Bio: Bostwick, Arthur S. (1881)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bostwick, Hathaway, Gunn

----Source: History of Northern Wisconsin (Eau Claire County, Wis.) 1881, page 316

ARTHUR S. BOSTWICK, Eau Claire, is a son of Martin C. and Lucy Hathaway Bostwick, who moved to what is now the town of Marshall, Dane County, in 1844. His mother died near Deansville, in that county, in 1846, and his father died there in 1874. Mr. Bostwick was born in what is now known as Underhill Flat, Chittenden Co., Vt., Dec. 5, 1825, and moved from there to Illinois in 1843, prior to the time his parents came west. In 1844, he was with them in Dane County; in 1845, he went to the pineries and worked in Grand Rapids about four months; then returned and lived in Jefferson County. At the time of Mexican War he served in the 10th U. S. Regt.; enlisting in August, 1847, serving four months, and being discharged near Vera Cruz, on account of disability. He returned and lived in Jefferson County, until 1849, when he went to California. He remained on the Pacific Coast until 1855; he arrived home in 1856; after spending the Summer in Vermont, he came to Eau Claire, November 19, and engaged in blacksmithing here until he was elected Sheriff in the Fall of 1858. He summoned his first jury in June, 1857, being Under Sheriff, at that time organized the county. He served two years as Under Sheriff, and in 1859 and '60, was Sheriff, and Under Sheriff in 1861 and '62. He has also been Assessor, and is now Alderman of the Eighth Ward. He has been with the Eau Claire Lumber Company since March. 1866, as general superintendent of blacksmith and wagon shops. Mr. Bostwick was married in Eau Claire, May 8, 1858, to Bridget Gunn, who was born in Ireland. They have had eleven children. Their son, Hoyt Clark, died Dec. 26, 1880, aged three years and ten months. The living children are: Arthur J., Lucy A., Francis G., Minnie, Katie, John M., Nellie, Gertrude F., May and Stephen Brick. Mr. Bostwick has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1849, and also belongs to the Temple of Honor.