Stephen WILCOX

                   SOURCES:
    1. This Family Group Sheet was compiled by Marion Grace Jewell Nicholls, of Gilbert, AZ
    2. Book #RD974.5R - Representative Men of Old Families of Rhode Island - Vol.#3 (pages 2260-2262) - found at Orlando, FL Public Library.

NOTES:
    1. Stephen Wilcox took care of his parents in their old age - Sawyer - republilcan - good Citizen - lives the Golden Rule.
    2. Wife Caroline S. Holley Wilcox - survived by one child Catharine May who makes a home for her father and takes care of him.
    3. In the above book "Representative men and Old Families of Rhode Island" - Stephen Wilcox son of Lyman Wilcox went to Public School at age 14 he started out to make his way in the world, beginning as hired help on farm of Solyman Miller - his pay was $9.00 a month - during the summer seasons only.  Duriong wi9nters he was expected to do farm chores for his board and lodging.  After spending three years with Mr. Miller, he settled with his father and mother on a small faarm owned by his uncle James M. Wilcox - He operated the farm and cared for his parents during their years of incapacity. Spent winters at Bellingham, Massachusetts where he worked for Mr. John M. Hoag - in his sawmill. Became a Sawyer - Purchased small 6 acre (Olney Mason farm) and got married.  Farm is now in East Woodsocket, but at the time was in cumberland.  Had a debt of $1,000, but had good health and happy home. When his money and paid debt and bought other land - Owned 80 acres - included valuable wood land.  Became interested in feeding stock and purchasedSteam power and installed a steam cutter and cooker - the only one of it's kind in that section.  successful Cattle business for eight years.  Then set up large steam engine and manufactured lumber boxes, etc. until the fall of 1902 - when plant destroyed by fire - a loss of $2,500 and no insurance.  then he made or got railroad ties, telegraph poles, cord wood and lumber.  He did have a milk business at one time.  He discovered medicinal value of a pure spring of Water (Holley Spring) and there was great demand for it.  He carried a can to Woonsocket and disposed it daily - for about 1 1/2 years.  It was the foundation of what is now a very profitable business with help and encouragement of his father-in-law then watrer was analyzed and the spring named his Honor.  For 19 years he has been supplying woonsocket with this pure sparkling water and hundreds of gallons are disposed of all the year round - since wife died - he lives with his daughter - his right hand in business.