. Tolford who has been failing in health and strength for several months died at his home in this city Saturday morning Dec. 20th, 1913, death being due mostly to old age. Joshua Woodbury Tolford was born in New Brunswick, October 31, 1831. At the age of 17 he went to Portland, Maine, and learned the trade of carriage painter. In 1852 he came to Madison, Wisconsin and worked at his trade. He enlisted as First Lieut. Co. D. 23rd Wis. Inf. in 1862, and was afterward made Captain of Co. G. in the same regiment and remained such until the close of the war, being mustered out July 4, 1865. He was engaged in business Madison and was also Chief of Police in that city for some time. In July 1872 he came to Neillsville and went into livery and stage business, operating a four horse coach between here and Humbird, the firm name being Lynn and Tolford. He took a leading part in building a telegraph line from here to Hatfield which connected Neillsville with the outside world affairs. He served the county as sheriff, making a fine officer, and later was assistant clerk of the Circuit Court. He was one of the oldest Freemasons in Wisconsin, joining the order in Madison about 60 years ago. For may years he remained a member of the Madison lodge but attended and worked with the Neillsville lodge, after coming here, later becoming a member of Neillsville lodge. He was the first commander of the first G.A.R. Post ever organized and always took an active part in that organization. He also organized the Sherman Guards the first militia company in Neillsville and was their first captain.

Capt. Tolford was married Sept. 29, 1858 to Julia E. Jewett who survives him. To them were born six children: Arthur died in 1884, Fran in 1866, Minnie in 1908 and a baby in 1874. Two sons are living; Ralph H. of Thorp and Joshua W. Jr. of Jerome, Arizona. He leaves three brothers; Frank of San Francisco, Ed. Of Blaine, Wash., and George of Boston, Mass.

Funeral services were held at the Unitarian Church Monday under the direction of the Masons. Besides the Masonic ceremonies an address was given by Judge O’Neill and also by S.M. Marsh. The remains were taken to Madison for burial in Forest Hill Cemetery. –Rep. and Press.