Person:Henry Stillman (1)

HENRY WELLS STILLMAN, M.D., of Edgerton, is numbered among the well known citizens of Rock County, where he has made his home since 1862. He is a native of Connecticut, having been born at North Stonington in 1820, and both his paternal and maternal ancestry were among the early settlers of the New England Colonies. The founder of the STILLMAN family in America was George STILLMAN, who was born in England in 1654, and emigrated to this country about the year 1695, locating in Westerly, R.I., where his death occurred in 1728. Our subject is of the sixth generation, and the ancestors in the line of direct descent for the first four generations bore the name of George. Zebulon STILLMAN, father of the Doctor, was of the fifth generation. He married Miss Eunice WELLS, who was also of English origin, the family having been established in America by Nathaniel WELLS, of whom record says, he emigrated from Essex County, England, in 1637, and settled in Rhode Island in 1640.
Zebulon and Eunice (WELLS) STILLMAN were natives of Rhode Island; and became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, five of whom grew to mature years. Of that number but three are now living, in 1889. Sanford P., the eldest, is a resident of Westerly, R.I.; Henry W., of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; and Thomas L., the youngest, is also a resident of Edgerton. The deceased members of the family are Clarissa, Caroline, Thompson W., and Amos Russell. The father died March 30, 1852, surviving his wife for a number of years, her death having occurred on the 17th day of October, 1841.
Dr. STILLMAN, of whom we write, was reared to manhood in his native town, where he received an academic education, and began the study of medicine at the age of twenty years. To further fit himself for the practice of his chosen profession, he attended lectures at the most eminent eastern medical colleges, including the New York Medical College, the Eclectic Colleges at Syracuse, N.Y., and Worcester, Mass., and received the degree of M.D., in 1848. He began practice in Westerly, R.I., and in 1854 left the East and emigrated to Wisconsin, locating at Port Washington, where he was professionally engaged until 1862, at which time he became a resident of Edgerton.
While residing in Rhode Island, Dr. STILLMAN was united in marriage with Miss Emergene WILCOX, a native of Homer, Madison County, N.Y., their wedding being celebrated in 1846.
After a long and successful business career, the Doctor has practically retired form the labors of his profession, and in the leisure thus afforded finds abundant opportunity to indulge his taste for reading and investigation. He is a gentleman of high attainments and much culture, possesses good conversational power, and has many warm friends throughout the community in which he makes his home. In his political view, he was in early life a Whig and entertained strong anti-slavery sentiments, and when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks, and has since been numbered among its most faithful adherent. Religiously he is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Earnest in his convictions, his daily life bears evidence of the sincerity of his profession. Dr. STILLMAN and his wife have a pleasant home in Edgerton, where comfort, refinement and hospitality abound.

Dr. Henry W. Stillman, one of the oldest physicians of the state, died at his home April 2 in Edgerton about 11 o'clock. About a week previous in attempting to seat himself upon a chair he fell to the floor breaking the bone in his hip. For some time he seemingly improved but his advanced age and enfeebled constitution were unable to withstand the shock, the consequent pain and the wear of confinement. Had he lived to the 26th day of this month he would have reached the mature age of 87 years.
Henry W. Stillman was born April 26, 1820, at Stonington, Conn., where he spent his boyhood days. Early in life he became identified with the Seventh-day Baptist denomination by which faith he has always rigidly stood and supported. With him expires the life of the last of the charter members of the Pawcatuck S. D. B. church of Westerly, R. I. In that state he was also united in marriage with Emogene Wilcox and for over sixty years they have traveled down life's pathway together.
After his marriage Dr. Stillman with his bride, came west to Port Washington where for nine years he practiced at his profession. In 1862 they removed to Edgerton and he purchased the drug store then owned by Dr. B. B. Burdick and Randolph Brown. About two years later he retired from the practice of medicine but continued the store, adding to his stock of drugs those of books and stationery. With increasing personal duties in 1877 he sold his stock of goods to Charles Banks and left the field of active business life. Since that time he has enjoyed as far as possible the fruits of his early labors, tending only to his rentals, spending the summers at his home here and the cold winter months in Florida. The past winter is the first in many years that he has remained in the north. Dr. Stillman through his long life has upheld the Christian mode of living as exemplified by the Seventh-day Baptist church. As a man true to his word, a kind neighbor and loving husband, his life stands out as an example. Besides his aged wife, he leaves one brother Thomas L. Stillman of Edgerton.
Funeral was held from the late home Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. L. A. Platts of Milton conducted the services.