HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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WILLIAM E. BOSWORTH (deceased), former merchant, Elgin, was born in Dundee, Ill., Oct. 5, 1848, was a student of the Dundee local schools, and a graduate of the old University of Chicago in 1869. The same year he became a member of the firm of Bosworth Brothers & Peck, a noted dry-goods house, which, by the retirement of Alfred Bosworth in 1874, became Bosworth & Peck. In 1881 Mr. Peck retired, leaving the entire business in the hands of Mr. Bosworth, who built up a large and growing trade in dry-goods and carpets. In June, 1902, he sold out to Cohen Brothers and retired from business. Mr. Bosworth was largely interested in farm lands, and owned a number of fine farms in association with his brothers. In the "80s lie was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, and at the time of his death was a member of the Board of Trustees of Elgin Academy and of the School
Board of Elgin. Prom his University days he maintained his connection with the Phi Kappa Psi Society. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church for more than twenty years. He was married, May 12, 1874, to Miss Ida L. Woodruff, daughter of Cyrus H. Woodruff, of Elgin. His death occurred Oct. 30, 1903.
RICHARD N. BOTSFORD, attorney, Elgin, Ill., was born at Newtown, Fairfleld County, Conn., Oct. 28, 1830; became a graduate of the Connecticut State Normal School, New Britain, Conn., in 1851, when he came to St.
Charles, Ill., in the fall of that year. For a time he was engaged in leaching and in the publication oi the St. Charles "Chronicle." He studied la,w and was admitted to the Bar in 1857. Beginning his practice the following year, Mr. Botsford soon attained a good standing in his profession, and was elected County Judge in 1861, filling this position four years. In 1870 he located in Elgin. In politics a Democrat, he was nominated for Supreme Judge on the State ticket in 1897. He is attorney for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and the First National Bank, and very actively assisted in promoting the construction of the Chicago & Pacific Railway Company, being both a stockholder in the company and attorney for the company before the courts.
PULLER A. BOWDISH, retired farmer, Aurora, Ill., born at Milford, Otsego County, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1833; came west in 1849 with his parents, who settled in Blackberry Township, Kane County; began his business career as a
