McDonough ILGenWeb

George L. Bostwick, a veteran of the Civil War, who is successfully engaged in the lumber business in Prairie City, McDonough County, Ill., was born in the vicinity of Greenbush, Warren County, Ill., on March 16, 1844. He is a son of Alanson and Abigail (Crissey) Bostwick, natives of Connecticut, the father born at New Canaan in that state in 1814. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, to which state he came about 1838, locating near Greenbush. In New Canaan, Conn., he was married to Abigail, a daughter of Abraham Crissey. After remaining in Greenbush for two years, he went back to Connecticut, where he also staid (sic) two years. He then returned to Greenbush, where he followed farming until his death in 1876. His wife, who was born in 1816, passed away in 1845. Mr. Bostwick enlisted in early manhood in the Eighty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. After he returned from the war he became a pupil at Lombard College, Galesburg, and also took a course in the Quincy Business College. Before entering the army he attended the district school in his neighborhood, and Greenbush Academy. He came to Prairie City in 1878, and in connection with Mr. Crissey, bought out the lumber concern of A. Burr. The purchasing firm was known as Crissey & Bostwick until 1884, when Mr. Bostwick bought Mr. Crissey's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. On December 29, 1878, Mr. Bostwick was united in marriage with Minta L. Rounds, a native of Ohio. The children resulting from this union are Victor A. and Mabel C. Politically, Mr. Bostwick is a Republican. He has served one term as Village Trustee, and was elected school director in 1900. He is regarded as one of the most substantial and progressive business men in McDonough County, and has built up a flourishing trade.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907. Submitted by Joanne Scobee Morgan <morgans4@swbell.net>