Family Group Sheet
Family Group Sheet
NameJames Bothwell “Bot” Pulford
503
503Birth17 Nov 1852, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA503
Census1860, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 7
Census1870, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 17
Census1880, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 27
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 47
Death25 May 1905, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA5, Belvidere (IL) Republican-Northwestern 5-25-1905 Age: 52
BurialSavanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
MemoSavanna Township Cemetery
FatherCharles Pulford (1818-1887)
MotherSarah Bothwell (1814-1872)
Marriage4 Jan 1883, Jo Daviess Co., IL, USA1649
SpouseLucinda Margaret Weil503
503Birth22 Aug 1859, Hanover, Jo Daviess Co., IL, USA507
Census1860, USA, IL, Jo Daviess Co., Hanover Age: <1
Census1870, USA, IL, JoDaviess Co., Hanover Age: 10
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 40
Census1910, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 1 Age: 50
Census1920, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 2 Age: 60
Census1930, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 2 Age: 70
Death3 Aug 1931, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA739 Age: 71
Burial5 Aug 1931, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
MemoSavanna Township Cemetery
Alternate surnameWilry
FatherPhilip Weil
MotherMargaret Nicodemas (~1828-1895)
Other spousesWilliam Edward Jenks Jr.
Children
Birth9 Jan 1885, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA642,4, Rockford (IL) Morning Star 7-29-1954
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 14
Census1910, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 1 Age: 24
Census1920, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 2 Age: 34
Census1930, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 2 Age: 44
Census1940, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 2 Age: 54
Census1950, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Ward 2 Age: 64
Death27 Jul 1954, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA4, Rockford (IL) Morning Star 7-29-1954 Age: 69
BurialSavanna Cemetery, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
SpouseAllen Dean Shaw (ca1883-ca1919)
Marriage28 Oct 1907, Cook Co., IL, USA2068,5, Polo (IL) Tri-County Press 11-7-1907
ChildrenMildred Bothwell (Step) (1905-2003)
Hazel Lucinda (1912-2001)
SpouseCharles Ernest Gillette (1882-1905)
Marriage23 Nov 1903, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
ChildrenMildred Bothwell (1905-2003)
SpouseHarold William McCall (ca1904-)
Marriage2 May 1938, Blue Earth, Fairbault Co., MN, USA2512
Divorce
Birth30 Nov 1886, Savanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA642
Census1900, USA, IL, Carroll Co., Savanna Age: 13
Death19 Jan 1909, Seattle, King Co., WA, USA4, Freeport (IL) Journal-Standard 1-22-1909 Age: 22
BurialSavanna, Carroll Co., IL, USA
MemoSavanna Township Cemetery
SpouseRobert Miner
Notes for James Bothwell “Bot” Pulford
A suspect in the murder of Attorney Dan S. Berry, a former member of the Illinois Legislature, Pulford shot himself in the head in the stable at his home after being questioned by police. Berry was killed at Pulford’s Opera House, rumor was he was killed for attentions paid by him to a married woman.
Research notes for James Bothwell “Bot” Pulford
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. Edited by Newton Bateman and Paul
Selby. And History of Carroll County. Edited by Charles L. Hostetter.
Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co, 1913 p. 869-70
PULFORD, James Bothwell (deceased), one of the highly respected native sons
of Savanna, Ill., was born here November 17, 1852, being a son of the
pioneers Charles and Sarah (Bothwell) Pulford. Charles Pulford was born in
England, August 10, 1818, while his wife was born in Ireland, May 10, 1814.
He and a brother came to America about 1840, and walked from Chicago to
Savanna to join an elder brother living here. Mrs. Pulford came here about
the same year. At first, Mr. Pulford went to work in a stave mill, but
later took up butchering, he having learned the trade in England,
continuing in it until his health failed, when he retired. He was a
progressive man and assisted materially in the development of Savanna.
About 1850, he built a large stone house on the site of the present public
library, quarrying the rock himself, as well as hewing all the timber used
in the construction of his home. He was a hard-working man who never
spared himself, and was noted for his business judgment and ability, and
accumulated considerable property. Fraternally, he belonged to the Odd
Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford became the parents of five children, of whom
James B. was the youngest. Two survive: Elizabeth, Mrs. Dr. G. W. Johnson,
of Savanna; and Samuel Pulford, of Chicago. Charles Pulford died October
2, 1887, while his wife died March 24, 1867.
James B. Pulford was educated in the public schools of Savanna, and being
very ambitious, when a boy of twelve years he began work ferrying hay and
wood across Plum river, using a horse as motive power. Two years later, he
entered a drug store as clerk and apprentice, and at sixteen bought out the
stock and conducted this store until his death. He built up a very
extensive business, and carried a large stock of drugs, paints, oils, wall
paper, pianos and musical instruments, jewelry, silverware and similar
articles. He was also connected with other business ventures, and at one
time served as president of the Commercial State Bank, holding that office
at the time of his death. Mr. Pulford bought the first electric light
plant built in the city, later installed a larger plant in the opera house
building, and still later erected the present plant, which he owned
individually when he died. In addition to these activities, Mr. Pulford
was an extensive dealer in real estate. He belonged to the city council
for a number of years, and was also on the school board. Politically, he
was a staunch Republican. Like his father, he was an Odd Fellow, and also
belonged to the Modern Woodmen. In early life he was an active church
member. About 1892 he built the present Pulford residence, which is one of
the finest in Savanna; he also built the opera house, and practically all
the houses in the block.
