James M.D. Joslin, M.D.

JOSLIN, SWEENY, WOLCOT, BINGHAM, HALE, ELLIS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/24/2006 at 19:39:10

James M.D. Joslin, M.D.
The publishers of this RECORD would fail in their purpose of presenting to their readers an outline of the best citizens of the county were they to omit that of Dr. Joslin, who is located in Anamosa, in and about which city hea has an excellent practice. He was born in the Valley of Anamosa, January 1, 1848, and is the son of Dr. Clark Joslin, one of the most prominent physicians of this city and county, where he located in 1837. He was well educated and his extensive information was not confined to his vocation, but included all topics of general interest. He had a large practice extending over a radius of many miles.

The father of our subject was born in Ricksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, April 2, 1816, and was the son of John G. Joslin, a native of New York, who served as a patriot in the War of 1812 under the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison. For the service rendered at that time the grandfather received a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land. After peace was declared he went to Ohio, locating at Bricksville, just sixteen miles south of Cleveland. In the fall of 1827 John G. Joslin moved to Michigan, remaining in that state until the summer of 1837, when he sold his farm and came to Jones County, this state, where he purchased a large tract of prairie and timber land. He arrived in this locality with his family September 22, 1838, having been one month on the way. His estate was situated in Fairview Township, four miles southwest of Anamosa. He was one of the first to settle in that township and soon thereafter, with the aid of his son, erected the only sawmill in the locality. He sat on the first grand jury ever summoned in the county. The grandfather departed this life in 1868, greatly mourned by all who knew him.

Dr. Clark Joslin, the father of our subject, was educated in his native state, and after the removal of the family to Michigan, began the study of medicine with Drs. H. Wright and Moses Rider. After completing his education in that line, he commenced practice in that state, whence he came with his father to htis county in 1837, still following his profession at Fairview. He had the honor and distinction of being the first regular medical practitioner in the county, and when the city of Anamosa was laid out he moved to the place and continued to practice there for over forty years.

The father of our subject was the first Recorder of Jones County and in social affairs was a member of the Jones County Medical Society. He was married April 25, 1837, to Miss M.C. Wolcot, a native of Michigan and the daughter of Almon Wolcot. She died in 1841, leaving a daughter, Mary L., who is now the wife of C.H. Bingham. January 20, 1842, Dr. Clark Joslin chose for his second wife Elizabeth Hale. She was born in Delaware County, N.Y., and became the mother of five children by her union with Dr. Clark, three of whom survive, namely: William C., our subject and Maryann I., the wife of David Ellis. The father departed this life February 25, 1890, and was survived by his good wife, who died December 30, 1893.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Anamosa, after which he studied medicine under the tutelage of his father for three years. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, from which he was graduated with the Class of '75. Returning to Anamosa he engaged in general practice and very soon became well established.

May 6, 1877, Dr. Joslin was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Patrick Sweeny, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Joslin was born in Allamakee County, this state. To them has been born a son, Clark Eccles. Socially the Doctor is a member of Anamosa Lodge No. 40, I.O.O.F., and the encampment. He has passed all the chairs of the encampment, in which body he takes an active interest, and has been a member of the City Council for the past eight years, and is serving his second yera as Examining Surgeon for pensioners.

Dr. Joslin is the proprietor of a good farm in this county, constituting one hundred and fifty acres of improved land, which he rents to good advantage, and has one of the best stone quarries in the state, situated one and one-half miles west of Anamosa on Buffalo Creek, which is successfully operated by James Lawrence under lease, and is known as the Gem quarry.

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source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 194-195
-transcribed by S. Ferrall for Allamakee co. IAGenWeb