Person:Frank Joslyn (1)

FRANK W. JOSLYN, the efficient state's attorney for Kane county, now serving his second term, is the senior member of the firm of Joslyn & Schultz, with offices in the Spurling block, Elgin, Illinois. He was born in that city April 27, 1860, and is the son of Edward S. and Jennie (Padelford) Joslyn, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. ...

... Frank W. Joslyn, our subject, was born and reared in Elgin, and here has spent his entire life. His primary education was obtained in the public schools of the place, and his higher literary education in the Elgin Academy, from which he graduated in 1881. The succeeding three years he spent in teaching, and during his leisure moments read law, passed a successful examination, and was admitted to the bar in 1884. He commenced practice in his native city and while as a rule it is true that "a prophet is never without honor, save in his own country," here where he grew up and was well known in boyhood and youth, he began his life work and success has crowned his efforts. Since 1894 he has been in partnership with Fred W. Schultz.

On the 7th of December, 1886, Mr. Joslyn was united in marriage with Miss Carrie A. Mead, daughter of F. W. and Emma (Colby) Mead, and one son Paul has been born unto them.

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Joslyn are identified with the Baptist church. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, Home Forum, Maccabees, and Sons of Veterans. In woodcraft he has taken especial interest and from 1886 to 1890 he was consulting attorney for the Modern Woodmen. In behalf of that order he has made addresses in four or five states of the union.

Politically, he is a Republican and for the principles of the party he has taken an active part in several campaigns, speaking in Kane and adjoining counties. In 1885 he was elected city attorney of Elgin and served two terms. In 1889 he was appointed master in chancery in the city court of Elgin, and in 1892 was elected state's attorney for Kane county, and re-elected in 1896, and is now serving his second term. As a prosecutor he discharges his duty faithfully without fear or favor, and has had remark- able success, securing the conviction of a very large proportion of those prosecuted. Inheriting the talents of his father as a public speaker, he makes a good impression before a jury, and in the trial of cases holds his own with the best.

Frank W. Joslyn, 1892-1900
Mr. Joslyn was born April 27, 1860, in Elgin, and was educated in Elgin public schools. He studied law at the Elgin practice of his father, Col. Edward Joslyn. He was admitted to the bar in 1883, and served as city attorney of Elgin for two terms beginning in 1885. He married Carrie Mead in 1886. He was appointed assistant state's attorney in 1887. He was the first person to be elected twice as state's attorney. At the time he served as state's attorney he had a law partnership in Elgin with Fred W. Schultz, his successor. As state's attorney he successfully prosecuted a woman known as Vera P. Ava, Vera Ave Dis De Bar, Swami Laura Horos and many other names. (She purported to be a medium and follower of the occult, but was convicted of fraud several times in the U.S., including in Kane County. The Kane County case made national headlines.) Mr. Joslyn later became a supervisor and also city attorney for Elgin, and was an assistant attorney general for Illinois under Attorney General William H. Stead. Mr. Joslyn was noted for his skills as a public speaker and was considered to be the leading criminal lawyer in Kane County. Mr. Joslyn wrote at least one book about Kane County history. He appears to have served as chairman of the Kane County Board of Supervisors. He died Dec. 20, 1938, in Elgin.

Fred W. Schultz, 1900
Mr. Schultz, Mr. Joslyn's law partner in Elgin, apparently served out Mr. Joslyn's term. No reason was found as to why Mr. Joslyn did not complete his term.