On January 5, 1884 he was married to Lucinda Wiel, born in Hanover, Jo
Daviess county, Ill., August 22, 1861, daughter of Philip and Margaret
(Nicodemas) Wiel, natives of Nassau, Germany, who came to America with two
sons and located in Madison, Wis. Later, they went to Galena, Ill. In
Germany, Mr. Wiel was a carriage maker, but established a vinegar factory
at Madison, moving it to Galena later on. Some time later he sold it,
moving to Hanover, being one of the first to locate there. Mr. Wiel
enlisted in the army during the Civil War, and died at Memphis, Tenn.,
having contracted smallpox in the service. Mrs. Wiel died at the home of
Mrs. Pulford in 1895, aged sixty-seven years. Mrs. Pulford was the
youngest of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford became the parents of
two children: Pearl B., Mrs. A. D. Shaw, of Savanna, born January 9, 1886;
and Hazel Nell, born November 29, 1887, died January 21, 1909. Mr. Pulford
died May 25, 1905. Few men were more active than he in Carroll county, and
none are more kindly remembered, for his all too short life was filled with
deeds of kindness, and he was always public-spirited to the highest degree.
It is such men as he who build up a community and advance its best interests
Selby. And History of Carroll County. Edited by Charles L. Hostetter.
Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co, 1913 p. 869-70
PULFORD, James Bothwell (deceased), one of the highly respected native sons
of Savanna, Ill., was born here November 17, 1852, being a son of the
pioneers Charles and Sarah (Bothwell) Pulford. Charles Pulford was born in
England, August 10, 1818, while his wife was born in Ireland, May 10, 1814.
He and a brother came to America about 1840, and walked from Chicago to
Savanna to join an elder brother living here. Mrs. Pulford came here about
the same year. At first, Mr. Pulford went to work in a stave mill, but
later took up butchering, he having learned the trade in England,
continuing in it until his health failed, when he retired. He was a
progressive man and assisted materially in the development of Savanna.
About 1850, he built a large stone house on the site of the present public
library, quarrying the rock himself, as well as hewing all the timber used
in the construction of his home. He was a hard-working man who never
spared himself, and was noted for his business judgment and ability, and
accumulated considerable property. Fraternally, he belonged to the Odd
Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford became the parents of five children, of whom
James B. was the youngest. Two survive: Elizabeth, Mrs. Dr. G. W. Johnson,
of Savanna; and Samuel Pulford, of Chicago. Charles Pulford died October
2, 1887, while his wife died March 24, 1867.
James B. Pulford was educated in the public schools of Savanna, and being
very ambitious, when a boy of twelve years he began work ferrying hay and
wood across Plum river, using a horse as motive power. Two years later, he
entered a drug store as clerk and apprentice, and at sixteen bought out the
stock and conducted this store until his death. He built up a very
extensive business, and carried a large stock of drugs, paints, oils, wall
paper, pianos and musical instruments, jewelry, silverware and similar
articles. He was also connected with other business ventures, and at one
time served as president of the Commercial State Bank, holding that office
at the time of his death. Mr. Pulford bought the first electric light
plant built in the city, later installed a larger plant in the opera house
building, and still later erected the present plant, which he owned
individually when he died. In addition to these activities, Mr. Pulford
was an extensive dealer in real estate. He belonged to the city council
for a number of years, and was also on the school board. Politically, he
was a staunch Republican. Like his father, he was an Odd Fellow, and also
belonged to the Modern Woodmen. In early life he was an active church
member. About 1892 he built the present Pulford residence, which is one of
the finest in Savanna; he also built the opera house, and practically all
the houses in the block.
On January 5, 1884 he was married to Lucinda Wiel, born in Hanover, Jo
Daviess county, Ill., August 22, 1861, daughter of Philip and Margaret
(Nicodemas) Wiel, natives of Nassau, Germany, who came to America with two
sons and located in Madison, Wis. Later, they went to Galena, Ill. In
Germany, Mr. Wiel was a carriage maker, but established a vinegar factory
at Madison, moving it to Galena later on. Some time later he sold it,
moving to Hanover, being one of the first to locate there. Mr. Wiel
enlisted in the army during the Civil War, and died at Memphis, Tenn.,
having contracted smallpox in the service. Mrs. Wiel died at the home of
Mrs. Pulford in 1895, aged sixty-seven years. Mrs. Pulford was the
youngest of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Pulford became the parents of
two children: Pearl B., Mrs. A. D. Shaw, of Savanna, born January 9, 1886;
and Hazel Nell, born November 29, 1887, died January 21, 1909. Mr. Pulford
died May 25, 1905. Few men were more active than he in Carroll county, and
none are more kindly remembered, for his all too short life was filled with
deeds of kindness, and he was always public-spirited to the highest degree.
It is such men as he who build up a community and advance its best interests
Notes for Lucinda Margaret Weil
In 1910 census, mother of 2, 1 living.
The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index shows the date of the marriage as January 4, 1883 and the bride’s name as Lucinda Wiley.
She was the youngest of 11 children.
The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index shows the date of the marriage as January 4, 1883 and the bride’s name as Lucinda Wiley.
She was the youngest of 11 children.
Notes for Pearl Bothwell (Child 1)
In 1910 mother of 1, living.
Notes for Hazel Nell (Child 2)
The online records in the state archives show the birth as Nov. 30, 1886 while the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois shows it as Nov. 29, 1887.