Ira Stockwell abt 1817-1897

STOCKWELL, PECK, CLARK

Posted By: Mike Kearney (email)
Date: 12/2/2007 at 17:46:05

The Clinton Herald Thursday April 15, 1897 p. 4 About 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon occurred the sudden death of one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Lyons, in the person of Ira Stockwell, the lumberman. Not only was he well known in Lyons and vicinity, but he was prominent among the great lumber dealers along the Mississippi river, until he withdrew from the lumber business several years ago. Ira Stockwell was about 80 years of age and was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he resided until 15 years of age when he removed with his parents to Joliet, Ill. In 1840 he came to Clinton, or what was later called Clinton, and has ever since resided in the immediate vicinity of this city. In March, 1852, he was married to Miss Sarah Peck, a native of New York, and to this union was born three children, one of whom, Mrs. A.D. Clark, of Dallas, Texas, survives. At an early day Mr. Stockwell turned his attention to the pursuit of a farmer, which he followed until 1859, when he sold his large farm and turned his attention to saw milling. He purchased the mill known as the Aldcox, Johnson & Co's mill and some four years later purchased the Stumbaugh mill. These he converted into one which then had a capacity of 100,000 feet per day. This mill operated until it was destroyed by fire when he again turned to farming. At the time of his death he owned a large amount of fine farming land. His was a life of activity, always looking toward the welfare of the city and working unceasingly for the good of the commonwealth. A thorough business man who will be sadly missed by many in this city and county. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.